-Four Days after leaving Draetan-

The stars rolling overhead, Minoru laid restlessly in the carriage’s bed. Letting a breath go, he continued staring at the underside of the bunk above him, where Petra was sleeping and snoring in a low rumble with each breath. He had been trying to go to sleep, but he just wasn’t tired enough, restlessly rolling over his bed into various sleeping positions, with nothing working out.

Eventually, the curtain at the front was drawn open, with Milo’s voice speaking softly. “Alright. Goodnight.” He said quietly, walking to the back of the carriage, towards Minoru, who sat up before the halfling could approach to shake him awake.

“I’m awake.” He announced plainly. “I’ll head up front now.”

“Oh, okay. ‘Night.” Milo responded back, climbing into his own bed.

Walking over to the front, Minoru stepped past the curtain, taking a seat opposite of Dedrick, who was currently driving. "How's the driving been treating you?" He asked.

"Just fine, honestly. We might be getting a bit more bumpy from here on out. We're getting closer to the mountains."

"Hmm…" Minoru mused as he yawned.

"Couldn't sleep?"

"No, not really."

"Something on your mind?"

"Not in particular, I just have a hard time going to sleep."

"Insomnia?"

"Heh, could be. Iunno, though. I had this problem back home, too. I can never get a full night's sleep for some reason."

"I do hope it's nothing major. Please try and get some rest by the time we reach Harnewentia.”

“Yeah, no problem.”

Looking off into the distance, the hills surrounding them rolled by like gentle waves in the ocean. The lines of mana flowing through the night sky, Minoru’s eyes gleamed with a bit of reverence to the stars in the sky as they passed overhead.

“What’s this journey mean to you, Minoru?” Dedrick suddenly asked.

“Hm?”

“Petra and Milo, they’re doing all of this out of a desire for revenge. For their home and families and everyone from their village. But I never heard why exactly you're doing this as well.”

“Oh… Well, you see, they helped me out when I first arrived here, let me stay with them… I guess I wanted to pay them back?”

“Pay them back for helping you by joining them in a revenge quest? That seems a little unorthodox, doesn’t it?”

“I… suppose so, yes.”

Looking at him for a moment longer, Dedrick continued as he looked back towards the road ahead. “Minoru… You’re not actually from Haucordia, are you?”

“What… makes you say that?”

“You look the part of a Haucordian well enough, but I couldn’t help but notice you don’t have any form of accent. You speak perfectly fluent Villesian, as if you’ve lived here your whole life. And yet you weren’t aware of many things most Villesians would know of, like the seelie and unseelie fae, or really most of Villesia’s history.” Dedrick’s tone became a bit more pointed. “Where are you really from, Minoru? And what are you looking for?”

“I-I’m not helping Petra and Milo for some ulterior reasons, I promise.” Minoru hastily clarified. “I really am trying to pay them back! Plus…” Sighing, his shoulders slacked. “They’re the best chance I have at getting home.” He admitted, Dedrick looking at him curiously.

“I know this is going to be hard to believe but… I’m not… from here. From Gaia, I mean. I’m from another world called Earth.”

“You mean to say you came from the stars, then?”

“No, no nothing like that. I didn’t travel here, I… I was summoned here, but I don’t know by who or why, but I was summoned here. I was out on a walk when I was grabbed by these magic hands that dragged through some kind of hole and… I ended up here, in Villesia.”

“That is certainly quite the story.” Dedrick mused. “And I assume you’re trying to find a way to get back home?”

“Not just that.” Minoru clarified. “You see… before I was grabbed and summoned, I saw a girl be taken by those hands as well. She was someone from my school that I had met earlier that day. I… I still don’t know where she is.”

“Then you wish to find her as well?”

“Yeah… I don’t know her very well, but… She doesn’t deserve to be stuck in a world she has no idea about. I want to get us both home, somehow.” He paused before continuing. “Anyways, that’s my story, and what I want to do. Believe it or don’t, it’s your choice.”

“It certainly is quite the evocative tale.” Dedrick mused, before chuckling lightly. “And here I was worried you were intending something unsavory.” Minoru looked at him strangely. “What? I’m just relieved.”

“So… What? Are you just not bothered by the idea of me being from some other world?”

“Not particularly. It’s all a little hard for me to believe, to be honest, but I don’t get the feeling you’re lying. You wear a lot of your emotions on your sleeve, Minoru, and it’s hard not to notice when you are lying. Honestly, I wouldn’t have suspected something was up with you if you were just a little better at it.”

“Am I that bad at it…?”

“Maybe so. Sorry, that was a bit mean, wasn’t it?”

“Don’t worry about it. So you believe me, then?”

“I don’t see a reason not to. I can tell you aren’t lying, and you aren’t planning to do anything that I’d oppose. You’re just trying to find your friend, right? I don’t have any reason to oppose that.” Dedrick explained. “However, I want to ask… Petra and Milo. How long do you intend to work with them?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re helping them just for now, right? I mean, this is a very personal journey for them, you can’t stay involved forever.”

“I…” Minoru breathed out, hesitating somewhat.

Dedrick looked at him with an expression Minoru didn’t quite understand. “Minoru… I hope you don’t intend to keep going with them forever. This kind of task… this quest to wipe out the monsters and stop the infection, this is our fight as Villesians. And it’s their fight to avenge the people they’ve lost. I apologize if this comes across as rude, but I don’t believe you, as an outsider to Villesia, or even Gaia as a whole, should concern yourself so much with it. You have your own problems, ones far more important to you than the problems facing us, no?”

“I… I guess you’re right, but I just…”

Dedrick sighed. “Minoru, I sympathize with your situation, even if I might never understand the feelings that come with such a… unique predicament. However, I don’t believe you’ll get anywhere by relying on them forever. They have their path, and you have yours. I think it would do you good to think about what you’ll do when your paths eventually take you down different roads.”

“I see…” Minoru breathed out hesitantly. “I don’t really know what my next step is, honestly. I was just expecting to stay with Petra and Milo. I was hoping to be able to find Hana on the way.” He rattled off. “But, I mean, I owe them, you know? I’d probably be dead already if not for them. They’re the only reason I can even be here right now… Don’t you think I should pay them back somehow, if not through this? I can’t just go so far with them, but leave as soon as I find a way to return home.”

Dedrick cast a somewhat downtrodden look towards Minoru, before looking back towards the road. “You’re kind, Minoru, very kind. But that kindness… It’s antithetical to ensuring your own happiness. You won’t get anywhere in your own goals if you concern yourself so much with the problems of others, just to repay them.”

“Well then… what should I do?”

“That’s for you to find out on your own. For now, you have people to accept and help you. Keep that kindness close to your heart, but don’t forget to focus on yourself and your own trials first and foremost.”

Minoru mused on his words, looking down at his own hands as they rested in his lap, before looking up towards the stars above that passed overhead, observing their conversation.

“Maybe it is a little silly to get so invested in all of this. I’m not even from Villesia, and all. Still… I don’t feel like getting invested in this stuff is wrong. If I’m helping people realize their dreams, or helping give them peace of mind with something terrible, like Petra and Milo… I can’t see that being a bad thing, you know? Sure, maybe it doesn’t help to take focus away from getting home… But my own desires can wait, I think. I don’t mind it.”

“Will this Hana also not mind it? Or whatever family you have back at home that are waiting for you?”

“That’s…”

“Wanting to help others is an admirable and noble desire, Minoru, but nothing comes without choices, without sacrifices. Helping someone means not helping another, and when you’re done helping the former, the window to help the latter might have already passed you by. Which would you rather have pass you by: The opportunity to help Petra and Milo on a journey they were already on– and would have continued to be on regardless of your presence– or finding your friend and returning both of you to where you rightfully belong, with those you have left behind?”

“Hey, it’s not like I wanted to come here, and… I don’t even know if it’s possible for us to even return home.”

“But you don’t know that it’s impossible, either.” Dedrick replied pointedly. “If I’m being honest, Minoru, it feels as though you’re trying to rationalize that you won’t be able to return home– before even finding out if you can or not– just to justify the act of neglecting to think about it much more than you already have.”

Minoru didn’t have much in the way of a response to Dedrick’s words, simply earning a somewhat tired sigh from him.

“Don’t misunderstand me, Minoru, I don’t believe you’re a bad person, nor that you’re doing something wrong. So long as you keep your honor, and don’t abandon what you’ve started, I won’t think any less of you. However, you’re in a very precarious position, as well, and I don’t think you realize it.” He leaned back a little, taking his hands off the controls as the road ahead was straight as an arrow, turning his gaze to the stars. “This sky we’re under right now, these stars looking down on us. Petra, Milo, and myself, we all know the same stars, the same sky. But this isn’t your sky, Minoru. It’s not the one you grew up looking at. This is a world that undoubtedly is far different from your own, and you need to be prepared for far more than you might expect.” Looking towards his companion, Dedrick crossed his arms.

“Gaia– and Villesia especially– is ruthless, Minoru. There is no shortage of unforgiving tragedy in our homeland, loathe as I am to admit it. It is a land of great beauty and splendor, but there will always be an ugly side to things that are beautiful. I only ask that you keep your wits about you, and don’t let the wonder of being in a new world lull you into a false sense of security.” Turning back towards the road ahead and grabbing onto the controls once more, Dedrick spoke softly. “That kindness of yours is an asset, Minoru. Don’t let the ugliness of this world take it from you.”

Minoru was left with a strange tightness in his stomach, one that made his brow furrow discontentedly. That strange feeling of danger was back again, gnawing at him like the jaws of a beast. It kept chewing at his side as he tried to parse Dedrick’s words. After a few moments of trying to come up with a response, Minoru simply couldn’t find the words, looking off into the distance as he softly spoke.

“I won’t, Dedrick.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

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-Six Days after leaving Draetan-

After a the following days of constant driving, with rests to refuel both themselves and the vehicle, they had made headway and approached the Harnewentian mountain range, the huge spires of rock and earth reaching so high up that one had to turn their head upwards like a right angle in order to see the peaks that stretched into the clouds. The road had eventually descended into a valley as the hills around them gradually rose and became mountains. The area was quiet over the past day of traveling, so much so that the sound of the engine and wheels rolling along the ground was enough to echo through some of the deeper parts of said valley.

It was a serene area of the world, however, full of untouched greenery and overgrown plants. Flowers large enough to act as roofs to shield from the rain, trees that extended higher than would be expected in such a condition, with trunks that were dozens of feet thick, and mushrooms that could be used as chairs if so desired. A place that inspired wonder in the group as they traveled through.

Rounding the base of a mountain that stretched overhead, their path curving around the huge formation, leading into an expansive clearing that slowly revealed itself. A look of surprise and wonder washed over Petra and Dedrick’s faces as they, the only ones seated at the front, looked off at their destination as it slowly came into view.

The lights of civilization were bright enough to glow high into the night sky and out onto the road, beckoning them towards their destination, protected and concealed as it was in enormous foliage and trees that threatened to surpass the surrounding mountains in their titanic size.

“Is that…?” Petra breathed out in wonder.

“Indeed it is, Petra. That’s Ludmilia, capital of Harnewentia.” Dedrick affirmed, prompting Petra to clamber to her feet, quickly drawing the curtain and retreating into the carriage.

“Minoru! Milo! Wake up, wake up!” She called out excitedly, rushing to their bedsides and shaking them awake.

“Mmngh–? What’s going on…?” Minoru groaned, while Milo tossed and turned frustratedly at Petra’s attempts to wake him.

“Come on, come on, wake up you guys, we’re almost there, just look at where we’re headed!”

Groggily picking themselves up, Petra wasted no time in whisking the both of them out of bed, holding their hands firmly, and pulling them to the front with her, waking them up from the sudden rush of movement as she almost ran with both of them in hand.

Squeezing out, tail wagging, Petra pointed out into the distance towards the glowing city within the valley clearing, Minoru and Milo watching from the doorway.

The enormous, towering trees with canopies that hung down in huge clumps of foliage and vines nearly blotted out the night sky. Brightly colored, spotted, and patterned flowers spread their petals like the points of stars as luminescent pollen fell from them in small clouds or tufts of cotton. Massive leaves that could serve as king-sized beds lightly dripped dew in droplets large enough to completely drench a person standing underneath one.

“What in the world…?” Milo muttered out. “I never heard about Ludmilia being like… this.”

“This is all thanks to the city resting right on a leyline spout.” Dedrick explained. “That much raw mana pouring right out of Gaia makes all plants grow into massive versions of themselves. Maybe this is another big factor into why they’ve hardly even been sieged here.” He speculated.

“It’s so pretty–! I wish I could live here, just look at all of that! I bet even the crops grown here are huge, too!”

Minoru was stricken with a sense of surreal wonder. While many sights in this world were strange and alien to him, nothing quite hammered that fact home like the sight of the city in the impossibly green valley before him. Even the air felt different as they approached, a strange, sweet smell all around.

As they entered the valley, the canopy of the dense forest overhead plunged the surroundings into darkness. However, the path was illuminated along by way of hanging baubles that were suspended by vines from the various trees. Glowing seemingly on their own, Minoru couldn't help but think of them like street lamps, with how bright they were and how they illuminated the road ahead.

The dense innards of the forest were calm and quiet, the sounds surrounding them muted somewhat from the dense shrubbery along the forest floor as the carriage rolled along, slowing down from its previous cruise as the path narrowed.

Further into the forest, the four's eyes lit up as, laid out before them in a wide clearing, moonlight from above finally broke through to illuminate a massive stone wall reaching high into the sky. A field cleared of trees, the clearing was devoid of the massive towers of wood and leaves. Although they were certainly at the entrance of the capital– the massive wall stretching so far to either end of Minoru's vision that it completely blocked view of the other half of the clearing– there was seemingly only one entrance, and from the inside, standing over the height of the wall, was even more trees, densely bordering all around the perimeter, shielding the town inside from view.

At the entrance, there stood two trees on either side of the gate. As the vehicle approached, however, the trees shifted, causing Dedrick to quickly brake the carriage. Previously only about five or six feet in height, the trees almost instantly rose from the ground, disturbing the earth around them as they quickly stood over twice as tall as before, revealing massive, bulky humanoid forms molded from wood, bright eyes looking down at the four of them.

“For what purpose do you wish to enter Ludmilia?” They spoke in unison, deep voices almost booming.

Dedrick stood up from the driver’s seat, speaking loudly and clearly. “We are voyagers from Draetan, we simply seek to visit this illustrious and beautiful city in the mountains.”

“Voyagers, you say?” One of them spoke. “What would a voyager have to do in a reclusive city, which hardly ever faces issues that a voyager would be needed to solve.”

“Voyagers are not simply problem-solvers, my friend!” Dedrick spoke in a lighter tone. “We might live and die by the thrill of missions and quests, but we are travelers at heart! We have heard a great many things that delight and awe the senses about your city. We were already stricken with wonder upon finding this forest, being able to see the beauty of a city contained within would be a dream come true for adventurers such as us!”

The two guardians mused on Dedrick’s words, looking at each other for a moment before replying. “Very well. However, you must permit a search of your vehicle before you are allowed to enter.”

“Of course, of course, it’s no problem at all, feel free!” Dedrick affirmed, drawing the curtain open, to which one of the guards raised his hand.

Upon the tips of his seven fingers, the wood composing them shifted and split open, revealing bright– almost glowing– eyes at the ends of each, causing a bit of a chill to go down Minoru and Petra’s spines, the latter’s ears and tail fur standing to attention as the huge guard’s fingers then grew, extending out like branches reaching into the carriage, beginning to search around.

Looking at the other guard nervously, Minoru and Petra were simply met with a stern stare, leading to both of them simply putting their heads down.

Not long after, the guard retracted his fingers, the digits returning to their previous length and the eyes disappearing underneath the bark.

“Very well. You may enter.” He declared, as a creaking sounded to his side, the gate slowly opening to reveal a clear path into the city.

“Thank you very much.” Dedrick offered his thanks with a bow, before returning to driving the carriage forward, the gates closing behind them as they finally entered the city limit.

Minoru noticed that on the inside, right next to the gate, was a lever deeply entwined in thick branches.

Driving forwards, the light at the end of the road blossomed into the brightly decorated town that finally showed itself and laid its form bare. Lit up by even larger forms of the previous lamp-like baubles, blooming out of vines like flowers as they lit up the city from above. Inside was a shockingly bustling community for the time of night it was, with crowds of people moving around as if it were the middle of the day in Draetan.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Guided along by the road ahead, the carriage lightly puttered along, when a large, green man approached them quickly.

“Hey, hey! You all are travelers here, right? You’ll want to go ahead and park in the carriage plaza just a bit ahead.” The orcish man informed them as Dedrick stopped to address him.

“Carriage plaza?” Petra asked, tilting her head.

“Yeah, just go ahead and park your carriage there, there’s a big ol’ sign pointing towards it. Plenty of room, we just don’t want any vehicles like these taking up too much space on the roads.”

“Very well. Thank you, sir.” Dedrick thanked the man, driving forwards, eventually turning to the directed area on a post that was host to multiple signs pointing in different directions. Once they arrived and parked, the four finally took their leave from the carriage, feeling almost a bit unsteady as they got used to not walking on constantly traveling ground again, stretching and adjusting to the area.

“So, where now, Dedrick?” Minoru asked.

“First and foremost, I’d like to pay a visit to this town’s church to ask a few questions to the priest. With how everyone is out at this hour, and none of the buildings look closed, if it is here then the church should still be open as well. While I’m out doing that, do you all think you would be able to find the guildhouse here? I saw a sign pointing towards it.”

“Sure thing, but what do you need us to do there?” Milo asked.

“Those guards’ words confused me, if I’m being honest. It was like they were trying to dissuade us from coming into the city when I mentioned us being voyagers. I want you three to look up what tasks are posted up there. Speak with other voyagers if possible, too. Harnewentia is becoming known to the outside world for how many monsters are spawning here and bleeding out into other territories, if anyone can give a truthful story regarding that, it’s voyagers.”

“Sounds like a good idea to me.” Minoru mused. “Should we meet back up here?”

“Yes, I believe that would be best. Just try and stay low if I’m not back by the time you three return here.”

“Right! You can count on us, Dedrick!” Petra affirmed.

“Well then, let’s get this investigation underway, shall we?” He stated with a small smile, before the group split up, Dedrick going his way off into the crowded streets, with Minoru, Petra, and Milo heading back towards the signpost.

A sudden chill striking Minoru’s back once again sent a cold sweat down his neck. In a fit of sudden dread, he whipped around, being met with nothing but the empty plaza, connected to various streets through empty alleyways.

“Minoru? What’s up?” Petra asked, worried.

“I…” Minoru breathed out, unsure of how to explain what he felt. “It’s nothing… I just thought I heard someone behind us, that's all.”

“Don’t go scaring yourself like that.” Milo commented.

“Mmh… Yeah…” Minoru plainly said, looking back over his shoulder cautiously, before jogging ahead to return to walking in tandem with his friends.

Invisible, yellow eyes watched from the shadows, letting a toxic breath go as they watched the three leave the plaza, quickly disappearing from their hiding place as well.

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Walking briskly through the streets, Dedrick’s eyes scanned his surroundings, looking through the bustling crowds around him, he spotted a man donning deep blue and white robes walking slowly through the roads. Approaching him, Dedrick put on a gentle smile and tone as he greeted the man.

“Good evening, sir. If it’s of no issue, may I bend your ear for directions to the nearest church?”

“Oh?” The man uttered, looking at Dedrick curiously. “I take it you’re new here in Ludmilia, then?”

“Indeed, sir. I’m interested in paying a visit to this town’s church and speaking with the pastor, if at all possible.” Dedrick spied a strange necklace partially concealed by the man’s robes. Just a small portion was exposed, but its apparently circular shape was remarkably familiar… “Are you perhaps one of the clergymen?”

“Yes, I am. I’m returning home for the day, but I can direct you to the church just fine.” He confirmed, pointing off into the distance, towards a building with a huge, flower-shaped clock tower and a massive, wavy bell at the peak, opposite of the direction he was walking. “Just past that clocktower, there’s a path leading down to a park, you’ll find the church right in there.”

“Thank you very much, sir.”

Bidding the man farewell, Dedrick continued on. As he walked through the streets towards the tower, however something odd caught his eye– A group of soldiers, kitted out in armor with arming swords at their hips. But what was most curious to Dedrick, however, was the clothing and emblems they wore.

They were those of Draetan.

“Draetani soldiers…? What are they here for? I don’t remember hearing any reports of soldiers being moved here. Could the protection treaty have made some progress? No, no that can’t be it, father would have informed me at the very least.” His eyes narrowed as he got closer to them on his path, scanning their clothes. His breath hitching when he saw the insignia of a white lily upon one of the soldiers’ armbands. “That’s…! The insignia of Orleans…? Then father is involved here! Not to mention… I don’t recognize any of these men at all. What in the world is going on…?”

He had intended to approach the men to inquire about their presence, but this detail tied a knot tightly in his stomach, a feeling of great unease washing over him. This wasn’t making sense.

Turning his gaze ahead once again, he quickly made his way past the clocktower, ducking in-between the people walking along the roads.

Unbeknownst to him, the soldiers had taken notice of his presence as well, and broke from their poses as he rounded the clocktower, following close behind.

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Swinging the doors to the guildhouse open, Petra stepped in, Minoru and Milo following close behind. Despite the big presence of civilians outside, the inside of the building was mostly empty, with only two men present: A barkeeper standing behind a long counter absentmindedly polishing a glass as he stood in front of a huge collection of shelves of bottles, and another man sitting opposite of the barkeep on a stool at the counter.

Her eyes scanning the surroundings, Petra spied a message board hung up on a wall adjacent to the bar, with multiple pieces of paper tacked onto it.

“You guys go chat up the barkeep, I’ll go take a look at the board over there.” She instructed, to which she scampered off, leaving the two to follow her instructions, taking seats at the bar.

The man behind the counter eyed them curiously, before setting down the glass in his hands. “You two look a little young to be drinking.” He mused callously. “Anyways, what can I get you fellas? And your lady friend over there?”

“Actually, we wanted to ask a few things, if that’s alright.” Minoru began.

“Depends on the question, but I can certainly try.”

“Out of curiosity, would you say there’s been many problems with regards to monsters showing up, causing issues, or anything like that?”

“Can’t say that there have been, really.”

At his words, the man sitting across the barkeep set down his drink, looking up just slightly, although this went unnoticed by the others in the room.

“Really? None at all?”

“Well, of course we get the occasional job or mission for any voyagers to go clean up some stray monsters messing with the farmers or to hunt after anything that gets too big for its britches, but nothing much else.”

“Are the crops grown in the city?”

“Hm? Yeah, why?”

“Well, I don’t mean to imply anything but, it seems a little hard to believe that monsters could sneak into this city and get at the crops. I mean, you’re protected from every angle, essentially. The wall, the trees, the whole dome of a canopy enveloping the city, it all seems a little much for monsters to go through just to get at crops grown here.”

“I’ll have you know the crops grown here just ain’t any ol’ kind, won’t find fruit or veggies growing as big as we got them here.” The man commented. “Although, ‘course I didn’t tell you that there’s some farms on the outside of the city, you know? Bit of a trek of course, they’re outside the whole forest, but those’re the ones I mean. You won’t see many of ‘em just heading up and down the main roads, though.”

“Fair enough–”

“C’mon now, quit feeding them that, you and I both know those things are clawing at our walls here.” The other man spoke, adjusting his seat in his stool to lean up on the bar, his front facing Minoru and Milo as he crossed one leg over the other.

An athletically built seraut with tall, knifelike ears and a long, thin tail, the man was dressed rather provocatively, white and red robes that looked more fit for traveling a desert, hanging slightly off one of his shoulders to reveal an undershirt that was the color of tarnished gold. His hair was that of a dusty auburn coloration, and his eyes– accentuated with a dark eyeliner– were an almost piercing red, beguiling Minoru and Milo as they looked at him. He had a thin, angular face, his mouth almost shaped like the tip of an arrow as he smiled at them.

“My name is Sahar, it’s nice to meet you two.”

“Minoru. He’s Milo, and she’s Petra.” Minoru introduced, gesturing to his friends as he spoke.

“You and your friend over there are voyagers, I take it?” He asked in a calm tone, the golden bracelets on his arm clinking together as he gestured. The barkeep simply let out a huff, moving to another area behind the counter as he went back to polishing his glass.

“We are, yeah. Do you know anything about what's going on?”

“I've actually been taking on jobs in Ludmilia for a good while now. We've definitely been seeing a lot more issues with monsters cropping up as of late. We are called something of a 'monster hotspot' now."

"Really, Sahar, you're going to go scaring off my customers if you tell everyone about this." The barkeep spoke up, to which Sahar laughed heartily.

"Settle down, boss, they're voyagers. You know, the kinds of people that are supposed to be in guildhouses? You can't expect them to stick around for very long if you hide this kinda news from them."

"Voyagers, maybe, but I still have a tavern to run as well. Any other tourist is going to turn tail and run when they hear about those freaky beasts running around the place."

"I'm not sure any old tourist would want to come to Ludmilia in the first place these days. The city's reputation precedes it." Sahar rattled off. "Admit it, Harnewentia's hemorrhaging monsters out of every crevasse and cave they can find to spill out of."

"Fine, fine. You're right. Carry on."

"Heh…" Sahar snickered. "Sorry about that, fellas. Either way, that's basically the gist of it. We're spilling monsters out of every hole there is, and other countries are paying for it.” He took a small sip out of his drink before continuing. “Although, here in Ludmilia we haven’t been experiencing much in the way of any monster attacks, aside from some crops being stolen, I guess. It’s all a little strange.”

“Actually, that’s one of the reasons we came here.” Minoru explained, eliciting a curious “Mmh?” from the man before him. “You see…” He began explaining, retelling their reasons for suspecting Ludmilia’s ties to the monsters.

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“Hmm? Well good evening, young man. What can I do for you?” A soft male voice greeted Dedrick as he entered into the church. The countless rows of pews on either side of the room were completely empty, and the entire church was only illuminated by a simple, almost inelegant chandelier hanging from the top. At the back, the man stood in front of an altar, dressed in robes of a deep blue color, as well as a similar hat.

Approaching closer, Dedrick put a hand over his chest and bowed respectfully. “Good evening to you too, Dear Father.” Raising his head, he continued. “I hope I’m not taking up too much of your time, but I have an urgent matter to speak to you about.”

Turning from the altar and taking a seat at one of the pews the man spoke in a friendly tone. “No, not at all. Our congregations are only in the morning, so I am free for the time being. Whatever it is you wish to speak to me about, I will bend an ear for you.”

Taking a seat on the pew across the aisle, Dedrick began. “Father, if I may be blunt. People here have been experiencing issues with monster attacks, haven’t they?”

Thinking for a moment and taking a breath, the priest responded. “In some form, yes. Although I wouldn’t call them ‘attacks,’ per se. Here in Ludmilia the most we get are occasional sightings and some crops being stolen.”

“That’s quite the curious situation, given how many issues there are regarding monsters elsewhere. Did you happen to hear of the village that was destroyed by them in Draetan?”

“I did. They said there were even monsters around the remains when it was discovered.” He breathed out another purposeful sigh. “How awful it is. I can only hope that those poor victims’ souls can rest in peace.” He mused.

“It’s a terrible thing indeed. Dear Father, do you have any idea how the people affected by such tragedy can… move on? To heal?”

“Well, that is a tough question to answer. You carry the experience of such a horrible thing with you for the rest of your life. It is always a part of you, and many people don’t know how to handle such a thing. It can be quite harrowing to experience. Moving on will never be easy, and there will never be a solution for everyone.”

“May I ask, Father, what would you say to someone who had been wronged by someone, or some thing in the past, and is now focused on delivering justice upon whatever it was that wronged them? Seeking revenge, if you will.”

“Are you perhaps dealing with something like that yourself?”

“...Yes.” Dedrick breathed out. “These feelings, they plague a friend of mine. They have been… consumed with a desire for vengeance, one that has been pushing them forwards for a long time, but one which I fear may cause them to break sooner or later."

The priest's eyes carried a surreal expression as he looked at Dedrick, his head upturned slightly as he spoke in a steady monotone. "Revenge is a natural emotion for you to feel. It cannot be helped that you fall into a sense of rage and despair, of a desire for justice to be served."

"Father, do you mean to say that you support the seeking of revenge, like my friend is doing, despite possibly being ruined by it?"

"I do not pass judgment one way or the other on how others choose to live, nor on how they deal with grief and pain. It is not my place to."

Letting a breath go, Dedrick stood up from his seat, looking up at the large symbol decorating the wall above.

A serpent that curled around a four-pointed star, biting its tail.

"What if that person were to come face to face with the one who had wronged them? How do you think they might feel? What actions would they take?"

Sternly looking directly at Dedrick the man spoke evenly. “I suppose they would feel a mixture of anger and joy. Or perhaps sadness and resentment. A profoundly confusing emotion it would be, no doubt, but one that I imagine many people would savor.”

The two stared each other down for a few, heavy moments, neither so much as breathing, before Dedrick broke the silence as he reached into his coat.

“If you don’t mind, I have one more question that I wish to ask of you, Father.” Pulling his hand out of his pocket, he produced a silver necklace, the one that carried the same symbol as the church itself did.

“Do you know a man by the name of ‘Carne?’”

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“So you believe that there’s some kind of group of monsters hiding out in Ludmilia?” Sahar asked, bringing a hand up to his chin.

“Based on what we know, that seems at least somewhat likely. If they aren’t based here, then they might be using this general area as a spawning ground of sorts, using the major leyline here to fuel both that and the infection.”

“Given everything you said, it is a possibility.” He mused. “You said that the man that attacked Milo carried a symbol of the Harnewentian church on him as well? And that he had features like that of a monster?”

Milo spoke up. “Yes. He attacked me right after we managed to obtain some travel documents from the caravan company, while we were investigating that village. And he had a necklace on him with the same symbol as the church.”

“Hm… That is quite concerning. So? What’s your plan here?”

“Our friend is investigating the church as we speak. We’re trying to dig up any info to point us to wherever they could be.”

“You sent your friend to the church directly?”

“He said he’d just be speaking with whoever was there if it was open.”

Sahar shifted in his seat with an uncomfortable expression. “I don’t know… the pastor there at this time of night can be quite… prickly sometimes. I’m not sure how well he’ll hold up to questioning of that variety.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

“No no… Wait a moment… This Carne character you encountered– You said he was like a vulture, right?” Sahar asked, getting a nod from the two. “Boss, have you ever met someone like that here?”

The barkeep shook his head. “Can’t say I have, Sahar. I know damn near everyone in this town and haven’t ever met anyone like that. Sounds like I’d have kicked out if anything, and I remember everyone I’ve kicked out.”

“He must’ve been here to have been a member of the Harnewentian church, but Boss hasn’t met him. Neither have I, and I’ve been here for quite a while too. This isn’t adding up…”

“Anything we could do to find out if he was here?”

“The only people who would know or be able to tell you in this case would be–” His breath hitched. “Oh no…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Tell me, which of you has the necklace that you got from this Carne?”

“Dedrick, the one who went to the church.”

“Shit… That could be bad… If he begins asking about Carne directly, then if he really was linked to the church, and they were trying to hide it, your friend could be in danger.” He explained in a grim tone.

Minoru spoke up, Petra quickly stepping over to join the group as she heard the conversation “Huh!? But then…”

“If your theory is correct, then…

You might have painted a target on your heads right when you set foot in this city…”

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Holding out the necklace, the trinket dangling from the chain, Dedrick and the pastor stared each other down after his question. The air was thick with a palpable tension as the pastor stood from his seat, reaching out and grasping the necklace’s end in his hand, looking it over before he spoke once more.

“Yes, I do know him. He was a very dedicated member of our church. Where did you get his necklace?”

“He was found dead in Draetan.”

The pastor looked at him with his eyes narrowed. “Was he now? I had no idea… What exactly happened, if I may ask?”

“What kind of a reaction is this?” Dedrick thought as his brow furrowed. “The cause of his death is unknown, at the moment. The last I heard before I left, they hadn’t made much progress in figuring it out.”

“I see… What a shame. He was a good man. Thank you for returning his necklace to me.”

Dropping the necklace in the man’s hand, Dedrick was still perplexed by how unaffected the man seemed.

“Father, if you don’t mind, I’m curious about something. You seemed familiar with the attack on that village I mentioned. However, you had no idea about Carne’s death.”

“Is that so strange?”

“Well, excuse me for making assumptions, Father, but… News about that village hasn’t gone public yet.” The man was silent following Dedrick’s words. “Carne’s death was actually widely reported on as well. However, we haven’t released a word about the village to the public. Sure, some talk may have gotten out, but I doubt it would have traveled here so quickly, especially given how there haven’t been any caravans running to or from this city to Draetan.” Dedrick replied, pacing around the pastor.

“Not to mention, Father, that Carne was talked about quite a bit. After all, he created quite a ruckus, trying to assassinate someone, attacking some civilians, and blowing up a whole plaza in the process.” Hands behind his back, he stared down the man in front of him. “Tell me, Father. Does that sound like the actions of a ‘good man,’ as you put it?”

Bringing a hand to his forehead, the pastor sighed. “You Villesians and your questions…” He muttered in a low tone. “Well? What are you trying to imply? That all of us at this church are the same? Carne might have had some demons– ones no doubt implanted in his head by the absurdity of the Fourfold Church– but he was still a dutiful and pious man.”

“I didn’t know pious people would go on rampages in a city, trying to kill someone and endangering innocent families. Tell me, what reason do you have for defending a man who wouldn’t have thought twice using mass murder to kill a single person?”

And wrathful glare flashed in the man’s eyes as he looked down at the lunan before him.

“Not to mention, what self-respecting church would allow a man undergoing the transformation into a monster into their congregation? Not only was this Carne foul to his core, he had given up his very humanity to become nothing more than a simple bloodlusted beast. Four yellow eyes? What exactly were you getting up to, sheltering such a cretin?” Dedrick spat out.

“SILENCE!” The man almost screamed. “Ridicule the man all you wish, Dedrick von Orleans, but know that not for one second did he ever discard his humanity! You have a wicked soul, to not only speak ill of the dead but to dismiss his very existence, more wicked than a troubled man like him could ever be!”

“And just how, pray tell, do you know my name?” Dedrick asked without missing a beat. “I never told it to you. Or do you perhaps have the ability to divine a person’s name just by their appearance?”

“Tch–!” The pastor scoffed.

“I’ll ask you one more question, Father. Just one more.” Dedrick spoke in a fierce tone as he reached to his side, the cold steel of his sword scraping against his sheath as he pulled it out, the saber’s blade stopping just short of the pastor’s face as it was pointed directly at him.

“What are you hiding here?”

Dedrick’s ears then suddenly twitched, as deep, heavy footsteps sounded through the hall of the church, his head immediately turning towards the altar.

“Come now, Father. You could have done better than that, surely.” A deep, warped voiced spoke. “Honestly, getting tricked by a Villesian, you’re easier to read than a tiny little children’s book.” The voice mocked as it slowly got closer.

Dedrick felt a cold sweat go down his neck as the voice spoke. Something about it tied his stomach into knots, a sensation that nauseated him. Not to mention how his hand, without any warning, began trembling at the voice’s mere presence.

“What… is this…!?”

“Well then, Dedrick von Orleans, you’ve cracked the code. Solved the puzzle. Can we get a round of applause for our little nobleman here? Woo! Yeah, go Dedrick!” The voice mocked as a deafening cacophony of clapping suddenly filled the hall, so loud that Dedrick had to cover his ear, a loud ringing piercing them as he winced.

Opening his eyes, he saw a huge, hulking figure– towering over Dedrick– step out from behind the altar. Vaguely humanoid, the figure was purple over much of its body, broken up by a shell-like armor that was a white like that of chalk, looking as though it was wearing chest armor, a helmet, and gauntlets. A long tail, like a tendril, stuck out from its back, curling around behind it.

“So… What are you going to do now? Why don’t we play a little game and find out?” The figure mocked as it entered into the light of the hall, showing its piercing yellow eyes behind its mask-like armor.

----------------------------------------

“Then–!” Petra blurted out. “Then we have to go find Dedrick! He’s out there alone, right? He could be in danger!” She moved as if she was about to run out the doors, only for Minoru to quickly grab her wrist.

“Petra, wait, please! If we’re being targeted already, then they might be waiting for exactly that!”

“Your friend’s right.” Sahar added. “You three need to play your cards carefully right now. You can’t take the risk of possibly being ambushed on your way there.”

“We need to stay calm, Petra. We can’t let our nerves get the better of us, okay?”

“But… But–!” She tried to argue, yet the words couldn’t leave her mouth. “I-I get it, but… I can't just sit here! If Dedrick’s really in danger then… Then I wouldn’t forgive myself if he died! Not to mention that this city is full of monsters, the civilians could be getting targeted, too!”

“...Shit… Shit shit shit!” Milo cursed, hopping from his seat and rushing part way to one of the windows before stopping. “Hey, guys? We might be too late, look outside!” He urged, to which Minoru and Petra and raced to his side, looking out the window.

Lights were dancing– bright reds, oranges, and yellows– flickering and wobbling all over as they shone brighter and brighter. Soon enough, a peculiar smell began filling their senses, one that made everyone in the building freeze almost solid.

Smoke.

----------------------------------------

The doors to the church were ripped from their hinges, as Dedrick was sent barreling through them with tremendous force, flying through the air, he just barely managed to catch himself as he jammed his sword into the soft earth below him, stopping himself.

As he stood up, however, the sights around him struck dread into his heart. Almost as if going up in blazes within moments, it was like the sky itself was on fire, as the canopy of the trees above burned with a wild intensity, huge orbs of burning foliage breaking off and falling from the canopy to the ground below, buildings being set ablaze as they did so, hordes of people screaming and scrambling around as they tried to escape.

“Dammit–! Were we tricked!?” Dedrick cursed, as he heard a hearty laughter from the church, as the figure before him stepped out of the busted church entrance.

“Come on, focus on the fight, Dedrick! You’re going up against someone special here! You’ll never get anything done against me if you concern yourself with the city, you little busybody!”

“Cease your prattling, demon! No matter what it is you are, nor what you try to pull, I will silence that wicked tongue of yours!”

“Getting a little feisty, are we? Gahah–! You haven’t got the balls to put that gumption into action!”

“You think I'm weak, do you? I’ll show you that you and your ilk should have stayed in the rotten wound you call a home!”

Two bright, yellow claws sprouted from either gauntlet on the beast’s arms, glowing as they burned the air around them, almost sizzling from their sheer heat.

“There you go again, with that ill-earned Villesian pride, gahahah–! I’ll enjoy ripping out that throat of yours, you pompous little roach!”

Dedrick drew his blade, rushing towards the figure as it did the same, the two clashing as the fire raged all around, engulfing the city in its claws.