The last four days of the expedition were calm. We still encountered our fair share of monsters on the way but there were no relentless pursuits or eerie magical fog. Only Centipedes, Panthers, Jagras, and carnivorous plants. My earlier estimation proved correct, almost pessimistic, and I managed to gather enough essence to raise all of my class skills to their maximum with some excess. The two additional levels were welcome as well, only five left until rank six.
Every day, we crept closer to the central pillar, home of the Adventurer's Guild.
From up close, the base looked to be around eight hundred meters in diameter. It had looked small when seen from Niu, almost like a needle hanging from the cavern's ceiling. Now that I was at its base, it was much more impressive. All the details that were invisible from a distance revealed to me.
Along the outer surface, starting about fifty meters from the ground, I spotted windows of all shapes and sizes carved into the rock. A few places even had balconies, either recessed into the rock or built on overhangs.
At the base, the jungle dense stopped dead a hundred meters from the wall. No trees or even bushes grew there, only short grass no higher than Vel's ankles. It was obviously artificial, a moat of sorts, to give the guards ample time to spot anyone, or anything, stepping close.
Darrel confidently walked us across.
In the distance, I saw one of the entrance gates. Flanked by two circular towers recessed into the surface of the pillar, the two stories tall gates were imposing. And, once my sphere was in range, bristling with defensive enchantments. Including some that blocked me from seeing inside.
The guards, and their number had increased once they had spotted us, waited for us. I could see from the way they held themselves that they were ready to spring into action should it be required.
The leader stepped forward with a gentle smile hidden under his helmet.
"You must be the Windmire Wanderers," he shook Darrel's hand. "The scouts from Asril village arrived almost a week ago and informed us about your situation. You're free to enter as usual. The guild master is waiting for you at the hall."
"Thanks," Darrel nodded. "We'll head there straight away."
"I'll send a few of my people with you," the leader said. "In case there are some troublemakers looking to bother new arrivals." He smiled at Vel and I.
----------------------------------------
As it turned out, the two massive doors had a set of smaller doors at the bottom for convenience. They were large enough for a cart to pass through so I had no problems there. First, there was a small chamber with a few guards that paid us no mind, and another set of doors. These ones were already open and I could see the organized chaos behind.
The inside of the pillar was hollow and housed an entire bustling city. Though, instead of expanding outwards, this one grew upwards. It was hard to discern how many layers the pillar had from where we were but I could see at least three through the hole in the ceiling. Mana crystals, artificial ones, embedded in the ceiling provided light. Their color was different than in the jungle, closer to the sun. It wasn't surprising since surface dwellers had built it.
The buildings around us were mostly made of wood with some plaster here and there. In a style that made me think of old European city centers back on Earth. We passed through several circular plazas on the way to the guild where I spotted numerous shops that sold everything from weapons to food. I was also surprised to see children playing around. On second thought, however, it made sense. Only a fraction of the population here was adventurers, the rest were from the cottage industry that supported and supplied them.
Our little group attracted attention, or maybe it was fair to say I attracted most of the attention. Thankfully, most people didn't want to bother us.
----------------------------------------
The guild headquarters was at the center of the pillar. It was a large building made from wood and stone, almost like an office building mixed with a castle keep, surrounded by a courtyard where many of the more adventurer oriented shops resided.
The entrance hall was spacious, with tables for groups to wait and booths for privacy. At the back was a long counter with several attendants, one of them was even a Dark Elf, and a small line of people of all ancestries waiting for their turn. Mana crystals hung inside lanterns on the walls and frosted glass domes on the ceiling, they radiated a soft golden light that bathed the room in warm colors.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
"I'll go hand in the mission," Darrel said. The rest of the group nodded and moved to sit at one of the tables. "Liscura, Velatha, I will also mark you as participants." He said with a smile. "This way, you'll get part of the reward."
"Thanks Darrel," I said.
"You both helped," he waved me off. "Not sure we'd have managed both the queen and her underlings at the same time. At least not as smoothly."
"You did escort us all the way here," I pointed out.
"We'd have done that anyway," he shrugged, "and we got to relax in Asril thanks to you."
"Let's try not to out-polite each other too much," I chuckled.
"It's a matter of principle," Darrel huffed.
"Go fill your paperwork," I shooed him away.
As soon as he left, one of the attendants approached Vel and I. She wore the same suit-like uniform as the ones at the counter. From her light brown skin and pointed ears, she was likely a Wood Elf.
"The guild master is ready to see you," she said with a polite smile. Her eyes were nervously flicking between my head and fangs.
"Lead the way," I said.
----------------------------------------
We followed behind Saya, the attendant, who led us through a door on the side of the entrance hall. The corridors behind were large enough for me to fit if a bit uncomfortable. Crossing was still difficult, however. The best way I found, after the second time, was to partially climb on the wall to give other people space.
"Guild Master Duskflame is waiting in training hall four," Saya said, "he was not sure you'd fit through his office door."
"I probably wouldn't," I grimaced. "Doors have been a bit of a problem."
"I can imagine," Saya showed a hint of a genuine smile. "We're there."
She opened a door that led into a wide open room. I spotted a row of wooden dummies on the left wall and a slightly raised platform at the center. A low circular table and some cushions had been placed there. Nearby, a cart with cups, a teapot, and several trays of biscuits way waiting.
Sat at the table was a man, obviously waiting for us. He looked to be in his fifties, with slightly graying black hair, gentle brown eyes, and crow's feet. I caught a hint of surprise on his face before he schooled himself.
[Human (Level ??, Rank ?; Mage)]
Through my sphere I could feel the weight of mana inside of him. He was strong, at least on the same level as Breknir or even higher.
"You must be Liscura and Velatha," he waved us forward. "Welcome. Take a seat."
Vel and I walked to the table and we both took a seat opposite the guild master. Once we were in place, Saya brought the tea and food over to us. I wasn't familiar with the brew but the smell was enticing. The guild master took one of the biscuits and munched on it for a few seconds.
"I am Silvester Duskflame," he bowed slightly, "guild master for the Twilight Jungle branch."
"Liscura Van-Niu," I bowed in return.
"Velatha Van-Niu," my girlfriend did as well.
"We have much to discuss, I think. The letter from Asril's council was quite thorough." Silvester said with a slight frown. "First and foremost, on behalf of the guild, I express our sympathies for what happened to your village," he said with a sad look.
"Thanks guild master," Vel said.
"Dain was quite insistent I warn you. The Crimson Lys are not to be trifled with lightly." The guild master said with a tone that left very little room for argument. "Even if the Eastern Kingdoms will never admit it, they fund the Lys to fuel their slave trade and anyone who threatens this is dealt with quickly and harshly."
"What are we supposed to do then?" I asked, an edge of anger in my voice. "Give up?" Vel took my hand in support.
"Most people would," he said with a sigh. "A lot have. Some of our own members are searching for family taken by the Lys." Katherine, I thought. "I only ask of you that you do so carefully. Too many have been lost already."
"Do you think there's a chance?" Vel asked.
"There is always a chance," Sylvester smiled. "You have proven they are not infallible. Others have as well. And I am sure one day they will fall."
"But we'll need to get stronger," I said.
"You will," he nodded. "And the guild can help you along your journey there."
There was a lull in the conversation. The guild master took a long sip of his tea with a content expression. I did the same and I understood why. The taste was sweet but not too much with a strong fruity flavor underscored by a hint of mint.
"Let us move on to, hopefully, less unpleasant subjects," Sylvester said with a smile. "The letter informed of your condition but it did not do it justice. I assume you gained a special class tied to your new form?"
"The Arachne," I confirmed. "From the description, the ritual transformation was standard for high priestesses of Lolth."
"Interesting …" He mused. "From a historical perspective at least. Very few records survived the old civilizations and their existence is still shrouded in mysteries."
I nodded. The contents of the bracer and the books I recovered from the fort would likely be sought after if I revealed their existence. Not something I intended to do for the moment.
"The guild has a program to assist those in your situation," Sylvester continued. "For most, it involves exotic dietary needs but it seems you do not need anything on that front." I shook my head. "Your problems stem more from your … remarkable size." He said diplomatically.
"Small spaces have become a bit of an issue, yes," I said with a chuckle.
"We will arrange for a room then," he said, "some of our storage warehouses are unoccupied at the moment. For both of you, I assume?"
"Yes," Vel said.