They left the place in silent, as they teleport at Ravalind to have a final sight before going to where Amaragnum spoke. When they arrive, Akatosh brought out his guild's ring... A now broken ring.
Sigh* "Fuck..."
He goes to check the Fox's Inn, only to see a destroyed tavern burned into charcoal.
Sigh* "I hate this... I need a drink."
He stood like a statue contemplating the sudden outcome. The guild he was apart from was now gone, the place where he learned all kinds of rouge skill is now but a burned rubble and the people, he made friends with... faded. Unsure if there are other survivors from his guild, but he wasn't very much interested in rebuilding their guild. For he already had enough, the sentiment he gain is enough to distort his soul. He was a human nonetheless.
He looks around the town only to see injured soldiers and adventurers were being treated. He ignores the moaning pain and looks for an open tavern, in the end, he wasn't able to find a single inn or tavern available.
By odds, he came across a shop he didn't see for a long time.
"Welcome--" Linda discontinues, she was a little bit off seeing Akatosh.
"Hi... Um, is your father here?"
Linda tilts her head; she was a bit off to the new face of Akatosh.
"He's at the back working... Are you okay, your face seems stale I could offer you a bed to sleep while you wait for him."
"Ah... I-I um... I was hoping if he could offer a... Drink?"
Linda's face was in disbelief upon hearing Akatosh's mumbling reason.
"Really?"
"Ugh... yeah... Well, I-I... I have some coins if you want." He implores scratching his head unable to gaze at the little girl.
"A drink you said?" Linda twitches her eyes.
"Um... Yeah."
"That would be two silver coins."
"Ugh... okay."
Linda went around the back of the shop desk and in her return were two mugs of water.
"Ugh..."
"You said a drink, right?"
"Yes but--"
"But you never specified it."
Tired and unable to withstand a long conversion, he gulps every drop of the mug. Saying his gratefulness and as he was about to leave, Barry then shows up.
"Oh... Haven't seen you around for a long time, what brings you here?"
"Ugh... A drink..." Just as he implores, he saw Linda staring at them with a disappointed face.
"Well, your face does really need a taste of ale. I could offer you some two to three bottles... how 'bout that?"
"Gladly..."
Linda sigh and went on mounting the shop.
"So, why the long face."
"I had a lot of fed-up intensity, that's why I need a drink."
Barry sighed, and without a warning, he puts his index fingers on his chest revealing why. The sudden touch of his fingers quickly divulges Akatosh's inner emotions and past. When he enters his soul, he felt distorted. What he saw was a fucked-up soul filled with nothing but misery and guilt. That was then he initially removed his fingers.
"What... are you doing?" Akatosh said, rum by Barry's action.
"Nothing... I was just checking your heart."
"Oh... If serves, do you have a stock of ale? If you have some five or more, I would like to buy some."
Giving him only seven of his ale, Akatosh exits the shop.
"What a weird guy... Coming here in search of an ale."
"What else for a man with poor soul, all alone taking the burdens and remorse by himself."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing, the world is full of mysteries." Barry implores, retrieving back to his forge.
"You're both weird."
Once he left the shop, dizziness struck Akatosh, and with no inns available he goes to his friends' shelter. And since they were busy fixing the capital and healing the wounded. The traveler had no choice but to apply his lockpicking skill.
Choosing Chifya's room, he first drinks one ale before reuniting with the bed. An hour later, his slumber was interrupted by the high alcohol substance in his stomach and an argument just outside of the house.
"Will you stop following me!" Chifya shouts.
"I won't, not until I see her."
"And why is that?!"
"Because I wanted to help her!"
"And why should I trust you lady Ashalain?"
"That's not the issue here Chifya!"
Right before the situation escalated, Sheila and her friends didn't know what to do. Until however... a loud bang opens the window and came Akatosh.
"WILL YOU BOTH SHUT THE FUCK UP! I'M TRYING TO SLEEP HERE! IF YOU TWO WANT TO CONTINUE BITCHING AROUND, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. AND--" Akatosh discontinues when his stomach ejects from the high alcoholic level. "Ughhhhh... Fuuuuuuk...."
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
After emptying his stomach, he slowly pulls away just as he leisurely closes the window. Seconds of bedcovering, he heard nimble footsteps climbing up the stairs. When stop, a loud bang opens the door, and there came Chifya who's in furious mode.
"Where have you been! I've been looking all over for you!"
"Mhm..." Groans Akatosh
"People are dying and you have the audacity to get drunk at a time like this. Don't you have any shame sleeping here and to yourself!"
Sapped to make a conversation or argument, Akatosh pulls himself as he pulls out a small pouch of gold coin. For he saw it as a mere argument of an irritated child who knows nothing.
"Sorry..." Akatosh implores giving Sei the pouch of coin. Silent as they are, he saw Ashalain's eyes were filled with disappointment and cold stare eyes.
"Now where will I sleep comfortably." Akatosh implores flipping his guild ring. That's when a mysterious man blocks his path.
"Master Akatosh..."
"Uh... yeah?"
"Ariendal De Shilvia gave me this letter to you and... about our headmaster..."
Sigh* "Master Hawk left this world after his last battle with a prince of demons."
"Then-then..." He says, holding back his sorrow.
"Don't worry, he parted peacefully and a hero. By the way are there more of you who survive the onslaught?"
"Only a few, but the guild is no more... Are you our new--"
"No, sorry but I'm not chosen nor it's my destiny to become one. The goddess Mezura might give you light. Who knows she might chooses you."
"I understand... then I'll be on my way."
"Oh, wait... do you know an open tavern or inn to sleep in?"
"I do know one tavern although it might be expensive."
"Lead the way."
Sometime later…
"Godspeed master Akatosh." The man says after leading the traveler to an exquisite inn.
"Same goes to you." He replies after taking one expensive room to sleep in.
Two days pass, Akatosh decides to finally open the letter after his sweet slumber.
"What is this? An invitation at the king's banquet... tonight? And a private meeting from Ariendal... An importation discussion? Hmm... well why not I do hope for extravagant food..." Sigh* "Guess a bath might be good."
Using the letter as his passage ticket, he was then teleported to the capital.
To his surprise, he saw the past destruction from their battles was at seventy percent finish.
"Hmm... might be magic. But what the heck I'm starving."
Wearing a mantle that fits his earthly clothes, he was stopped by the guards from entering the royal's banquet mansion. Even with the letter, the guards were hesitant to let him enter.
After his hard passage, Akatosh was met by the clamorous party by the king. Aristocrats in their flamboyant dress, the music that filled the atmosphere, and the most important part from him were the food served at the table.
Unexpectedly he saw Ashalain in a beautiful dress surrounded by suitors. Even Chifya was there being wooed by either high-rank adventurers or some lords. Also, he notices Freia, who was happily smiling while she chats with some royals and nobles. All of these were due to his impeccable observation.
And while walking he could hear the aristocrats applauding a hero named Roland and the priestess of Endregar.
Not wanting to make an opera, he goes out filling his plate. Which was eventually seen by Ashalain, since he had the most different clothes. Uninterested of the banquet’s atmosphere, he goes out to check the balcony. And with luck, he found an empty one waiting for Ariendal to have one last conversation before doing his partner’s ambition.
Exactly at his feeding time, he heard a footstep, and to his eyes was Freia.
"What do you want?" Akatosh implores in a still tone.
"I'm surprised to see you here."
"If you want me to be kicked out from this party, I would like to take this food with me."
"That's-that's not what I came here for. I came here to show you my gratitude for what you've done to this kingdom."
"Please, I'm no more than a murderer. I'm quite surprised, how did those nobles and royals you were smiling at, feel the death of a thousand. Look at them with their esteemed nobility. I once saw them, trembling before the war, running their asses to sanctuary. And now return as they pride themselves the victor... Fucking shitheads. And do hope your arrogance and immature might have learned from what happened to this place."
Freia who was hit by his words couldn't utter a reply.
"Princess Freia..." Ashalain suddenly calls. "I would like to speak with that man." She continues with a bit of malice on her face, not for the princess but the man who’s gluttonously eating.
"Lady Ashalain..."
"Your father, the king is looking for you. You should appear at his proclamation."
Freia nods, but she wasn't completely swayed by Ashalain’s words. Instead, she secretly conceals at the back of the door, listening to their conversation.
"Why are you here?" Ashalain implores in an ice tone.
"Why do you care?"
"Well, I'm asking someone who drinks every day while his surroundings are keeping him safe. And a thief at that."
"Hmm..." Akatosh sighed with an indifferent face. Taking out Ariendal’s letter he pulls his magic pen and wrote at the back of the paper while saying his message. "Sorry, it seems I won't be attending your conference."
"I believe you should give this to your father."
"You really are an unscrupulous man, making a forged letter just to enter a banquet--"
Before Ashalain would continue her words, Akatosh silently walk past her ignoring her call. He passes the letters to a butler and when Ashalain saw him. She rushes to the butler and seizes the letter. Once she had it in her hands, Ashalain returns it to Akatosh.
After silently taking the letter, Akatosh exits the mansion without remorse and with him the plates of food. However, when he was outside and was about to leave. Ariendal came out in his chariot.
"Master Akatosh, why are you leaving?"
"Well, it seems people aren't very much welcoming to my presence." He implores while eating. "And about your discussion, it would best to hear it here now and clear. I have a busy schedule to meet."
"Not here."
Leading back to the mansion, and with Ariendal's presence. And with privilege, they easily gain access. Keeping out from other nobles, Ariendal requested a private balcony for them to finished their discussion. And since they're on the other side of the banquet, certain people would hear them but with the debauchery going on they have fewer things to worry about.
Clear to their particular chat, the two didn't realize that Chifya, Ashalain, and even Freia noticed their evasive affiliation towards the banquet. They aren't aware that they are being overheard by the three of them. Ariendal on the other hand did notice their presence, but he only smiles and lead Akatosh to their private meeting.
"I heard what happen to Master Hawk. But I was more curious to what transpired the appearance of demons in this kingdom."
"Hmm..."
"To be fair... I wanted to know if you really are the dragon who appears."
"Me a dragon please, I'm no more than an ordinary man--" He paused when Ariendal shows him the truth-seeking orb revealing that he was lying. "Oh..."
"Ordinary man eh... but this thing here says you are lying."
"Might be broken."
"Well, I did give you my ring when we first met... did I?"
"Ugh... no," Akatosh replies but was corrected by the truth-seeking orb. "Fine... I'll tell you the truth--" Akatosh continues telling Ariendal what truly happens.
As the traveler spoke his stories, the truth-seeking orb didn't hint a lie. Akatosh however didn't care if they believe his stories or not. He was more focused to end their meeting so he can go on his travels.
"Well, before Master Hawk departs. He offers me something from you and me." Ariendal implores showing him two tiny boxes.
"What's this?"
"It's much just like what you hold... a bag of holding. These however are very limited. And it's Master Hawk's final request to me since he already perceived the aftermath of the war."
"So... what's inside the box."
"You'll soon know, for he entrusts those things to you."
"Is it money... or some artifacts maybe?"
Ariendal smiles, "It's getting late and we should enjoy the king's banquet don't you agree?"
"Do apologize, I would like to turn down your offer. I have more things to do. Oh, and what becomes of the guild."
"They are serving for me at a time being. They really did give the largest contribution to this kingdom. However… they need someone such as you."
"Hmm... like I said to master Hawk, I'm not suited to be such as him. But I'm still a part of, so if you need some complicated situations... call me."
When they exit the balcony, they were met with three beautiful ladies. And the faces they showed towards Akatosh changes when they heard the truth. The tables had turned, the once aggressive Chifya and Ashalain were now silent and self-conscious to look at his face.
Ariendal greets princess Freia, as for the traveler. He ignores their action and went straight to the exit.
Wanting to make amends, the two chase after him. But once they were outside, no matter how much they tried to call him. Akatosh didn’t take notice of their action for he was slowly teleported away from the place.