image [https://i.imgur.com/eY2gF5l.png]

The task they had undertaken had left Mila and Graybeard exhausted. To Arbious, however, it was nothing more than child's play. He was irritated that his summon had been killed so easily, especially since it hadn't even managed to injure Graybeard. On their way back, Arbious considered killing Graybeard himself, perhaps by stopping his heart or some other method, but ultimately decided against it.

The journey back was uneventful for most creatures that roamed the woods, including wolves, lurking undead, and even ogres chose to avoid confronting someone as powerful as Arbious. Creatures of darkness were far more sensitive to the presence of dark magic, and Arbious's presence had put the entire forest, including its spirits, on alert.

Entering the village through the northern gate, the trio made their way to the guild. Graybeard was eager to give a piece of his mind to whoever had sent them on such a perilous journey. He was greatly angered and even believed they had been set up, and this kept his mind restless.

The village lay in the dim light of early evening, the setting sun casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets. As Arbious, Mila, and Graybeard approached the guild, they were greeted by an unusual commotion. Carriages of all sizes, some grand and ornate, others simple and utilitarian, were arriving in a steady stream, filling the town square with the sounds of wheels clattering over stones.

Arbious's keen eyes scanned the scene, his irritation momentarily forgotten as he observed the bustling activity. Nobles in fine garments stepped out of luxurious carriages, their entourages bustling around them, while merchants unloaded crates and barrels from the more modest vehicles. The air was thick with the aroma of food being prepared by street vendors hoping to capitalize on the influx of visitors.

Mila, her fatigue evident in her slow steps, looked around in awe. "What's going on? Why are there so many people here?"

Graybeard, his face still set in a scowl from their earlier ordeal, shrugged. "Who knows? But I don't like it..."

The village had never received such a large entourage of people before. Something was wrong here, no, everything was wrong in Graybeard's eyes. What was going on? Why were such bizarre events beginning to take place.

As they drew closer to the guild, they had to weave through the crowded square, dodging hurrying footmen and curious onlookers. Arbious moved with grace, his mere presence parting the crowd as people instinctively stepped aside, sensing the power emanating from him. Mila and Graybeard followed in his wake, grateful for the clear path.

The guild hall stood at the far end of the square, the sturdy stone building with its large wooden doors, had propped open to accommodate the steady flow of adventurers and officials coming and going. A pair of guild guards, wearing the familiar insignia of crossed swords over a shield, stood at the entrance, their eyes vigilant as they assessed the arriving crowds.

"Looks like the guild's busy tonight," Graybeard muttered, his irritation simmering beneath the surface. "I hope whoever sent us on that cursed mission is here. I have a few words for them."

As they stepped into the guild hall, they were struck by the opulence that greeted them. The interior was far more luxurious than what they were accustomed to. Golden chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, radiant glow across the room, while silver braziers lit their way to the reception desk. The polished marble floors reflected the grandeur, and the walls were adorned with intricate tapestries depicting legendary battles and heroic deeds.

Seeing the long line that had formed before the reception desk, Graybeard turned to Mila and Arbious. "I'll handle the check-in and collect our payment," he said, his eyes shifting to a fine-looking dwarven lady in blue behind the desk. "And as for the complaint, I'll schedule a meeting with Avo, the guild leader."

Curious, Arbious inquired, "Will Avo agree to meet with you?"

Smiling, Graybeard reassured him, "Avo is actually a good friend of mine. I'm confident he'll listen."

"I understand," Arbious, unimpressed by the grandeur, merely grunted. "Just make sure we get what we're owed," he said, his voice low and commanding.

"Be quick about it though... I'm starving!" Mila interjected playfully.

"Consider it done!"

Almost as if he couldn't restrain himself, Graybeard rushed over to the reception desk without haste. Mila and Arbious stood side by side speechless. They had nothing to say to each other, and the both of them were rather awkward. "Let's wait outside," Arbious spoke, turning to face Mila to speak.

Mila nodded, her eyes still wide as she took in the lavish surroundings. "This place is incredible. I've never seen a guild hall like this."

They stepped outside, only to be greeted by the bustling street filled with people going about their preparations. Mila's faint smile persisted as she observed the passing people. Arbious stood next to her, watching the same from her perspective, however, unlike her, he disliked the sight.

Intrigued by her expression, he saw an opportunity to delve deeper into Mila's background. "Mila... Are you an only child?"

With her gaze still fixed on the bustling street, a faint breeze embraced her hair as she responded, "Yes, I am. Why do you ask?"

Arbious looked captivated at the sight as her hair danced in the wind, with her face slowly turning to look at him with curiosity. He cleared his throat, "I hope you don't mind the personal question, but what led you to choose the path of an adventurer?"

Mila's nervous tone emerged as her face reddened. "Adventurer?" She questioned to herself, "No... I consider myself more of a bounty hunter these days, considering all the monsters we had to kill..." she replied, taken aback that Arbious cared enough to question her about her past.

Something weighed on her that she couldn't put her finger on. Her tone shifted from playful and happy to sad. "But honestly... I do what I do because I want to protect the people of this village."

"Protect them?" Arbious prompted, eager to hear more.

"From goblins, orcs, anything that threatens to disrupt the peace of this town," Mila explained passionately. "I want the people here to experience happiness, families to stay united, and children to play without the fear of danger."

Families to stay together...

"I see... So you condemn evil... Is that it?" Arbious inquired further, his voice tinged with curiosity.

Mila looked up at him, taken aback by his tone. "Who wouldn't condemn evil?" she said after a moment, her voice steady and questioning of Arbious. "I believe that evil, in all its forms, should be opposed. It brings suffering and destruction, and I can't stand by and let it go unchecked."

Arbious's gaze remained fixed on her, his eyes cold and probing. "And what do you consider evil, Mila? Is it the actions of those who cause harm, or is it the very essence of their nature?"

Mila hesitated, searching for the right words. "It's both, I suppose. Actions are driven by nature, and if someone's nature is inherently evil, then their actions will reflect that. But I believe that people can change, that they can choose to do good."

Arbious sneered, his expression darkening. "So, you believe in redemption? That even the darkest of hearts can be turned towards the light? How naive."

"I don't like how you're questioning me like this, but yes," Mila replied, meeting his gaze with unwavering resolve. "I believe everyone has the potential for good, even if it's buried deep within them. It's a matter of choice and circumstance."

Arbious stepped closer, his presence imposing and menacing. "And what would you do if you discovered that someone close to you harbored a darkness within them? Would you still stand by them, or would you condemn them as evil?"

Mila's brow furrowed, her foot instinctively taking a step back as she considered his question. "I suppose it would depend on their actions. If they chose to embrace that darkness and harm others, I would have to oppose them. But if they were struggling against it, trying to do good despite their nature, I would stand by them and help them as best I could."

Arbious laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. "You are quite the idealist, Mila. But ideals are fragile. They shatter when faced with true darkness."

Mila's eyes hardened, her resolve strengthening. "I am prepared to face whatever challenges come my way, Arbious. And I will hold true to my beliefs, no matter what."

Arbious's smile widened, revealing a hint of malice. "We shall see, Mila. Remember, power often dictates what is considered right and wrong. Be prepared for the consequences of your choices."

Curiosity gleamed in Mila's eyes as she faced him searching for his answer. "And what about you? What drives you to do what you do?" she asked, her tone genuinely curious.

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Arbious hesitated, realizing the complexity of his own motivations. Revealing his true identity as a Demon God, with intentions to rule this world, was out of the question.

"I suppose my drive lies in my pursuit of delving into the depths of magic," He responded, offering a more acceptable explanation. He had hoped it would suffice to satisfy her curiosity.

"Oh really? That's interesting. You must be quite powerful to have been able to dispatch of the goblins inside the cave. And you're also good with a weapon. I wish I could say the same, but I can scarcely hold a sword... You're unique..." Mila acknowledged.

"So, what drives you?" Arbious questioned.

A profound silence settled between them. Mila felt a heaviness in her heart when he asked her the question and she was unsure of how to answer him. She figured the truth in its purity would be best, but she was rather conscious of how Arbious was acting.

"We never sought adventure for the sake of money," she revealed, her words catching Arbious off guard. "Graybeard and I have chosen to redirect our earnings towards reputable charities and orphanages."

"Why?" he asked, his surprise evident in his tone.

"Because the wealth we accumulated was ultimately a result of taking lives, even if they belonged to vile creatures," she explained earnestly. "We refuse to revel in the spoils of ending lives, no matter how justified. We do take what we need to survive... and nothing more."

Arbious's eyes flashed with contempt. "You think that a few coins can make a difference in a world ruled by power and fear? How quaint."

"It's thinking that way that keeps this world in the dark. It may not change everything," Mila replied, her voice firm, "but it changes something for those who need it most. It's a start, and it's better than doing nothing."

"I see..." Arbious spoke, his voice taking on a serious tone. "And if I were to join your group, would I be expected to donate my earnings as well?" He inquired, a sense of unease creeping over him at the thought of relinquishing his hard-earned money.

Mila's expression shifted, reflecting a mix of disappointment and understanding. "You don't have to. It's your right to keep what you earn," she replied, her tone tinged with a hint of sadness, evidently affected by his stance on the matter.

I need the money to pay her back and treat her to lunch at the very least...

A moment later, a glimmer of hope replaced the initial disappointment on Mila's face, and she beamed at Arbious. "So, does this mean it's official?"

Confused, he inquired, "What's official?"

Her smile widened, radiating warmth. "You're going to stay with us then? We would be immensely grateful for any aid you can lend us."

I suppose nothing wrong would come from that, and I did promise to train her... But she clearly shows disdain towards my kind... What would she do if she knew who I was. It would be rather interesting though.

I'm sure she already has her suspicions... Considering I made that offer to her for her soul... I shouldn't have done that, but my ambitions got the better of me...

"I suppose so," Arbious replied, considering her words. "I did promise to train you in the ways of magic, and now that I have a somewhat grasp of your strengths and ideals, I deem you fit enough to teach."

Curiosity flickered in Mila's eyes. "You do?" she inquired.

He nodded, acknowledging her accomplishments. "Well, you did mention taking on a skeletal mage, didn't you? That alone gives me some insight into your capabilities."

Mila leaned in; her voice tinged with anticipation. "And where do I stand in terms of strength?" she asked.

Choosing his words carefully, he answered, "Roughly around the third and fifth tier of magic." Withholding the fact that he had witnessed her casting a sixth-tier spell.

With the two engrossed in their conversation, a pair of hands suddenly landed on Mila's shoulders, causing her to jump in surprise. Startled, they turned around to find Graybeard, the jolly dwarf, standing before them, a bag on his shoulder filled with what sounded like metallic clinging of coins.

"Graybeard! You're back! How did it go?" Mila questioned, her eyes darting off to the bag he carried on his shoulder.

Arbious's gaze shifted towards the bag as he wondered about its contents as well.

Graybeard's eyes scanned his surroundings for any prying eyes, and once he made sure it was safe he muttered, "This bag is our payment." Slowly, he brought the bag before him and opened it, revealing its astonishing contents.

Inside, a mix of gold and silver coins shimmered, numbering in the hundreds. It was an astounding sum of money, far surpassing the standards of what the guild often paid. Mila's eyes sparkled with excitement at the sight of their earnings, while Graybeard hastily closed the bag, as if to protect its precious contents.

Graybeard turned his gaze towards Arbious, his voice steady as he continued speaking. "Your payment is 100 gold coins, along with 63 silver."

The mention of receiving such a substantial amount for a single task left Arbious stunned as his mind wandered off. A hundred gold coins for a simple task like that? What were they thinking?

Mila's jaw dropped at the sheer magnitude of his payment, prompting her to ask, "And how much did we receive in total?"

"Roughly 300 coins or so," Graybeard replied as he adjusted the bag on his back. "Divided amongst the three of us, that should give roughly a hundred each. We should head to the bank immediately. Carrying this much gold with us will only invite trouble."

"The bank?" Arbious asked.

Mila turned to him, a cheerful expression on her face, as she explained further. "That's right. We have a specialized institution called the Adventurer's Bank. It's where you can set up an account and deposit your earnings. They ensure the safety of your hard-earned money."

Curiosity sparked within Arbious, and he asked, "But what if I need to withdraw my earnings quickly?"

She smiled reassuringly. "The bankers keep detailed records of your balance, and all the banks are interconnected through magical communication. They can swiftly notify other banks of your account balance. Moreover, you'll be provided with a bank card, which can only be used at the banks to withdraw money."

The concept of the adventurer's bank and the convenience it offered began to make sense, alleviating some of his concerns about managing and accessing his earnings, however, he was not one to trust, a common nature among demons, so he hesitated. "Gray, could you please give me 50 of the gold coins?" he requested.

Graybeard's brows furrowed with curiosity as he responded, "Why do you need that many?"

He stood his ground, a hint of determination in his voice. "It's my earnings, isn't it? Shouldn't I have the freedom to decide what to do with them?"

"Alright, lad! No need to get angry," he conceded, opening the bag and carefully placing 50 gold coins into a pouch before handing it to him.

Mila observed the exchange with a perplexed expression, clearly wondering why Arbious required such a substantial sum of money.

Taking the pouch of money from Graybeard, Arbious secured it on his side, feeling the weight brought on by the coins.

Graybeard's voice broke the silence that was brought on by Arbious's confrontational attitude. "What do you plan to do with the rest of your earnings?"

With a calm resolve, seeing that the two were bothered by how he acted earlier, he responded, "Since both of you contribute your earnings to charity, I think it's only fair that the other half of my money goes to them as well. I don't mind."

Mila's eyes gleamed with a mixture of surprise and delight, sensing a shift in Arbious's perspective. Little did she know that his decision stemmed from a desire to keep a low profile. To avoid any public records and to remain in the shadows, far from unwanted attention.

"How noble of you!" Mila exclaimed, her cheerful demeanor evident as she tightly held his hand with a smile.

"So, you're not planning to open up an account?" Graybeard inquired as he stroked his brown beard.

"I'm afraid not... Perhaps some other time."

"So be it lad, I'll make sure your coins are put up for a good use. The both of you should go and grab something to eat," Graybeard suggested with a faint sigh. "I'll take care of depositing our earnings and handling the charity work."

Mila's brows furrowed with concern. "But Gray, won't you join us for a meal?"

"I'm afraid not, lass," Graybeard responded apologetically. "I have quite a number of places to visit so my schedule is packed. For starters, I need to take this money to the bank and allocate it to a charity. Once that's done, I'll discuss with the Guild Master about the nature of the quest we were assigned. But rest assured, you needn't worry about any of it."

With those words, Graybeard set off, the bag of coins bouncing on his back, leaving Arbious and Mila behind. They watched Graybeard leave with a mix of curiosity and anticipation for the remainder of the afternoon. Suddenly, Mila's face flushed with embarrassment as her stomach audibly grumbled, and their eyes met in a moment of understanding and awkwardness.

"Let's find something to eat," Arbious suggested.

The two of them awkwardly strolled through the streets of the town, a subtle warmth emanating between them as they exchanged silent glances. There was an undeniable sense of awkwardness, yet somehow it felt comforting, as if they had naturally fallen into a rhythm.

As they walked, the bustling town noise served as a backdrop to their shared presence, and though the situation might have been unconventional, Arbious found himself surprisingly at ease with it. The connection they shared, the unspoken understanding, made it all feel right, everything was going according to plan, even in the absence of words.

Eventually, they stumbled upon a bustling outdoor restaurant, filled with families and individuals enjoying their meals. The aroma of the food tantalized their senses, enticing them further. Mila's attention was instantly captured by the lively scene.

"Do you want to eat here?" Arbious asked, sensing her hesitation and puppy dog eyes glaring at the food within the restaurant.

Mila's expression turned embarrassed. "This place seems expensive. Maybe we should find somewhere else..."

Arbious dismissed her concerns with a wave of his hand. "Nonsense! Trust me, this one's on me. Why else do you think I took so many coins from Graybeard."

Her eyes widened with surprise, and a radiant joy spread across her face. "You did that for me?"

"Of course," he replied, a false tone of sincerity lacing his words. "You went out of your way to help me, it's only fair that I do the same in return."

"Is that all you think of it?" She questioned.

Her next question caught him off guard, and his eyes grew colder. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said it like that."

"It's fine! I was just teasing you," Mila reassured with a playful smile. "And thank you, I've always wanted to eat here. Graybeard never lets me..."

"Why not?" he asked.

Mila sighed; her voice tinged with a hint of frustration. "He thinks it's too expensive, and he also wants me to watch my weight since we go on adventures so often."

"Graybeard does have a point," Arbious acknowledged, realizing the practicality of his concerns. "He's quite insightful in that regard. But who are we to deny the sin of gluttony? And how often do we get the chance to dine together in such an environment? It's worth trying at least once."

"I... I suppose we can give it a try."

Though she attempted to hide her own excitement, her eyes sparkled as she looked at the food within. There was no denying her hunger, and with their shared enthusiasm, they had to give it a try at least once. Together, they crossed the threshold of the bustling restaurant, awaiting what was yet to come.