For several days, Albert had been living the rhythm of traveling by day and cozying up to campfires at night.
As evening approached this particular day, he meandered on horseback, eyeing a good spot to set up camp—about four days' ride from the City of Gath. By now, Albert had given up pondering what the Duke might desire. It wasn't his place to know; he was merely the messenger.
Having just kindled a decent fire, Albert heard the distant sound of hoofbeats.
"Rider, solo," he murmured to himself.
Moments later, a rider swept close by, then slowed, eventually turning and heading toward him.
"Robbers in these parts?" Albert tensed, torch in one hand and a sturdy stick in the other held defensively.
The rider neared, and Albert’s frown deepened, until the rider’s face caught the firelight.
"Albert!" the rider shouted, surprised.
"Winter! My old chum!" Albert yelled back, equally astonished.
They both dismounted—one tossing his torch aside—and embraced a hearty hug by the fire.
Post small talk, they settled by the flames. The crackling of the poor-quality wood echoed their conversation.
"You in a hurry to report back too?" Winter asked.
"Absolutely, you as well?" Albert replied.
"I remember you're on price checking duty. Shouldn’t be too risky, right? Run into trouble?"
"The investigation was fine, it's just..." Albert hesitated, even in front of his friend, "...I got caught."
Winter nearly choked on his drink, spraying water onto the fire, hissing, "And you lived to tell the tale?"
"What's that supposed to mean? It was a legal investigation! Even if caught, there's no reason to butcher me. Far less risky than your gigs." Albert retorted with a dash of pride. "But tell me, what’s sending you sprinting back?"
"Urgency, of course."
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"What urgency? Haven't heard a peep."
Winter looked baffled. "You missed the new postings in the city on your way out?"
Albert shook his head, puzzled. His mind had been on full sprint mode, no time for new or old postings.
"All over the West, there’s a call to arms."
"A draft? Why?" asked Albert.
Winter facepalmed. "A draft for what? Planting crops?"
War?" Albert's voice rose a notch.
"Looks like it," said Winter nonchalantly.
"Against us?" Panic tinged Albert's voice.
"Who knows? It’s not like postings advertise who's about to be invaded. Our neighbors are the North, the King's domain, demon territories, and Reed lands."
"Clueless, then," Albert sighed.
"Clueless indeed. No reason for the West to strike us, and I don’t know their beef with the others."
"An early draft, nine years ahead... could it be above the demons?"
"Possibly? Though, quite... hasty?"
"So it's the North? The Duke isn't looking to change our King, is he?"
"Must be. No idea what the Northerners did to provoke the West."
From one topic to another, the duo spun wild theories about the Duke's plans, so grand they could’ve patted each other's backs for their genius.
"So, what’s your urgent report anyway? Not just that you blew your cover, right?" Winter was genuinely baffled.
That’s when Albert realized he hadn't shared his most brag-worthy adventure. Eagerly, he recounted, "I might've been caught, but my will was ironclad. Not a word I spoke. They had to bring me to the Duke himself..."
Winter, spellbound, drank in every word of his friend's adventures.
"...And finally, I persuaded the Duke to engage in a little commerce with our boss, me being the link."
Convinced by the tale, Winter beamed, "Oh, that's a rare chance to shine before the boss! You’d better seal that deal."
"That's the plan." Albert's grin grew wider. "Buddy, once I make it, I'll take you down Pink Street from top to bottom..."
With companionship, the journey lost its loneliness. Following Winter's brisk pace, they reached the City of Gath in just three days.
Winter proceeded to deliver his findings, while Albert opted to regale his uncle with the 3.0 version of Albert’s adventurous epic.
[Albert’s Adventurous Epic v3.0 Patch Notes
1. Cultural debauchery scenes upon arrival in Rofca cut and polished, highlighting only tavern and circus episodes.
2. Arrest scene enhanced; added resistance and escape attempts, culminating in CG of a reluctant surrender under intelligence officials' pressure.
3. Dramatically altered jail sequence; added dignified argument with Duke, increasing Albert's role in the successful trade deal, featuring a triumphant deal-sealed CG.
4. Escape from the dungeon optimized for a more immersive protagonist portrayal.]
Albert’s self-aggrandizement knew no bounds; he painted himself as a born business prodigy.
His uncle, wise to Albert’s ways, selectively ignored the glaring inconsistencies, focusing on the gist: a business opportunity.
Soon, Albert was introduced to Mr. Alaric. Before entering the room, his uncle advised him firmly to stick to the facts.
Perhaps it was his uncle's words, or maybe Alaric's commanding presence, but once before him, Albert's elaborately crafted tale deflated to beta-test levels.
Weeping before Alaric's desk, Albert confessed his entire sordid diversion—his debauchery, his second jobs, his unexpected arrest—and begged forgiveness, pleading for his uncle's job.
Alaric sat poker-faced, his aura looming. "Go home with your uncle," he said. "I'll give the matter some thought."