"It would be stranger if I didn't..."
Gesturing to Monk Iosef to retreat slightly, Prava walked closer to Michael and continued.
[We have received words from our Knights of a demon sighting in Gale Valley. The description matches too closely to the sighting in Nevesk.](Prava)
Hearing her mostly acknowledge the existence of Lilith the Mother, complementing the symbol of their faith, Inarius the Father, Michael had to try very hard to keep his emotions from showing on his face.
Imagine being a facetious piece of shit that used religion to gain political power and wealth for hell knows how long, and suddenly, something that can destroy the very religion you worked so hard to build in a matter of days pops up out of nowhere.
Thinking back to Lilith and how the paranoid Inarius banished her to the Void and drained his children of their power, Michael couldn't help but agree to the just deserts served to the Catedral of Light.
As for whether these people were innocent or not, there's no such person who's innocent after living for more than a couple of years after their childhood. Especially in such a dangerous environment as the Sanctuary is.
[You don't seem to like me very much.](Prava)
"Don't take it personally. I don't like religions in general. Especially those who hide important truths from their flock. Truths that might change the way they perceive the said religion."
Seeing Iosef's face grow red, Michael knew he poked too much and too hard, but he couldn't help himself. Even if he came here to gain favorability with the Church, it was to the point of being neutral. There was no need to get on friendly terms.
Prava gestured for the Monk to calm down, which the man tried but failed spectacularly, judging by the death glares he was throwing at Michael.
[Every man, woman, and child is entitled to freedom of belief. The Father doesn't force anyone to believe in Him. Enough about that, though. Can you please walk me through what happened in Nevesk. I heard Brother Iosef's story, but I'd also like to listen to it from your perspective.](Prava)
Taking about fifteen minutes or so, Michael explained how he got his Quest and his travels to Nevesk. He mentioned the strange whispers he heard in the wind and how he found a Baron demon in the Dungeon formed under the ruins near the town.
From there on, it was mostly the same story that Prava heard from Iosef. Michael also did not mention anything about the Altar or the fact that he had activated it.
[It is as I feared... It would seem that I require your assistance, Wanderer.](Prava)
Seeing a golden exclamation mark appear above her head, Michael was temporarily stunned. Wasn't this woman a Wanderer as well? Could she randomly generate Quests?
'Furthermore, weren't Golden Quests called Main Quests? I think that's what Aylin said. That and the fact that they provide much better rewards than normal Side Quests...'
[If you would travel to Yelesna and take stock of the events there, you would have the gratitude of the Cathedral of Light. I had thought to send Lorath, but - ](Prava)
[Again, he fails in his duty.](Iosef)
Raising an eyebrow at the Monk's outburst, Michael looked on as Prava turned around and glanced at the man.
[With or without Lorath, the will of Inarius shall be done.](Prava)
Seeing as Prava bowed to him and then turned to face Iosef, Michael was stumped. He didn't even get to say yes or no or to ask questions; he was simply forced to take the Quest and get the fuck out.
[ New Quest Issued - Ill Tidings
Objective: Take Vigo's Report. ]
Watching as Prava reached a table/altar/whatever the hell that was, she grabbed a long scroll and handed it to him.
[Here. Take the Knight's report before you go. It might prove useful to you.](Prava)
Grabbing the golden red gaudy scroll from her hands, Michael noticed that the system considered the Quest finished and rewarded him accordingly.
[ Quest complete - Ill Tidings
Reward: 1,820 experience points
Reward 2: 500 Gold coins ]
[ New Quest issued - Tarnished Luster
Objective - Travel to Yelesna. ]
As the air around him was pushed away, Michael checked his level and realized he reached 11. Not only that, but his experience bar now showed 305/2,860.
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The Monk didn't look happy at his progression, and even Prava had a surprised look on her face but didn't bother saying anything.
Micahel waved at them to signal his departure, feeling less annoyed by their religion. After all, as long as they keep giving him fat rewards like this one, he couldn't care less about their brainwashing.
With a spring in his steps, he returned to the Sleepy Peaks Inn, where two guards wrote the account of yesterday's adventure from his three party members on paper.
He joined the table and recounted the story, ensuring no trouble could come from such a small matter. To either himself or Helen and Mina. Given that they came to his rescue, even with his thick skin, he couldn't bear causing trouble to them.
After the guards thanked them and left, the four people ate the food Raskya served them and discussed tomorrow's expedition further.
[What!? You reached Level 11!? When? How!? You took a couple of hours' walk around the city!](Aybdah)
"I got lucky with a short Side Quest and finished another Quest I came here in Kyovashad for."
Explaining the details to the trio, even Christine was slightly jealous of his incredible luck. After all, leaving his big Quest aside, just walking on two Side Quests within two days was a bit too much...
Hearing Aybdah whine about how he was left behind in experience again, Michael laughed and drank with them until sunset, after which everyone made it to their rooms to rest for the upcoming expedition.
Laying on the cozy bed, Michael could still feel the tiredness assaulting him. Due to yesterday's events and his night battle with Helen, he didn't get much sleep.
Fighting against his drowsiness, Michael took out the Quest Item Prava handed over to him and opened it.
Fortunately, the Sanctuary's blessing was still active, so he could read through it.
[Reverend Mother, I have received a report of a potential demon sighting — a horned woman near the Yeslena mines. I performed a routine inspection, but nothing came from it. I sent a Priest and an escort of Knights. I will follow up with another report when we find something.](Vigo)
Opening his MAP, Michael noticed that there was a golden mark on it; however, the area was not explored.
'Furthermore, it is in the opposite direction of Menestad. I also can't postpone either Quest for too long. For the Side Quest, I'll complete it with my party tomorrow. I can simply finish that and then return to Kyovashad using the Waypoint. Then, I can venture out and explore the MAP on my own, making my way over to wherever Yeslena is.'
Taking the ring out of his inventory, Michael played with it for a while, feeling that he might start coughing the word 'Gollum' if he kept at it.
But he couldn't help it! The Rare ring was truly impressive when compared to the rest of his equipment. Putting it on his ring finger on the right hand, he inspected it for a while before falling asleep.
Before he knew it, it was already morning, and Aybdah was pounding on his door, threatening to demolish it.
"*Yawn* I'm up, I'm up! Give me a second, and I'll join you."
Drowsily, he took out a Cleaning Marble and used it. Even if he took a bath recently, as a modern man used to showering at least once daily, he couldn't just up and be on with whatever he had to do.
Checking on his clothes and equipment - which wasn't much - he opened the door and joined the other two for a quick breakfast before leaving under Raskya's worried eyes.
[You're going out again so soon? Quite busy for a group of newbies.](Guard)
"Mhm! Due to the unfortunate events from that night, we couldn't complete the Quest. We're going now to wrap it up."
[Good. You know the drill. The route you'll take and as many details as possible. Also, take another flare to have a spare, just in case.](Guard)
After going through the standard procedure, the party quickly made their way to Menestad. With the road being more familiar this time, the group moved faster and were less alert to their surroundings.
Of course, that didn't mean they let their guard down. Instead, they weren't as worried as the first time about what they might encounter.
A surprising thing still occurred after they traveled more than half the way to Menestad.
"This..."
[Uhm... what's that?](Burt)
[Statue?](Christine)
[No, it's not a normal statue. It looks more holly... like an...](Aybdah)
"*Sigh* Altar. It's an Altar of Lilith."
Surprised as they were, the trio didn't approach carelessly. Instead, it was Michael who walked forward and pressed his hands on it.
A bit of his Essence flowed through the statue, bringing it to life. In fact, Michael could have sworn that this statue seemed to be smiling ever so slightly, just like last time.
'The familiar sense of being watched is back as well. I guess Lilith is keeping an eye on me... If that's good or bad, only time can tell.'
As for what happened next, it was the same process as before, with the diagram of the pentacle appearing on the ground and a small flame lit in Lilith's hands.
[ Prompt: Realm power collected
Description: Intelligence has been increased by 2 for all inhabitants of this realm.
Experience rewarded: 440 points. ]
Michael noticed the increase by checking his experience bar, which seemed to have seizures lately with how fast he was leveling up. It now showed 2,020/3,640.
[So this is the Altar you mentioned before. My Intelligence went up by 2 points. This is pretty amazing! How many of these altars are?](Burt)
"I have no clue. This is the second one I found, but something tells me many more are around."
[Useful.](Christine)
[Agreed. Even if it's an attribute I don't use that much, if it's free, there's no point in not getting it. As for the consequences... well, it wouldn't be our turn to save the world, even if something happens. We're still low-levels, after all.](Aybdah)
Pondering for a moment, Michael couldn't help but agree with Aybdah. He was only worried about Helen overreacting.
After all, he already told her about the Altars and how they add extra attributes. If she notices the extra two points, she will probably realize he's up to some shit again.
'Hopefully, she won't come running to Menestad...'
The group left quickly, leaving behind the strangely life-like statue that seemed to have blessed their journey.
Fortunately, nothing else happened on their way, and they reached Menestad before noon.
The guards at the gate were also familiar ones.
[It's good to see you're alive!](Guard)
"Thank you, sir. We were lucky enough to make it."
[We've noticed a flare being used close to Kyovashad later that night. Was it, you guys?](Guard)
"Mhm."
[That's great. Being alive is good. Especially after you make it out of a big mess. I'm assuming your gains were pretty high? Seeing as your levels went up quite a bit.](Guard)
The party gave a quick recount of what happened, and the guard patted them on the back for a job well done after letting them enter Menestad.
As the third big city - even if he didn't consider Nevesk one - Michael had high expectations of it.
With the approval of the local Captain, a guard was sent to guide the newbies through the city. When asked what the first place they wanted to go to was...
[[[[Waypoint!]]]]
Seeing the men laughing at the way too-eager response, the embarrassed party explained how they had to walk back this morning and waste over three hours rushing on the road here.
[It's good to learn from your failures.](Guard)
When the party reached the Waypoint, they registered their imprints, and Michael was amazed to discover that while standing at the Waypoint in Menestad, he could feel the one in Kyovashad.
"Truly a strange feeling."
[Agreed.](Christine)
[Ugh... it's strange indeed.](Burt)
[It doesn't matter. It's super helpful. Now I can help some merchants move stuff around and make some easy coins.](Aybdah)
With the more important issue out of the way, the party was quickly guided to Telgun, the so-called Merchant Lord.
Aybday was even more eager to meet the man, as he was planning to start his career as a mule as fast as possible.
As the guard was also present, the man in question quickly approached, and Michael had the chance to explain the situation.
[I...am so very grateful. I will need to make the necessary arrangements. Please excuse me.](Telgun)
Seeing the man walk away while mumbling something, Michael quickly looked at Christine and gave her a look.
The woman nodded, and Michael quickly said goodbye to the guard who guided them, handing over 50 gold coins as a 'luck protection charm.'
Hearing Michael compliment the man and thank him for his help with the information, Burt and Aybdah were slightly confused but quickly seemed to have noticed something and looked toward the disappearing Telgun.