Chapter 75: 2-24 A new friend

After that small ordeal, Erin and Lyra quickly made their way back to the caravans. On their way back, they crossed paths with more Ruvan clerics and Paladins but none of them stopped the two neither did they question the two. In fact, they tried not to look her way.

“Curious...” Erin mused to herself. The only gazes she was getting were from the townsfolk. The town guards and the few Paladins they crossed paths with avoided their gaze from her. “Ignored by the authorities but sought after by the public… What do I make of that?” After hitting a dead end repeatedly in her mind, Erin shelved the thought.

Though the two weren’t told of where the merchants would be residing in this town, it wasn’t difficult for the two to locate the merchants. They just needed to follow the festive mood and the rumors. It brought them to the inn district, jamly packed with stalls on every turn of the streets. There was a plaza in the middle of the district, spanning approximately a hundred meters in diameter. Right at the center was a grandeur fountain and just beside the fountain was a large tent bearing designs that were all too familiar to the pair. Something akin to fences were set up around the tent and adventurer-guards stood watch at each corner. It went without saying this was Iris’ tent.

“Guess she really does trust the security of her tent more than the prestigious inns’.”

It was some time past noon, the pair was just in time for tea. When they entered the tent, they found Celia playing cheerfully with Iris. The Umbrum herself had switched to an apparel that were less revealing but nevertheless, her bosom was still the emphasis of her style.

Noticing the two’s presence, Celia shouted, “Lara! Erin!” and jumped into Lyra’s open arms.

Iris feigned a moment of sadness, incurring an eye-roll from Erin. The Umbrum then wordlessly gestured for the two to take a seat in front of her. The elderly maid from before promptly poured the two and served them some confectionery. As usual, the maid retreated behind the partition after serving the two.

“Nothing happened?” Lyra asked. “No fever, no headaches, anything?”

“She’s fine, for now,” Iris assured her.

Taking heed of the flow of the conversation, Lyra moved to the corner with Celia to avoid disturbing them. Celia was happily recounting her time with Iris in which some of them were quite questionable but no line was crossed. At that sight, Erin cast a warm gaze.

Shaking herself out of the endearing moment, Erin proceeded to recount the events of the brief two hours of their separation.

Iris couldn’t help but laughed at the end of Erin’s recount. “Misery loves company but it certainly has an obsession for you, Lady Erin. I see, in the end, the Ruvan Paladins certainly always live up to their reputation.”

Erin ignored Iris’ remarks and threw her own question. “What of the Augur child?”

“He’s awake and healthy. Quite a strong mind too. No trauma. Maybe it’s because he wasn’t in captivity of the slavers for long.”

“How did he escape the slavers?”

“They underestimated him. The Augur wasn’t bound properly and he used that opportunity to escape. He lost their pursuit in the Crawler’s Woods but he ended up getting lost in the woods himself. He fought back when the creepy crawlers overwhelmed him, albeit a futile action. You arrived just in time to save him from being gobbled up.”

Erin wondered what would have happened if she wasn’t separated from the caravans. The Augur boy most likely would already be dead at this point. “Where is he now?” Erin asked.

“The Augur child is with an acquaintance of mine in this town.”

Erin raised an eyebrow. “What kind of acquaintance?”

“To be brief, a problem solver. He’s quite good at what he does, for a price of course.”

“May I ask why is he in the hands of such a person?”

“The child’s an Augur. Though his tribe probably wouldn’t raise any cavil but the same could not be said about other noble houses. I have seen them make mountains out of mole hills for less, just to get some good rumors on their house name. Opportunistic fellows, they are.”

Erin shrugged but she agreed. “But why seek out a specialist?”

“Had the child been a normal human or a Beast-kin, maybe an orphanage will do but the boy’s of a race akin to the Fae. He requires a more delicate touch. I don’t think the Lord of House Clayton would want someone like him in town. He had enough worries with an Elf and the Ruvans in his town. I’m sure he doesn’t want another delicate race in his territory. Of course, I share his worries. One wrong move, I’ll be dragging my name through the mud too.”

“I assume you intend to use this opportunity to bolster your name, just like those noble houses? What’s next? A charity in your name?”

“I’m a merchant, Lady Erin. I run a business not a charity. And I’m certainly no diplomat. I released the children from slavery, that’s enough. What happens after, it’s not my boundary. I am certainly not known to be a saint.”

“Obviously.”

“People, especially my rivals, will raise the most absurd of questions if I go beyond.”

“What about the rest of the slaves?”

“Thankfully, they’re all humans, so we sent them all to the orphanage of the Ruvan Church.”

Erin breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that. It was never her intend to save those slaves but leaving them to their own fate knowingly would chew on her conscience later on. Fortunately, she had the merchants to be thankful for. They wrapped up all the preceding affairs for her. She shuddered to think what would happen if she wasn’t with the merchants when she saved those slaves. No doubt she would be inducted into political warfare by now.

Iris giggled behind her hand.

“Did you find something funny?”

“Cynric was it, the Augur boy’s name.”

“What of it?”

“He seems to remember you. He claimed that he was drifting between his consciousness and he vaguely remembered being in the arms of a beautiful Fox-kin with three tails. He professed his wish to pass on his gratitude when he has the chance.”

“I understand his intentions but you seem too expectant and amused from such a simple gesture of gratitude.”

“I saw the look on his face when he mentioned you. Those blushing cheeks and swimming eyes, he’s infatuated, I’m willing to bet.”

Erin didn’t need to glance over shoulders to know Lyra was narrowing her gaze at her.

“Be careful now, Lady Erin. Augurs are known to be very straightforward and quite stubborn. Who knows, maybe he’ll even profess his love if the two of you ever meet again.”

Erin rolled her eyes and downed her tea to drown out that notion.

“Here,” Iris said and handed Erin a piece of parchment.

Erin received it with one hand. “Quest completion form?” Erin blurted out after reading the contents.

“This is an escort quest and you have accomplished it now that I have reached the town without even a scratch.”

“Couldn’t you have given me this before I went to the Guild?”

“Technically, the quest wasn’t over then as I have yet to settle down. What’s more, I have gotten endorsement from the other merchants of your exploits and feats.” Iris handed Erin another piece of parchment.

The parchment had the signature and seal of the other merchants.

“I guess that concludes our business now.”

“I guess it does,” Erin responded dryly and nibbled on the confectionery served. “Damn, these are sweet!”

“Well, those small talks aside, how can I help you?”

Erin gave a questioning gaze.

“Don’t look so shocked. You accepted my offer of tea without a single hesitation and you’re nibbling on the biscuits instead of taking your leave, safe to say you want to request something from me. So, how can I be of assistance, Lady Erin?”

Erin held down her exasperation. “What can you tell me about The Singularity?” she asked.

Iris pondered for a moment. “Not much, I’m afraid. No proper surveys have been conducted for that place in years.”

“I was told that the Guild had surveyed that place just last year or so.”

“I’m aware of that but that was just a survey for formality’s sake. I did some… reading on that survey of theirs, it was in no way proper. ”

“So, no solid information about The Singularity whatsoever? No one has taken interest in that place? Not even scholars or the kingdom itself?”

“It’s sort of an ironic situation really. The scholars with resources aren’t too interested in The Singularity. And the ones that are interested don’t have the resources. As for the royal court, the basin produced no threat to its rule, so the court didn’t pay it any heed.”

“Won’t the court at least be the least bit curious?”

“The forest before the basin is in itself a harsh land, filled with high level monsters and poisonous plants. As for the basin itself, what kind of yield would they get if the court sent out an expedition? If there’s no yield, the kingdom will be facing a great loss. No nobles aren’t willing to let the kingdom take that risk, certainly not for some scholarly knowledge.”

“And what’s this I heard about the monsters there being…. different?”

Iris took a sip of her tea. “The monsters in The Singularity are unlike any monsters anywhere else. Not just in appearance but there’s also the fact they don’t leave any Cores behind in their death. Blood clots and thickens after death, the same concept applies to the Mana within Magic Beasts and Monsters, which is how monster Cores are formed. But these monsters and beasts of The Singularity don’t produce any Cores upon death.”

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“These monsters in The Singularity, couldn’t they have been mere ordinary beasts?”

“There were reports a long time ago; the witnesses saw these monsters using magic. They’re not ordinary at all.”

Erin canted her head. “Using magic without Mana then?”

“That’s one of the many theories but those are just theories.”

“Just from the stories alone, even from a non-scholarly person like me, I’m already interested. I find it hard that the scholars with resources don’t.”

“Who knows what goes on inside their funny heads?” Iris shrugged. “Point being, you’ll be blazing a trail if you intend to step into The Singularity but the cost will be dire.”

Erin glanced towards Celia, who was telling Lyra all of the interesting places Iris had shown her. Erin smiled. “No cost will be too great to save a life, a child’s life of all things,” she remarked.

“You know… I wish I could help with Celia, I truly do.”

Erin narrowed her gaze at Iris.

“I’ll be truthful, I have committed some unsavory deeds but I’m not the type to let a child suffer knowing that I can help. However, hiring an Arch Healer on a short notice is too great of an expense with too little of return. But the cost isn’t the main problem. In the first place, where can one even find an Arch Healer around these parts. I hope you understand, Lady Erin.”

“I do understand, Lady Iris,” Erin said, her eyes gave a contrary tone. “I never intend to ask for you assistance in the first place. I’m no fool to put myself into a debt that I have no way to resolve. And I’m well aware you’re aren’t omnipotent.”

“It seems you do understand my position. I hope this doesn’t strain our relationship, Lady Erin.”

“That will depend entirely up to you.”

Iris tittered. “Fair enough. Now, you said something about the Corvas Twins?”

Erin frowned. “Why? You’re going to help me look for them?”

“Yes, I am, Lady Erin. For free.”

Erin could feel the dubious glare from Lyra. “And why would you do that?”

“A token of our newfound friendship.”

“We’re friends now?”

“Not close friends but I do consider you a friend, and of course, Lyra and Celia too. Especially Celia. I don’t normally take too kindly to children but that girl is an exception. She has the wits, I can tell. Who knows, maybe she’ll be a shrewd merchant when she grows up, under my tutelage.”

Iris was picking up a piece of biscuit from the tray when a small bolt of lightning turned the confectionery in her hand into dust. An amused expression painted the Umbrum’s face. “You sure don’t like jokes, milady.”

“Certainly not yours. So, are you going to tell me where the Corvas Twins are or are you going to make dozens of circles first?”

“Calm yourself, Lady Erin. I’ll help you find the twins. I heard they’re in town but their specific location would take some time.”

“The Great Iris of the Eternal Moon doesn’t know where they are? Oh my, what a shocker.”

Iris groaned as she threw her face into her palm. “I guess Rosemary told you about that?”

“Not directly, it was more a slight mentioning.”

“Please forget about that.”

“Never.” Erin smiled and stood up from her seat. Lyra and Celia followed suit. “Thank you, Iris,” Erin greeted with a warm tone but her gaze was cold and her smile was still floating on her expression.

“You’re most welcome, Erin.” Iris smiled back with her own icy gaze.

After Lyra and Celia gave their respective greetings, the three left the tent.

Now alone, Iris splayed her right hand out and a snake made of shadows coiled into existence around her arm. “Follow them and don’t get notice. If they got in trouble with the Ruvans, alert me or Joshua. And find me the Corvas Twins.”

The shadow snake gave something akin to a nod to its mistress before splitting into four and each went slithering in their own direction.

****

Azaela had set out for Maven’s Creek at dawn. Although she was in a hurry and her level far exceeded the beasts that lurked these parts, she wasn’t arrogant enough to wander the wild at night. She was taught arrogance was one’s greatest enemy. Gods had fallen from their grace due to their own arrogance, she was told repeatedly of such stories. The advice was now ingrained into her mind.

There were no horses or any mounts available for purchases in the small town of Green Scar. She was forced to invoke Spirit Magic, Summon Familiar to call upon a stallion. Of course, the stallion wasn’t an actual horse but a Spirit moulded itself into one per the contract it had with its summoner.

The Spirit Stallion was faster than any horses in existence for it had no need for sustenance or rest. It could persist with its existence and function as long as its summoner had Mana to spare. This was the reason why it hadn’t been Azaela’s first choice. She wanted to be at her peak if she was to encounter any troubles.

By noon, she had already covered half of her journey and corresponding to this, her Magic Vigour was half of her maximum threshold. Heeding her common sense, she dispelled her mount and decided to walk until her Mana had recovered to its full capacity.

As soon as her mount dispersed back into its origin, Azaela entered into a combat stance. A sword materialized into her hands, ready to be drawn at any moment’s notice. Her gaze pierced into the bushes at the side of the road.

“Show yourself!” Azaela said with a raised voice.

A wolf-like beast with black smoke as its undulating flesh, emerged from the dense vegetations. Its eyes were glowing a deep crimson red. Its legs were unusually long for a wolf but Azaela understood the apparition before her was no wolf at all.

She also understood she was no match for the apparition before her, not in the sense of level difference but simply because her means of attack would not have any effect on it.

“The Scarlet Blade of Ruva,” the apparition said.

“How did you know about that title?” Azaela questioned. That was a title bestowed to her by the Goddess herself, so the pontiff claimed when he gave her that title. The title was known to only a handful of Arch Priests, the pontiff, and herself.

“I am acquainted with your patron Goddess. We both seek the same grail. I’m a Guardian, a mortal of your prestige must have heard of me.”

Azaela slowly nodded and eased her stance. The apparition was right, Azaela knew what the apparition was but this was the first time she personally saw one herself. “You made yourself known to me for a purpose, so what is that purpose?”

“There is an individual.”

“And what about this individual?”

“She’s an Outworlder.”

Azaela was surprised but she didn’t not let it surface. She was taught about them, of how volatile they are and how they were eventually corrupted by their unnaturally bizarre powers.

“She’s a Fox-kin and she was heading towards the same direction as you are, Scarlet Blade.”

“Why tell me? What do you expect of me?” Azaela could roughly guess the apparition's intention but it was better safe than sorry.

“I gave my word to an Archon that I will not harm her as long as she does not succumb to her power.”

Azaela waited for the revelation.

“The Outworlder is dangerous. She is a risk that I cannot leave it be but I have given my word to the Archon. You, an apostle of Ruva, the Scarlet Blade, you can achieve what I have failed to.”

There were a lot of question Azaela wanted to ask but she doubted the apparition would answer any of those. “If you wish for me to slay her in your stead, I’m afraid I can’t abide, not without a probable cause or a judgement from Ruva.”

“The Outworlder is a biding chaos, Scarlet Blade. You have the chance to stop the chaos from ever being released.”

“What if the chaos will never be released until her end of times? Then I would have slain an innocent.”

“You have been warned. You have the knowledge. The chaos within her would be greater for every second she draws breath. You have the ability to stop it from nurturing. In the end, which is more important, the word of your Goddess or the lives of the innocent peoples? I will say no more, Scarlet Blade.”

The apparition then disappeared into thin air.

It was obvious to Azaela that the apparition was merely using her for its own tenet, but it didn’t make it any less true of the danger the Outworlder posed. She had only ever slain people who were guilty of crimes or people judged evil by her faith, never had she slain someone based on assumption and presumption alone. But if left alone and the worst came true, her regret and remorse would not be enough to compensate for that future.

And there was also another thing she had to worry about. The Outworlder has an Archon protecting her but Azaela knew not of what an Archon was.

“This had become quite complicated.”

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