"They say there's an adventurer in tattered armor who goes around taking quests left and right all over the First Rung."
"Yeah, I've heard. Supposedly he's pretty strong, and he's accompanied by this beautiful girl from the Nexis Clan."
"A Nexis? I haven't heard that much yet. Where are you getting those facts?"
"A guy I know saw them take out some members of the Tribond gang like it was nothing."
"But how the hell do you know that's the same guy? He's been going for almost a half a year now."
"Who the hell else would? I'm sure not stupid enough to go for low-coin quests like that."
Lasphalia stands just beside the quest counter with her arms crossed. When she notices our approach, she greets us with a formal nod.
"You have been quite busy, it seems," she says.
"How'd I know you were going to say that?" I mutter. "And nice to see you too. Would it kill you to break that formal guise every once in a while?"
"We at first thought you might be dead. Of course we had no way of knowing at the time all of those quests you took until Felm happened to mention it, say— a month ago. You could have at least done us a favor and shown yourself here once or more. By the Divines, it's been six months."
"Five months and eighteen days, actually," I reply. "And sorry, but we decided we wouldn't be back until we finished every quest on the list."
"Well regardless... Color me impressed. It would appear the good you've done slightly outweighs the deluge of issues that have arisen."
"Issues?"
"Hardly anything to concern yourself with, but with this people have gotten the impression that they can pay a fraction of the price for any job done. Especially troublesome when it comes to the more... wealthy of customers."
"Oh I charged more for those who can easily afford it," I say. "There already were plenty of nobles who had outrageous requests for hardly their worth. That also goes for the latter, however. I didn't charge those who were scraping up everything they had. I mean, there were people offering their own lives for these quests. Those're the kinda people I'm here to help."
Lasphalia has this certain glimmer in her eye for just a moment, but I can't discern it from her usual gaze in the time it's present. She nods, and motions forward. I begin to follow her, with Nora trailing close behind as usual.
"The Admiral personally requested to see you, as you must know by now," Lasphalia continues. "I am assuming it regards your accomplishments over the past six months, but I was unable to confirm this. I suppose you will find out soon enough."
As we enter the Admiral's office, I notice a separate figure from the normal standing just beside the large desk. As soon as Lasphalia notices, she's immediately prompted to bow down on one knee, lowering her line of vision to the floor.
"O-Oh, hey, it's—"
"Kneel, you fool!" Lasphalia hisses, reaching to try to pull me down.
"There is no need, Miss Lasphalia," says the Admiral, raising a hand.
"Indeed. As you must know, the Adventurers Guild is considered sovereign despite its collaboration with the Seynith legislature," says the second man.
At first I didn't recognize him due to his sunken eyes and pale complexion, but I realize soon after that the man in front of me really is none other than Emperor Claudius Von Seynith himself.
"H-Huh—?!" I sputter. "E-Emperor... What're you doing here...?!"
"Discussing a matter of particular concern, Cyrus Avette," replies the Admiral. "Same is the reason you have been called here now. As such, I request that you display an act of professionalism during this discussion."
"Hey," I grumble.
"Before I ask something of you, young Cyrus Avette," says Claudius, "I would like to make it clear I have taken note of your actions as of late. That said, I would like nothing more than to reward you. Unfortunately, now is not the time."
"With all due respect, 'we,' and let's be clear here, Nora has done just as much as I have in this, but anyways— we didn't do it for recognition. We decided to take it upon ourselves to help the people who've been suffering for so long. Because nobody else would."
He nods. "And I could not be more grateful. But my gratitude cannot show until I ask this one thing of you." Claudius moves from beside the desk to stand just in front of me. He slowly places a hand on my shoulder. "My daughter... She has been taken."
"Taken...?"
"My daughter, my only child, has been lost for nearly three months," he murmurs. "She was taken... right from under my nose. They know where she is being held, but every soldier we sent have all not returned. As you can see... this has caused me many... many sleepless nights."
"You want us to go get her back, then," I say. I turn to Nora, who nods without needing much thought. I turn back to Claudius. "However you want it done, we'll do it."
"Good. I—" Claudius suddenly drops to a knee and puts a hand on his chest.
"Your Highness!" Lasphalia exclaims, bursting upright and rushing to aid the man.
"I apologize," Claudius nods. "As I mentioned, sleep has become a rarity. But finally, I believe I might be able to rest easy knowing well my daughter will be safe soon enough."
"Admiral, I believe I will escort His Highness to the palace," says Lasphalia, helping the emperor stand.
"Very well. I trust you will rest now, Your Highness," the Admiral replies, turning to him.
"But of course... A human can only go so long without sleep, and I feel I might unfortunately be at my maximum. Farewell, Admiral, young Cyrus Avette, Lady Nora."
Lasphalia exits along with the emperor. Soon after, the Admiral turns to us.
"I should also address that you both will not be going alone. I am assigning the Vice-Admiral and Miss Lysandersen as well," he says. "You will find them in their shared home before the gate to the Third Rung."
"Shared home?" I ask. "Is it that common for party members to live together?"
"Party members? No, not often," the Admiral replies. "But as you are most likely unaware, Vice-Admiral Pierce and Miss Lysandersen are now married as of near three months ago."
"Married?!" Nora and I exclaim practically in unison.
"Much can happen in six months," he shrugs. "But if you are curious for more, then perhaps you may want to ask them directly. In any matter, their home is where you will find them."
"O-Oh, okay, then," I mutter. "Is that all, then?"
"Yes. I suggest you take the rest of today to prepare, and depart at earliest light, which... brings me to another topic..." The Admiral starts to look me up and down with a critical glance. "Are you... by any chance, thinking of replacing those tattered garments of yours...?"
I look down at myself. The armor that used to cover my whole body just barely hangs on at my left shoulder and is basically nonexistent anywhere but my legs. My old-world clothes are not much better, either. I've patched them up as much as I can, but they really went past their usefulness a few months ago. They're dirty, worn through, and don't smell all that great either. It's just that doing six months of what's basically chores has left me unable to pay for much more than food and basic housing.
"Yeah, well I'd get new armor if I had the money," I sigh.
The Admiral has this look in his eye for just a split second before it disappears completely. He shakes his head and takes a stand. "Then perhaps I should direct you to one who has been requesting your presence for the better half of a year," he replies.
The building the Admiral directs us to is one just outside the Guild Hall, to the right and down the street just a couple of blocks. He didn't really tell us anything more before excusing us, but I decided it'd be best to wait and see anyways.
As we enter, I notice the familiar scent of cotton and leather. Walking a few steps further, I recognize the place as a clothier's shop. It takes me a few seconds more to dawn on the reason I've been sent here. In fact, it doesn't come to me until I see the old man at the other end of the shop.
"Albert?!" I exclaim. "Wh-What're you doing in the Capital?!"
Nora looks up at me slightly confused. The old man turns his head at hearing his voice.
"Eh...? A-Ah, Master Cyrus, finally you've come!" he says, dropping whatever he was working on and promptly shuffling over towards us. "And... who could this be?"
"Huh...? Oh, this's Nora," I say, motioning to her. Nora gives a polite nod. "She's been traveling with me since just after you first gave me this armor."
"Is that so? Well a warm welcome to the both of you," he smiles.
"S-So you're the one the Ad... err, Abraham, said wanted to meet with me?" I ask.
"Who else? Please, come in!" Albert waves. "I figured I would— adjust this armor set as you grew stronger. You have grown quite a bit since first we met. I would say you've broadened up a size and a half shoulder-wise. That strength leads me to assume you are ready for heavier armor, yes?"
"Um... I guess? Hey Albert... all this time, have you been... working on another set of armor for me?"
"Well of course. I do need a pet project, something to keep me on my toes as I grow older," he replies. "And I've been inspired as an artist ever since first modifying that leather armor for you, which... I can see was not quite sturdy enough for your needs. With that in mind, it is a good thing I have been experimenting with various different types of metals. You still rely on agility as a strength, yes?"
"Y-Yeah, but... How'd you know...?"
"As an experienced clothier, I can tell a great deal of a person just by judging their measurements," he replies. "You are, or at least were as of when I measured you nearly seven months ago now, a light class which focuses on your ability to dodge rather than parrying or blocking. Typical of Kui Blade wielders, which I notice you are in possession of."
"Huh. I... never... thought of it that way...?"
"Ah, we are getting sidetracked. Please, come this way. I have the completed design on display over by the corner," Albert waves.
As I approach the glass container, I get a pretty good idea of exactly how much time this guy's spent in making this. It stands above me on an encased pedestal lit with these white crystals fitted into small holes at the bottom and top of the display. The armor itself, however, stands out among it all as the most extravagant in the whole entire store. It's made up of illustrious polished metal plates strung together with similarly-tinted bolts with snow-white pelt padding the right shoulder. The left is encased in a metal pauldron which leads all the way down to the elbow and flows into the light gray fabric that holds it as one. On each of the wrists are a pair of bracers that come to a point just before the joint of the hand. Looking down, there's a reddish fabric that hangs from the left leg and a thick pair of protectors on the right. They lead down to these sturdy-looking leather boots that put my current ones, which have miraculously survived to this day, to shame. And to give it that real heroic look, a red cape flows down the shoulders to the waist.
"You wouldn't believe how many tried to buy this set from me," Albert chuckles.
"You maybe should've sold it to them. After all, what little money I have, I can't afford a new set of armor right now," I say.
"Did I charge you for the first set?" he says.
"No, I guess you didn't," I reply. "Well, I've learned not to look a gift horse in the mouth. Mind if I try it on?"
As I fasten the last bit of armor to my body, I give a half-glance over towards Nora, who looks like she's trying to admire the set without directly looking my way.
"It looks perfect," I say, turning back to face Albert. "And I'm surprised by how light it is. Is this some kinda super light metal alloy or something?"
"Sterling silver made an alloy and fortified with orichalcum. And it is not light in any capacity; I do instead believe you to have grown in strength since last we met," he replies. "It is a rather rare elemental combination that disperses shock throughout itself to soften any blow sustained while wearing it. The pelt on your shoulder is made of direwolf fur, which is highly fire resistant."
"Hopefully I won't get into a situation where that'll need to come into play," I say.
Of course not. And I do pray the divines for your safety," he says. "Finally, the cloth over your leg and back is woven of a special thread that captures small amounts of mana, as a sort of storage device for if you expend too much on spells."
"Magic storage? I mean... I don't know any magic."
"Whether you are able to harness it or not is rather irrelevant, as mana resides in every living being. However, there are several ways to drain one of such energy, therefore ending their life. Any advantage in such a situation should not be overlooked."
"Oh. Well, nobody bothered telling me that before."
Abraham chuckles. "Well, I suppose knowledge of the higher elementals aren't necessarily common knowledge among the general populous. Need not worry, young Cyr."
"S-Sure," I nod reluctantly. "Anyways... I guess thanks are in order for all this, so... thanks."
"But of course. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"Actually, there is," I say, looking back to Nora. Albert seems to catch on before I can say anything.
"Ahh, I see. Yes, I should be able to whip something together for your companion. One moment!"
"Companion..." I hear Nora murmur from behind me. When I turn back, she seems to play it off entirely.
From the far side of the room, I can hear Albert shuffling around. "So— For this, I believe something simple yet elegant to accompany your armor should be a wise choice. Matching colors, perhaps? Unfortunately, I require commissioned parts from the blacksmith for metal armor pieces, so we will have to make do for now with leather. I suppose I could—"
Nora comes up to me.
"What's wrong?" I ask her.
"I don't need new armor. I'm happy with what I have," she mutters.
"Right now you kinda look like you're wearing a hood made out of potato sacks," I reply. "And I want you to be protected, y'know. I can't let you go on this quest if you've got nothing but a flimsy bit of fabric stopping a head-on attack."
"...I don't remember having to ask you permission to go on quests..."
"Just take the armor. Even one piece is better than nothing."
"One piece?" She looks around and suddenly grabs a pair of shoulder guards from a nearby mannequin. "Here. This is my armor."
"That's not what I... Really, I meant... Ah, y'know what? Fine. We've gotta leave for the Vice-Admiral's place anyways," I say, raising my hands in defeat. "Hey, Albert? She's found what she wants."
"Eh— That so? Well, I... But I suppose..."
"I'm leaving some money on the counter. How much for the pads?"
"Those? Well... They are highly inelegant, but I suppose... Name your price, if you are in as much of a hurry as it seems."
"Thanks. We'll be back to fit her for something more protective after this quest," I say, placing a few coin on the counter.
"Much appreciated! In that case, I will be sure to weave a masterpiece worthy of your companion!"
"Companion..." Nora mutters again.
"Have something to say out loud, kid?" I say.
"Don't call me a kid," she replies, shuffling forward past me with her feet dragging on the ground. I hurry to catch up with her, and we leave Albert's new shop moments later.
I noticed it maybe four months in. It was like a cloudburst how it kinda came outta nowhere, but like a monsoon how it's stayed all this time. Originally, I thought things were starting to get better between us. But once it hit, I realized she's been more distant than ever before. And we've never really talked about it, to make things worse. Something's bugging her, that much is clear. I can't let it sit for much longer, or who knows what'll happen.
Pierce and Lilith's home— a multistoried structure separate from all others with an iron gate all around it, sits parallel to the road a block from the Third Rung's gate. It's made of a light red brick with pristine blue shingles, with bronze borders around each window. At the base of the fence and leading up to the front door are these two rows of well-trimmed hedges with flowers sprouting from their base.
"We've been sleeping in barns for six months while they're living it up in... this?" I mutter. "Well, whatever. Let's head inside."
Before we can make it to the home's gate, we're stopped by a pair of guards in armor.
"Halt. Do not approach any further until you have stated your name and the business," the first says.
"Cyrus Avette. And this's N—"
"For the meeting?" says the second. "Understood. Can I see some identification to prove your identity?"
I pull out my guild card and show it to the man.
"Distinguished Adventurer First Class... Cyrus Avette, as informed."
"What the hell else were you expecting?" I mutter.
"Come this way," the first motions. He turns to the other guard. "And stop holding onto his card. Please return it at once."
"—Ah, apologies!" The second returns it promptly after.
The two follow us closely up until the front door, where they knock for us. An older man in a suit answers the door.
"Mr. Abernon, the boy as informed," says the first. They both pound a fist to their chest before turning around and striding back towards the gate.
"Abernon— aside," says a voice from inside. The older man nods and quietly steps to the side. Pierce slides into view, where he folds his arms seemingly in judgment.
"Sup," I say, raising a hand. He narrows his eyes. He kinda just... stares at me for a good few seconds. But then he does something I don't expect; he sticks out his hand to shake.
"Cyr. It has been a while," he says.
As to not leave him hanging, I reluctantly accept, shaking twice before letting go. "Yeah," I say. "It's... It's been a while, yeah."
"Welcome to our home," he says. "Please come in."
We find Lilith sitting at a medium-sized round table near a lit hearth in a room just to the left past the entrance. And all I can think through this is, 'Yeah. Either way you look at it, Lilith still looks too young to be married.'
"They've come, Lilith," says Pierce, pulling out the chair next to her. He half-turns to us. "Please, take a seat."
As I get closer, I notice how pale Lilith's face has gotten. It's not much different to how Claudius looked earlier today.
"The two of them were best friends, as I was told," Pierce continues. "Lilith and the princess, I mean."
"They refused to let us go," Lilith mutters. "All this time, they kept us from going to rescue her."
The cheerfulness she once had is nowhere to be seen. She's in a state of depression that I don't think can be helped until the princess is rescued.
Lilith slowly leans into Pierce's shoulder, and Pierce returns it by softly wrapping an arm around her. I get a glimpse of a golden ring around his finger at this point. Lilith, whose hands are clasped on the table, has on an identical ring. That said, it should be a happy time for the two. But the fact that a wave of despair hangs above us says novels towards the unfairness of this situation.
"We're getting her back," I say. "We're getting her back no matter what."
"I... just couldn't help but think... What if something happened to her?" says Lilith. "What if something happened to her while I was just... sitting here unable to do anything?"
"They wouldn't do that," I say. "She's obviously a hostage. They lose the upper hand the minute they lose their captive."
"Some fates are worse than death, Cyr," she says with a blank stare that doesn't quite seem to reach me. Silence allows itself to permeate the room for a painful few moments.
"I think it is about time you took to sleep, Lilith," Pierce finally says. "Tomorrow early we will set out. So please, rest."
She pauses a moment before nodding her head on his shoulder.
"Nora should as well," Pierce continues. "Nora, please take your rest in the room beside ours."
I start to get up alongside Nora, but Pierce grabs my arm before I can fully stand. Nora looks to me expectantly.
"There is one more thing Cyrus and I must discuss," says Pierce to Nora. "He won't be long. Please follow Lilith upstairs."
Nora doesn't say anything for a bit, and I for some weird reason get kinda worried. But soon after, she sighs and absently traces the way Lilith took just a second ago. Pierce holds out for another few before turning back to me with a straight face.
"You... need something?" I ask.
"Just a question," he replies.
"O-Okay... I'm listening."
"You aren't of this world, are you."
I hesitate.
"Answer me," he quietly demands.
"...Wasn't much of a question..." I mutter, "But I guess the easiest answer to that is no, I'm not. And something tells me you aren't, either."
"You are correct in that assumption. I am Japanese born, though I was raised in America."
"Hence the perfect English," I nod. "How'd you get here?"
"I don't remember well. Only that it hurt. It was the most intense pain I had felt in my life. I've been here ever since, all of ten years later."
"Ten years? Shit, that's... That's a long time."
"Can't you feel it? Like your body screams at you, knowing it shouldn't exist in this world?"
"...No, actually. I can't say I felt any different in coming through."
Pierce slumps back in his chair. "Then I suppose luck was on your side. But that doesn't tell me how you arrived here in the first place."
"Me? W-Well... I... I guess I stumbled into some kinda portal when I went down into my cellar," I mutter. "The stairs just... went on for way longer than they should've. And when I got to the bottom, all the walls around me seemed to just... disappear. I spent a few hours stumbling around in the darkness, and then I guess I... fell, into this world, if you choose to believe it."
"Then there are multiple ways to enter this world," says Pierce, seeming to take a mental note of the fact. "That bodes well for my efforts all these years."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I can no longer stand living in this world. Unlike you, I was never supposed to come here. So I have been spending all my time in reserve to finding a way back to our world. In fact, I have found one."
"Shit, you have?"
"This world revolves around hierarchy, Cyr. And at the top stands the Clergy. Supposedly, they house a manner of interacting with worlds beside this one. But the only problem with it is—"
"—That they don't let anyone outside their little niche in on such a big deal. Is that right?"
"As a civilian, there was no way of ascending to Nobility through merit alone," he says. "As a result, I joined the Adventurers with no motive other than gaining reputation and ascending to the highest rank possible. I thought they would have to crest me with nobility at such a high placement as this. Only..."
"Only?"
"The nobles see adventurers with distain in their eyes. Even the Admiral is looked down upon among those toad-faced coin hoarders. They see us as errand boys for the rich and wealthy." Pierce grimaces at the thought. "But a Hero, on the other hand... A Hero is recognized by both nobles and royalty alike. The only way to continue upward, the only way to reach my goal now is if I become a Hero. So pardon Lilith's feelings, but I didn't agree to aid in the rescue of the princess for her own sake. I march tomorrow as a means of returning home."
"...Does Lilith know...?"
"Know what?"
"About all of this. Does she even know where you came from? She's your wife. Do you plan on bringing her back with you?"
"When the time comes, I will return home alone. She does not belong on the other side, and I do not belong here." He pauses. I can sense a clinging amount of regret in his eye. "This... This arrangement... Is temporary, nothing more."