Chereads / Morland: Blood and Sweat / Chapter 52 - Arise, a Dragon Incognito

Chapter 52 - Arise, a Dragon Incognito

- RASOC -

The Adventurers Guild had been active in Quaria for over two decades now, it was only profitable for them that they did so since Rasoc had the best port in all the cities of Morland.

This made the guilds in Rasoc focus more on sea-related jobs as they explored the unchartered areas of the world beyond Morland. It was odd that with all the access that the ports brought to the Adventurers, only three guilds in the city really focused on the sea.

Mayurinari's Shipping Industry was at the top of the list, this guild was once a merchants association that focused on trade and transport. However, when they started to lose their goods to pirates frequently they would hire Adventurers as their bodyguards, but after coming to an agreement they later formed the first Adventurers guild of Rasoc.

The Sea Dragon's Nestle followed close behind Mayurinari's Shipping Industry, its founder was a former adventurer who invested all of his wealth to create this guild less than a decade ago, his work did not go unnoticed as his guild earned fame and regained him his riches.

The Sea Dragon's Nestle was the first to form trading relations with half-mortals of Sarst-Gov and served to bring the mortals of Morland ever closer with its engagements.

It was unfortunate for the people of Rasoc when they heard that the founder of the guild had passed away a few years after its establishment, his son later took on the role of leader and continued his father's work and brought the Dragon's Nestle fame to new heights.

Coral Beach was a guild that was collectively formed by a few of the nobles in the region, this was done as a means to explore the markets of the shipping guilds and as an answer to the plea for the need for an inexpensive shipping industry for the locals.

The local lords that shared the regions across Rasoc gathered a fraction of their wealth to recruit adventurers who formed the third-largest shipping guild in Rasoc. Several threats to their lives had been sent to them before their opening, but after careful assessment, the lords of the region proceeded to open a port of their own.

'I don't think I can remember it all clearly.'

Hielgan was sitting in the waiting room of The Sea Dragon's Nestle and in his hand, he clutched the amulet that the Holy Knight had given him before he started his investigation.

- EARLIER THAT DAY -

Cries and whimpers could be heard below the deck of the ship, Hielgan and the Holy Knight seemed to confirm their woes as they gazed at the dozens of half-mortal children all bundled together like baggage.

Hielgan noted the expression of shock on the Holy Knight's face, it was a horror and something that he could never have imagined to be the cause of such discomfort in Rasoc.

"When the guards brought the news of a troublesome half-mortal that was causing chaos here, I figured I would be dealing with just another wild beast." The Holy Knight started. "At first I found it odd how he fought, he did not bother to dodge any of my attacks."

"Yes, because he was protecting the ships."

"Indeed. Even I thought the first explosion was a bit overboard to fend off a single half-mortal." The Holy Knight added. "It seems someone was trying to erase... their tracks."

Hielgan jumped down below deck to calm the half-mortal children while the Holy Knight called some of the guards to begin preparations to take care of the children, a letter would be written to send to Sarst-Gov and inform the authorities there of the situation.

"Gaaah!"

One of the half-mortal kids scratched Hielgan who only felt a pinch, it was only natural they reacted aggressively to him, especially after what they may have gone through. Hielgan waved the rejection away and tried again until their aggression started to diminish.

Several minutes later, healers and caretakers were brought to the docks to help take care of the children.

The extraction seemed to speed up in their presence and all the children were taken to safety, the Ticigirian had already been taken to the healer's ward for treatment together with several other guards.

In the morning, a few of the guild leaders made an appearance and engaged in conversation with the Holy Knight. One particular exchange seemed to trigger the Holy Knight, and Hielgan was there to witness it all.

"It seems rumors of the thirteen losing their gentle touch were true after all." The individual uttered proudly as he approached. "News of your recklessness will surely reach the Emperor Sir Garlial."

The Holy Knight reacted at the mention of the name, Hielgan examined the mortal coming toward them together with his entourage. He was garbed in fine clothes fit for a noble, and around his waist was a slender sword that had exotic inscriptions embedded on its sheath.

"I was merely performing my duties as protector of the land Lord Woalial." Sir Garlial responded calmly.

"Oh, you wreck a fraction of my fleet and dare to speak of protection? What a nefarious thing to utter?"

"Nefarious? Says the mortal smuggling hundreds of half-mortal children into the city!" Sir Garlial's aura seemed to flare for a second as he spoke. "You have much to answer for little lord!"

"How dare you place such accusations on me?!" Lord Woalial's stepped forward to look Sir Garlial straight in his face, his attendants unsure of what to do only gripped their weapons as they waited for the turn of events. "The council will surely hear of this, you may yet be the first Holy Knight to be stripped of his sacred mantle."

With a scornful look, Lord Woalial took a step back and made his way back into town, surprised by what had happened Hielgan stood in utter silence as he waited for Sir Garlial to regain his composure.

"I knew this would be a pain..." Sir Gralial whispered.

"So you are the seventh?" Hielgan finally asked.

Hielgan had always known the name and rank of the Holy Knights of Morland, it was only their faces that he did not know about. His whole goal was to be a part of the Holy Knights one day, but after meeting the Princess of Quaria and having his perspective shaken a few times, he questioned his dream.

"Ha! Even you know about me." Sir Garilial chuckled. "I used to be ranked higher, but I have grown plenty old now."

"Old?! You barely look above eighty!" Hielgan's voice grew loud as his admiration for one of his hero figures surfaced.

Among the thirteen, Sir Garlial was ranked number seven, his prowess with the sword and advanced magics had been heard of since the reign of Emperor Lukial the first. It was rumored he passed over a hundred sword and magic arts that he accumulated over the years.

"It's unfortunate, that the Empire is involved now. Someone will have to go to Sarst-Gov and apologize, I just hope it won't be me." Sir Garlial seemed more depressed than angry anymore, it was hard for Hielgan to figure out his thoughts. "Can I ask you for a favor lad?"

Hielgan took a deep breath before responding.

"Me?"

- NOW -

That was how Hielgan ended up becoming Sir Garlial's spy. It felt like favor had merely been imposed on him by one of the greatest mortals of the land, who would dare deny such an opportunity.

Hielgan watched as several angry merchants streamed out from the halls of the guild crying out various laments to the loss of their merchandise.

"You will pay for it all!" A furious merchant exclaimed as he scurried out of one of the guild's offices.

"I heard there was quite a battle." Another whispered.

Hielgan could hear the merchants whispering to each other as they shared rumors of what had occurred, the battle had happened during the night and proceeded to the early morning, none of them could have known what occurred unless there was an informant.

'Seems like Sir Garlial was right.'

Sir Garlial had asked Hielgan to investigate the Sea Dragon's Nestle's headquarters, at first Hielgan assumed this was out of retaliation against Lord Woalial's arrogance, but a piece of evidence pointing to the Dragon's Nestle had betrayed lord Woalial who had made a hasty departure after ridiculing the Holy Knight.

"Even one of the Holy Knights had to step in to quell the danger." The merchants continued to whisper.

Hielgan eavesdropped on their conversation as he waited for an opportunity to join in the chatter and perhaps figure out more about the situation.

"I heard it was a half-mortal that was causing trouble." Another merchant seemed to slither into the murmuring verbal trade.

"I heard he was bigger than an ogre."

"Indeed, and his arms were as large as logs."

The three resounded in agreement as their topic switched to the estimation of the lost goods, it seemed one of the ships carried spices from Sarst-Gov that one of the merchants in the group had ordered.

Another one lamented the garbs made from unique material that was coming in on the same ship, this material was apparently unique to Sarst-Gov and could not be found anywhere else in Morland.

'These are not the ones, but it seems the Dragon's Nestle had a lot of trade happening in Sarst-Gov.'

Time flew by like a fleeting sea breeze, neither the amulet nor Hielgan picked up on anything strange in the headquarters even though the hall was still filled with angry merchants.

In the commotion Hielgan walked out the back door of the headquarters to refresh his mind, he knew that if he was to continue on as he did then he would not be able to find any incriminating evidence against the guild.

As he walked around the back of headquarters, he saw another door that seemed to lead to a different part of the building.

"Seems all these guilds ever do is hide secret after secret after secret."

Hielgan reached his hand out and pushed the door which swung open revealing a flight of stairs that led to the lower parts of the building.

"More secrets..."