My allies and Nakros hit it off quickly.
"So then Alt took on the bridge demon alone with some kind of skill we've never seen before!" [Raon]
"Really? I'd like to see that for myself!" [Nakros]
They exchanged stories about me as that was the only common topic they had. It also looked like Nakros picked up on me using the alias of "Alt".
"Well, let me tell you the story of how I met Alt." [Nakros]
He explained about how he and Jukhan broke out of prison along with the minor details of how I almost died several times.
"That's… very rough." [Wilharrow]
"Your master sounds like the type to just watch." [Raon]
"Hey, that's my friend's uncle. Be nice." [Fina]
"It's fine. He at least saves us, y'know?" [Nakros]
After a long conversation, Nakros went down to business.
"I think we've caught up enough. How about we change locations?" [Nakros]
Wilharrow glanced at me.
"We can trust him." [Solace]
Nakros smiled as he ushered us out of the Adventurer's Guild and into a dark alley. We continued down it until we met a brick wall as a dead end.
"So? What now?" [Raon]
"Now, we go through the secret entrance." [Nakros]
He pointed at the brick wall.
"Ah, I got it. It's an illusion." [Wilharrow]
With great confidence, Wilharrow walked straight into the wall. However, he bounced back and clutched his face from the pain.
"Ow! It's not an illusion?!" [Wilharrow]
Nakros burst out laughing.
"Of course not! How else would it be secret?" [Nakros]
He turned towards me.
"Alt, show him how it's done." [Nakros]
I guess he knew of my experience with Master's version of secret entrances. You just have to break down the wall.
"|Blazing Fist|." [Solace]
Enhancing my arm with flames, I broke the brick wall down with a mighty punch. Behind the wall revealed a dark room inside. It was honestly very hard to see inside even with my |Night Vision|. Maybe a spell was active?
"That's genuinely crazy." [Wilharrow]
"There might be something wrong with the way you guys think. Am I wrong?" [Raon]
Fina didn't even say anything. She looked away as if she was embarrassed to be associated with me or Nakros. Probably me though.
"In you guys go. Well, hopefully before the wall closes." [Nakros]
"What?" [Wilharrow]
Just as Nakros said, the broken brick wall began to piece itself together.
"Quick guys. I don't feel like breaking it again." [Solace]
I entered first, whereas the rest followed quickly. Once entering the dark room, I found that there were two dark figures sitting down facing me.
"Huh? There's people here." [Solace]
Looking more closely, It was only one person sitting down. The other person was of a much larger stature and stood by their side like some kind of bodyguard.
"Alt, meet my… acquaintances? They're the guys that helped remove my shackles." [Nakros]
"Okay?" [Solace]
"What does this have to do with the rest of us?" [Wilharrow]
Nakros gave him a smug look.
"I'll just let this guy do the talking." [Nakros]
He motioned to the hooded figure sitting down.
"Greetings, heroes." [???]
Just that line put us on guard.
"Alt, I thought you said Nakros could be trusted!" [Wilharrow]
All my allies reached for their weapons and so did the hooded figure's bodyguard. The only ones that didn't take an aggressive stance were Nakros, the hooded figure, and myself.
"Hold on guys! This must be a misunderstanding!" [Solace]
The hooded figure raised both hands as if to signify that they were unarmed.
"Wait just a moment. I mean you no harm. Nor do I wish to divulge your identity to the lord of this land." [???]
The hooded figure slowly removed the hood, revealing a female purple skinned demon with white hair. She had golden eyes and a single horn protruding from her forehead.
"A demon?" [Raon]
"Of course she is. We're in demon country, remember?" [Wilharrow]
Well that was racist. Not wrong though.
"My name is Eiren Flickerwood, and I need your help." [???]
Wilharrow scoffed.
"You? A demon? You're asking for a Hero's help? Make up a better lie next time." [Wilharrow]
"You little…!" [Bodyguard]
The large hooded figure drew out a very large sword. I'd say it's a greatsword, but they were able to wield it with one hand. Just as they began to move, they froze as their eyes met Nakros'.
"Hey. Am I just a decoration to you?" [Nakros]
Nakros glared at the burly figure, who glared back.
"They dare insult my master. This deserves punishment." [Bodyguard]
"And you dare draw your blade against my fellow disciple. It wouldn't be below me to rip you apart here and now." [Nakros]
The tension grew so thick that I could cut it with a knife. It was only until Eiren, the bodyguard's master, decided to step in.
"Calm down, please. This was supposed to be a friendly deal." [Eiren]
Nakros didn't settle down until the bodyguard sheathed their sword.
"I will remember this, Azure Dragon." [Bodyguard]
"I don't mind. Just so you know, I won't remember this since you're not strong enough to be memorable." [Nakros]
"Guys!" [Eiren]
It felt like watching a mother stop two of her children from fighting. Thankfully the two quieted down, leading to the conversation restarting with the clearing of the throat.
"A-Ahem… In any case, I wanted to ask the hero's party to retrieve a legendary item." [Eiren]
That definitely sounded like it was up Wilharrow's alley.
"What kind of legendary item?" [Wilharrow]
"The cube of Magendala." [Eiren]
Wilharrow's eyes widened with shock.
"That item actually exists?!" [Wilharrow]
"What?" [Solace]
Another name of something I don't know.
"It's a relic said to be able to stop time itself." [Wilharrow]
"Oh." [Solace]
Well doesn't that sound ridiculously overpowered?
"Why do you want us to retrieve such an item? Actually, what makes you think we wouldn't want to keep it for ourselves?" [Wilharrow]
"Those are valid questions." [Eiren]
She nodded along.
"You see, I don't actually care whether or not you keep it." [Eiren]
"Huh?" [Raon]
"In truth, I just don't want it getting into the hands of the demon lord's brother." [Eiren]
That was surprising. Guess we had another enemy.
"Currently, I am trying to stop him because we don't really know what he would do with it. It's far too risky." [Eiren]
"And it's not as risky as letting the hero, who is enemies with demons, to have such a relic?" [Wilharrow]
"I'm willing to take some gambles." [Eiren]
Sounds like politics. Something I'm not good at. Nor am I familiar with it.
"There are a few other things I'd like to say." [Eiren]
Okay, so at this point a lot of information was coming in. Allow me to summarize. First, the demon lord has a brother who was exiled. Second, the brother is trying to get the time stopping cube for power and to take over the country. Third, Eiren is the leader of a revolution who is trying to dethrone the current demon lord. I know, it's a lot. There's even more, but I stopped paying attention and let Wilharrow deal with it.
"If what you are saying is true, then I suppose we don't have a choice." [Wilharrow]
"Right? So will you do me the favor of getting rid of the cube?" [Eiren]
Wilharrow took a moment to glance at me and the others.
"We'll undertake this quest. Give us the cube's location and consider it done." [Wilharrow]