"All the people who had participated in the struggle had gathered, and the atmosphere in the guild was lively. It was evident that they sat in groups with their respective comrades, while Eran, as usual, chose a seat at the far end to avoid drawing attention.
"Well, it seems you all have gathered. Today, as promised, mercenaries can collect their pay based on their service during the war. All payments have been distributed to your respective leaders," said the official representative of the Berillan kingdom.
Eran wanted to inquire about his payment since he didn't belong to any group. However, he was suddenly called by someone, and he searched for the source of the voice.
"Over here, Eran, over here."
Aldrich was waving his hand from the frontmost table on the left side. Eran understood and made his way to Aldrich's table.
As he approached, amid the crowded room, Eran could hear whispers and feel many eyes on him.
"This is your fee," Eran looked inside the small bag, surprised by the generous amount.
"This is too much," Eran protested and continued, "I should only be paid according to my portion of the mission."
"I believe it's fair. I've added a portion of my pay as well. Besides, no one here would object when they see your accomplishments. Please accept it," Aldrich explained.
"Very well, thank you," Eran hurried away, eager to leave the place immediately. He knew that many harbored resentment toward him.
"Wait, Eran," Aldrich stopped him before he could take a step.
"What is it, General?" Eran asked.
"Don't call me General; I haven't earned that title yet."
"Then, what do you want to discuss?"
"You're not one for small talk. Well, you're invited to the royal party," Aldrich said excitedly.
Eran narrowed his eyes, finding it hard to believe what he was hearing.
"I am?"
"Yes, you've been invited because of your achievements, Eran."
"Achievements? There's nothing particularly special about my accomplishments. Besides, I dislike crowds; events like that aren't suitable for a mercenary like me," Eran replied, uninterested in Aldrich's news.
"Come on, Eran, this is the first time I've encountered someone like you. Regular people would be thrilled to hear this news, some might even cry."
"I'm not normal; just look at me," Eran said mockingly.
"This is a token of appreciation and gratitude from the kingdom."
"I believe this is sufficient for me," Eran said, displaying a small bag of coins.
Aldrich didn't give up; he continued to ponder.
"I didn't want to say this, but an invitation from the kingdom is akin to an order. If you refuse, you would be defying the kingdom," Aldrich said earnestly.
"No problem for me," Eran replied briefly, then left Aldrich.
Once again, Aldrich failed to convince Eran that he didn't want to be punished for this either.
"Wait, Eran... there will be additional rewards in the form of gold coins for soldiers who merit this mission."
Eran stopped in his tracks upon hearing that, then returned closer to Aldrich.
"Alright, I'll get my stuff ready," Eran said with interest.
Aldrich let out a long breath, feeling relieved. Finally, his struggle had been successful.
"Tonight, we will depart with the horse-drawn carriage; the gathering point is at the back entrance of the village," Aldrich explained.
Eran returned to the inn and told Halbarad everything. The bard whined about coming but insisted on refusing. Eventually, Eran enticed Halbarad with gold coins, and he finally agreed.
Night had fallen, with the evening breeze blowing coolly around the few people gathered at the exit of Alku village. The lamps were lit, casting a warm glow around them. Theo, a dashing man with golden hair, wearing thin red leather armor that reflected a sense of strength and elegance, was carefully examining his sword. Beside him, Catallina, a beautiful red-haired woman with a sharp gaze, was checking his luggage.
"Do you miss your mom and dad?" Theo asked the beautiful girl.
"You can see it on my face, Theo."
"Yes, you look nervous, Catallina. Calm down; it will be fine," Theo said, trying to reassure his companion as he leaned against the carriage.
Taneaya, a girl with gray hair and sharp little eyes, stood next to Uldor, the brown-skinned man; they seemed to be engaged in a small chat. On the other hand, Kain, a young man with a small stature and black hair, was also seen talking to Gorstag, a tall and muscular man who was always faithfully beside him.
Aldrich, cloaked in black attire that covered his entire body, stood somewhat apart from the others.
Before long, Eran arrived with quiet steps. Everyone was startled by Eran's arrival, one of them completely unaware of his presence.
"Sorry for the delay," Eran said to Aldrich.
"You surprised me, Eran," Aldrich said with a slight smile.
"Sorry about that," Eran said, bowing his head slightly.
"It's alright that you're not late," Aldrich said. Then, Theo was seen approaching them.
"I knew you'd come, Eran," greeted Theo enthusiastically.
"We shouldn't be treating this honorable invitation lightly," Eran replied casually.
But Gorstag showed his displeasure. "No need to act like royalty; you're just a wild wolf."
"Gorstag!!!" scolded Catallina.
"Never mind, Gorstag," scolded Theo. Shortly with annoyance, Gorstag got into one of the carriages.
Theo looked at the other band members; they just shrugged their shoulders in confusion. Catallina and Kain followed Gorstag.
"Is everyone gathered?" shouted Taran from the front of the carriage.
"Yes, we have," Aldrich replied.
"Then let's get going," Taran urged.
Then they moved towards the carriage that was waiting for them in the palace courtyard. The carriage was beautifully decorated, depicting the luxury and glory of the kingdom.
Theo, Taran, and Aldrich were in the front of the carriage, while Catallina, Kain, Uldor, and Gorstag were in the second carriage. The carriage contained two long seats facing each other. Eran and Taneaya sat side by side in the last carriage.
The carriage set off slowly, making the long journey to the kingdom of Berillan. It was estimated that they would arrive at sunrise. Some people seemed to have closed their eyes, but some tried to stay alert and ready for whatever would happen on this journey.
They passed through lush forests, gently flowing rivers, and high mountains.
The Berillan Kingdom's domain is surrounded by beautiful and diverse natural settings, making the region extremely rich in ecosystem diversity. These unique natural conditions played an important role in shaping the lives and culture of its people.
The kingdom has a low-lying geography that covers most of its territory. Unlike some other kingdoms on the Anthares continent that have mountains and highlands, the Kingdom of Berillan consists of vast lowlands without significant elevations. This facilitated the accessibility and mobility of the kingdom's inhabitants.
Fertile land for agriculture and settlement. The fertile soil and availability of water allowed agriculture to flourish, producing a variety of agricultural products such as wheat, vegetables, and fruits. The lowlands are also home to a variety of plant and animal species, making it a region rich in natural resources.
Rocks are scattered across several areas in the Berillan Kingdom, adding interesting geological characteristics. These rocks also provide raw materials for various construction and mining projects in the kingdom. In the recently conquered southern region, IronClaw City to be precise, towering boulders are a stunning natural sight.
The Kingdom of Berillan is also covered by beautiful old-growth forests. The tall, lush trees create a calming and attractive atmosphere for the kingdom's inhabitants. These forests are home to a variety of wild animals and rare plants.
Parts of the Berillan Kingdom are also covered by vast savanna fields. These savannas provide beautiful natural scenery and are home to a variety of plant and animal species.
One of the distinctive features of the Berillan Kingdom is the stunning beauty of the flower fields. In the flower season, the lowlands and savannas are filled with various types of colorful flowers, creating a stunning natural landscape that captivates the hearts of anyone who sees it. These flower fields are also a source of inspiration for artists and poets, who often depict the natural beauty of the Berillan Kingdom in their works.
This wealth of diverse natural conditions provided great benefits to the Kingdom of Berillan. The fertile lowlands allowed agriculture to flourish and feed the population. The old-growth forests provided abundant natural resources and served as a sanctuary for rare plants and animals. So, it's no wonder that the descendants of the Heirs of Golden were renowned for their wealth, and it was written about in ancient manuscripts, stories, and songs of the Bards.
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