"Right, it seems you know what you're doing. Activating a skill that fast is also impressive. If you know the Flash Step skill, then you should be high leveled, no?" My eyes dart around as I struggle to think of a response. I don't want to reveal my title, but I also don't want him to overvalue me. If he thinks I have a higher level than I do, then he may throw me against a powerful monster, thinking I can handle it myself.
"It's rude to inquire about an adventurer's status. I'm sure you're aware of that." Jezabel swoops in with the save. I breath out a sigh of relief as she moves beside me.
"Then how am I supposed to know what he's capable of?" The Earl demands. She calmly points to the small plaque hanging around my neck.
"This is all you need to know."
"Iron rank? You expect me to believe a kid that can use an advanced skill is only Iron rank? With that alone, he should be at least Gold rank."
"Yes, that's how the guild currently evaluates his abilities."
"You must think I'm an idiot!" The Earl shouts.
"No, I think he's ten. How much responsibility would you give to a ten-year-old?" He looks back and forth between myself and the guild master while pondering.
"Good point. Don't you think Iron rank is a bit high?" Everyone within ear shot facepalms at his sudden change of heart.
"The guild evaluates his skill set exactly as it is." Professional as ever, Jezabel ignores the ridiculous words of the Noble and repeats her stance on the issue.
"We at least need some support if that's the case. The kid may know how to get there, but nothing beats experience if something goes wrong."
"This here is the Gold-rank adventurer, Travis. He and his team will be working alongside the boy."
"Mhmm, mhmm." The Earl places one hand on his chin as he thinks. "It seems I'm just wasting everyone's time."
"Indeed," Jezabel affirms.
"Since you've got it all worked out, I presume you're ready to leave."
"Whenever you are."
"You heard her. Move out!" Chaos ensues as various high and low-ranking military officials start running about at the Earl's command. The sea of humanity slowly ebbs. Within a few minutes, the army is out the door.
"Get to the front of the formation before the Duke's men enter the forest." Jezabel leaves us with that, and we make our way outside. Surprisingly, the fifty or so men that exited the guild hall have already formed up into a column and are marching steadily towards their destination.
"You heard her. Let's go." Yuki, Sam, Jimmy and I all follow closely behind Travis. Yuki still only has one arm, but her other side has clearly bulked up some to compensate.
"What're you looking at?"
"It's amazing how well you've managed to cope with losing your arm. You make it seem like it doesn't even slow you down. No matter how well you manage to handle it physically, the mental strain and the constant reminder of your lost limb will still be difficult to deal with. You must have some unbelievable mental fortitude for you to carry on like you don't even notice it's missing."
"What the fuck are you on about?" Yuki spits.
"I told you not to talk to him. Just let it go," Travis interjects.
"Did I say something I shouldn't have?" I'm taken aback by the cold response I get. Most people appreciate feeling seen, though I suppose others will just feel exposed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to attack you or anything. I'm just impressed."
"I can't tell if you're serious or not."
"I'm absolutely serious," I reply flatly.
"Yuki! Eyes forward," Travis interrupts, and our conversation abruptly ends. I spend the rest of our journey imaging what it must feel like to lose a limb and how I might deal with it. The conclusion I reach as we arrive at the fort is 'not well.' In all likelihood, the opportunity cost I would suffer would be so great I wouldn't even be able to function. The constant reminder of what could have been would destroy me. I may react differently if it were actually to occur to me, but that's how I'm feeling at the moment. I turn around as I approach the fort, half expecting to see the kids behind me.
"Gah!" An army is staring back at me.
"Nick, what's wrong?" Travis asks.
"Oh, nothing. I just forgot there were people following me." Travis palms his face but quickly recovers.
"It's fine. We made it here; that's what's important. Now, are there any important locations in the area?" I glance down at the recently filled-in hole. So much of my time was spent down at the bottom of that cave which will now become the grave site of so many people.
"Not really. I used this area largely because of its barren location. There isn't anything to draw monsters towards us." Several armored men whisper to each other after hearing my words.
"This should do just fine," The Earl declares. He appears to be in high spirits.
"Anything else you need from us?" I ask, unsure of what to do next.
"Hmmm… I don't think so. We'll just come grab you if we ever need your help." The Earl makes it seem like they'll just kidnap me, which is unsettling. There's not much I can do either way, so I start walking back to town. "Oh, hey, one more thing."
The Earl runs up to me after I'm a short distance away from everyone. He wraps his arm around my shoulder and guides me deeper into the forest.
"Listen here. I know you're in cahoots with the fairies, so you'd better watch your back. You may be protected by the guild, but once all this is over, I'm coming after you. I don't want any traitors in my territory."
"I apologize, but I don't have any idea what you're talking about." I control my breathing to conceal my rapidly beating heart. The jig is up, but I need to remain calm.
"Mhmm, right. Look, if you ever have a change of heart, I'll pay you handsomely to help us eradicate those pesky fairies."
"I don't understand. I'm helping you do that right now."
"Whatever. Anyway, I'll be keeping an eye on you." He slaps my back a couple of times before sending me on my way. Other than a few minor hiccups, everything is going as planned.