Chapter 10
Caaa! Caaa! Caaa!
It was already our 2nd day of our voyage towards the east, the land of the rising sun, and the home of will and heart. We have to visit that region, as a distress signal came from one of the land that my family owned, the [Town of Fall], which is located south-east of the east, near the [Land of the Fallen] area. We are riding one of my family's owned ships, a 2 masts [Clipper Ship], with a silvery, bluish-gray hull, and a medium greenish-gray deck. It was almost at noon as we continued our venture, when we were suddenly greeted by a big cry of a monster above us
"My lady"
The chief officer called, the second-in-command of the captain
"It's a peak gold rank monster, my lady, a {Silver Red-Eye Crow}"
He reported. Thanks to his telescope which was bestowed with [Eagle Eye], he could easily spot the source of that loud cry. [Eagle Eye] is another vision sight skill like [Clairvoyance], they only differ on how wide they could view the area. The latter had a wider range, while the former had a shorter range
"Archers be on look out! Mages, conceal the whole ship! Captain, steer the ship and hide it between the clouds, we are not going to engage!"
As I commanded. A {Silver Red-Eye Crow} is a bird type monster, a peak gold rank beast. In a [Subjugation Quest], it's at least needed a party of 10 peak gold rank adventurers to hunt one. With 20 or so men I have in my disposal, killing one wouldn't be a problem, if that were the problem. This monster doesn't go solo, they usually in tandem, in-three, or in a flock or group. So for this one to fly alone
"It's a scout. Attacking it would be fatal, focus on escaping from it"
I spoke. The mages then casted both [Object Disguise], and [Concealment] in the ship and us, as this monster have their natural wide eye-sight that could rival [Clairvoyance]. The archers then went to their respective position to scan the whole area, for any unexpected ambush, or stray monsters. The captain then steered the ship to the left, 300° north-west behind the clouds.
Caaa! Caaa! Caaa!
As the bird cried
"My lady"
"I know"
I replied, as it's been half an hour since we started moving away from its sight, but even still, none of its friends dared to show up
"...archers!"
"There is none my lady! The sky is clear!"
One of the archers at the Fighting Top replied
"Captain"
"Forgive me my lady, but I never meet a monster like this before"
The captain replied. I then stared above, and gaze at the beast that was hovering the sky, as I crossed my arms
"...variant..?"
I murmured
"My lady?"
"It's nothing"
I responsed, as I out of sudden thought of something that I piqued my interest, after I got back during my ventures. After I got back to our estate, which is located west of the city, I was given a report about unusual accidents. Variants after variants of monster keeps appearing out of nowhere, even unknown monster that wasn't yet reported sprouted, from early iron rank to peak emerald and above were sighted, even darling meet one, which totally made my blood boils on how reckless and careless he was. So if my hunch was right, this monster might be
"[Silver Wolf Sense]"
I spoke, as I activated one of my skills. [Silver Wolf Sense] is a skill I obtain from a [Monster Orb skill] of a {Great White Wolf}, a mid platinum rank monster, which was hunted by my father for my coming of age for adulthood, which was 7 years ago. With a diameter of 16 meters, I could easily scrutinize the whole area. (note: this includes the width and height of the surrrounding area)
"...."
But I felt none. Above and below, I didn't detect anything. I then turned around and faced my maid
"Cecile, w-!! Turn the ship!!"
I yelled. Everyone was taken aback to my sudden command, but the captain was still able to follow through, and steered the ship to the left
Swoosh!
BANG!
"Ugh!"
"What the-"
As everyone groan in surprised, some of the men that was stationed at the left, stumbled, as the ships shakes after an unexpected impact to our unidentified guest
"..."
Astonished, perplexed, and disturb. Mix emotions painted everyone's face, as the monster then showed itself at us. A bird type monster flap its wings just a distance from us, with a wingspan that could envelop the whole ship, dyed in a white feather
"A...{Silver Red-Eye...Crow}? But that's too huge"
Cecile spoke, as the monster that we are being cautious about, revealed itself before us
"My lady!"
The captain called, as he stared at the beast in front, so I hurriedly gaze and was baffled to what I saw. Rather than red-eyes, it was like a dark shade of red, like a burning charcoal as it was staring at us, and the feathers that was coated in white drastically change to grayish-light, as if it was blending the surrounding area
"[Camouflage]"
I muttered. [Camouflage] is a skill which is similar to [Object Disguise], as it let the user blend in with the surrounding area, but for it to hide itself from my sense
"Shit! Captain!"
I screamed, the captain then nodded as he hurriedly steered the ship. He then ordered the men below the deck to boost the speed of the ship even more
"My lady that's-"
"A variant"
I spoke, as I interrupted my maid's word. I then clenched my fist, and stared at monster behind us.
A skill can be differientiate not on its uses, but on the user itself, like how an iron rank adventurer needed 3 to 4 [Slash] to cut a Goblins neck with an iron sword, whereas a copper rank adventurer only needed 2. A stronger skill could only be powered or boosted without any buff, with enough experience and mastery. My [Silver Wolf Sense] should be a great example, as anything below platinum rank will be easily noticed by this skill, while those above may or may not. So for this giant bird to escape my senses, even though its just below us, indicates that its above gold rank level. Then assuming its a variant is a good call, as a variant monster is 1 rank above than its origin
"Archers! Mages!"
I yelled. As the archers heard me, they then took an arrow from their quiver, and took aim to the beast behind us. The mages then casted [Fire Bird] and [Fire Ball], but none yet dared to fire as I didn't let them, yet. As right now, the monster didn't yet attack us, so we shouldn't be hostile to it for the time being. Attacking it out of nowhere will only bring us nothing, as this beast is at its home base, its territory, and we are nothing but intruders, an uninvited guest to its own yard
Flap Flap Flap
As the sound of its huge wings flapping
"..."
Silence befalls us, as the monster only stared and didn't move. I ordered the captain to slow down the ship, so it won't chase us and think of us as an enemy, so at this moment, we were all in the edge of our seat, as the enemy before us, only looked at us, judging us
Caaa!
As the monster cried, It then turns and stared above us, we then did the same and look. Then the bird above us that was hovering the sky descended, slowly it appeared before us, coated in a silver feather with red-eyes, and a bit smaller than the one beside it. The peak gold rank beast, {Silver Red-Eye Crow}, showed itself. The 2 then stared at us, as they hover beside our ship. They weren't hostile but neither friendly, as they gaze at us with cautiousness, for some unknown reason. I clenched my hand and then screamed
"Archers! Mages! Stand down!"
"!!"
"My lady that's-"
"I said, stand down!"
I screamed and gave them a hostile look. Everyone who heard my call, even my lady-in-waiting Cecile, were all flabbergasted as they stare at me, questioning if I was thinking straight. But even so, one by one, they put their weapons down, and uncast their spells as I stared at them, and didn't give them a room for an argument. I don't know why I said that, I didn't even know why I thought of such, I just felt that these 2 monsters weren't here to attack us. And also, fighting these 2 would totally be suicide, as it will cause our lives, as the barrier that was holding us would easily break against these 2, especially that variant. A couple of minutes of silence came, until
SWOOSH!!
"Ugh!"
I exclaimed, as a strong gust of wind push our ship to the side, after that variant flap its gigantic wings directly at us
"....?"
Everyone then, including me were mystified, baffled, as the 2 beast then vanished before us. It might have used the strong gust of wind as a cover for their escape. After a couple of second of puzzled look, everyone then breathe in relief. I then leaned myself in the ships chain-rail, as I sat down and put my arms at my side, and made a long sigh as I looked up
"After I get back, I will let darling give me a lot of kisses"
I uttered and smiled.
...
The 3rd day of our voyage camed, and it was almost evening as I could clearly see the east region before us. We then descended below the port, as the captain steered the ship towards the [Airship Wraft], which where most of the, all mostly, Airship land. It's build like a tower for easy descending and take off for the Airship. We could also use the normal port for the ship, but as it needed a bit longer to ascend, as it needed a long runaway, so sometimes we use [Airship Wraft]. After the Airship landed, we were then greeted with 10 Knights and 2 men, 1 young man, and the other is an uncle, in front of us. After everything was clear, we then descended
"8 men will be left to maintain the ship, that will include the Cook and Steward. 2 men shall go the market to sell our catched loot, and the remaining one will accompany me to the town"
I spoke as I give my order. 2 men then went down and hold each a white-yellow wooden box, carrying a 50 {Sky Flatter Fish} inside, and walked towards the [Wet Market], just a distance from here. During the noon time in our 3rd day, we are able to spot a group of {Sky Fish}, a bluish-gray peak silver ranked {Sky Flatter Fish}. We call them that as they flatter their small fin-like wings as they leap. During that time, we were able to catch some of them, I participated of course as Cecile didn't object, as she let me have my own experience for such, and stood there and watch me enjoy. As we wanted it to be fresh and kicking, we only used fishing pole with [Catcher] hooked on it.
A [Catcher] is a 3 clawed object that used to catch any living animals alive. With a 5 inches sense diameters, they could easily hook any animals up. They vary in sizes and the quality that were use (note: just imagine the hook in the claw crane game).
"We humbly greet The Honorable Isabelle Fall, in our town"
The uncle spoke. All the Knights behind them then saluted us, as they placed their right hand to their chest in a horizontal manner, and their left arm behind their back, and closed their feet and strengthen their back. The two in front then bowed at us, the uncle and the young man.
As I am a Baron's daughter, they are addressing me as "The Honorable" or "The Hon." verbally or in letter. But if they are speaking to my parents, it should be "The Lord & Lady" in verbal, while "The Right Hon. Lord & Lady" in letter. As we are Baron, a lower ranked noble, much higher than a baronet, we could own 10-20 Knights. If we do increase our power, owning 40 isn't a problem. We could also employs 1-5 Baronets as our officers, 4 or 5 [Baron Guards], and dispatched a 40 or more armed men, with a 1,000 slaves in hand
"Who do I have the pleasure to speak?"
I asked. I could simply just state "who are you?" or "who am I speaking to?", but as I am a noble, I can't speak in such manner that would disgrace my family, so being formal is a must, only in front to those I needed to of course
"I am Sir James Morp, one of the officer incharge of the town's port. And beside me is Sir Van Doll, my right hand, your honorable"
The uncle spoke, as he introduced themselves to us. After the pleasantaries, we then went down the [Airship Wraft], accompanied by the 10 Knights and my men. After we descended the tower, we were then greeted by a soft, cool, enchanting gray with a misty undertone carriage, with a warm color yellow encircling it - the window, and the door - with a {Silver Stallion}, an early platinum rank monster, pulling it
"My lady, do I have to expect your room and the mansion you are about to stay in?"
Cecile stated. I then nodded. We already went inside the carriage, and started heading towards the town as we discussed. Cecile and I are the only one inside this carriage, while the 2 officers and some of my men were in the next carriage behind us, and the others went on foot or by horse
"How about the surveillance, my lady?"
"Asked 3 or 4 of our men to do that, be sure it isn't connected outside of our family, nor close to those "people"
I spoke. When I said those "people", I only meant those individuals who were entitled "relatives", which took the opportunity to gain our favor, and made them one of our officers
"Be sure to find someone who is good at close survellance"
"Yes, my lady"
Cecile answered. Right now, we are heading towards the place that I am about to stay for days, with 5 Knights riding a horse at each side. As we were riding the carriage, I did some sight-seeing as I looked outside the window. I was greatly mesmerized on how beautiful the town's port became, it was dazzled by many people, foreign and local. They were either trading goods, buying products, or counting their merchandise. But what truly made me awed was the dresses they wore. Some of the folks who went to the port wore an eastern style clothes, a kimono if I remember, but some still didn't, but it was truly such a wonderful sight to behold.
"The port is steadyly developing isn't it, my lady?"
"Yes, it is"
I smiled and answered, as there are a lot of new buildings erected or being built in the port, indicating its good growth. We then passed by the market. There are 2 markets in the [Town of Fall]. The bigger market or [Central Market] is located inside the town, and the smaller one is located near the port, the [Port's Market], which we passed by by now.
Different folks and buildings, from stalls to travellers could be seen in the [Port's Market]. Some were picking some products in the stall, some were strolling around and seeing if theirs anything that may piqued their interest, and some were already at their "bargain mode". I chuckled as I was astonished to such scene. Cecile just smiled as she saw me. As it was almost evening, the port and the market already lit their street lamp across the street, beautifying the whole area even more
"Cecile"
"Yes, my lady"
"Tell 2 of our men to visit the [Port's Market], and see if there's anything that might "interest" them"
"Yes my lady"
Cecile replied. After the market we then cross the road that connects the town and the port
"Oh~, they now using stone bricks ha"
I muttered as leaned close to the carriage's window. The last time I visited the town was almost 3 years ago, and during that time the road had only dirt as a ground, which is truly amazing as how fast the time went by, I was amused. Street lamps also light the road, and just few distances were the forest that was surrounding it, with few travellers, folks, and peddlers rode by
After crossing the road, we were then greeted by a huge stone wall, and a light brown tall gate, with 2 [Supply Tower] at its side. [Supply Tower] is tower for supply, simple. It was thought by my darling, so that there will be no need for those who at the top to always go down to resupply, especially when at war or fighting a monster. We installed 8 of it around the town, 2 at the front, 2 at the back, and 2 at each side, with [Elevating Cart] each, which is powered by wind magic to carry the neccessary supply up and down of the tower. He also constructed a diagram for people to be carried too. We are already at the built-in progress. I could only smug pridefully on how amazing my darling is.
After we arrived at the gate, 6 guards that were stationed at the top then moved near us, and scanned the whole perimeter. As we have a shortage of Knights, we employed some capable individuals, men or women to be the [Town's Guard], from adventurers to lone warriors, or even failed Knights. So for such, we were able to deploy 25 of them. We then entered after they opened the gate, 10 Knights then greeted us as they lined up and salute.
As we were heading towards one of my family's owned estate, which is located at the south-east of the town, some folks who were roaming the night street, from men to women, gazed at us, some kids even waved at us, while some folks who merrily enjoying their lovely evening, strolled. There's even some who shared their beautiful evening with kisses and hugs, how envious.
We then passed by the [Town's Square] with their magnificent [Tiered Fountain], a fountain with 3 layers, and a sculptured beast at the peak, a {Hanianaguma} (note: honey badger in Japanese), which is the emblem of my family, and also my blessing.
A {Hanianaguma} is said to be a peak mythril rank beast that roams the west. With its giant gray-white upper, and black lower body that could rival a {Wyvern}. It was a passed down blessing for generation in our family, that which was said to be the founder's favorite pet, when our family had a noble title back then.
A blessing was once known as a powerful skill that could boost the user, both mentally and physically. It was called a blessing during the ancient times, when once a powerful being roamed the world, I believe it was called [God] or an [Archon], but I don't believe in such "fairy tale lore", nor "out-of-this norm" being, none do. Blessing was once said to be given to those who pass the trial of life and death, or so the tales goes. In every noble lineage, or in a royal family, blessing states their power and dignity. Sometimes blessing associate a family's family name, for ours its autumn, or fall, which is our surname, my favorite season, and for the [Kingdom of Entel], it's {Griffon}.
We then arrived to our destined place, my family's owned mansion, [Manoir D'automne] (note: fall/autumn mansion), with a silvery, bluish-gray roof, and segmental dormer. A yellow-brown windows and door, and an ivory walls. It's a 2 storey house, with a covered entrace as huge as a small cabin, with 2 pillars supporting it, while 4 at each side of the mansion front. With 2 balconies at each side, a wide porch and a fountain, it was well-built place. We then were greeted with 11 maids, including the head maid, 6 manservants, and 1 butler, as they bowed down when one of the knights opened the carriage door
"Welcome back, my lady!"
They all spoke. I then went down the carriage as the Knight took my right hand, and helped me descend. Cecile went out first as it will be disrespectful if she followed behind me, which is something I don't mind. I then looked around the mansion, and smiled
"It's truly been a while since I came back"
I murmured. We then went inside the mansion, as all my servant followed behind
"Phew~"
"Good work today, my lady"
Cecile spoke, as I let out a breath of exhaustion, while she placed some snacks and a smooth mild drink. I am now sitting in the [Grand Room], which is located at the center of the mansion, in a purplish red sofa, with a dark black body and arms, with 3 couch - 2 at my right, and 1 at my left - and an orange-ink table at the center, with a medium greenish-gray chimney in front.
Munch Munch
"Sigh, I'm going to be busy for tomorrow"
"Yes, you will be my lady. So please do have an early rest for today"
Cecile spoke as she smiled at me. I just made a long sigh as I took another cookie
"Did you already order the men for the investigation?"
"Yes, my lady. One of my servants did"
"Oh, it's been a while since I've meet your servants"
"Fufufu~, you will be astonished to their growth, my lady. I totally procure a much better material this time"
"I will expect that much. I'll also need you to investigate the matter about the reason why we are here, and"
Crunch
"Find out if there are any rats among them"
"Yes, my lady"
Cecile responded. After I ate 5 cookies, I then went up to my room in the second floor of the mansion, the [Masterr Suite], which is a room installed with its personal bathroom, fireplace, a balcony, and a huge bed.
(Cecile POV)
After my lady went up to her room, I was then left alone in the [Grand Room]
Snap
After I snap my finger, 3 shadow figures then appeared behind me, kneeling
"You have heared my lady's command, now go"
The 3 then bowed before they dissappeared, vanish in the shadow. I then tidied up the [Grand Room], before I head to my quarter
(Isabelle's POV)
"Moo~ darling, I wish you are here, I'm lonely"
I muttered, as I hug one of the pillows tightly, and closed my eyes
...…..
(Author's POV)
Knock Knock
"Mmmhm~"
Knock Knock
"Mhhmm~"
Knock Knock
"My lady"
"....hmmm..?"
Slowly, she opened my eyes
"Mmhmm"
Touch by the sunlight gaze, she then stared at my room
"Yawn~"
She then stretch her arms to welcome the morning light
"Excuse my intrusion, my lady"
Her lady-in-waiting, Cecile, spoke
Creak
Slam
She then woke up while her eyes were still bit of dizzy, as she hold my pillow in her right, yawning as she still wanted another hour of rest
"My lady, it's already morning, please wake up"
".....mhmm..."
"Sigh, my lady"
Cecile spoke as she sigh, and arrange her loosen night gown, while fixing her bed hair
".....time...?"
She asked in a low tired-meek voice
"Early morning, my lady"
"....breakfast…."
"A [Honey Grilled Steak] and [4 Season Salad], with [Milk Berried Pudding] my lady"
"....yummy.....darling..."
"Hmm?"
"....darling.....zzzZZZZ"
"....forgive me, my lady"
"[Sonic Clap]"
Bam!
"!!"
"!!?"
"...."
"...it's my lady" (note: maid 1)
"Yes, it's my lady" (note: manservant 1)
"It's my lady again" (note: maid 2)
"It's been a while" (note: manservant 2)
"It's much stronger than before though" (note: maid 3)
All the servants didn't bat an eye as they continued their usual duty in the mansion
(Isabelle's POV)
"That wasn't neccessary"
I annoyingly complain, as I fixed myself with the help of the penetrator
"It is, my lady"
Cecile spoke
"...."
"....what is it, my lady?"
"I look sexy in this night gown"
I confidently spoke, as I stared myself in the mirror
"....yes, you are my lady"
Cecile responds in her not interested tone
"I hope darling see this"
I said, as I swayed my butt to the left, while my right hand brush my hair, as I pose in front of the mirror
"...."
Cecile was silent as she looked at me. She then sighed before muttering
"We caught 6 and suspected 8, my lady"
"Oh~"
I replied as I grinned. I then turned around and faced my maid
"I hope they are whole when they speak"