Chapter 5
"We will leave April here, she's much safer here than the others"
I stated as I gently brushed the hair on April's forehead
"That will be much better"
Father spoke as she looked at April, while crossing his arms.
Sigh
In a whispering sigh, I could look at April with sympathy, and pity
".... Dammit"
And curse in silence
"Don't blame yourself, fate works in the most unpredictable, and unexpected way"
He then tap my shoulder before he left, followed by a servant behind. Looking at him as he left, I then went inside the room and sat beside April, who was quietly resting.
After we saw her disheveled, tired, and already at break of collapse, Sheryl then hurriedly made April fell asleep, as she knocked her down after she went behind her. She then carried her and went outside, while I took each of dead body of Cecile and Josh, and left the cave, as we rushingly went back to the estate.
After we went through another battle with those {Hobgoblins}, {Gray Wolves}, and some of their variants, including some {Black Wolves} and Goblins, we then arrived at the estate. And as it was lunch time, or after lunch, arriving there, Mother and some Maids - 3 - was the 1st one to notice us, as they were outside of the mansion, and hurriedly went towards us.
Without a need of any explanation, mother then quickly ordered the Maids to prepare a room, a hot clean water, clothe, and a [Healing Potion]. As the maids hurriedly rush, the 5 of us then quickly followed them from behind.
The Maids quickly tidied a spare room at the 1st floor of the mansion, and hurriedly brought a hot water, placed in a thin metal bowl, with some clean light gray clothes.
As we carefully placed April on the bed, mother, with the help of Maids, cleaned April, and patch some of her wounds, as they one by one, took some of the Maggots that was buried in her skin, by pressing or pushing them out, and also by carefully opening those bulks, to get those Maggots out, especially those between her thighs
They then sanitized her by cleaning those wounds, after they threw her rugged clothes, and undergarment, and slowly wash her dirty body with the wet clothe. Mother and the Maids did all of that, in precise, and well organized manner. After that, mother then went upstairs, with her are 2 Maids.
After they are all done, father then came back, as a Maid opened the mansion door, and welcomed my father back. Father then saw us standing, after the Maid reported everything, and asked me all the details to what happened.
Telling him all the information I have, father then went on silent, as he looked at April with a stoic look, before he sighed, and told me to let her rest here for the time being, and that she must be observe, and must be attended, and all times. He then left
"What should we do now, darling?"
Taking a long look at April, I then replied
"We will finish the Quest we have in hand, staying here doing nothing will do us no good. And also, April will be staying here anyway, so we can leave at ease"
I spoke as I stood up, and face them, after I slightly arranged April's blanket.
"Which one should we take 1st then? It is still daylight, so taking these Quest while the sun is still up, won't be profitable"
"How about we take some other Quest before then?"
Sheryl suggested, after Isabelle spoke. I then nodded to words, as it still quite early for us to take on the Quests we have. With that, the 3 of us then left the mansion, and went towards the [Adventurer's Guild].
(???? POV)
" Hic Hic Hic Hic uwa uwaahhhh Hic Hic"
Haah Haah Haah shhhh, it's okay now, I am here, so haahh Haah hahh so don't cry now
"Ahhhhh wahhhhh Hic Hic Hic ahhhhh"
It's okay, we are safe here, everything will be alright
"Ahhhhh Hic Hic Hic but-but ahhhhh"
Shhhh, big sis is here, I'll protect you no matter what, hah hah so don't cry now, okay, I am here, I'm here... Hah (slow breathing) I'm here.... I'm here...
"Uwaaahhhhhh"
(Creeper's POV)
".... What should we take, darling?"
As Sheryl asked, I then closely looked at each of the Quest posted. Each Quest are divided by section, so the Adventurers will easily see, or pick, which Quest should they took and not, namely: [Gathering Quest], [Hunting Quest], [Material Quest], [Exploration Quest], [Personal/ Private Quest], [Delivery Quest, and [Escort Quest].
[Gathering Quest] are mainly the basic Quest among the other Quest, which is good for beginners, or newbies. They mainly gather some flowers, lumbers, and some other stuff. [Gathering Quest] are sometimes called, [Florilegium Quest], as most of the Quests involved with flower picking. But unfortunately, peaceful picking doesn't last that long, as sometimes, some [Gathering Quest], are located in some dangerous area
[Hunting Quest] or [Extermination Quest] is basically about hunting some monsters and such, they may have run amok in some places, taking over or inhabating some area, attacking some inhabited location, or we're hunting some certain area, and are danger to the inhabitants.
[Material Quest] is simply [Hunting Quest], as you sometimes needed to hunt some monsters, in order to procure the materials you needed, or [Gathering Quest] too, if you add. This Quest is basically about gathering materials for equipments, weapons, armors, and some other items
[Exploration Quest] is simply about exploring some other places, like those abandoned ones, or newly discovered area.
[Delivery Quest], and [Escort Quest] are mainly the same piece of one, the only difference between the two is the importance of the one they are guarding, the other is life while the other isn't.
[Personal/ Private Quest] is a quest where the quest can't be stated, nit until you meet the person who asked for it. And to know where the said person is, you just need to ask the stuff for information, to where they are.
[Hunting Quests:]
<> [Wild Boar Hunting Quest]
<> [Nero Rabbit Hunting Quest]
<> [Black Jack Hunting Quest]
<> [Gray Wolf Hunting Quest]
<> [Devil Horned Boar Hunting Quest]
<> [Gray Maned Boar]
<> [Cave Spider Extermination Quest]
<> [Black Comb Crooster Hunting Quest]
<> [Fang Demon Rabbit Hunting Quest]
<> [Hobgoblin Variant Extermination Quest]
<> [Devil Maned Boar Extermination Quest]
<> [Skeletal Mask Hunting Quest]
<> [so on...]
[Exploration Quest]
<> [New Siting of Land in the Far East]
<> [Abandoned Castle in the North East]
<> [An old Citadel in the South East]
<> [New Small Dungeon in the North West]
<> [Withered Barracks]
<> [Abandoned Mythril Mine]
<> [so on....]
[Gathering Quest]
<> [Red Blossom Gathering Quest]
<> [Nightshade Dandelion Gathering Quest]
<> [Blood Gem Gathering Quest]
<> [Lumber Gathering Quest]
<> [Crystal Blue Rose Gathering Quest]
<> [Mandrake Gathering Quest]
<> [Lumber Gathering Quest]
<> [Devil's Breath Gathering Quest]
<> [Soul Steel Gathering Quest]
<> [Viper's Lily Gathering Quest]
<> [Mythril Ore Gathering Quest]
<> [So on.....]
[Personal/ Private Quest]
<> [See Mr. Freddrich]
<> [See Madame Raman]
<> [See Mrs. Hersie]
<> [See Sir Rodvert]
<> [See Calston]
<> [See Toalskipper]
<> [So on...]
Looking at the [Inquisition Draft], where those said Quests were posted, thoroughly examining them, as I flip one Quest from another, I then took 3 Quests from the board
"3 Quests? Why?"
Natsumi curiously asked.
"We only have a quarter of time before evening darling, taking 3 Quest won't be an ideal tale"
Sheryl spoke, with a confused look. I then let the 3 of them read the Quest I took from the board, as I hand it over to them, and let them know the reason why I took them
*———>[Cave Spider Extermination Quest]<———*
Dozens of {Cave Spider} took refuge to an abandoned Citadel in the south east, threatening a Town that just a distance from where they currently inhabited.
QUEST COMPLETION REWARD:
1 gold coin, 18 big silver coins, and 32 silver coins
[Quest Giver: Town Mayor of Hurlk]
*————~^^~————*
....
*———>[An old Citadel in the South East]<———*
A newly found Citadel, located in the south east of the [Town of Hurlk], is eagerly awaiting for adventurers who shall venture, and explore its mystery
QUEST COMPLETION REWARD:
2 gold coins, and 5 big silver coins
Additional 20 big silver coins, for every piece of information inside the Citadel, and 1 gold coin, for every item found inside of it
[Quest Giver: Adventurers Guild]
*——— —~^^~————*
....
*———>[Nightshade Dandelion Gathering Quest]<———*
Gather 9 [Nightshade Dandelion], located in the east of the [Town of Hurlk]
QUEST COMPLETION REWARD:
22 big silver coins, and 12 silver coins
Additional 5 big silver coins, if the flowers aren't still blooming
[Quest Giver: Madame X]
*————~^^~————*
"I see"
"There is still time before evening, and seeing that these Quests are quite connected to each other, I think it isn't bad not to take a look"
"I agree, but this is quite a coincidence, that 3 Quests are totally in lined with each other"
Isabelle spoke. Quests that are like this, is truly a coincidental occurrence, and quite rare to be found, as most of the Quest only intertwine with there location, and nothing more.
After we agreed and took these Quests over to the receptionist, we then head over to the [Town of Hurlk], as we rode a carriage towards there.
....
{Cave Spiders} are merely half a meter tall {Arachnids}, that mostly inhabitant old caves, dungeons, abandoned houses, and some ruins, or Citadels. They are mid silver to peak silver rank, if we only account 1, but as this monsters tend to live in a group, they could be at mid to peak gold rank high.
{Cave Spiders} are mostly women, and being breed by ingesting nutrients, so they don't need to mate when they reproduce, they only needed a good place with good source of food, and 1 of those monsters, could lay at least a dozen upon dozens of younglings, in one go.
"And because they could easily reproduce themselves and populate, they are quite a pest to the other people, so they are mostly getting rid on the spot"
"And now that they are securing a cozy home in an old Citadel, near a Town"
Isabelle added, as Sheryl spoke.
"This won't be a problem, if we didnt account the [Exploration Quest] we took, so this will be a tricky one to booth"
"Me and Sheryl will be a good call for this, as I am a Tank, and Sheryl is an a Assassin. You and Natsumi will take care for the [Gathering Quest], as both of you aren't good with it comes to inclose spaces"
I then nodded
"But be careful, this area are mostly inhabited by {Gray Wolves}, and {Boar-Bear}. There are some siting of {Gray Wolves Variant}, and {Raven Boar-Bear} in the area as well, so be sure to be vigilant"
Me and Natsumi then nodded to her words
After we have discussed what to do, as we rode our way, we then arrived to the town, the [Town of Hurlk], and as we arrived there
"..... It's quite.....what to say....quiet place we have here
Sheryl spoke as we arrived to the place, after being inspected by the Guards at the front gate, and saw but a simple town, with few individuals to be seen.
"And for a town to only have this many individuals, is quite concerning"
"Did those monster attacked the town already?"
Sheryl asked, as we observed the surrounding area
"..... It was stated that the inhabitation of those monsters were still quite early, just a few days after the discovery of that Citadel, so those monster shouldn't be the cause, but for this to occur....something might have happened"
Isabelle stated, as we slowly walked across the towns pave road
"..... Let us talk to the mayor 1st, and discuss what to do later on"
After we have agreed what to do, we then asked the Guards for direction, as we headed back to the gate.
The [Town of Hurlk] has a circular stone walls, with a wooden huge gate, guarded with 4 Guards upfront, 4 at the back, and couple at the top of the wall.
The houses in the town are coated in grayish coat wall, and road, with an orange brown roof, and some street lights. There is a fountain in the square, with stalls displayed around it
...
"The Guards are quite tense"
"Even the townsfolks aren't even trying to conceal it either, something is definitely up here"
Natsumi added to what Sheryl just stated
"...."
"Darling, should we reconsider?"
Looking at Isabelle as she asked, I then replied
"Can we?"
"..... Well....."
She then looked behind us, and replied
"Maybe.... we really can't"
I then looked behind us, and saw some passing folks, some people who are doing their respective jobs, and some who are sitting just away from us, gazing at us with anxious look, as they sometimes take a peak when they look at us. The atmosphere in this town, is quite heavy
"And even if we tried"
"Oh, what an fortunate event"
"We already too late to do so"
I stated, as the 4 of us gaze upfront, and saw a fat man, just a bit lower in height compared to me, wearing a shade of brown suit and pants, with grayish black shoes. He is being accompanied by 4 men, dressed in a rogue, and unmatched clothing, with vigilant and stoic expressions, painted on each of their faces.
"Welcome to the [Town of Hurlk], I am the Town Mayor, Mayor Rotritoa"
He spoke in a quite lovely, but tired tone. I then faced him and respond
"I am Creeper, a gold rank adventurer, the leader of this group"
"Sir Creeper, on behalf of the people of Hurlk, we are thankful that you took your time to consider, on giving us an aid on this mess. As the mayor of this town, I am grateful"
He stated as he bow
"Forgive my rudeness, but we have something to ask regarding the Quest"
"And you must be?"
The mayor asked with quite a displeased tone
"I am Isabelle Fall, daughter of Eric Fall and May Fall"
"O-o o-oh oh yes, greetings, greetings, welcome to my humble town, your excellency"
He awkwardly bowed after his shuttering greet
"It's Honorable"
"Ahem! L-let us talk to my quarter, there's something else that we needed to discuss"
Smirking to his words, we then followed him as he lead us
'..... Something is wrong'
I anxiously thought, as for almost a minute now, I can't shake off this intense feeling of worriness, and wary
(Author's POV)
Busily piling some papers upon papers on her desk
"Ruby"
A sudden voice then called out her name
"Yes ma'am?"
"Did the young lady, and Mr. Creeper came here?"
"They did, yes. They took 3 Quests from the board, and already went out"
"3 Quests? Today?"
Kath asked in puzzlement, as she went down the staircase, and headed over to the side where Ruby is stationed at
"Yes, they took a [Hunting Quest], and 2 [Gathering Quest] just now"
"I'm... confused"
"I am also quite confused too. It is not just that they took that many Quests today, but also those Quests are quite far away from each other, and quite... well, simple so to say"
"?"
Kath then listened as her fellow receptionist then spoke
"One of those Quests is merely about collecting Mushrooms in the east side, while the other is hunting some {Black Wolves} in the forest, located in the south, and the other one is about gathering some [Blue Roses] in the west, which is quite confusing"
"What? They took those?"
"I know, those Quests doesn't seem to suit a gold rank adventurers, and I don't know why they took them also"
Kath then went on a deep thought as she tried analyzing their action
"..... Well, they might be just passing some time. They took some Quests just early this morning, but those one could only be taken during evening, so they might just be taking some leisure before the main Quest"
"They already took some?
"It's about gathering some [Twilight Flower] and [Moon Beauty], and taking dowm some {Ice Spirits}"
"I see, might be then..... well, they are adventurers anyway, they take risk and whatnot"
She smiledly shrugged, as she sat down. Both then faced upfront as they went back to their respective work