Days later, we arrived at the city of Albatross. We were allowed into the city without issue and went to one of the many inns scattered around.
However...this was not just any regular inn. This one was a place called Jorgan's Diner. It was the meeting place our new benefactor decided on.
We waited for a short while and ordered something to eat from the waitress.
After our food arrived, a woman clad in adamantite armor sat down at our table.
"Ah...I'm sure you must be our employer. After all, I'm sure a stranger wouldn't bother sitting at a table full of adventurers. Am I right?" Kronos said with a smile.
"That is correct," the female knight said.
"Well what do you want with us?" Kesia said with a slight glare.
"To hire you, of course. I have heard good things about your group. It would be beneficial to the capital to have you around," she said.
"Very well. Allow me to introduce everyone. I'm Kronos. That's Kesia, Mori, Garen, Mako, and Nasumi."
"And him?"
"Oh right. Sorry. That's Mizik, our newest member. If I may be blunt, I wouldn't involve him unless you need something or someone killed. He doesn't know how to show mercy. We're working on that..."
"That sounds perfectly fine to me. What I am asking is something along those lines, actually. I want you to go into the city sewers below the castle and deal with the disturbances down there. Oh, and my apologies. My name is Rose."
"Hm...you've got some expensive enchanted armor there, miss Rose. You ever seen combat?" Kronos asked.
"Not really... I must admit that I do not fight as often as I would like to. My caretaker is rather...overprotective..."
"The guy using invisibility magic and standing behind you, right?" Kronos said.
"Eh!?" Rose made a startled noise.
I was wondering if anyone was going to say anything. He looks familiar...like an old man with a big sword on his back. But something about that blade feels wrong...
I had been watching the old man for a while now. He pretended as if I couldn't see him. But now, he seemed intrigued.
And also seemed to realize that I was, indeed looking at him. He regarded me with a respectful nod. As if he was more impressed than worried.
He certainly looked sure of himself. Nonetheless, he kept watch over the female knight at his side while she sat across the table from us.
"It's alright. I just wanted you to know that some of us can see him. Likely myself, Mori, and, Mizik," Kronos said.
"...I see. Very well then..." Rose said.
"Now I know you must be someone important. I won't pry, but just be aware of it. We are more than happy to take this job for you...on one condition."
"Name it."
"I'm excluding Mizik from participating. If you're important, you're sure to pay lots for a job of this caliber, right? I won't risk him killing the wrong person and mucking it up," Kronos said.
I glared at Kronos without a word. I was really starting to get tired of him treating me like a criminal.
But just as well, I felt a rising sadness in my chest. My allies had no faith in me because I was a pile of useless garbage... I was a failure with zero redeeming qualities...
I just wanted to die at this point...
"I believe there may have been a misconception... You were under the employment of Duke Oswald, yes?" Rose said.
"Indeed we were, Miss Rose," Kronos said.
"It's...Missus...actually..." She said with a dreadful undertone.
"My apologies. I'm sure your husband is a lucky man," Kronos said.
"A perverted scoundrel, actually. But that is beside the point. Duke Oswald is well-known for being a greedy bastard...for lack of a better term. He has little concern for the lives of others. Keeping convicts and bandits alive serves no purpose to him."
"So that means..."
"He likely told you to keep your targets alive due to knowing how difficult it is. He can always pay you less for failing those conditions. I will do no such thing."
"Man, maybe Mizik should go murder-mode on the Duke?" Kesia said with a half-smile.
"Kesia..." Kronos said.
"It is quite alright. I would love nothing more than to be rid of the Duke of Lorelei, but that is for another day. My current job for you requires no such constraints. Kill whoever is responsible for the crimes committed in our lovely city. Necromancers are likely to be involved, so please use caution. Mizik, I am counting on you to do what you supposedly do best!" Rose said.
Something about her voice made my heart flutter. I quickly averted my gaze from her.
"Aww! Feeling shy, Mizik?" Kronos said with a laugh.
"Shut up..." I managed.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Nasumi staring at me. I looked at her and she averted her gaze as well.
Sorry for glancing at you... I know my gaze makes others uncomfortable...
Regardless, it seemed as though we had reached an agreement.
Rose placed a sheet of parchment on the table that resembled a contract. Kronos immediately began to look over it. Then he handed it to Mako.
"How's it look, Mako?" Kronos said.
"Looks to be written by a professional. Are you an adventurer, Rose?"
"I...used to be. Back when I had the freedom to do so. I would prefer not to speak of it. If the contract is acceptable, please sign and allow me to document it," she said.
"Looks good, boss. Feel free to scribble..." Mako said as he slid it back to Kronos.
Kronos pulled out a magic quill from his inventory. He quickly signed his name as well as our adventurer company name, then passed it back to Rose.
She looked over it and nodded.
"You may accompany me to the castle. There is an entrance to the sewers in the castle dungeon. I will be glad to show you around before you depart."
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Kronos said with a smile.
* * *
We made our way to the castle in the center of Albatross City. I felt unimpressed for some reason as we entered it and the gates shut behind us.
After we'd travelled far enough into the castle, Rose stopped in place and turned to us.
"I suppose I should introduce myself properly now that we are away from prying eyes. I like to hide who I am in public unless I am on official business, you see...and I would not want the common people to bother me when I travel for other reasons," Rose said.
"Uhh...sure. You're a noble, right?" Kronos said with uncertainty.
"Something like that..." Rose said. She took her helmet off and her pink hair fell behind her head in a ponytail. " I am First Princess Isabella Victoria Darius Albatross. Heir to the crown and...fourth...wife...of Archduke...Arvild Darius..." She said.
I could see the rage in her eyes as she barely managed to say his name.
The old man appeared in full visibility by her side. He seemed sad as she said those words.
"Sheesh...you're...her...huh...? Uhhh..." Kronos said.
As I stared at Princess Isabella, my heart was overcome with desire. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in my life.
And something deep within me was screaming for help. Flashes of a woman laying dead in a cavern filled my head...
It was her.
I put my hand on my head as pain began to shoot through it. Flashes of memories began filling my mind images of her appeared over and over.
"What the..." I said quietly.
Kronos immediately turned to me and motioned to Mori.
She nodded and approached me.
"Hey hey, Mizzy! Does it hurt?" Mori said curiously.
"GET AWAY FROM ME, YOU BASTARDS!!!!" I screamed in rage as I stepped back.
I could feel nothing but seething hatred for all of them as I glared with every ounce of rage I had within me.
"Kill them all...burn it down! Wasn't that the thing you used to say? I found it locked deep down. You should remember that these people are your enemies, Mizik!" Era said in my head.
Kronos and the others were almost instantly ready to attack me.
They all had their weapons drawn and were looking cautiously in my direction.
Mako had a sword and shield that shone with pink gemstones and runes on it.
Garen wielded a massive sword with two hands. It glowed with an orange light.
Nasumi stood hesitantly holding a short sword in her hand. It glowed with a calming green light. The runes and gems on it were of the same color. She looked sad.
Kesia held a katana in one hand as she held a flaming sword in the other.
Mori had backed away from the group and held a small dagger in her hand.
And finally...Kronos held an iron Claymore that shone with silvery light.
And as I looked at them all...I became confused.
"What's...going on?" I asked.
"Going on...? You just suddenly started screaming at us!" Kronos said angrily.
"Wait! Krow! Please reconsider this!" Nasumi said suddenly.
She ran to my front and blocked the rest of them.
"Nasumi...he's dangerous!" Kronos said.
"No he's not!" She said defiantly.
"Damn it all, Nasumi..." Kronos said.
"Excuse me...? But what is going on here? Are all of you wielders of the legendary weapons? How is that possible!?" Princess Isabella said.
I looked over at her caretaker, the old man, and he was holding a greatsword that glowed with golden runes.
"Ha...just uh...look Princess, I was really hoping we wouldn't run into you. Something about you made him a little crazy, is all. We're fine. Right everyone?" Kronos said.
Fine? What the hell even happened!?
I struggled to remember everything up to this point and couldn't recall a single thing.
"Will he be alright?" Princess Isabella said curiously.
"He's fine. Just suffering from memory loss after getting whacked by a dragon a month ago. He's a little unhinged still, but mostly trustworthy," Kronos said.
"I...see... In that case-"
"Princess Isabella! My beloved wife! I've been looking everywhere for you!" A man's voice said.
My vision seemed to shift and everything around us started to shimmer.
Mori dropped to her knees and Nasumi ran to her.
This was because...well...
...for some reason, I felt angry enough to swallow the world whole. I may have let my energy escape as a result.
"Are we really doing this!?" Kronos said as he glanced at me.
"What's happening!?" Kesia said.
"He's still this fucking powerful!?" Mako said fearfully.
The old man and the Princess, however, seemed unaffected by my rage-induced energy pressure, somehow.
Another man came strolling up. He had blonde hair and blue eyes. A well-dressed, handsome man with an unsettling smile on his face.
"Leave me be, Arvild... I am busy at the moment," Princess Isabella said as she gritted her teeth in rage.
"Oh, darling. Playing with some friends? I'm sure it's nothing important. You see, I happened to find myself in the mood. I was wondering when you would finally let me partake in your flower garden? You haven't allowed me to touch you yet...and we are married, after all..." Arvild said as he reached for her face.
She slapped him across the cheek.
Arvild glared at her and raised his hand.
"HOW DARE YOU!?"
"CAN WE PLEASE HAVE SOME PRIVACY!?!? WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, YOU ARE ROYALLY PISSING HIM OFF!!!" Kronos roared at Arvild.
"Privacy...? And what are you yelling at me for, hm? You lot are here with my beloved and-"
"SAVE IT, YOU SCUMBAG!!! WE HAVE MORE IMPORTANT MATTERS AT HAND!!! Leave now...if you value your life," Kronos said.
His tone was as cold as the grave.
"You dare threaten the next King...? I should have you arrested for-"
"MORI!!!" Kronos shouted.
"YES SIR!!!" Mori shouted.
In an instant...everything went white.