With an awkward atmosphere falling over the four as they rest, everyone falls into their own internal thoughts as the issue with Fortuna and Chester is brought to the front of their minds.
After a short while Ben decides to break the awkward silence with a question.
"So, Russel, what is inside the satchel?"
Showing a massive grin Russell raises 2 fingers. With a tentative expression Marie questions Russel.
"Do you mean 2 gold?"
With a shake of his head and a widening grin, Russel breaks the suspense.
"Nah, we got 20 gold. Plus whatever we get for returning this heirloom thingy."
Russel pulls a medium sized black box out of his inventory and presents it to the group.
After hearing the news and looking at the wooden box that has taken damage from staying in the sea for a long time, Connor lets out a delighted laugh, happy their combined effort paid off.
"Damn, Chester was correct. I was honestly starting to doubt it after an hour and a half, but this is a small fortune to get us started!"
With Connor now laughing in happiness, the rest of the group starts to feel the joy as the reassurance that Chester's information is spot on and they can make a fortune from this game.
Connor, calming himself down shakes his blond hair, flinging water onto the ground around him as he sweeps it back and out of his eyes.
"Well, since we have already got this much money, Russel, Ben, you guys both take your assigned 5 gold and go buy yourself the equipment you need, Marie and I shall go and hand over this heirloom."
With everyone in agreement with Connor's suggestion which is the most efficient way forward, they all add each other as friends and part ways. While Ben and Russel vanish off into a street towards the west, Marie follows Connor as he retraces his steps back through the city while cheerfully chatting as they walk. After some time navigating the streets they arrive at crossroads in the upper section of the city.
Looking further upwards, in the distance they can see the castle bathing in the mid-afternoon sun, with a wide array of large buildings and mansions taking up the space between. Their target is one of these mansions, however they do not know exactly which building is their target.
Connor decides to ask a nearby guard, they start making their way closer towards the large and imposing mansion of the Caspallian family.
The Caspallian family from what Connor knew are a famous family known for their sailing prowess. They have been involved with the Alennos kingdom's navy for generations, working their way up to reach where they are today.
6 years ago, the family had lost an heirloom that was treasured by the current Marquess Caspallian's wife. They were unsure of where it had gone missing and had set up a commission through the adventurer's guild in hopes that someone might be able to locate it.
For Connor and the rest of the group, this quest will be incredibly helpful for making connections alongside gaining the necessary money to get their various projects underway.
Finally arriving before a large white mansion with a small front yard, Connor and Marie speak to the heavily armoured guards at the front gate.
"Excuse me sir, I come regarding the commission the Marquess had posted with the adventurer's guild. May we speak with him?"
Looking down on Connor, the guard snorts.
"Huh, more people here to try and meet the lord through that request. Go away."
Hearing the guard's response, Connor frowns in annoyance that he encountered one of the guards Chester had mentioned might be present. However, still happy he has some advanced knowledge on how to handle this, Connor starts his performance.
"Ok, well just make sure that you have a damned good excuse for the marquess when he finds out that someone with actual knowledge about his missing heirloom was turned away just because you could not be asked to get off your arse and find someone to validate a claim."
Turning away, Connor starts to walk away, inwardly angry at having to deal with the guard's stupidity, but managing to calm himself down understanding that this may have been a repeated issue the guards at this mansion needed to deal with in the past. Even still, Connor still felt resentful that the guard is so dismissive when he should be properly doing his job.
Marie, seeing that Connor is starting to walk away becomes somewhat flustered.
"Connor, we should just tell the guards that…"
Connor seeing Marie start to say something, quickly interrupts her.
"Why should we tell them anything? Chances are with their negligent personalities they will just try and take advantage of us and claim the credit for our hard work."
Giving Marie a quick wink to hint to her this is all planned, Connor turns and gave the rude guard a glare. Continuing to turn around to walk away, Connor hears the distinctive sound of a sword being drawn.
"Stop right there, commoner. You shall not insult an esteemed knight of the Caspallian family."
Looking over his shoulder, Connor's blue eyes turn icy cold as he speaks to the guard in a chilling voice.
"You want to draw your sword on me? You want to strike me down for pointing out your own inadequacies?"
Fully turning around, Connor slowly walks towards the guard as his low voice continues to ring out.
"I am an immortal adventurer. You kill me, I will revive. If you think us Immortal adventurers will take this kind of insulting threat laying down, you will have made enemies with an unkillable army who will not take the attitude of a guard like you well. Now, you have 2 choices."
Now standing just out of the guard's swords reach, Connor puts up 2 fingers.
"One, kill me and start a war with hundreds of thousands of immoral adventurers, or two, tell the butler or the marquess that there is someone with knowledge about their heirloom and have them come and validate the information."
Hearing Connors words and sudden change to a cold and threatening tone, the guard takes a step back, clearly intimidated by Connor's harsh words and realising that he might have made a mistake to draw his sword.
"Whatever. Fine. I will bring this up to the Butler, obediently wait here."
Connor, now angry that the guard's tone was still as belittling as ever, just rolls his eyes as the rude man walks inside the ornate iron gate, leaving his silent companion to watch over the two players.
Connor knew that his threat was hollow. Only a small population of players would care, and even less would take action. However, since the NPCs at this point are ignorant of the attitudes of players, Chester suggested that should he encounter any trouble when visiting the Marquess, he should use this as a threat. This guard was someone who in the future will apparently betray the Marquess, so Chester had no hesitation suggesting this method to him
After all, there is nothing Chester hates more than betrayal.
Coming out of his thoughts, Connor notices that the silent guard is looking at him and is about to speak.
"I'm sorry about him, his personality can be a bit prickly at times, especially since after that quest was posted many people came giving false reports in an attempt to get close to the Caspallian family."
Shaking his head, Connor lets out a sigh, deciding to give the nice guard some friendly advice.
"I had sadly figured that was the reason, however you can never know when something is real, so by being negligent and so openly hostile, you may end up driving away the only lead you will receive. And that's never a good situation."
Giving a simple hum in agreement, the guard goes back to remaining silent.
After a few minutes the rude guard returns with a smartly dressed young man behind him. The butler is wearing a formal black morning coat and white gloves, while his long black hair is pulled back into a ponytail.
Giving a slight bow with only his head, the butler introduces himself.
"Greetings Immortal Adventures. I am told you have information about the heirloom that the Caspallian family has been searching for?"
Seeing that the guard has brought the butler with a ponytail, Connor inwardly sighs before responding in a pleasant tone.
"Yes, we do. We have located and obtained the item that is currently safely stored in my inventory. May we go somewhere private so I may present the item to the head butler or the marquess?"
Letting out a slight breath, the butler evaluates Connor with his eyes that radiate displeasure.
"Just so you are aware, any attempt to provide a fake replica or deceive the Caspallian family will result in your incarceration."
With a sigh Connor replies, remembering what Chester had said about the rude guard and young butler duo. His eyes narrow, showing his annoyance at the constant posturing.