In the shadowy chamber, illuminated only by the faint glow of a flickering candle, two enigmatic figures stood in stark contrast to one another.
One, shrouded in a dark cloak, concealed his identity from the world, while the other, clad in a bloodstained butcher's apron, sat confidently upon a creaking wooden chair.
The room was a macabre tableau, with an array of cauldrons bubbling in hues of sinister greens and blues, and the twisted carcasses of various small creatures strewn about, their lifeless eyes staring into the void.
At the center of this grim scene, a mysterious orb flickered with an eerie light, casting distorted shadows upon the walls.
The man in the butcher's uniform, his hands stained with the remnants of his gruesome work, broke the silence that hung heavy in the air.
"What brings you to my lair, Wallace?" he inquired, his voice a low, menacing growl.
Wallace, the cloaked figure responded, "I require your expertise in counter divination, Godehard, as well as your assistance in locating someone."
As he spoke, he extended a gloved hand, offering a bulging pouch filled to the brim with gleaming gold coins. He placed it on the cluttered desk, the metallic clink of its contents echoing through the room.
Godehard's gaze oscillated between the pouch and Wallace, his curiosity thoroughly aroused. "You present a remarkably munificent offering of gold coins. Who is this individual you so fervently pursue?"
Wallace revealed, "Sucura Vesper, the fallen hero."
Godehard's fingers deftly plucked a minuscule, lifeless creature from the cluttered surface of the desk, his thoughts preoccupied with the weight of Wallace's words. The audible crunch of its exoskeleton echoed as he devoured it in a single bite.
Swallowing, he continued, "A fallen hero, you say? You must be well aware of the perilous nature of such an endeavor, particularly under the watchful eyes of the king's divination practitioners. You must either proffer twice the remuneration or leave."
Wallace gracefully placed another bulging pouch of coins on the desk as he handed over the slumber sack that Sucura had used at the inn. Godehard's smile eerily as he received the item, deftly transferring his mana into it.
The mana seemed to slither towards the orb resting on the desk, as if drawn by an invisible force. Godehard's eyes contorted, and he began to mutter an incantation, the words weaving a tapestry of divination magic in the air around them.
Wallace pondered thoughtfully, 'Lord Vyn mentioned that he must attend to a matter of great importance, one that takes precedence over the Sucura affair. However, he assured me that he would return promptly once his pressing obligations have been fulfilled.'
After a considerable passage of time, the intricate incantation reached its culmination.
Godehard spoke up, "You are fortunate, for he is presently occupied within the kingdom's boundaries."
He paused momentarily, and Wallace's eyes remained fixed upon him, eagerly anticipating further elucidation.
"It seems the fallen hero has already traversed half the distance to the Accursed Forest. It is apparent that he has joined the Chrysanthemum quest of Grandmaster Fabio."
Wallace hesitated briefly, his thoughts deep in contemplation, before offering a barely perceptible nod.
He sauntered towards the door, his footsteps echoing softly in the dimly lit room. As he stepped out into the night, he gently closed the door behind him, the sound barely audible in the still air.
From the inky shadows, a hunched creature materialized, its ursine features twisted into a sinister expression. It leaned against the cold, rough hewn stone wall, its breath visible in the chill night air. The creature's eyes gleamed with a malevolent intelligence.
Wallace addressed the creature with a measured tone, remarking, "I had anticipated the fallen hero would linger here for at least a month."
The ursine creature inquired, "The intended quarry already taken leave?"
With a subtle nod, Wallace confirmed the creature's suspicion.
The ursine being then pressed further, "Where might he be now?"
"He is already en route, halfway to the Accursed Forest," Wallace replied.
Upon hearing this, the ursine creature straightened up and began to walk away.
Wallace called after it, "Do you not accept the mission?"
The creature responded, its voice laced with caution, "I shall not. There is an unknown entity lurking on the outskirts of the Accursed Forest."
And with that, it seemed to dissolve into the shadows, vanishing as suddenly and mysteriously as it had appeared.
Wallace pondered about the departing words of the ursine creature, his thoughts swirling with intrigue.
As several men clad in dark cloaks materialized from the shadows, Wallace spoke with determination, "We must make haste. If we act swiftly, we can still catch up to that party."
***
Katherine Schwertzine [Seduction Route]
The impeccably dashing gentleman, adorned with flowing ebony locks and a sophisticated blue attire, was gracefully enveloped in a luxurious fur cloak.
With an air of genuine concern, he addressed the lady. "Miss Katherine, I must inquire whether it is truly prudent to incorporate Prince Lothair Avernus into our party?"
He paused momentarily, his brow furrowed in contemplation, before proceeding, "Undoubtedly, the Prince possesses formidable power, yet my instincts warn me that he could spell trouble. I can't help but worry about the consequences if he were to betray us."
Katherine's gaze met the eyes of the dark haired man before her, her delicate hand tenderly caressing his cheek.
"Do not worry, Noah," she reassured him, her voice imbued with a quiet confidence. "I am well aware of the path I have chosen. A peculiar disturbance plagues the Holy Triumvirate Empire, and I can feel my divine blessings slowly from my very being. It is imperative that we secure a powerful ally in these uncertain times."
A delicate blush suffused Noah's ears, and he offered a discreet nod in response.
Just then, a man sporting dark blue tresses interjected with an air of authority, "You ought to place your trust in Miss Katherine, Noah."
His smile radiated warmth and reassurance as he proceeded to express his unwavering devotion, "She is, without a doubt, the most remarkable woman to grace this world. If it were her wish, I would not hesitate to present her with the very world at her feet or, if necessary, sacrifice my own life at her behest."
Noah scoffed at Gerard's statement, remarking, "World? That's quite the grandiose term coming from you, Gerard."
Gerard exuded a menacing aura, but before the tension could escalate, a third man with black hair and broad shoulders interjected. "Enough," he said firmly, his finger pointing at Lothair. "He's finished."
Lothair, having vanquished a gargantuan gorilla, now strode confidently towards Katherine.
As he approached her, he gracefully knelt, presenting an enormous, resplendent gem that throbbed with the essence of pure mana. Noah and Gerard, observing the scene, clucked their tongues in disapproval.
With a gallant air, Lothair proclaimed, "This magnificent treasure is for you, my dearest Katherine."
The man, adorned with raven black hair and broad shoulders, sauntered towards Lothair, his anger palpable. "You should not address her as if you possess her," he admonished.
Katherine, sensing the tension, raised her hand in a placating gesture and said, "It's fine, Corbin."
Corbin halted abruptly, the sound of his tongue clicking resonating through the air.
Katherine turned to Lothair, her smile radiant. "Thank you, Lothair," she expressed with heartfelt gratitude.
Delicately, she accepted the mesmerizing jewel from his outstretched hand. The gem pulsated with an intense, pure mana, its energy seemingly alive as it danced within her grasp.
Lothair addressed Katherine with a tender tone, "I would do anything for you, Miss Katherine."
He continued, his voice imbued with a sense of purpose, "I shall retrieve something of great importance for you, Miss Katherine."
With a gracious nod from her, signifying her approval, Lothair elegantly sauntered away, gradually disappearing into the distance amidst the group.