Valerie's return from the market was met with an unsettling silence. The house, usually filled with the sounds of activity, was eerily quiet. She called out, her voice tinged with concern, "Sigmund? Are you here?"
No answer came, only the soft creaking of the wooden floor beneath her feet. Her eyes darted to the table, noticing the missing flier about the Adventurer's Guild and the mission for the monster attacks. A realization settled in her stomach, a mixture of worry and frustration. "He's gone to the Guild," she muttered to herself.
Her thoughts turned to Sigmund, his earnest attempts to help around the house, his sparring sessions with Ravian. She couldn't help but compare the two, Sigmund's average abilities against Ravian's almost legendary prowess. The memory of Ravian's incredible feats, hunting creatures and defeating hunters, lingered in her mind.
Back in the kitchen, she began to unpack her bags, her hands working with practiced ease as she sorted herbs and other goods. Her mind, however, was elsewhere, her worry for Sigmund a constant nagging thought.
"I hope he's careful," she murmured, her voice filled with genuine concern. "He's not like Ravian. He's just... Sigmund."
The room seemed to echo her thoughts, the herbs whispering back, their scent a soothing balm. She allowed herself a small smile, her hands continuing their work, her heart a mixture of hope and worry.
Sigmund's arrival at the Adventurer's Guild was met with a sense of awe. The building stood tall and imposing, its wooden structure adorned with intricate carvings and symbols of valor. The entrance was flanked by torches, their flames dancing in the gentle breeze, casting a warm glow on the cobblestone path. Around the building, people bustled, their faces marked by determination and purpose, adventurers and villagers alike mingling in a lively dance of commerce and camaraderie.
The village's population of 600 had always seemed large to Sigmund, almost enough to be called a town. But he had come to learn that this was merely the upper limit for a village, a curious distinction that still puzzled him.
Pushing open the heavy doors, he stepped into the Adventurer's Guild, his eyes widening at the sight before him. It was like a grander version of the village tavern, combined with the library's scholarly charm. Long tables were filled with travelers enjoying refreshments, their voices a lively hum as they discussed their next actions. At the far end, two receptionists manned a large table, their faces familiar and welcoming.
One of them, a young woman he had seen around the village, waved at him, her voice filled with friendly curiosity. "Sigmund! What brings you here?"
He approached, his steps filled with determination, his voice steady. "I want to become an Adventurer. I need to earn money for myself."
She smiled, her eyes twinkling with understanding. "Ah, I see. But I heard you're a foreigner, right? You'll need an identification seal to become an adventurer."
Sigmund's brow furrowed, confusion in his eyes. "A seal? What's that?"
The receptionist leaned forward, her voice filled with gentle explanation. "It's a seal of citizenship. It marks you as a citizen of the kingdom. Every adventurer must have this seal to identify from which kingdom and region they came from. Few villagers have it, and only some townsmen. Most city people possess one."
Sigmund's mind raced, the realization of yet another obstacle settling in his stomach. But he was not one to be easily deterred. His voice filled with resolve, he asked, "How can I get one?"
The receptionist's smile widened, her voice filled with encouragement. "Don't worry, Sigmund," she said. "We'll help you. It's not impossible or anything."
Sigmund's eyes reflected his confusion, prompting the receptionist to explain further. "See," she began, her voice gentle as she sought to clarify. Sigmund looked at her, waiting for more information. "A town has at least a thousand people," she continued, her voice filled with knowledge.
She paused, letting the information sink in, before adding, "The local lord resides there unless there's a city close enough." Sigmund's eyes widened slightly, and she went on, "If there's a city, the city's highest noble rules over the surrounding land."
Sigmund nodded, his mind working to grasp the concept. "And the territories?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity. "How are they marked?"
The receptionist leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with knowledge. "Ah, that's where the castles come in," she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "Everything a castle can see, unless it belongs to the king, belongs to a certain noble." She looked at Sigmund, gauging his reaction. "That's why they build their castles on mountains or hills, to claim larger territory."
Sigmund's eyes widened, the pieces falling into place. "So the rank of a noble depends on how many villages, towns, and cities they have?" he asked, seeking confirmation.
"Exactly," she replied, her voice filled with approval and a touch of local dialect. Sigmund nodded, absorbing her words. "And every noble," she continued, leaning in as if sharing a secret, "has an itch to build up their land, make it all fancy-like." She paused, her expression thoughtful, her eyes narrowing as she chose her words.
"But mind you, there's some foolish ones too." She shook her head, her voice taking on a tone of disapproval. "They mess up, lose their standing, end up lower in the pecking order." She looked at Sigmund, her eyes serious. "Mostly them lower-ranking nobles, they're the ones who act that way."
Sigmund's interest was piqued, his mind racing with possibilities. He leaned forward, his eyes wide with curiosity. "Could I, a simple outsider, become a noble?" he asked, his voice filled with determination yet tinged with disbelief.
The receptionist's laughter rang out, warm and genuine, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, technically, yes," she said, leaning back and crossing her arms. Sigmund's eyebrows shot up, and she continued, "If you get yourself a castle, one that ain't seen by any other, you can pledge yourself to a higher-up noble or even the king."
She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, her eyes glinting with mischief. "But mind you, lad, it's a tricky business." She winked, adding, "You can pledge to more'n one ruler, 'specially in the border regions." She sat back, her voice serious again. "Each deal's different, and it's all 'bout what the two parties shake on."
However, the receptionist's eyes narrowed, and she leaned forward, her voice taking on a serious tone. "Now, hold on a tick," she said, her eyes meeting Sigmund's. "You'll be needing' a seal of citizenship to even think about building a castle." She paused, letting the words sink in. "Else, you'll be treated no better'n a bandit. Not all folks under the king's rule are citizens, mind you. Citizens get certain rights, like owning land."
Sigmund's eyes widened, and he leaned in, absorbing her words. "So, how do I become a citizen?" he asked, his voice filled with determination. The receptionist's face brightened, and she explained, "The Adventurer's Guild can make you a citizen, even if you're a foreigner. Pass the entrance exam, complete three pre-ranked quests, and you're in."
Sigmund nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "Where do I start?" he asked, his voice filled with eagerness. The receptionist smiled, her eyes twinkling with approval. "I'll need to register your attempt, get the exam ready. Give it a few days." She pointed to a nearby table, covered with parchment fliers sealed with wax. "Those pre-ranked quests are yours for the taking. Just show the flier or the wax seal to claim your reward."
Sigmund thanked her, his voice filled with gratitude, and stood to grab a quest. But the receptionist's voice stopped him, her tone hopeful. "Before you go, could you get Ravian to join the Guild?
"He'd be a fine addition." She winked. Sigmund nodded, his mind already on the quests, and picked up the first flier: delivering healing potions to a farmer in the valley, across the forest. He looked at it, a confident smile on his face. "This shouldn't be too hard," he commented, his voice filled with resolve.