And once again, the familiar cab driver in a cap was delighted with our visit. Now there were significantly more of us, and we had to take a larger carriage. Fortunately, the cab drivers were in the service of the Academy, so there were no problems with changing vehicles.
"Renerim," that's the name of my hometown and our lands; we need to go there," Leira told the cab driver our destination.
"Hmm, a mountainous area. The road will be arduous. Take provisions with you; we'll only reach there by tomorrow evening."
We didn't know how far we would have to travel, so we brought food for a day and set off on our journey.
"I see you know this place well," I decided to engage the cab driver in conversation.
"Of course, the best mithril craftsmen live there. In the past, they were a major trading center, and despite the difficult road, many merchants traveled there for goods. I used to work as a cab driver for various traders too, until I realized that bandit attacks weren't so safe and settled in the Academy."
"And what makes the road so dangerous? Are there many bandits and monsters?"
"Haha, you young folks only think about battles. It's not about that," the cab driver said, demonstrating his expertise by raising a pointed finger. "You know nothing about our craft. The area is situated in a small valley amidst the mountain range, so the roads there are rocky and winding, along the mountain slopes. Thankfully, these lands had a wise feudal lord who understood their importance and always allocated funds for road repairs and clearing landslides. And, you won't believe this, he even erected a small mithril fence along the entire road! Many marauders tried to pry it out of the ground, but he sought the help of the finest lightning mages, and they magnetized it so that no one could pull a single post out of the ground."
Leira smiled sweetly as the stranger praised her father.
"But didn't that hinder you from transporting metal products from their city?"
"Haha, you won't believe it. This count came up with something that even I couldn't believe until I saw it. He constructed an underground tunnel through which mithril and its products could be brought in and out of the city. Of course, it wasn't advisable for regular people to travel through it, but all the merchants knew the count as one of the most honest nobles, and he never deceived them with the goods. Well, it wasn't recommended to take a carriage with a large amount of metal up the mountain, but the safety was worth it. I even heard stories of a collapse under one of the caravans, but the people survived by holding onto the fence. Even with the ground gone from beneath them, the mithril chain held firm. After that, the traders stopped gossiping about the count's alleged extravagance."
"But he really is a good man. But I heard they're having problems now."
"Yes," the cab driver's voice became sad. "I don't know what could lead such an influential family to bankruptcy, but it seems they had issues with their main mine. The count spent his money so that his city could survive without relying on the mine. Thankfully, young Lady Myrida took over the management."
I glanced questioningly at Leira.
"Sister," the noblewoman replied softly.
"Oh, what a woman she is: young, beautiful, manages things better than the royal finance minister, and on top of it all, she doesn't give in to advances. I wish I could have a wife like her, but alas, my birth didn't grant me such prospects."
As evening approached, we stopped at a small inn before the mountain ridge.
"Rest well - there won't be any stops until we reach Renerim in the mountains."
And indeed, the road in the mountains was fenced with a brilliant iridescent pearly glow of metal railing. It seemed as if it had been installed just yesterday, although, according to the cab driver, it had been there for nearly ten years.
The road was narrow, rarely widening enough for two carriages side by side. According to our companion, there were only two such roads leading to the city: the eastern one led to the capital, and the western one could take you to the Academy. The mountain range itself stretched for several tens of kilometers, and besides Renerim, there were other smaller villages.
In the mountains, night fell rather quickly, and though we arrived only around four o'clock, the sun had already disappeared. The city evoked somber thoughts, with few people on the streets, and those who were there hurriedly gathering their belongings to seek shelter in their homes.
"They fear either us or the onset of the night," my first guess wasn't far from the truth.
"Well then, I'll head to the inn. Take care of yourselves," the cab driver said.
"Don't worry; we have business with the count. We'll avail of your services later," I assured him.
At the city's border, the cab driver dropped us off and headed to the inn.
"I suppose the largest estate in the city belongs to your family?" I asked.
"Huh... Well, yes, you could say that," Leira averted her gaze, feeling awkward.
The houses in the city were not tall, and the three-story mansion stood out among them. However, as we approached it, it looked abandoned.
"Follow me," Leira said awkwardly, scratching her cheek, and led us aside.
From the road connecting the mansion's gate and the main house, a small path veered off. Winding through the garden, it led to what used to be the servants' quarters.
"I apologize for this, but due to a lack of funds, we had to dismiss all the servants, and we moved into this small house, which is easier to maintain."
Before the house, we were greeted by a beautiful blonde in a formal business dress and neat glasses.
"Sister, I told you to come back home, but why did you bring outsiders? Now is not the best time for excursions."
If I'm not mistaken, Leira's sister was two years older than her, but due to her strict attire and petite stature, she appeared much older.
"Forgive us for this unexpected visit, but we heard about your problems and came to help," Katrina tried to defend our presence.
"We don't have spare money for mercenaries right now. You are not welcome here."
"Oh, well. Don't dismiss help right away," Kurone joined the discussion. "I believe we have an offer that will suit you."
The girl gave us a businesslike look.
"Very well, come inside. You should discuss this with my father."
Inside, the decor didn't stand out compared to the small house; the only thing that could indicate the owners' origin was a large chair resembling a throne. Apparently, the count moved it here for receiving important guests.
Leira's father was a robust man in his fifties, with light hair and a small mustache.
"Father, uh, these, cough, companions came with Leira. They say they want to help us with our problem."
The Count cast his gaze upon us and paused on Katrina.
"Forgive me, but I cannot accept your help."
"Father! But we have no one else to rely on," Leira tried to defend us.
"You should have known that bringing a person of royal blood here is utter foolishness!"
Katrina lowered her head guiltily.
"Master, do you recognize me?"
"Your Majesty, I have spent so many years with you. Did you really think I wouldn't recognize you?"
"But I want to help you; it's the least I can do for your kindness and for what I did..."
Myrida looked at Katrina with disdain and clenched her fists.
"My daughter gave her life to protect the princess of her country," the Count spoke impassively. "It's not your fault, and you have nothing to apologize for. Spend the night in our house, and tomorrow return to the Academy."
"Not so fast," unexpectedly, Seleria intervened in the conversation. "Count, you had obligations to Leran regarding mithril supplies, didn't you? But five years ago, the exchange stopped without proper notice. You don't want to pay the penalty, do you?"
The Count's face distorted with anger.
"Excuse me?! What does this have to do with you?"
"Oh, I haven't introduced myself," the fiery sorceress feigned remorse. "I am Seleria Aileran, the heir of the Crimson Flame."
The Count glanced at Katrina, and she nodded affirmatively.
"Princess, forgive us for the interrupted supplies, but we had problems with the mine. We will resume trading once we sort them out."
Seleria confidently folded her hands on her chest.
"Why are you so hasty? My small combat unit and I, on behalf of Leran, offer military assistance, and you refuse. Or perhaps you doubt my strength and the strength of my companions?" I sensed a hint of threat in Seleria's voice for a moment.
"Thank you, Princess, but I don't have the money to pay for your services."
An awkward silence hung in the room.
"Oh, well, of course, our treasurer came up with something about this," Seleria said, pointing in Kurone's direction, and the timid girl finally spoke up.
"I understand that you closed the mine due to attacks by unknown monsters?" The Count nodded. "So, after we CLEAN your mine," Kurone emphasized the word "clean," she was confident in our abilities, "you will resume work and be able to earn a considerable profit. Our guild plans to exist for a long time, and we will need the support of prosperous nobles. How about you paying ten percent of your mine's profits for, umm... five years? This will cover all our risks and won't hit your pocket too hard."
The proposal was good, but the Count couldn't make up his mind.
"But I can't give you any guarantees about payments. We may not recover from the attacks, and the profits may not be that high."
In my mind, a malicious thought flashed, causing me to smirk crookedly.
"Then how about a contractual marriage?" My words puzzled the guild members, and Leira and Algo seemed like their eyes were about to pop out. "One of your daughters will marry one of the members of our guild. It will serve as a guarantee for our agreement."
Katrina and Seleria took me aside.
"What are you blabbering, you fool?!" The fiery sorceress grabbed me by the collar. "I offered him help on behalf of my father! Do you want them to accuse me of luring influential nobles from Verania?"
"What are you blabbering, KRITO?!" The sorceress of lightning now resembled an angry puffed-up cat. "Whom do you intend to marry?"
"Oh, Katrina, my unruly sun, are you jealous?" I raised an eyebrow in surprise, ignoring Seleria.
A blush spread across the princess's face, and she seemed short of breath.
"I've already told you: do as I say, and everything will work out! So just stand there and don't meddle in my affairs, understood?" I pacified the princess with the seriousness of my tone. "This applies to you too," I added, addressing Seleria. Casting icy glares at the girls, I returned to our companions.
"Hmm. If those are your conditions, then I agree," the Count spoke, shifting his interested gaze from me to the astonished princesses and back.
"Father!!" his daughters exclaimed in unison.
"I don't mind such a son-in-law. Besides, I'm not sure we can survive these attacks without outside help. I taught you that sacrificing oneself for one's people is befitting of a nobleman."
Both daughters fell silent. They had yet to learn about the surprise I had prepared for them.
Our conversation was interrupted by the sound of a bell.
"An attack! How did we overlook this?"
The Count and his daughter rushed out to the street, and we followed them.
"Is this a common occurrence?"
"They only attack on moonless nights. Tonight happens to be one of those nights."
Ragni dashed forward.
"Follow me! There's some strange movement on the south side of the village!"
The dragoness increased her speed, and we ran after her.
"Who is she?" Myrida ran alongside us, wielding a mithril sword similar to Algo's.
"Well, she's not just an ordinary person," I decided not to delve into details. "But you can trust her: her animal instinct has not failed us yet."
Soon, we reached the outskirts of the city, where two monsters were attacking a small house. In the darkness, we couldn't see them clearly, so Ragni decided to throw a small ball of fire into the air.
Monsters emerged from the darkness—huge eight-legged insect-like creatures standing as tall as a human. They had dark gray carapaces with a metallic gleam. The creatures reacted to the flash and hurled something to extinguish it.
"You won't get away!" Ragni quickly reacted and launched a burst of flames at the monsters. But they didn't even flinch; the flames shattered against their heads and scattered behind them. "What are they made of?!"
The fierce roar of the dragoness had little effect on them. Leaving the tormented house behind, they charged into the attack. Ragni attempted to strike one of them with her paw, but her claws slipped on the smooth carapace, and the dragoness flew past her target. The second creature swung its sharp, blade-like front limb and dealt a blow to Ragni. She blocked the attack with her bracers but was still thrown back.
At that moment, we reached the battlefield. Katrina immediately hurled two lightning bolts at the monsters' heads, but they didn't even flinch.
"And this is your 'LITTLE' problem? How have you been dealing with them until now?"
"They are incredibly resilient, but they are vulnerable to one type of weapon!" With these words, Myrida rushed towards the monsters. She unsheathed her sword, revealing a finely crafted mithril blade. With a single swing, she severed the nearest monster's limb, causing it to recoil. "Your magic is useless here; step back!"
The mages hesitated and stepped away from the invulnerable monsters. I noticed a hole in the ground next to the house; it seemed like they came from there.
Algo and I, wielding our weapons, charged at the enemy. They were strong, and in close combat, even more dangerous than hydras, but we managed to hold them back. Myrida, with more battle experience, was able to absorb all the attacks of the first monster, as if she expected reinforcements from the village. Algo and I attempted to bring down the second one. All our attacks were too weak for it; not even Algo's direct blow to the head could topple the monster.
A simple idea occurred to me: if this creature resembled an ant, it might have the same weak points. I skillfully evaded the blades and left their care to my partner, while I approached the monster's abdomen. With a precise strike, I tore it along the segments of its body, severing the main nervous system. The monster immediately collapsed lifeless on the ground. Our unexpected victory astonished the brave noblewoman.
However, it was her mistake. Having lowered her guard, she received a powerful blow from the monster, and this was not the end of it. It seemed that even more monsters were hiding in the dark hole, and one of them spat something towards her. It was a web, and as it enveloped Myrida, the creature quickly dragged her into the cave, followed by the monster that remained outside.
"Sister!" Leira rushed after them, but I stopped her.
"Ragni, do you see anything in that cave?"
"There are at least five more of the same creatures inside. I wouldn't risk running after her."
"They've taken my sister. I'm going after her!" The noblewoman struggled to break free and enter the monsters' lair.
"STOP! Fool, you'll die if you chase after her!"
"I won't let them take her!"
Algo grabbed Leira.
"No, Lady Leira, don't risk it. I'll go after her. Your magic won't work on them anyway."
"Algo?!" Leira was surprised by his words. "You can't, don't...," he seemed to be as important to her as her sister.
"Calm down, both of you! They haven't killed her; she's still alive, and I think we can save her."
"They didn't kill her, but imagine the fewer problems we'd have with a lifeless prey," the treasurer interjected.
"Kurone, can you sense her?"
"Yes, she's alive, but seemingly unconscious. And I feel like there are many more people underground in the same state."
I glanced at the count.
"What does this mean? How long have these attacks been going on?"
"Almost a month now. When we first encountered them, they weren't as dangerous; we thought we could defeat them."
The count fell silent for a moment.
"But now they've become much more aggressive and even started kidnapping people. I'm afraid we won't be able to protect the city."