The Frozen Sapphires and I follow the Guild Master into his office. We all take a seat on the two empty couches while the Guild Master is seated behind his desk. A staff member serving us tea while the guild master asks. "So, you are Uldrei's grandson?"
I feel a little pressured as I try to keep a poker face, giving a nod. 'If he knew the old man, I could be in trouble.'
The Guild Master sighs, "I don't remember much from the time I saw him. I was still young when I witnessed his first legend, the day he first gained the title 'Cockatrice Slayer'."
I felt relieved he wasn't someone close to Uldrei as this could've ended up becoming a completely different conversation otherwise. "How could Uldrei have grandchildren if his only child was stillborn?" would've been a hard question to answer.
The guild master leans back in his chair, "The way he fought was different from every other adventurer I've known. But I still can't forget the sight of him unsheathing the Counter Blade against the cockatrice's petrificating gaze. It made the beast fearful to use it again when that light bounced back into its own leg, at the same time raising the citizens' will to fight, all because of a single swing. This act made all the possible casualties go from thousands to mere double digits. We could never thank him enough."
He chuckles in admiration about the good old days. I take a deep breath before breaking the news at the same time as my other, "I am happy to hear that. It's a story I wish I could've heard from him once more."
The guild master stopped smiling, his eyes growing wide as he understands my meaning. "Then does that mean...?"
I don't look up from my cup as I shake my head. "I was outside of the house when the red light hit, both him and my sister still inside before being swallowed into the ravine. I'm confident in my sister's magical abilities but, the old man has been using a stick to support himself for the last few years. I can't say with confidence he'll make it out unscathed. But he fought till the end, unsheathing that blade one last time when attempting to deflect it."
The Guild Master's face hardens before falling low, "I see... so the legendary swordsman capable of reflecting any attack has finally been pushed back."
A solemn silence filled the room. Everyone here had been influenced by Uldrei at one point or another, making the knowledge of his death a painful one.
After some time passes the Guild Master takes a deep breath and we return to the reason we were called here. "So, that red light, do you know what caused it." The guild master couldn't sit here and mourn the lose of a hero. He had a town to lead and a threat had appeared so all he could do was leave the tears for another day.
I nod before giving him the information I gave the party. "From what I can piece together, a monster must have gotten its hands on a powerful artifact. Five Keepers from Siltria had engaged it only for the last attack of that battle to be, this end result, of destruction left in its wake."
The Guild Master raised an eyebrow. "Is there a reason you think a monster had an artifact and that Keepers engaged it?"
I nod. "Just as I told the Frozen Sapphire, the Keepers arrived at our home, looking for whatever 'fell' a few days prior. When they learned we hadn't gone near the crater, they continued their search east. It was only a few hours later, from that same direction, came the red light."
He grumbles with worry as my claims stay consistent before thinking about his next question. "If this monster was able to fight against five of the Kingdom's best, I have fears about being near the valley. If we knew what picked up the Artifact, we could guess its next course of action, but the best guess is currently between it staying in the Valley or it leaving to find a target. A territorial beast the Keepers happened to stumble into would be preferable but..."
I try to think about what to say only for Serci to give her speech from Veda's side, giving me an idea of how to answer. "I think the monster was recently evolved, morphed by the Artifact that it picked up recently. It's unlikely it was always there in that forest else Uldrei wouldn't have chosen to raise us there."
He thinks about it before coming to a conclusion. "I see. In that case, it's unlikely to move out of the valley for some time, if at all. But it's no longer safe for low-rank hunters, just in case it decides to move out of its territory. I will need to make preparations and send word to the capital for requested aid. Operations will continue unless we catch sight of something other than Wolves or Hobgoblins on the edge of the valley."
He turns to the members of the Frozen Sapphire. "And I would appreciate it if you three would look after him. He's been living out of civilization for quite a while now."
All of the members nod in unison. The moment that I heard him bring up the capital, a thought came to mind. "If you wouldn't mind. I would appreciate it if you could add my name to the letter you're sending."
He was confused by the sudden request. "Is there a reason?"
I frantically nod my head as I set up a plan that will cover any loose ends on my identity. "As I had mentioned, I was separated from my sister due to the red light. As things stand, I believe the capital is the only place she would go with the least chance of danger. The north would've led further into the hobgoblin territory while the east was where the light came from after all"
He takes a second to think about it before giving me a grin. "I don't think adding your name would be enough. Would you like me to add anything else? Since she is missing, we could add her description to help identify her."
I'm overjoyed to hear him take the initiative in helping me. We worked on the letter written out that has a name and description that would help prove my counterpart's identity, on top of solidifying Verei's identity on the return letter. No one would be able to question our identity, except for any who knew that Uldrei didn't have a living son.
After finishing the discussion with the Guild Master, we exit the Guild Hall, and the party shows me around town. "Once more, welcome to the adventurer town of Farnom. A rest stop for trade between Siltria's capital south and Farengar Federation north. It is also a spot allowing adventurers to gain experience in adventuring as Marcal forest is the woods that surround this area. Designated a D-level threat forest, it's an Average rank for adventurers to practice hunting and gathering. It's also a spot for those above average to train themselves so they can slay monsters in the mines to the west and Valley to the east, both a C-level location inhabited by Kobolds and hobgoblins respectively."
It was dusk by the time we finished touring the town. Just about every building was something an adventurer would need such as restaurants, stables, hotels, and stores selling items of interest. With the long day over, it was finally time to fill this stomach that was growling throughout the tour. We stop by to get a room to place our stuff in before the party brings me to the restaurant they frequented after finishing their missions.
My first impression of the restaurant was that it was simple. With a sign above the doorway that has a wolf carved in it, the words "Wolf Woods" under the drawing. A rather ordinary name considering the forests on both sides have wolves.
The only difference between the two sides of the forest was that the east now has the occasional hobgoblin party while the west had more varying wild animals beyond wolves, foxes, and rabbits.
This restaurant sold many different meals from the butchered parts of wild animals, and apparently some edible monster meats. But Meat isn't the only thing they serve thanks to the merchants that bring grains, fruits, and vegetables from the nearby villages on their way through. Though apparently there are also donations of fruits and vegetables from merchants to keep these places up and running considering how important a road this is for the trade.
With only two other routes, both over a month of travel in its own harsh environment while this road is down to a week's travel between capitals is a necessity for trade.
The inside was bustling with customers. Everyone here is a form of rowdy adventurer if not those who associate with them but that is the expected atmosphere for a bunch of heavy drinkers.
We take a seat at an empty table and Sapheir offers to order the food. "So Verei sir, what would you like to eat? They have some of the standards like wolf skewers, boar ribs, and Venison but they also have varying delicacies such as bear, ox, and even the hard to come by Horned Rabbit meat. Though it's expensive, I'm willing to pay for the first time."
'I guess horned rabbit truly is a delicacy despite them being practically everywhere in the forests nearby. To think I was eating it like without a care in the world the past few days. Must be the difference between buying it and getting it yourself.'
"I want to try the skewers and ribs. Not much preference on the sides so recommend me something."
Jikani gives a sidelong stare at Sapheir, her gaze steadily turning into a glare the longer it goes before he waves her off. "I know, I know! Ox Steaks and Bear cubes."
She gave a satisfied nod while Floris thought on his. "I'll have the Skewers and Venison this time. As for the side, Baked potato and Carrots."
With the food orders decided, Sapheir goes over to the counter. I get to watch him order, noticing some food was already pre-cooked beforehand while the more uncommon orders are made to order. Seems not a lot of customers have to wait long for their order.
Though something nags in the back of my mind about it being unhealthy to precook, these people are people with unhealthy careers where they could die on any day. A tasty meal is the least they could ask for.