My arm launches the spear as hard as I can, piercing through three Hobgoblins all attempting to target Jikani. A secondary scouting party had just attempted an ambush while everyone was distracted by the first one, but since Veda was no longer wondering, I was able to get involved the moment I heard her scream.
Unfortunately, the others were distracted by Jikani's scream, which required me to bark orders at them to keep their eyes on the first set.
"Cover Sapheir!"
Floris's head instantly stopped turning to look back before noticing what I was pointing out.
[[Flames gather and spin to grind my enemy's bones to ash!]]
A wheel of fire flew to Sapheir's back, protecting him from the two wolves that tried making use of the Swordsman's own worry to aim for his blind spot only to be ground to ash.
"Three steps back now!"
With everyone back on their feet, I charge in. Swapping places with the swordsman I just ordered to take a step back before deflecting and parrying the Hobgoblins that all came just after the wolves before burying them all with my Dual wield combo of Straight Sword and Scimitar.
The scimitar played the perfect role as an off-hand weapon from its curved shave with a width best for being a parry weapon while my shield was currently latched onto my back in case a strike requires to be blocked.
By the end, all five of the hobgoblins are cut to ribbons while my knives and axes got buried in the skulls of the remaining wolves, the last strike being my longsword buried in the last hobgoblin's body.
The forest was now silent, only thumping heart and heavy breathing currently heard. After a few seconds, I could feel that my body was screaming at me for pushing itself like this, but that's when I felt a sense of familiarity with this form of fighting.
I put my entire body into that spear throw while jumping straight into a full unit of hobgoblins shortly after, not slowing my momentum once to rest till everything was nothing more than a chunk of meat. And the result was exhaustion beyond belief but my body didn't drop till all the adrenaline was gone.
I couldn't help but laugh as I stared at my hand I lifted up into the sky, letting this familiar feeling in before hearing Sapheir's ecstatic words of praise. "That was an amazing throw! I can't believe you got all three of them at the same time! They're even stuck standing in place!"
Sapheir shows immense appreciation at the moment frozen in time, the three hobgoblin corpses still standing upright by the spear that pierced through them.
I try to push out the words beyond my panting, "Just leave it, I doubt I'll be able to use that one again even if you retrieve it."
Sapheir's eyes widened in surprise, this being the first time I'd chosen to leave behind one of my weapons. But he understood, choosing to help Jikani who was visibly shaken by the ambush. It might be because it was Sapheir's hand held out to her that she took it only after a moment of hesitation.
I stare at that act as words come from my mind. 'Young love blooming on a battlefield, eh? ...Yeah right, this is no place for love...'
I shake my head from that thought.
'Where the hell is that thought coming from? Battlefield? I knew Verei is used to fighting but from what battlefield is he... am I used to?'
"Here you go." I snap out of it at Floris's voice, seeing him handing me a replacement spear off of one of the dead hobgoblins's corpses.
Though it's made out of metal from head to shaft, it will be a good enough replacement. It will be more difficult to throw like the last one but this could probably survive that kind of throw if made ever again.
"You all caught on to my methods quickly."
Floris shrugs it off. "At least I eventually would considering it's the first thing you did when we first met you."
I feel a bit embarrassed at this habit, finding the scavenging to be a bit disgraceful considering I've already made it to civilization, but I don't have a reason to change this method as of yet. I bet weapons cost a shiny coin and at least with this, I can quickly replace it when it breaks.
Floris sits beside me while I sit up, both of us silently agreeing to let Jikani have some time alone with Sapheir to help ease her mind. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"Yes, I just need a bit of rest. And you know I have a highly regenerative body, so any wounds I have will go away."
"Still doesn't mean you shouldn't get some armor for yourself. What if you end up touching something poisonous because you didn't get some greaves?"
I chuckle a big before thinking a bit more on it. "Know what... alright, I'll get some after we get back."
Floris was happy to hear that, grinning before something on his mind came up, deciding to ask. "On another note, these hobgoblins seemed smarter than the previous packs. Do you think something is leading them?"
I couldn't help but grimace at the memories of past mentions, but give him silent praise for noticing. "Yeah, more than likely the monster that broke my home began rounding up clans together."
His eyes widened a little but recovered quickly, thinking I would be one of the few people to know most about this subject. "I see, so a monster started acting like a ruler? Then these guys may be scouting the area."
I couldn't help but let out a chuckle at his deduction. "Quite right. They're leaving the valley a lot more often, probably looking for more than just food as they have a goal."
After a minute of silence, I start to realize he's been pushing himself to start a conversation with me. He probably isn't used to initiating conversations. But he decided to ask something before I could say anything. "Why did you decide to become an adventurer?"
'Did I never mention this beforehand? I thought I already said why I wanted to be an adventurer to them, or I wasn't being explicit enough.'
"I need to make money somehow. And this seems to be the perfect way for someone like me."
Floris stares at me silently for a minute before shaking his head with a shrug. He might have been looking for a more idealistic reason. I'm the grandson of his childhood hero after all. So, I give him the other reason since it may quicken the process. "...The other reason is to find my sister."
He looks back at me, seeming to only just remember the conversation we had last time we talked alone. "That's right, you mentioned you were separated from her and Uldrei because of the event."
I nod. "I don't know exactly where she is right now, but I think I have an idea of where she's heading. The University of Oriel."
A lie since I know that's exactly where my other is heading but I'm hesitant to say I'm certain of it. 'It would be pretty suspicious if I was too certain right?'
But Floris's stammer after hearing the location made me raise an eyebrow. "S-she is heading there, huh?"
I stared at him, finding his reaction to be suspicious, but I wasn't going to be too upfront this time. "Yeah, she heard our grandfather mention it as a place to learn more about magic and was instantly interested. Though we lived in the forest our entire lives, that's a place we heard of multiple times when he mentioned the outside world. And if I know her as well as I think, it's the best place to look."
Floris couldn't help but give a dry laugh before lying in the grass. 'And after I had gone out of my way to sit up.'
"Well," he began. "I hear that getting in is difficult, costing a fortune to enter. But if she is anything like you, she might get in on a recommendation without requiring any donations."
I catch on quickly through his comment on entry difficulty. On top of the dry laughter that spoke of a disappointing experience, he definitely tried to enter. "She may not have fought as often as I have but I can say for certain, she's a tactical genius in combat. She uses the right incantation for the best situation. But... It seems the reason you became an adventurer was for money to enter the University too, eh?"
Floris flinched at my spoken-aloud thoughts of his current situation before giving a surrendering sigh in return. "Y-yeah... you caught me. I'm looking to enter the University with most of the money I'm making to get in... But, like you, it isn't the only reason I became an adventurer."
He looks to Sapheir and Jikani still talking before making the decision. "Sapheir is looking for his father who left to get a cure for his wife's ailment. He didn't return despite it supposedly being a simple ingredient that can be found further south, somewhere between here and Oriel City. Even if it's just the heirloom, we're hoping to discover something to help tell us what happened to Sapheir's father."
As I listen to the reason the Frozen Sapphire formed, I try to think if there is something I could do to help. "Do you know what the heirloom looks like? Just in case I come across it on the way to the University."
Floris tries to think about the primary features. "It's a sword, one used by Sapheir's great-grandfather, but its appearance is unique. A ruby on the pummel of the sword grip while two sapphires reside on both sides of the hand guard's golden center. It was the sword used to slay the evolved Lamia that was tormenting our village back when his great-grandfather was the village elder."
"Along with stories of Uldrei, our village's legend was about a beast's transformation from Lamia to Gorgon just as the villages finalized the decision to subjugate it from the Mines to the west. But through its evolution, it gained the power to turn people to stone."
"Thankfully, its effects weren't like that of a cockatrice as the victim had to gaze directly into the light of its eyes for the victim to turn. Because of that, Sapheir's ancestor was able to fight it using that blade he picked up from one of the fallen warriors to get the devastating blow across its neck. Unfortunately, the story doesn't tell of what power the sword has, even Sapheir keeping its ability a secret from us."
A rather deep story despite this being a story of a small village up north. Seems legends can appear anywhere if the right threat appears. "A ruby on the pummel and two sapphires on both sides of the golden center guard. Got it."
Seeing the other two finish their conversation, I took the initiative to stand and put a handout to help Floris up. "I will look out for it but first we should finish this mission before sundown so we can eat a warm meal and sleep in a bed tonight. You don't want to take shifts around a campfire, right?"
He agrees, taking my hand and being pulled up to his feet. I pick whatever weapons are reusable off the corpses, replacing the ones that can't be used again as we continue to thwart the scouting parties of the Orc.
--------
A lot of bread-like sweets of varying wonderful flavors are served to our table. The taste of everyone was heavenly, especially the items glazed with honey. I'm beginning to wish Serci had gotten me some back the first time we stopped by.
'I'm definitely coming back to this place called a "Cafe" when I finish my time at the University.'
But besides eating to my heart's content, nothing much happened after we arrived. Serci and the Princess were the two holding the conversation together with me and Emeri being two people sitting silently, only answering when asked.
I can tell Emeri is still nervous being at the same table as the princess. 'Is it truly that mind-consuming task to eat at the same table as your employer's family member?' With the final cupcake eaten, we all feel satisfied until we notice the sun's ready to come down.
Serci speaks up when she notices, "Princess, we should head back soon. We've already spent half a day away from our duties and it won't do to waste another hour."
The Princess gives a long drawn-out sigh, "Alright fine." Before we all proceed to return.
The moment we reach the castle grounds, we'll be going our separate ways for the day. We've bought practically everything we could for my trip, only having to wait one day and two nights till we reach the deadline for when I'll be leaving.
While the Serci and the Princess continued their conversation, Emeri gave me a light poke to get my attention. "Since you only have one more day left here, how about we do one last tour tomorrow? I can't do morning like today as I have my Keeper duties, but I can take a break just after. And we can collect the finished gear around then, maybe even explore the Eastern district."
I can see her fidgeting while asking, the hope in her eyes making it hard to turn her down. I don't want to be caught in another bear hug, but she's been of great help this entire trip... "I would love to. Hopefully, we can do it without the Killjoy hanging around."
She gave a bright smile before putting her hands on my shoulders. "If he doesn't, I will personally knock him the fuck out for us to continue on without him!"
The princess clears her throat, causing Emeri to freeze in place as she suddenly began talking about the weather.
By the time we made it back, the sky had been dyed orange. We arrived at the front gate as the knights swiftly opened it for the returning princess. Upon reaching the halls, it was time for everyone to head their separate ways.
Emeri was first, addressing the princess right away. "I-I hope you had a pleasant time shopping with us princess!"
Princess Maridia giggles at the nervous Emeri. "It was much more pleasant when it was just us girls. Though, do please avoid harming your fellow Keepers for personal reasons."
Emeri scratches the back of her head as she agrees to not beat up Lejer before waving to me. "Then, see you tomorrow, VedaA"
I wave back to her as she heads off in her own direction. Then the princess says to me. "I enjoyed our time together Ms. Deidura. I am unfortunately busy for the rest of today as well as tomorrow. The duties I pushed off are becoming too much for my aids, so I can't join you when you'll be collecting your dress. However, I will give you this as an apology."
She looks over to Serci who nods before pulling out a pouch the two had apparently prepared while in the cafe. Upon receiving it, the weight of it surprised me, and when I peeked inside, I could see nothing but gold coins, probably a hundred or so.
The princess continues, "Though Emeri helped pay for utility necessities, this should pay for the dress and steel chainmail with some leftover as a token of our friendship."
My voice almost cracked at the sight of the coins, "T-thank you!"
The princess gave me one last bow before she took her leave. But before they leave, Serci gives me a farewell of her own. "Before I forget, I was able to get in contact with my old teacher and set up a recommendation letter. So, you should be able to start the day after your arrival."
My eyes practically sparkled when I heard this. "Thank you so much Serci! And... about my brother's recommendation?"
Serci was a little hesitant to respond which made me nervous too. When she finally spoke, "If you prove your worth, then the day he arrives at the academy for you to identify him, he will be allowed to join too as 'your recommendation'. Meaning you can't invite anyone else after."
When she sees I'm relieved, she breathes again. She doesn't doubt my ability, her being the one who suggested I go, but she may have been worried I had self-doubt about myself. "Then I shall take my leave as well. I hope you have a wonderful rest of the night and a wonderful day tomorrow too, Veda."
I bow formally to Serci, a little better than the first time but still nowhere near what Serci and Emeri learned, much less Princess Maridia's.
"To you and the princess too."
Serci bows back but shows me my leg was off before following behind the princess who waited patiently for her friend.
I'm unsure what I should do for the rest of the evening, especially after seeing the sun was only about an hour or two away from falling.
My first instinct is to head back to my room to get my grandfather's book to study up on the magic spells I haven't practiced on nor memorized fully yet. However, when I arrived at my floor, a maid with an aura of discipline was waiting outside my room.
She bows her head on my arrival. "Madame Deidura. Her majesty would like to have tea with you."