C91: Mission Details, Distant Lands, Abandoned World. (P1)
Overall Word count = 1370 on 5/31/2024.
With the guild letter in hand, the duo of Axel and Raikou move to the living room to take a look at it. They quickly learnt that the scroll has two areas written on it. One of which is for Raikou but she has no desire to hide anything about this secret portion.
"It says here that the information the guild is providing to you was delivered on behalf of the Saint organization: the Mage Tower. The information holds value due to a certain enigmatic figure being the one who had the news delivered. It also makes mention how they had listed you as the best choice to actually scout out the situation."
Raikou tells him word for word what it says but neglects to mention who the 'enigmatic figure' is. That makes Axel think that Raikou is well acquainted with the person and may possibly not like them or something. The entire time, Raikou had a stoic expression the whole time she had sped read through the note. This prevents Axel from learning any details on the exact relationship she might have had with this person. He decides to be bold and asks
"Do you know who they are to act as a reliable informant for the guild as well as have them make a request from me?" He asks in a dual pointed manner as Raikou now has no choice to at least tell him who the figure is which alone might reveal more if Axel has heard their name before. Especially since the Mage Tower is an esteemed figure in magic breakthroughs and magic items. In fact, the mage tower was built upon the cooperation of various magic related Saints and the guild. They are the ones who produce the strongest and most complex magic items that use monster cores.
Raikou sighs as she thinks over her words which alone says a lot about the person in the letter. "The person who had provided this information to the guild and made a request of you is the Lord and Creator of the Mage Tower, the Infamous Seer, and stupid child, Merlin"
"Eh? EHHHHH!!!!???" Axel was naturally shocked that such an ancient being was aware of his existence. Though he is also shocked that Raikou would call someone so influential a stupid child, he feels like there would be another whole story about that and he has no desire to rile up his goddess for no reason now that he knows who it was.
"I see. Is there any mention of how I got under his purview?" Axel lightly asks and Raikou sighs again as she explains. "Merlin is a scam artist who originally made his legend by Raising Artoria as well as through his ability to foresee the future, yet when the gods had descended, he proclaimed that his foresight had become blurred by their divine energy that had also altered all saints and immortals." She explains the origin of Merlin before she adds in.
"It's possible that your recent set of 'rituals' had caused a bit enough reaction for him to expend a bit more energy to actually see who you are"
"I see. Well if that is all then he likely has high hopes for me."
"I'm surprised he didn't rush here the first moment he could once he found out that one of his prophecies came out to be false" Raikou grumbles out loud and Axel takes an interest, "and what prophecy would that be?"
"Bastard old man said that I would be forever alone in this life and that I would never meet my one true love" She complains as she practically clings his face into her breasts while making her complaints about Merlin known. Axel sits in silence to absorb the drama bestowed to him by the person who he has known the best till now. He also stays silent due to the major fact that he still has no memory of his life before arriving at Orario. As if he just appeared one day outside its walls.
Raikou soon ends her rant and Axel stops his self-deprecating thoughts. She continues to read out the details of the actual assignment instead of focusing on Merlin. She soon frowns again once she finishes reading. "Go ask if you can reject this mission. It's too far away." She outright proclaims and Axel has to take the paper to see what is written.
"With the information provided by the Mage Tower. It has been determined that the source of the disastrous earthquake that had struck Orario had originated from the South East. Past the Kaos Desert into the heart of the ruined lands of EtiaKith. The estimated time for this journey would be around 2 or 3 months for the average level 4. It is naturally believed that you would reach such a destination even faster."
"P.S. The original name of the country you would be entering was long lost after it was completely destroyed by an unknown force. The name was provided by the Mage Tower as well due to some of their members having visited it long ago."
Axel places his hand on Raikou's shoulder, "Mother, I won't be gone all that long really. And I can easily teleport back every night if you want me to. Distance has no real meaning to me with my abilities." He tries to placate her but she still pouts.
"But, you're so close to reaching level 10. Then you would be free of this city and we can travel the world together, free and unfettered. We can settle down somewhere else and make a proper family." She informs Axel of her own dream when Axel places his forehead against hers.
"Even if we were to leave with everyone right now. I would still be stronger than the typical level 10. With my mantra fueling me, my life force will eventually make me a god too. So we can still start a family even now if we were serious. I probably have more divinity than you at this point so having kids would be possible." He reassures her but his words seem to have an unintended effect as she originally just clings to him but that soon turns to her trying to undress him. As such, he teleports to his own room and begins to pack up his supplies.
He dusts off his old personal backpack as he wants to carry his armor inside. Less energy to be wasted on creating another set of nen armor and maintaining it if he got into a fight. Besides, he has gotten a new much better set which cost quite a bit as Muramasa could no longer do free work. Regardless, with his recent trip into the dungeon, he easily became a millionaire. So there won't be any loss unless the economy itself breaks down for whatever reason.
His greaves, gauntlets and new bone helm are stuffed into his bag along with an assortment of snacks to keep him full. He can just teleport over whenever it is time for breakfast, lunch or dinner. He is making no sacrifices and would still progress in the journey.
He slings the bag over his right arm as the backpack only fit him when he was still child sized, with the mountain of a man he is now, that does not apply. He begins to leave his home but not before informing Haruhime and Aisha about him going on a mission. He tells them the same thing about him showing up for every meal and nights and other details. They accept his words and he responds by giving them some affectionate touches which makes Haruhime turn red still while Aisha slaps his hands away when he gets a bit too frisky.
Axel then exits his home and begins to make his way to the gate when he finds that Tiona and Tione are right outside. They seem to have just arrived and Tione appears to have some sort of pissed off expression as she begins kicking the gates to their home.
"Axel Gram!!! Get out here….."