August 13, 1300
Still at the café…
The waitress sets six cups of coffee on the table. Each cup has floral patterns in dark green and yellow, with a key-shaped metal handle in shiny silver, creating an elegant and distinctly Arabic aesthetic. Not stopping there, the hexagonal table is intricately carved and decorated, sturdy with its three dark brown legs and carved like a column placed atop a sphere. The flowing, soft patterns on the table are covered by a thick, transparent glass layer. Combined with the café's pure white space, the lanterns are etched with many designs resembling birds, branches, leaves, and flowers. It's a very Arabic, refined, yet simple and cozy space. As for me (Fermos) and my friends, it's not quite the same.
Auburn, Helzard, and I sit close together on one side, while Aldo, Veritas, and Zihao are seated on the opposite side. Aldo and Zihao sip their hot coffee with satisfied expressions, while Veritas frowns at us. In response, Helzard focuses only on the women in Hijabs outside the café, I continue to inhale chlorine from a small test tube as a hobby of Corrithian, and Auburn is engrossed in a math book, clearly reading about graph theory. Indeed, only mathematics excites Auburn.
"Fermos, put away the test tube or you'll be caught for using illegal chemicals. Auburn, Helzard, pay attention!" Veritas says calmly, but I can sense their growing frustration.
The three of us immediately shift our focus to Veritas.
"Hey Aldo, how's the mercenary squad you hired? Any real combat experience yet?" Zihao leans close to Aldo, asking.
"We have 108 people now and are no longer recruiting, but not dispersed yet," Aldo replies, his tone steady, showing little concern.
"Then keep them and send them to the city's military camp in 14 days. Choose the Stealth course. I'll cover all expenses!" Zihao says with a meaningful smile.
"Looks like something's happening," Aldo nods slightly.
"You understand my point quickly. I'll be direct: It's Zara Rahman Al-khouri, the leader of this domain. I suspect she's also a follower of the Sapphic cult. She's a huge obstacle in our way," Zihao winks, still whispering with a cryptic tone.
"No, we won't do that. A full-scale war with the guild might erupt immediately, leading to political instability," Aldo shakes his head slightly.
"Don't you want to? Well, that's fine. I have another plan. But first, focus on training your 108 mercenaries," Zihao smiles, then looks at Veritas who sighs and gazes directly at us.
Veritas sighs once more and then frowns at us.
"Our team's financial resources are very ample? So why do you three want to register as adventurers, exploring dangerous dungeons full of deadly traps and not our main goal?" Veritas asks.
"Our team has a rule not to interfere with others' personal matters," Helzard rolls his eyes and responds. "And although our main strategies are clearly outlined, we're currently at a deadlock."
"If the team has a clear direction and is facing difficulties with the first step, which is finding a powerful cultist capable of bending reality, why don't you help?" Veritas frowns again.
"We are helping!" Auburn replies.
"How are you helping the team?" Veritas raises an eyebrow.
"I, Helzard, and Fermos will look for magical artifacts and spell books, preparing for the backup plan if the first one fails. And if you need someone for missions targeting the cult, institutions, or cultists, we will participate directly," Auburn explains further.
"Exactly, dungeons contain many secrets and valuable resources. If we can collect important magical items or knowledge from them, it could give us a significant advantage in upcoming confrontations," Helzard adds.
Zihao stares at us, silent for a moment, then raises a hand to stop Veritas from responding. With his head still resting on his arm, he smiles.
"Listening to your justifications, I see you don't quite understand our team's direction."
"What? Aren't we confronting the Sapphic cult?" Helzard responds angrily.
"Then how do you think we will directly confront 140,000 followers, or at least 10,000 followers of the Sapphic cult in the west?" Zihao asks.
Helzard is silent, frowning angrily, clearly showing he's at a loss. The six of us sit in awkward silence, looking at each other.
"So, the team's direction is… to live in seclusion, wait for the right opportunity, and focus resources, strength, and time on the first plan?" I ask to confirm and find a flaw in Zihao's argument.
"Exactly," Zihao replies.
"What guarantees that the plan won't fail? It's better to put eggs in multiple baskets, isn't it?" I continue.
"Are you trying to justify your desire to be adventurers by watching Isekai or Fantasy movies back on Earth? Haven't you given up on your dreams in this medieval, hopeless world for over six months? Oh, and did I forget to mention the trauma from being enslaved?" Zihao says with a hint of sarcasm.
"Except for the heavy manual labor, we're fine," Helzard stubbornly retorts.
"After being experimented on and witnessing many people turned into aberrations during experiments making people into Half-demons?" Veritas counters with the same sarcasm, "Or is the experience of being a slave not 'vivid' enough for you?"
"Come on, sharing our suffering with new friends from different countries is comforting!" I reply, "Maybe only Aldo, who prefers to work alone, doesn't think so."
"Since when did escaping the despair of slavery and diving into the dangerous profession of adventurer become wise?" Zihao rebuts with a mocking look in his eyes.
"Enough, let's stop arguing. We're already getting 'attention' from the other patrons," Aldo interrupts, and the five of us look at the other customers who are indeed watching us with scrutinizing, puzzled expressions.
The five of us bow our heads, not saying anything further, just focusing on finishing our coffee quickly.
"A dish spoiled when too many people cook it. Facing the Sapphic cult only requires the three of us, Zihao, Veritas, and me. Our resources and finances are sufficient for this task. Moreover, confronting a much stronger cult requires a clever strategy, not too many people, and avoiding excessive costs…" Aldo says.
"Yes, understood…" Zihao replies with a hint of awkwardness, still unable to shake off the scrutinizing looks from the patrons.
"Three conditions must be met for your adventurer activities: One, you must notify the team of the estimated location and time of exploration; two, you must obtain magical artifacts or spell books; and three, you must not be linked with other adventurers without permission…" Aldo adds.
"Yes, your words are indeed valuable advice…" Helzard, with an awkward expression and tone, echoes us.
"Alright, let's conclude the conversation here," Aldo hands 12 silver coins to the waitress. After that, he opens the door, and the bell rings as it hits the door. The waitress bows and greets Aldo as she's trained to make a good impression on customers. Aldo steps out, blends into, and disappears into the crowd on the street, leaving the five of us still feeling awkward and bowing our heads.
The bell rings again, and a new guest enters. This time, the waitress waves her hand to greet the guest. Neva, dressed in a light green dress, walks over to our table – we, who remain stationary and silent like statues.
"I heard you guys are planning to explore a dungeon, right? I know a bit of Recovery Magic. Could I join you?" Neva smiles, a charming and pure smile.
But… Auburn and Helzard don't respond, still keeping their heads down. Neva is still waiting for a reply from him. Finally, it falls to me to speak. I nod slightly, glancing at the energetic girl, so different from the fear and disorientation we saw when we first met her in Jejimon…
…That afternoon, everyone has started on their own plans. Veritas stands atop a tall tower, looking down at the city through a glass-like layer. The translucent glass blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment, giving him the sensation of standing mid-air. This is the Transparent Tower – a café built from glass and magically enchanted to allow only those inside to view the outside while preventing those outside from seeing in. It is also a famous tourist spot in the city of Al-Miraj – a masterpiece of architecture and art with a strong Fantasy flavor that Veritas is seeing for the first time. Unfortunately, if he were on an adventure, he would have more time to admire this place. The purpose of his visit here is practical, as always – seeking new business relationships. Veritas opens the lid on his brass pocket watch to check the time; his contact will arrive in 15 minutes. In these 15 minutes, it seems like a good moment to observe the city from a deeper perspective.
Cobblestone streets wind throughout the city, circling busy neighborhoods and houses made of clay and limestone. The rooftops curve, covered with dark red or blue tiles, creating a striking contrast between the yellow of the desert and the blue sky. Windows are shielded with intricate iron grilles, providing shade and privacy for the residents.
The city center is the main square, built around a crystal-clear pond that forms the lifeblood and soul of the city, creating a refreshing and vibrant contrast to the dry desert climate. Surrounding the square are colorful stalls and shops selling all sorts of goods from textiles and spices to jewelry and crafts. The sounds of merchants' calls, sales pitches, and the hum of conversation blend together into a lively symphony.
Smaller alleys in the city lead to residential areas and private homes. These homes often have spacious courtyards with lush greenery, where residents relax and hold social gatherings. In these areas, murals and decorative patterns reflect influences from ancient Arab art and culture, with intricate designs of familiar natural imagery.
The city's highlight includes prominent architectural features such as the minaret towers of mosques, with meticulous and detailed designs. These towers serve not only for prayers but also as landmarks to help the city's inhabitants navigate. Traditional markets, with their richly stocked stalls, create a bustling and colorful atmosphere.
This is a city where culture, religion, and commerce blend together, making it an attractive and enchanting destination in the vast desert.
Veritas gazes with curiosity across each house, each street… until he sees Zihao in the distance. Zihao seems to be introducing a new candy product – a new treat for the city's people, distributing free candy to children with a friendly and approachable smile. According to him, it's a Chinese summer treat made from the gummy substance of peach trees, processed in a simple way to become either candy or jam. Perhaps I should try it soon… Veritas thinks. Then he notices Aldo with Helzard, Auburn, me, and Neva. Aldo is saying something that Veritas cannot quite make out. Perhaps that is it. But what is it? What could be said by a bookish person as advice for an adventurer working for a guild? Why did he prohibit Helzard, me, and Auburn from connecting with adventurers? Veritas has some theories, but none seem very plausible.
"Catch him. He is the one who aided the wicked in harming one of our faithful!" a voice comes from behind. Veritas turns slowly, recognizing it as a woman in a burgundy cloak, and immediately understands the situation. Guests around begin to stir. Some whisper, some bow their heads, and some stand up, approaching to subdue him.
More than 12 guards, wearing Kulaah-style helmets, clad in reinforced cotton armor with shiny metal plating covering their bodies and shoulders, chainmail protecting their arms and legs, and sturdy leather boots, wielding shiny golden Shamshir swords inscribed with runes – said by Zihao to be magically enchanted to enhance strength and durability – and carrying round golden shields with runes, indicating protective or counterattack magic, also with daggers on their belts.
The small unit of guards forms a semi-circle. They stand straight with alert and vigilant attitudes, their stances solid and ready, showing their preparedness to act.
Veritas thinks for a moment, then raises his hands above his head, then smiles, and stands still. The guards look at him with puzzled expressions, something they did not expect, and the enigmatic smile, too, has the woman worried. The whole floor falls silent, the silence like a foreboding of a ticking time bomb. The guards, without hesitation, cautiously approach…