As she gracefully descended from the carriage, Anastasia adjusted her face mask with a fluid motion. From her extra-dimensional storage, she drew forth a shimmering silver rapier, adorned with intricate designs and ornate embellishments.
"Oh—that weapon suits a graceful lady like you perfectly." The lecherous man's sly grin faltered instantly as he witnessed Anastasia's form enveloped by a tempest of crimson lightning intertwined with searing magma. "E—eh, there must be some misunderstanding between us—" His face blanched, pleading for mercy.
"Crimson Claw Surge!" Anastasia softly intoned, her rapier slicing through the air in a vertical arc. Five waves of blistering magma lightning claws streaked forth with blinding speed, obliterating the bandits without mercy.
The street bore the searing marks of five elongated claws, leaving a trail of fiery embers that blazed with an intense heat. The townspeople, observing from afar, stood in shock, both mesmerized and horrified by the terrifying spectacle.
"Vermin like them must be eradicated, lest they leave a blight upon this world," Anastasia mused with satisfaction, proud of her decisive though seemingly extreme actions against the worth of humanity. "Isn't that right, little girl?" she added, her gaze shifting towards a narrow alley on her left, smirking slyly as she addressed a small child hiding behind the building's wall.
"Hiiks!" The little girl, with long black hair, trembled in fear, her bright blue eyes welling with tears that trickled down her cheeks.
"Come out now, I have no intention of harming you. I merely disposed of the filth that forced you against your will," Anastasia reassured her, her voice soothing and her explanation calming the child's fears.
"Alright," the little girl replied with a quivering voice, stepping out from behind the wall with her head bowed. "But please, don't kill me," she continued, her tone pleading.
"You've been spying on us with your shadow magic, haven't you?" Anastasia inquired with enthusiasm, gently patting the girl's head. "Truly impressive, at such a young age, you already wield arcane energy so efficiently," Anastasia praised, offering sincere admiration for the extraordinary talents of the young girl before her.
Anastasia gazed at the little girl with profound tenderness, striving to assuage the fear that might already be gripping the child's heart. "Little one, do you have parents or close relatives?" she inquired gently, her voice a soothing balm. "It seems unlikely that you would collaborate with them without a compelling reason. You are not their captive, so there must be another motive driving you, isn't there?" She continued, seeking to unravel the mystery behind the girl's seemingly peculiar actions.
With a hesitant voice, the little girl finally divulged the truth. She was indeed forced to obey the bandits' orders for one singular hope: to cure her mother and aunt afflicted by the dryad plague. One of the bandits, claiming to possess healing abilities, had offered her a glimmer of hope that the dreadful illness tormenting her family could be eradicated.
Upon hearing this revelation, Anastasia let out a long, empathetic sigh, her heart swelling with compassion. She then carefully explained, "Even the most skilled healing sorcerers, even a saint, would face formidable challenges in curing the dryad plague at such a severe stage."
Anastasia's words conveyed not only the harsh reality but also an implicit strength to protect and impart deeper understanding to the little girl. Amidst this dire situation, Anastasia resolved to find a better path for the child and her family, regardless of the obstacles they might encounter.
Rayden, who had been listening to the entire conversation from inside the carriage, immediately stepped out and approached Anastasia and the young girl beside her.
"I never imagined that beneath the cruel and merciless facade you've shown, you still harbor such a genuine and compassionate heart," Rayden remarked with a tone of admiration, as if seeing Anastasia in a new light. The woman's figure seemed to radiate with a beautiful crimson glow, accentuating the captivating beauty of her countenance.
Anastasia's cheeks flushed with bashful delight as she received the compliment, though a subtle crease in her brow betrayed her attempt to conceal her embarrassment. "I utterly despise those who dare to exploit the vulnerability of a desperate child for their own selfish gain. It is truly repulsive," she stated firmly, her words resonating with sincerity from the depths of her heart.
Rayden then turned his attention to the young girl, gazing upon her with tenderness as he crouched down to meet her at eye level. "What is your name, little one?" he inquired softly, gently caressing the girl's long, dark hair.
Captivated by Rayden's gentle presence and striking appearance, the girl paused momentarily before responding in a soft, melodious voice, "My name is Chloe, young master. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Chloe bowed respectfully as she introduced herself, revealing an unexpected level of poise and propriety for one of her young age.
Rayden nodded approvingly, acknowledging the politeness Chloe had shown. With a calm demeanor, he introduced himself, "My name is Rayden. You can call me Brother Ray," he said gently, a warm smile gracing his face. "By the way, where are your mother and aunt staying right now?" Rayden inquired with a soft tone, signaling his genuine concern.
Chloe sighed, looking at Rayden with eyes filled with hope. "They are both staying at a special lodging provided by the adventurers' guild. Do you have a solution to heal them, Brother Ray?" she asked, her voice laden with hope, as if awaiting a miracle that could restore her mother and aunt's health.
With attentive patience, Chloe awaited Rayden's response, hoping that the figure before her held the answers to her prayers.
Rayden nodded calmly, his gaze steady and filled with confidence as he addressed the young girl before him. "I believe I possess a method that could effectively heal your mother and aunt," he stated softly yet with a firm assurance, accompanied by a soothing smile.
His words seemed to infuse Chloe with newfound hope, prompting her to guide Rayden without hesitation towards the adventurers' guild tavern via a horse-drawn carriage. During their journey, they briefly acquainted themselves with Anastasia, Miranda, and Sylvia, who were also part of the entourage.
After a few minutes, they finally arrived in front of the grand edifice that served as the central hub for adventurers' guild activities. With a demeanor that balanced vigilance and confidence, the three women accompanying Rayden, along with Chloe, disembarked from the carriage. They donned their masks once more, concealing their identities, and followed Rayden into the guild building in a disciplined formation.
As they made their way towards the guild hall, they drew the attention of many adventurers gathered there. The gazes cast upon them were filled with curiosity and a hint of suspicion, especially as they noticed the three women by Rayden's side wearing masks that completely obscured their faces. Some adventurers speculated that this group might be part of a secret faction or a mysterious cult hailing from a distant land.
The vibrant hall of the adventurer's guild buzzed with the usual clamor of quests being exchanged and tales being spun. Yet, amidst the usual hustle, a distinct aura of curiosity filled the air as a striking figure stood at the reception desk.
"Oya—oya, ladies and gentlemen. Do you have any specific business at this adventurer's guild?" The inquiry came from a strikingly poised receptionist, a mature wolf beastman with long, ebony hair cascading down her back, her azure eyes gleaming with curiosity. Her wolf ears stood perked atop her head, adding an endearing charm to her professional demeanor.
Stepping forward with confident grace, Rayden addressed the receptionist. "Greetings, my name is Rayden. We are mere wanderers from a distant land. We have become aware of the plague that the dryads have unleashed here, and we wish to offer an effective solution to eradicate this blight and heal all affected living beings." His words were clear and concise, delivered with the charismatic smile of a seasoned negotiator.
The receptionist's eyes widened in surprise, her interest piqued by this unexpected claim. She harbored no suspicion towards Rayden, nor did she perceive his intentions as deceitful. After all, who would dare to toy with the adventurer's guild—a formidable entity beyond the interference of even the most powerful monarchs?
Nevertheless, Rayden knew he had to demonstrate his capabilities as a guarantee. Proposing a clever solution, he offered to heal one or two individuals afflicted by the dryad's plague. With astute foresight, he suggested beginning with Chloe's mother and aunt, who were residing in the nearby adventurer's guild inn.
The receptionist contemplated for a moment, weighing the offer, before leading them to a special parlor reserved for distinguished guests. "Please wait here," she instructed, before excusing herself to summon the guild master.