I would have answered him but Mai and Rose’s irritable glares at my back kept me silent.
Zelus groaned. “You’re really putting me on the spot you know, showing off to Rose and another girl versus a city full of mystery. With the army gone, the ratio of men to women has shifted in my favor.” Zelus argued with himself for another minute before answering. “Okay, I’ll do it. You owe me one though.”
I gave him the address of my shack and told him to meet me there two hours after sunrise the next morning. He groaned at that too, but if I had it my way, I would have made it earlier. I wasn’t sure how big the complex was and I was hoping to clear it in one day.
My quota for magic users filled, I headed for my next target, a warrior.
I expected the inside of the adventurer’s guild to be a reflection of the people it represented. I expected something out of an old western. A den full of fighters and rogues that saw so many internal fights the repairs could never quite catch up. Instead, I walked into a silent and tidy lodge more akin to a five star hotel.
“Good day, how can I help you?” asked the secretary at the front desk.
“Is this the adventurer’s guild?” I asked.
“That’s what the sign out front says,” she said.
“It’s just that I wouldn’t have expected this place to look so orderly,” I said.
“It’s lovely isn’t it,” said the secretary dreamily. “Normally, I can never keep it looking this good. Those ruffians are always breaking things.”
“Normally, what do you mean normally?” I asked.
“I mean when the members are here?” said the secretary.
“They aren’t here,” I said.
“Nearly everyone is gone. No true adventurer would give up the chance to venture into beastman territory. Most of the ones who weren’t in the military to begin with, joined the auxiliary. This place has been quiet since the troops moved out. A week of peace, so nice,” said the secretary.
“Well, I guess I came here for nothing. I was going to ask you to contact Titania Nemo, but if she’s with the army….”
“Titania Nemo, oh she’s not with the army, she’s here,” said the secretary.
“Oh, she’s here, good. Can you bring me to her?” I said.
“She should be in the lounge. It’s just downstairs,” said the secretary pointing to a door on the left.
I went through the door, down a flight of stairs, and entered the lounge. The center of the room was filled with tables and chairs for dining and conversation. I found Titania at the bar in the back corner, sitting on a stool in front of a large stack of empty glasses, many of them knocked over. There wasn’t a bartender to be seen, probably not enough customers right now to bother working, so Titania had resorted to serving herself.
“Hey Titania, up for a fight,” I asked.
“Wh-hosit,” Titania slurred.
“It’s me Isaac,” I said.
“Ohh yeaahh, Is-sac, guy wit da flyin handsies,” she said.
“That’s me,” I verified. I wasn’t sure if it was the right time to talk to her, but I had to try. “I was wondering if-”
“Why yis theere war?” Titania asked. “What good does people slaughtering each other do?”
“You’re a warrior. Isn’t war central to the profession?” I said.
“Be-became a warrior too deefen peeple from monsters, not other peeple. Peeple can be resoned wit, there should no be need to kell each other,” said Titania.
“You think the beastmen can be reasoned with?” I asked.
Titania was silent at this point.
“They started it you know,” I said.
“Yes, did. But think the question we should be asking is why start now?” Titania solemnly said before slipping off her chair and onto the floor.
“Hey, Titania, you alright?” I asked, looking at her wobble a bit side to side as if the world was spinning. “Here I’ll help you up? Just a sec, that’s it.”
I helped her back to her feet and supported her in a stumbling walk. She was bigger than most men were and her armor was no help.
‘I bet this wasn’t how you pictured leading a drunk woman upstairs,’ said Mai, as I propped up Titania.
“Why? Jealous?” I asked.
‘What? No,’ said Mai just before popping out of existence.
“I know someone who might be able to help,” I told Titania. “We’ll talk once you’ve sobered up a bit.”
I went to Albert’s restaurant. I intended to find him next anyway so I was really killing two birds with one stone.
“Hi,” greeted the hostess at the front desk. “Wasn’t expecting you today.”
The hostess recognized me because lately I got nearly all my food from Albert’s restaurant. I didn’t come every day, but around once a week. Normally Albert’s distaste for leftovers meant he refused to allow his food to leave uneaten, but I convinced him to make an exception for me. So long as I promised to keep his food perfectly preserved in my inventory until it was going to be eaten, he let me buy as much as I wanted.
“Something special came up. Could you get Albert?” I asked the hostess.
“Sure, I’ll get him,” replied the hostess.
“Ger off,” gargled Titania as I sat her down at a table in the corner.
Fortunately, it was the middle of the afternoon, Albert only served dinner, so the only patrons were an elderly couple and my awkward arrival dragging in Titania didn’t create much of a disturbance. I figured it’d be okay to talk to Albert now since it wasn’t too busy. His restaurant was absurdly popular and if I’d come a couple hours later he’d be too preoccupied in the kitchen.
“Isaac,” said Albert as he came out of the back. “Hov can I help you mein friend?”
“As you can see, she drank too much. Do you happen to have anything that can help?” I said.
‘Psht, he’s European. He was making prairie oysters before he could shave,’ said Mai.
“Courze I do, it vouldn’t be the first time I came across ein drinker in the need of ein pick-me-up. Chust giffe dis fine ass ein zecond,” Albert went to his kitchen and came back with a glass full of a lima bean colored fluid.
“What’s in it?” I asked as I poured it into Titania’s mouth.
“You don’t vant to knov,” Albert replied. “Vell if dat’s all…” Albert got up to leave.
“Wait there’s something else I need to talk to you about. Both of you,” I said, indicating that the ailing Titania was the other individual.
Albert sat around for a few minutes while we waited for his concoction to take effect.
“How are you feeling,” I asked once Titania’s complexion took a sufficiently less robust shade of green.
“Better,” answered Titania as she slowly rubbed one of her temples. “Am a bit embarrassed. Hadn’t planned on being so loose with tongue.”
“It’s alright, war is evil. Presumably your reservations are why you aren’t marching with the rest of the warriors,” I said.
“Yes,” said Titania.
“Good thing though. I need your help. Both of your help,” I said. “I found a cave full of monsters and I’m putting a team together to clear them out.”
Titania seemed interested so I continued, “Its monsters not people. So you’re okay with fighting them right.”
“Yes, it’s fine. Moral reservations are limited to people,” said Titania.
“You vant me to fight,” Albert cut in. “Dat’s not koing to vork for me, mein friend. I haffe fighding ein try ven I first arriffed but it’s not to mein taste. Zorry, but I’m no fighder.”
“You won’t be doing any fighting,” I assured Albert. “I want your help as a support character. The team is going to be in there for a while and we could use your food buffs and first aid skills.”
“Vouldn’t ein proper healer be better,” asked Albert.
“It would but that’s not an option. Most were taken by the army and I kind of want to keep this cave a secre
t so I’d rather not take a stranger. You are the closest thing to a healer I know,” I said.
“I can’t chust giffe up my resdaurant,” said Albert.
“It’s only for a few days. Besides this is for the restaurant,” I said. I knew it wouldn’t be easy to convince him so this was my secret weapon at getting Albert to come along.
“For the resdaurant…” said Albert before he saw what I was pulling out from my inventory.
It was the mushrooms and scraps of vine I’d collected during my first failed excursion, parts that weren’t burned, I was fearful of Albert’s reaction to ruined ingredients.
“Is dat…” Albert stuttered.
“Ingredients? Yes. I found these where we are going hunting. I couldn’t explore very much by myself, but I’m sure there is more,” I said.
Albert gave a little hop as he eyed the ingredients greedily. His hands gently stroked the stems of the Manasuke mushrooms as I reeled him in. “Just think of all the new dishes you could make. All the new flavors the likes of which no one has ever tasted before.”
“Hov much am I getding?” asked Albert.
“Whatever you can fit in your inventory,” I offered. Since Albert didn’t have the benefits of Otheristry his inventory was limited to 1 cubic meter, while this may sound like a lot, next to the amount of stuff in the facility, it would be nothing.
“How long vill vee be gone?” said Albert.
“Not sure,” I answered. “I hope just one day, but I’m not sure just how big the place is. The monsters prevented me from checking. A few days, tops.”
“Ein fev days, but vat about mein resdaurant,” said Albert.
“Tomorrow’s your day off and you can have your sous chefs take over if it takes more than a day. I know you’ve been training them so give them a chance without you and see how it goes,” I said. This was the real battle: Albert’s love of new foods versus his control issues. He obsessed over his restaurant and the quality of the food it served. I wasn’t sure if he’d relinquish control to his subordinates, even if it was only for a few days.
“Okay, but I vant double the inffendory space,” Albert countered, to which I grudgingly accepted.
“What do you think?” I said, now turning to Titania. “Not like you’re doing anything better with your days.” She’d remain silent during my discussion with Albert.
“Come if the price is right,” said Titania, slyly.
“A noble knight doesn’t demand payment,” I said. I knew it was just a vain attempt at appealing to her sense of chivalry.
“Not noble,” Titania replied. “And a girl’s got to eat.”
‘And I bet she eats a lot,’ said Mai.
“Yeah, she could probably eat a hippo,” my mouth blurted before my mind could catch up.
Titania glared at me and made a threatening gesture with her fist.
‘Never comment on much a girl eats,’ Mai chuckled.
“I’m referring to your large size…”
‘And you can’t help but dig yourself deeper.’
“Err, I mean height not your width. You have a wonderfully proportioned figure,” I said. This apparently wasn’t the right thing either but she let it go anyway, content with punishing me with her eyes rather than her weighty fists.
“Standard fee is 500§ per day, plus meals and 7 hours per day for sleep. Can set turn to watch whenever would like but get 7 hours to rest, minimum,” said Titania.
“My money’s a bit tight… so how about a trade. You said you wanted my flying claws. If you help me clear out the monsters I’ll make you a pair,” I offered.
“How long will it take?” she asked.
“Give me a month,” I answered.
“A week,” said Titania.
“A week?” I mimed in a less sure tone.
“If are as good as say, a week is more than enough,” said Titania.
“Hmmm… Fine, a week,” I agreed. A week was plenty of time to make it. The first one only took me ten days and that was with a lot of trial and error.
“Is agreed then?” said Titania.
“Yes,” I replied.
I told them both to meet me at my place the next morning. Albert was still a bit nervous about the monsters but a quick reminder that he was immortal set him at ease.
After leaving Albert and Titania, I stopped by the artificer shop and purchased some new mana crystals. That night, I replaced the mana crystal in my spear and tuned up my artifacts before going to bed.
I woke up ridiculously early the next morning. It was just one of those nights where your nervousness for the coming day seeps into your subconscious, making you wake at the slightest disruption, in this case I was awoken by the first sliver of sunlight peeking through my window. I had to wait a couple hours before we were all supposed to meet and tried to tidy up a bit. My place looked fine on the outside, but the inside was a mess. The floor and walls covered by a thick layer of dirt from my excavation but a couple hours of cleaning couldn’t do much to change that.
Eventually the designated hour arrived and I greeted everyone just outside my front door. Zelus was a bit annoyed at the earliness of the hour, but otherwise they were in high spirits.
“Hey, everyone’s here and since I’m the only one who knows everyone I guess I’ll do introductions. This is Titania our warrior,” I said pointing to the giant woman in a full suit of armor. She was wearing her helmet as well so she looked more like a wall of steel than a woman. That coupled with her massive broadsword made her quite intimidating.
“How can I tell how she looks under all that armor,” Zelus whined, giving me a dirty look.
‘I can’t wait to see what happens when he tries to get that armor off,’ said Mai.
“The lecher is Zelus and the woman next to him is Rose. They’re our mages. They’ll assist with magic from the rear,” I pointed the two of them out and they waved.
“And this guy here is another otherworlder. His name is Albert. He’ll be our support type. He’s a chef, not a cleric, so he can’t directly heal, but the food he makes can actually boost recovery and he has excellent first aid skills. He can’t really fight so he’ll be in the back.”
“As for me, I’ll be helping out in the front,” I said waving my spear to indicate how.
“Now that the introductions are out of the way, where are we going?” Titania asked. “We’d better hurry, since we were clearing out a cave. Nearest caves are half a day away. It’d be a shame to not get a bit of fighting in today.” Her statement wasn’t surprising. I had just told them to meet me here then we’d go to a cave and kill some monsters. None of them knew we were standing on it.
“This way,” I said opening the door to my shack.
“What do you think you are doing?” Rose asked mischievously.
“It’s easier to show,” I answered.
“This place is a mess,” complained Rose. “You actually live here?”
“I’ve been here the past few weeks,” I admitted. “It was convenient for my work.”
After we were all inside and Albert in the back closed the door, I lifted up a few loose floorboards and revealed the giant tunnel.
“Vere the hell did dat come from?” said Albert.
“I dug it. Follow me,” I said.
I led them down the hole and to the dark metal structure.
“We are clearing out the monsters in here,” I said pointing to the doorway or rather where the doorway would appear if it didn’t blend so well into the rest of the structure.
“What is this?” asked Zelus. He was simply stating what was on all of their minds. They had never seen anything like the smooth, flawless, somewhat sterile, beauty of the Traveler walls.
“It’s an ancient building from a long lost civilization,” I said.
“You just happened to dig down a hundred feet and find an ancient building,” said Rose incredulously.
“Well, I had some idea that it’d be down here,” I said.
“What do you mean
some idea?” asked Rose.
“You know that reward I received for winning the Millenius,” I began.
“Yeah, you vere alloved one idem from the Crysdalpeak treasury,” said Albert.
“I’ve heard there are all sorts of neat things in there,” said Rose. “Please tell me you got some neat spell tome.”
“Or a powerful weapon,” said Titania.
“No, I got something even better, this,” I handed the metal key card to Rose who gave it a once over.
Her eyes, filled with anticipation, quickly turned sullen. “What? Just this. It’s just a hunk of metal with a couple weird symbols on it. What language is this?”
“Here, let me get ein look-zee,” said Albert taking the card. “It’s chust ein chumbling of rantom letders and numbers.” Albert was an otherworlder so he could read the text regardless of the language, but that didn’t necessarily mean he knew what it meant.
“When I found this card in the treasury, I knew it’d probably be connected to an ancient civilization near here. I did some digging and I found this whole place,” I tried to explain.
“But that doesn’t explain anything,” said Rose. “You went from seeing a hunk of metal to knowing there was an ancient building under the city.”
“Well, there’s a bit more to it than that,” I winced. I didn’t want to reveal the existence of Mai. They’d probably think I was crazy. But I wasn’t exactly surprised my half-cocked answer hadn’t satisfied them. I needed to give them more.
“To get to Crystalpeak, I had to cross the Hyperion Mountains. During the crossing, I was attacked by a yeti and forced into a narrow ravine. There I found another ancient underground structure and writing similar to the stuff on the card. I figured the card was probably a mysterious artifact found in the area and so there might be another underground structure here as well. After all, Crystalpeak is situated on the center of a confluence of ley lines. It’s quite reasonable to think that some past civilization might have built something here as well. I then did some digging and, well, I got lucky.”
‘So this is what you decide to tell them,’ said Mai. ‘Not a bad story, especially since it’s half true. But something tells me you didn’t tell them about me because you didn’t want Rose to know that you’re thinking about another woman all the time.’
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