"Rowdy as always." Beltrand smirks as he observes the crowd of adventures bickering in front of the bulletin board.
"Wait... Something different."
Claustrine notices that instead of the Adventurers fighting for getting a quest, they just stand there and being opinionated on something.
Claustrine alongside others and force themselves between the adventurers.
"E-excuse us please..." -Helyna.
"My foot!" One of the adventurers shouts after someone steps on it.
After a moment, the party finally reach the front and read what the adventurers are fixated.
"No way... Even S ranks failed to defeat them?" Helyna speaks with grim as she saw the reports of Reverse Tower and the two beings that reach very high and unique categorization from the guild.
"What do they mean we just ignore those two creature?" One of the adventurer asked.
"I assume it's for our safety." The female mage beside him answer.
"You three really encountered absolute monsters there huh?" -Beltrand.
"I kinda predict that the S ranks fight them with equal footing. But if these reports are to believe, I presume it's a one sided fight where the adventurers lose." Claustrine speaks with serious demeanor as she remembers the White Queen and Laffy.
Grand Ecstasy after gawking on the notices pick a quest poster then walks towards the counter to meet Emma.
"Oh good morning Grand Ecstasy! Taking a quest today?" Emma's greeting.
"Yes but first. Are those posters just put thete?"
"Yes, just a hour ago... Surprising right? To think that such powerful beings and place are residing on Reverse Tower of all places."
"How the encounter with those creatures end?"
Emma frowns.
"A complete failure."
"I see..."
Emma then compose herself and gives a warm smile.
"But considering how powerful the White Queen and Laffy are. I'm slighly relieved that there's no huge casualties. Still, I pray for the fallen adventurers that risk their life for such discovery." Emma speaks with reverence.
Claustrine and the others gives a slight smile.
"Uhmm Ms. Claustrine... There's a line behind you now. Would you mind if give as the quest your party want to take?" Emma shyly ask.
"Ah sorry. Here's our pick." Claustrine then slides a poster with a mission to hunt a Desert Clamorus and get a pearl."
Emma reviews the contents and evaluate the difficulty alongside Grand Ecstasy's capabilities.
"Where's Mr. Mateo and Ms. Sophia?"
"They're currently training. So we're just us taking taking the quest." Beltrand answers with allure.
"I see. Well, is this young lady going to assisst Grand Ecstasy on this mission?" Emma's question as she look at Helyna with a smile.
"Ah." Claustrine then look at Helyna who also staring at her with curiosity. Then Claustrine slowly facepalm with one hand.
"I forgot. We should register Helyna as the new member of Grand Ecstasy first."
"Ah... Right." Helyna chuckle.
"Haha It's fine... Just go to the other desk so the staff can assist you on paperworks.
"S-sorry for the inconvinience Ms. Emma, and also. Can you hold that quest for us?" Claustrine's polite request.
"No problem!"
"Thanks!
Grand Ecstasy feeling the adventurers behind them getting tired of waiting quickly leaves and gives way for the others to take their chosen quests.
~~~~~~°~~~~~~
NATTUNIA GRAND CASTLE: STRATEGY ROOM
Around the intricate round table seated the key leaders of Nattunia and Zelestre. Only Bolaire doesn't sent a representative due to the on-going conflict happening in the kingdom.
The left side seated Niana, Duke Trogador, Gilmore Vandril, and more higher officials.
The right side are the two leaders of Zelestre and their subordinates.
Also seated in the chairs are High Leader of Adventurers Guild, Hilgurd, The Principal of Academia and Current Saintess of Vivvily.
Duke Trogador silently eyed the powerful individuals as he waits for the meeting to officially start. He can feel the magic power eminating from the Saintess, not that he's surprised as such capabilities are expected for someone that blessed by the Goddess.
The Young Saintess named Lilysiel is staying quiet and eyes closed. Like she's in state of calm meditation. Her appearance also pair with her innocent and pure vibe with her intricate white robe lined with gold and her pure white hair which even affected her eyebrow and lashes.
The Principal of Academia. An old man named Potelimia is truly showcasing his sage status with his refined posture and purple and black mage clothing.
The High Leader of Adventurers Guild named Weskler is now feeling bored waiting. A middle aged man that despite not possessing strenght still become a leader of all Adventurer guild's branches due to his intellect and resources management.
"How long are we going to wait?"
"Patience is a virtue that leads to inner peace Mr. Weskler." Lilysia calmly speak with a soft voice.
"That's a good at all Saintess Lilysia but we're already seated here for 30 minutes now. This meeting is supposed to be a very important one." Weskler sigh. His voice and tone still have the true respect but with hint of boredom eminating on it.
"Sorry for the incovenience Mr. Weskler." Niana's polite apology.
The door of the room opens and the King enters alongside Kiana. The two seated on the remaining empty chairs with serious expression on their face.
"Can you give us the reason for late arrival?" The leader of East Wing of Zelestrea politely asked.
"I visited the library to confirm some important details. I say that we clearly close to an upcoming crisis."
"Just go straight to the point King Klein."
Klein sigh.
"I just realized that we have no chance of defeating Vielaratas once they returned to bring ruin again."
The room put in silence. Even Lilysia opened her eyes which look like sparkling gems.
"Not to offend you King Klein but aren't you underestimating humanity's potential?" Potelimia's critique.
"Don't get me wrong Mr. Potelimia. I believe that humanity are indeed strong and our long history on this dangerous world is already a testament of that. But the discoveries on Reverse Tower makes me reconsider our situation."
"And what you find out on your analysis."
"You should be more well verse on this Mr. Potelimia especially when the Academia studied the stories in the past with such devotion."
"Are you refering on the stories of the legendary heroes right? Those are millenia old texts King Klein. We assumed that what the heroes can do are just exageration now and there's no human of today can match what the legendary heroes can achieve. In summary- those are fantasy stories."
"The stories of the heroes are not exageration Sir Potelimia." Lilysia's stern words which make Potelimia sigh.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
"For the sake of civility of this meeting, I'm not gonna push forward. Just continue explaining your case King Klein."
"I appreciate it Sir Potelimia. Now then, I want you all to remember all of past key discoveries. Let's start on the reveal of the Vielarata and Hero Glidel's remains.
"The remains of an 8 crown Vielarata was discovered in still to this day undiscovered cave system inside the tower. Near the room of discovery also the encounter with the reanimated remains of Legendary Hero Glidel. That's exactly what happened right?" Potelimia's explanation.
"Exactly."
"But I don't how it would connect on your concern King Klein."
"Now we going to focus on the White Queen which Gilmore, Niana and Kiana fought in Layer 7."
Klein looks at Gilmore, a signal for him to take the lead which Gilmore respectfully pick as he stand up.
"The reports of White Queen's behavior gives me suspicions about it's nature. Only fighting the White Queen head l-on makes me bring into the realization that our King now shares with us."
Gilmore's hand placed on the table shakes which everyone not failed to notice. He continues to tell his encounter.
"I can tell that the White Queen somehow possessed the skills and power of my ancestor Glidel. And she didn't waste time to demonstrate it to us. Saintess Lilysia."
"What's the matter Sir Gilmore?"
"Please do a memory connect for everyone with me as the priority."
At first, Lilysia is dumbfounded but she elegantly compose herself.
"Very well. I accept your proposal."
The huge iconic symbol of Church Vivvily- the 10 rings with an asterisk in the middle appear beneath the table where everyone is seated.
"Once we started, anything you think and remember would be also transfered to everyone inside the area. I implore you to not think of unnecessary thoughts that might flood our mind."
"Understood. Please let us begin."
Gilmore close his eyes and focus his mind of remembering the fight with the White Queen as Lilysia proceeds to her spell as multiple golden threads appears and travel from each people's head into Gilmore's mind, making a link with Gilmore on the center.
And above the magic circle, all people inside the Strategy room watch in their memory what Gilmore and the twins experienced fighting the White Queen. Ending with the White Queen's showcase of true power by making a slash that created a 5 kilometers deep canyon to the snowy landscape.
The link stops and the once chatty council turned into a silent mess that lasted for a minute. Processing what everyone just witnessed throught the memory link.
Klein and his subordinates are waiting how their allies would interpret the scene and hope that they also reach the same conclusion that they have.
"I understand now..." Potelimia pinches his nose bridge.
"The discovery of the 8-horned, the Dereia fiasco, and the sightings of Vielaratas. We're fucked right?" Weskler's conclusion.
"Languange." Duke Trogadors stern warning.
"You can't expect me to remain formal now that we're facing an upcoming crisis."
"We still have the favor of the goddess. If the time comes that the Vielarata returns, our Goddess can lend her power to us mere mortal." The West wing leader of Zelestre speak as she make a praying gesture. Her action cause Weskler to scoff.
"What's so funny Mr. Weskler." Potelimia asked.
"I guaranteed that we're on our own this time. Right Saintess Lilysia?"
"What do you mean? Explain yourself." -Potelimia.
Everyone focus their gaze into Weskler who remains his cool.
"The Adventurers Guild also deals with information management. And rumors can spread inside our taverns unnoticed. And there's the most intriguing rumor that reached my ears."
Weskler stand up and point his finger to Lilysia who remained calm.
"Isn't weird that the church is so deadset on finding a Vivvilus tree? Even to the point that they willing to send a huge elite squad into uncharted and unknown territory?"
Weskker then sit back and cross his leg.
"Then rumors from other kingdoms not affiliated with the religion of Vivvily reach me. They're worshipping different gods yet their predicament still become connected on Vivvily somehow. It gives me a very grim conclusion but I rather want the answer to came from the highest authority herself."
"What he suppose to mean Saintess Lilysia? It seems both of you have knowledge we don't have." Klein's authorative question
Lilysia opened her eyes, her solemn expression just make everyone even more curious on what she's going to say.
"I'm sorry to bring the news but the truth is, our connection with the Goddess are slowly weakening for years now. The true reason why our church are so desperate to find a Vivvilus tree is for us to retain our divine abilities to it's full potential. Sir Weskler is correct, our Goddess... Might not able to help us now."
A defeaning silence engulfs the room again. The atmosphere just become more grim, only Klein manages to steel herself and not put down with doubt.
"The Vielaratas are still not doing a grand return to our world and can only move in secret. Lets improve ourselves for every day the Vielaratas hold their invasion."
"And how we even suppose to reach strenght enough to rival the Vielaratas? With no Goddess' blessing, we have no powerful heroes that can even face them." The East Wing leader of Zelestre asked with concern.
"Even without out Goddess' blessing, we should do our best to bypass our humanly limits. If we lose what makes us human along the way, that's better than us facing extinction."
"Perhaps we should not hope to reach that point King Kleing." Potelimia sighs.
~~~~~~°~~~~~~
Nattunian Outskirts.
Sophia is watching in concern inside her barrier, surrounded by myriad of totems she errected which is now givng helpful buffs, around her are 3 goblins smacking the gold transparent shield with their wooden clumbs but Sophia ignores them all as she knows his magic can hold the creatures.
Instead, her gaze is transfixed on the battered and bloodied Mateo surrounded by goblins wielding assortments of primitive weaponry.
Two goblins with wooden spears rushes forward, the tip of their weapons aiming to pierce Mateo's side. Mateo parried one with his sword while he dodge the other and grab the spear. Without even waiting for the goblin react, Mateo use the spear to stab the goblin he parried.
"Agwk!"
The goblin stabbed with the spear falls to the ground. Mateo then makes quick work of the spearless goblin by giving it a downward sword swing, cutting the goblin in half.
Yet, Mateo didn't even get a time to catch his breath when he recieves an impact to the side of his skull. It's a stone toss from a distant goblin.
"Damn you! That hurts!"
Mateo attempted to close his distance to the stone thrower goblin but he just realized that it's not just one but a group of stone throwers, already loaded with ammunitions.
"Well shit."
The goblin stone throwers fling their rocks with full power. Mateo have no choice but to block the barrage with his arms, protecting his head.
"Nghhhhh!!!" Mateo gritted his teeth as he resist the pain of the stone digging into his skin. But his effort paid off as be finally reach the green creatures.
The moment Mateo use his skill, he make multiple quick slashes around himself as he moves one-by-one to each goblins. The enemies cutted and killed
Now that the ranged goblins are dealth with, Mateo now face the 4 melee goblins the running behind him. The group he left behind so he can deal with the annoyance first.
"Bring it on!"
Mateo reach the first goblin wielding a rusted dagger.
And give it a spartan kick to the face. Sending it flying to the mob. Yet the goblins ignore their comrades and focus on attacking Mateo which respond in kind.
He sent one of the goblin's head flying with a clean sword swing.
A rusted sword goblin attempted to slash Mateo's abdommen.
CLANG!
Mateo parried it and counter attack with a diagonal slash that kills the goblin with ease.
"2 mor-"
BLAG!
A wooden club goblin manages to give Mateo a surprise attack and give her a jumping smash to the head.
Mateo almost falls fall face down but he manages to not lose conciousness and with a wrathful expression, turn over and stab the goblin's head.
He kicked the dead goblin stucked in his blade and makes a swing to kill the goblin he kicked to the face earlier who finally fecovered and tried to stab him with a rusted dagger. The goblin's neck got slashed and died trying to catch his breath.
"Haaa.... Haaa...." Mateo is breathing heavily after exerting so much work without pause. Then he stares on the last 3 goblins still trying their best to break Sophia's barrier.
"Haaa... I'm tired."
Mateo picked one of the wooden spears of the Goblins and throw it to one of the goblins, impaling it to the chest. The last two goblin finally focus their attention to Mateo only to see their dead comrades behind. The sight makes the two afraid and run away deep in the woods.
Now safe. Sophia cancels her barrier then rush towards Mateo to tend to his wounds.
"Are you ok Mateo?" Sophia asked with worry.
"Yes."
"Aren't you overdoing it Mateo? This is your 5th goblin camp today and you barely even rest."
"S-sorry. I just want to catch up with everyone."
"We didn't rushing you Mateo. So please, just rest for now and recover as you got injured so many times now." Sophia answers with sadness.
Mateo gives a reassuring smile to Sophia. Then as he wait for his friend to finish tending to his wounds. Mateo opened his Status Window only to get dissapointed.
Mateo is now Level 7 after 3 days of brutal grind killing goblins. And as expected, the goblins barely even give her EXP now with 5 camps only giving her 3% on his progress bar. He see that more levels and he would never get EXP to the goblins anymore.
The next stat windows shows Mateo that he's close on reaching rank 2 on Blade mastery. Since day 1, he only use his default weapon which is the sword and didn't tried the other weapons yet.
Not like he have the approriate weapons to wield to begin with.
"I guess it's really time to pick another location." Mateo speak.
"No! I told you that have a rest first! Besides, I've used huge portion of my mana already!" Sophia pouts.
"Haha. Fine I going to rest for today. I'm reek of goblin's blood anyway so I want some good bath."
"Great."
After healing, Mateo stretches his a relaxed mood.
"Haaa... Finally no more pain. But I'm still tired though."
"Mateo. You said that it's time to change location. Where we should go next?"
"Hmmm... I think I can handle fighting orcs now."
"Orcs?! Are you kidding me?!"
"That's an enemy I'm familiar with. I believe I can handle a few using tactics." Mateo answers with smug smile.
"But still? Aren't those a dangerously huge leap Mateo?"
Mateo becomes serious.
"If I didn't make higher risk by fighting stronger enemies, I can't get big EXP to level up. That's the dangerous nature of my new ability. Right now, these Goblins barely even give me EXP."
Sophia gives a dissapointed sigh.
"I understand. But promise me that you don't overdo it Mateo, Ok? If you're not confident that you can't do it. Lets run away and take it slower."
"I promise Sophia." Mateo's reassurance, Sophia gives a relaxed smile.
"Ok. Lets return to the city and eat some grub! I'm starving!"
"Let me have a bath first." Mateo chuckle and follows behind
But Mateo and Sophia encounters a group of 6 adventurers wearing iron helmets with light armor consisting of leather and metal plate. Their weapons consists of simple spears, short swords and wooden shields. Gears that can be bought cheap in shops. One of them are carrying a sack full of rusted weapons of different varieties.
The leader of the adventurers stare eye-to-eye with Mateo and Sophia then proceed to stare on the dead goblins behind the two
"So you're the reason why those two goblins are running away in fear. And also the cause of the dead goblins recently."
"Do you manage to kill them?" Mateo asked casually.
"Yes. But next time, do a better job and kill them properly." The leader sigh.
"I will. Sorry."
The other men in the group then scavaged the goblin remains and picked the few rusted weapons the Goblins possessed.
The leader stand beside Mateo and the two watch as the others investigate the surroundings.
"No signs of horde captain!" One of the adventurers shout.
"Good! Just do a clean up and find any potential weapons!"
Thus the group continues their work.
"Pesky Goblins. We just relaxed a little bit and they managed to increase their number that fast. These creature's sex drive are no joke." The leader sighs with stress.
"You recieve a report?"
"Yes. But it seems our problem gets allevited a little bit. Thanks."
"Just doing some community work." Mateo smile.
"Yet I don't understand. Why the prestigious Grand Ecstasy resorts on killing goblins? That's supposed to be our job."
"Hahaha. Just blowing out some steam."
The leader eyes the battered appearance of Mateo. He reached the conclusion that Mateo is fighting the goblins with only his raw body strenght.
"You have a very sadistic way of blowing out steam."
"I guess so." Mateo shrugs.
Sophia stares at Mateo with disbelief.
"Good grief."