Job Offer
The next day, during breakfast, John and Sher Aka join us a little late and John looks full of bruises, “Eh!? John, are you okay? What happened? You look like you fell down the stairs!”
“Ah…Well, someone thought it was a good idea to have people think I’m an unfaithful husband.”
“Oh~ I just finished what you started. Don’t start games you don’t know how to end.”
“I was just trying to make you have a good time for once you stick in the mud!”
“Oh!? And how is making everyone think we’re married going to achieve that!?”
They’re acting so childish again…Wait! This is my chance to prove that I’m not a little kid!
“Stop it! You both were being irresponsible and childish, you two are friends so stop being mean to each other all the time!”
“...”
“...”
“Hmm…I guess we are, huh?” John says.
“Well, now that I think of it we have been hanging out a good amount…” Rayla adds.
“Good, now shake hands and make up.”
Both of them let out a chuckle and Rayla holds out her hand, “Sorry about that, I went too far.”
Taking her hand, John smirks as he answers, “It does look like we’d make better friends than married lovers. My bad, I also went a little too far.”
Brushing through my hair Rayla says, “Thanks for that, Rose. We were acting childish.”
“Yeah, if she’s the one telling us we definitely went too far.”
Hehehe, nice! That totally worked. That totally made them think I’m responsible and grown up.
Proud of myself, I can’t help but smile at the praise and even Sher Aka is giving me a thumbs up.
“Oh yeah, now that everyone’s here,” Rayla says, “I wanted to ask you guys about what we should do next. We’re right at the border to Frieden right now so we have two options, either we stay in the NU and go back south or we try our hand at working in Frieden for a bit. If we like it there, we could even get our strength up there and then move east through Frieden to Siegheim and then south to Tartarus. It takes a bit longer that way and there are more dangerous monsters there but unlike the eastern NU, slavery is illegal in both Frieden and Siegheim. Also, the Dwarven branches don’t have any rules against child labor so Rose can get points.”
Everyone seems to think for a bit until Scarlet answers, “I’m definitely in favor of going through the Dwarven countries. The only reason I got shot at by a ballista in the first place was because I tried to take a shortcut through the NU. I think the Dwarven countries are safer and I have some friends from the academy here if we need help with anything.”
“Academy…Did you try to become a soldier, manya?”
“Huh? Oh no, it’s a school. It’s in the south of Haven near the White City and the ocean. Most nobles go to school there and make connections once they hit puberty. It’s a nice and neutral place, you’ll go there too when you’re older.”
“What is school like, manya? The only one I’ve ever seen was at the orphanage in Old Kroy.”
“Hmm…I’m not sure what it’s like at other schools but at Sage Rupert’s, it’s basically like a fun place where you live with other students for a few years and learn about stuff you find interesting. It’s a lot more relaxed than being tutored.”
“Hmm…That does sound fun.”
“Right!? They have pretty school uniforms too. I can't wait to see you in one when you’re more grown up!”
“Well…That’s only if we get that curse off and your parents accept me though…”
Scarlet gives me a hug as she answers, “Of course they will accept you and as for that stupid curse it’s already breaking slowly and we haven’t even done anything yet. There is no way you’ll still be cursed by then.”
“I guess…”
John interrupts, “To get back to the topic, I think I’d prefer the Dwarven countries as well, though there is some animosity between them and Elves so I don’t know if Sherry will agree with me.”
“I’d rather have some racism thrown my way than have anyone be at threat of being sold. Also, Dwarven animosity towards us is mostly bathed in them secretly admiring us so it should be fine as long as I don’t provoke them. I am a bit worried about Rose though…”
“Don’t worry, I’ll protect her from any rowdy Dwarfs coming her way,” Scarlet says proudly.
“Alright, then it’s settled. Let’s look for some jobs in Frieden.”
“Uhm ane? You haven’t asked for my opinion yet.”
“Oh that’s right, sorry oko. What do you think?”
“Well…I wanted to stay in the NU but if everyone thinks it’s better to be in Frieden, I’m okay with that.”
“Why do you prefer the NU?”
“Because we know it better. Also…Because I won’t see Ser Ulian anymore if we leave the country…”
“I understand that Ser Ulian and you have grown close but ultimately the safety of everyone is more important.”
“Yeah…I know. I promised her I’ll stay safe too, I just didn’t want to be the only one not sharing their opinion…”
“In that case it’s unanimous. Let’s see if we can find a good quest.”
Satisfied, we all stand up and go towards the guild, all except John that is.
“Aren’t you coming, John?” Rayla asks.
“Yeah, no. I’m not stepping a foot in there until the whole marriage scandal blows over.”
“Fair…”
“Either way I trust your decision, just get us a good job that’s not too hard.”
“Right…I’ll try.”
Walking over to the guild, there are still some drunk sleeping patrons from yesterday lying around and the questboard is packed with adventurers looking for jobs. Before we can push ourselves through though, the Dwarven secretary from yesterday calls us over, “Oy over here.”
Walking over to him he asks us, “You were from the Shooting Stars group, right?”
“That’s correct,” Rayla answers.
“We actually got a client requesting you for a quest.”
“Oh really? Who’s the client?”
“Cardinal Conrad Marcus, a representative of the White City. The request came in yesterday at night.”
“Huh? Did he mention why he wanted us specifically? We’ve never worked with the church before, not even by proxy.”
“Nope, though looking at your track record I’d assume it’s probably because you helped with the Tennison Steel incident. Perhaps they’re trying to scout you.”
“Hmm…That would make sense but why now? It’s been months since that happened.”
“I’m just speculating but maybe it was because you were inactive for a while and completed a quest yesterday.”
“Ah, yeah that would make sense. What is the job?”
“The job will be to escort a delivery of Sunsteel-ore from the western mountains of Frieden to an artisan's town near the border of Siegheim. The Danger Level is between C and B-Rank. Estimated time to complete the quest is two months and upon completion you will get a promotion.”
“The promotion sounds great but two months on a quest is way too long.”
“Yeah, but they are paying for food and housing on the way.”
“At least that’s something…What’s the reward?”
“Five regular gold coins and enough ore for one weapon for each participating adventurer. Whistle That’s quite generous.”
“It is?”
“Yep, you aren’t legally allowed to own Sunsteel without the approval of the White City, that ore sells for jade coins on the blackmarket…Uhum, not that I would know about that of course!”
“Of course.”
“Uhum, anyways, with it you could have a light element weapon made or perhaps a shield or piece of armor. It’s definitely a time investment but the reward is more than fair.”
“I know that elemental weapons are stronger than regular ones but what does a light element weapon do?”
“Hmm, depends on the purity. But generally speaking light element weapons don’t need to be maintained, they are highly unlikely to break, they deal more damage against undead, demons, onyx elementals, cursed creatures and those practicing dark magic.
What else…They amplify light magic and weaken dark magic when held, they glow, religious people will respect you more…OH! And they allow you to hit intangible creatures like ghosts or glass elementals.”
“Most of that seems pretty useful, though I am a bit concerned about the whole cursed creature and dark mage thing…How much time do we have to discuss this?”
“It says you have two days to accept or decline, so basically you have to decide until tomorrow night.”
“Allright, I’ll talk it over with everyone and give you our answer tomorrow.”