Chapter 84: Please Leave

Matthew: “I want you to retrieve a Goblin Accessory.”

Nathan: “Goblin Accessory?”

Matthew: “Yes, I want you to retrieve one and bring it back here to me.”

Nathan: “A Goblin…I’ve never seen one.”

Matthew: “You wouldn’t see one anywhere near the major cities or the villages surrounding them, they were subjugated long ago. Goblins are terrible creatures, if left alone, they multiply to a point where they could be called a kingdom, plus they have a terrible rate of food consumption. Within months they could destroy an entire ecosystem and wanted, they can no longer find food, they will move on in search of more. They have even been known to raid small villages, wiping them off the map with sheer numbers.”

Nathan gulped a few times, he never thought that Goblins would be that dangerous. They were always low-level mobs in the video games he’d played, but real-life ones seemed rather terrible.

Matthew: “Worst is, they’re a race able to copulate with almost any other races’ women, I don’t think I need to explain further.”

Nathan: “And you won’t let me to go after these things, am I being punished?”

Matthew: “On the contrary, this is a reward.”

Nathan: “You and I have very different definitions of reward.”

Matthew laughed at Nathan’s retort.

Matthew: “Listen though; everything I said is true. Goblins themselves are very weak creatures. Its only when there given time to grow and, multiply, do they truly become difficult to handle. And it’s not like I actually need you to hunt one, you just have to steal the accessories they adorn themselves with.”

Nathan: “Didn’t picture them as jewelry makers?”

Anais: “Wait, before that, they care about fashion?”

Matthew: “I would call it fashion, its more of a show of pride. They tend to fasten the bones of their victims to a piece of string and make things such as bracelets and necklaces. The more accessories the more kills and the higher their position in there colonies.

Nathan: “Okay then where can I find one?”

Matthew: “Like I said, they were subjugated a long time ago and if the slightest trace of them is found, the knights will immediately set out to subjugate them.”

Nathan: “Then there’s no way to get one.”

Matthew: “No, but you could find some scattered across the ‘Viridi Wilds’ ”.

Nathan: “The dungeon, I can’t go inside, until I finish the trial, right?”

Nathan looked at Matthew, who just smiled wryly.

Nathan: “Your letting me go in under-ranked?”

Matthew: “Not at all, this is an official trial and as guild leader I can choose where the trial will be held regardless of rank, as long as I believe you are capable.”

Nathan: “And you think I can do this easily enough…?”

Matthew: “Your first quest, was less then optimal, but right after, not even into days after, you were able to not only finish fifteen requests, you also miraculously subjugated a group of bandits.”

Nathan: “I thought no-one believed me?”

Matthew: “At first, but the Rselaia Emblem, that you returned, which was well known to have been stolen, people searched far and wide for the culprit, but you found it in less than two days. Meaning with in a span of two days, you completed fifteen low-rank requests and two high-ranked.”

Nathan thought about it and from someone else’s standpoint that sounds impossible. They might not be thinking that he was the Hero of Legend, but they may believe a Legacy holder, which is the truth of the matter.

Matthew: “I think you are more then capable of handling yourselves in the dungeon, this trial is a waste of time. This way you can kill two birds with one stone.”

Anais: “Hey, you say you could but, isn’t all this favoritism bound to draw up questions? I mean you’re already allowing us to enter the guild without taking the first trial?”

Matthew put his hand together and rested his chin on top of them.

Matthew: “It’s not about favoritism. I retracted the trial for entering, because it would have done more harm than good. It’s not unheard of for other parties to watch-in on a trial, seeking possible additions to their teams. However, if you do a trial that’s in a dungeon it would be difficult for anyone to find you.”

Nathan couldn’t put his finger on it, but he felt there was something hidden behind Matthew’s words. It didn’t seem malicious; just it felt as though he had another agenda.

Matthew: “So I give you a trial that’s seemingly difficult, but at the same time, given you exactly what you want. This way no-one can doubt your accomplishments.”

Nathan: “Could I ask you one thing first?”

Matthew: “What is it?”

Nathan: “I get that your trying to help accomplish my goal, but why are you doing it?”

Matthew: “What, is that not what you wanted, to enter ‘Viridi Wilds’ as quickly as possible?”

Nathan: “Yeah it is, but there is absolutely no reason to give us a mission for the dungeon, since without a doubt, I would make a beeline for it the moment I ranked up. If you worried about appearances, then sending us away would be counter-productive.”

Anais: “Now that you mention it, it would be simpler just to give us a task that was difficult but much closer to home.”

Iris: “The circumstances have changed from when we first arrived, a show of power and skill would actually be beneficial in expelling any doubt anyone may be harboring.”

Nathan: “Exactly, it may a have been be fine for the first trial, since I didn’t know much back then, but now it seems un-needed and down-right counterproductive.”

Matthew didn’t utter a word and just listened to what they had to say. He laughed internally; he had forgotten how good Nathan’s was at reading into others word and realizing their true intentions. This led to the inevitable conclusion.

Nathan: “Matthew…not that I’m trying to accuse you, but are you trying to get rid of us?”

Anais: “Giving us what we want so we would leave quicker, what’s going on?”

Matthew crossed his arms and sighed heavily.

Matthew: “*Sigh* Really, was any of this really worth a deduction, I was only giving you what you wanted.”

Nathan: “So you are trying to get rid of us.”

Matthew: “That much is true, but I assure it nothing nefarious. Truth be told, there will be someone here that I’m will be forced to entertain.”

Nathan: “What and you don’t want us to meet?”

Matthew: “I absolutely don’t want that, the things I’ve done for you are by no means restricted, it’s more of a taboo.”

Nathan: “Taboo, hiding my information?”

Matthew: “In the past someone used this system as a way to commit heinous crimes, while still reaping the beneficial non-disclosure contract that came with being an adventurer. And since the contract was signed with a curse, the information could not be divulged, much like our contract. Right now, a certain select group wants me to undo this immediately.”

Anais: “That’s different we’re not out to commit any crimes.”

Iris: “Right, Master would never do such things.”

Matthew: “Its not about what he would and would not do, they still want his information all the same.”

Nathan: “Who are they?”

Matthew: “I don’t want to go into specifics, but everything would go a lot smoother if you were nowhere to be found for the next few days.”

Nathan: “Matthew if someone’s trying to force you to give out my information, I’ll gladly-”

Matthew: “Stop right there. I appreciate the sentiment and I know well enough that you three alone could swiftly deal with them, however, I am on friendly terms with them and wish to remain that way. I have no intention of giving them the information on you or damning myself with the curses backlash. However, things will go a lot smoother if you do not make contact.”

Matthew put his hands on his lap and crossed on leg over the other.

Matthew: “Do you accept my trial?”

Truthfully Nathan wanted to know who Matthew was referring to, but he was sure that anything else he wouldn’t answer. If Matthew didn’t want them to meet, then he owed it to him to make himself scarce.

Nathan: “I accept.”

Matthew: “Then I wish you the best of luck.”

Nathan: “Is there a time limit on the trial?”

Matthew: “No, we want guild members to rank up, why would I create a situation where they couldn’t?”

Nathan: “Then, we’ll finish preparing for departure and head out.”

Matthew: “Oh, before you head out, have you thought about my proposition?”

Nathan: “I have, but I haven’t made up my mind just yet.”

Matthew: “No need to rush, there is still six days until the requested time, the aforementioned group should have departed by then. If you make up your mind, please let me know.”

Nathan: “Okay.”

Matthew: “Oh and Nathan, a bit of advice.”

Nathan: “Advice?”

Matthew: “I get that you are great at reading others and seeing what lies beneath the façade, but perhaps you should learn to restrain from divulging such things and just go along with it, at least until it no longer benefits you.”

Nathan: “………………….I’ll take that to heart.”

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Nathan and company made their way down the street, heading towards Ramol’s for last-minute preparations. It was still basically midday, they had plenty of time to get packed and head out for the dungeon before nightfall.

Anais: “Are you gonna be able to make it back in time to give Matthew your answer?”

Nathan: “I should, the dungeon is only open five more days, and there will be one more day remaining. If I decide to help, I’ll return. But Anais, you’re speaking as if you’re not going into the dungeon.”

Anais: “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about it and I don’t really want to go. I actually would like to spend that time in the Library. There a lot of interesting books I didn’t get a chance to read.”

Nathan: “You’re not planning on-”

Anais: “I’m not gonna eat the damn books, I just want to read them, okay?”

Nathan: “Well that’s fine; you do what you want.”

Iris: “Master, of course I will be joining you.”

Nathan: “Thanks as always, Iris.”

Nathan petted Iris’ head, much to her delight. As they continued to converse, Nathan felt eyes on him. With everything that happened this morning, the stares directed at Nathan had changed from ones of curiosity to disdain. The news of him laughing at ‘Twin Moons’ and ‘Radiant Sky’, must have spread further than he expected. However, beyond that, he felt as though someone was following him.

Nathan: “………..Huh?”

Iris: “Master?”

Anais: “Why’d you stop?”

Nathan: “Shoot, I left something back at the guild.”

Anais: “What?”

Nathan: “Some of my rewards for the quests.”

Iris: “Shall we head back and retrieve them?”

Nathan: “No, I got it, you two head back, I’ll run and get them.”

Anais: “…………..Well alright, come on Iris.”

Iris: “But-”

Anais: “Let’s go.”

Anais picked up Iris from Nathan’s shoulder and sat her down on hers, holding on to her as she walked away leaving Nathan behind. Nathan then turned and walked back down the road, but made a detour down a side-street. Just as he thought, he heard two pair of footsteps follow him down the small street. Now that he was closer, he recognized their scent, the same extremely unpleasant scent from earlier today.

Nathan: “If you wanted to talk, you shouldn’t have run off earlier.”

Audrey along with Melanie rounded the corner, surprised that they had been found out.

Melanie: “I-I’m sorry we mean no harm.”

Nathan: “I know, you wanted to talk right, about how I know you’re sick?”

Audrey: “So earlier was no mistake, you know of our affliction.”

Nathan: “Before that, do you mind if we go somewhere else, it’s really not a good place to talk. Let’s go somewhere a little brighter.”

Melanie: “Ah, yes, of course, if you don’t mind, we could speak back at my home.”

Nathan nodded with confirmation and followed the two as they headed towards the noble’s district. Nathan actually really wanted to move from where they were but the three of them were being watched and he wasn’t sure of what the others intentions were. In fact, Melanie and Audrey weren’t the ones he was expecting to run into in that alley.

When they appeared, he realized that the only reason he was being watched, was because the two of them were following him. Nathan was surprised when first met them, even then they were being heavily watched. Nathan didn’t want whatever this was to follow them back to Ramol’s. He would quickly answer a few questions and then be on his way, or so he hoped. He was more sure then earlier; he definitely did not want to get involved with them.