Chương 1020: [967] - Y04.067 - Ever Green I

Soon the walls of Ever Green, built upon raised ground, greeted them. The gate, set under the walls thick stone walls, loomed at the end of a long, swerving road, paining all traveller's soul upon the way there. All traveller's save Adam and his companions had brought along a wagon and cart, so their calves remained cool. The guards allowed the group in after the appropriate gate fee, which hadn't changed even under new management.

Ever Green's roads were wide, with small clusters of buildings dotting the area, small, but stacked high, three to five stories tall. Yet, scanning from one side to another, all one could see was greenery. Green greenery, the greenest greenery one could possibly see. There were as many parks as there were roads, some of which became pathways from one area to the next, and even though sections of the town were formed upon a grid, some sections of town gave way to a more natural layout, vestiges of old.

"You know, it's so much nicer travelling through the levels with a wagon," Adam said, letting out a long sigh, the wagon following the large side road.

"So much better." Adam continued to look out at the town, which soothed his heart.

"I should have taken cues from this place."

"It is beautiful," Jurot admitted.

"I should take Vonda here once our baby is born. The fresh air would do her good." Jurot noted the smile on Adam's face, which was both genuine and apprehensive.

"It is a good idea."

"I should buy some tea while I'm here, I ended up running out a short while ago. I should also buy that damn pouch I've been wanting to get ever since we set out, but screw Red Oak if it thinks I'm going to spend another penny there!" The Adventurer's Guild in Ever Green was slightly larger than the one in Red Oak. It was fairly similar to the Adventurer's Guild in Red Oak, made of stone for the first floor, with a tiered design of wood above.

However, one could have gotten lost within the flowers and vines growing around it, and there were small sections on the roof top where older folks relaxed. The fenced off area to the side also housed herbs Adam could only envy.

'I should get myself a herb garden.' The sweet earthy smell invited him in, the flowery scent coaxing him to the front desk, where an older man sat, reading a book.

"Barks."

"Adam, wasn't it?"

"Tha's right. How's it going?"

"Fine enough. You?"

"Not too bad."

"What brings you to Ever Green?"

"We were hoping to adventure. I've got a little one on the way and I thought, why not make some coin before they're born, get them a nice little something, and something for the missus too," Adam said, his voice lower and slower.

'Why's he talking like that?' Lucy thought.

"If you're interested, there's a forest drake about that's been giving me a headache, and if you could handle it, we'd greatly appreciate it."

"Sure," Adam replied. After a lovely bath, the group went to sleep. The next morning, the group set out to the nearby forest, allowing Jurot and Kitool to lead them, trekking through the nearby forest.

"Adam, you need to let us fight first," Lucy said.

"If you fight, it'll be too boring."

"Fine, but I need to do a little bit at least."

"You can't do much!"

"Fine, fine." Adam shrugged his shoulders.

"I'll let it go for your sake." As the pair of Iyrmen trekked forward, they began to notice the disturbed nature all around them, from broken twigs, to trees which had seemingly been cut by a blade, tearing off the bark.

"Adam," Jurot said, raising his shield quickly, as the wind around them rushed. Adam quickly donned his shield. Dexterity Save D20 + 1 = 18 (17) Health: 91 -> 65 The wind blasted the group, enough to push even Jaygak back, who slammed up against a tree with a grunt. The wind gathered together to form the shape of a long wyrm, branches and leaves forming the body of the creature, the whistling wind screeching in the air.

Battle Order D20 + 1 = 2 (1) The roar of the Rage Dancers filled the forest, and the blades struck against the long creature, while Adam could barely see what was happening through the debris. He raised his shield up, hiding himself behind it, while hoisting up Wraith.

"Jaygak, you alright?" Adam asked, though the shining blade cut through the air, literally, striking through the creature, which writhed in pain, the leaves and branches pulsing. Fighting Spirit: 3 -> 2 Health: 65 -> 70 Attack - Wraith (Advantage) D20 + 10 = 13 (3) D20 + 10 = 19 (9) Hit! Wraith: 3 -> 2 Mana: 25 -> 24 The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Ability: Divine Smite 2D6 + 2D6 + 2D6 + 9 = 36 (8)(10)(9) 36 damage!

Attack - Wraith (Advantage) D20 + 10 = 11 (1) D20 + 10 = 26 (16) Hit! Wraith: 2 -> 1 Mana: 24 -> 23 Ability: Divine Smite 2D6 + 2D6 + 2D6 + 9 = 36 (10)(9)(8) 36 damage! Adam darted forward, through the blizzard of debris, flailing his axe wildly, managing to strike through the leaves and earth and wood, and as his blade flashed cold and hot at once, the whipping wind fell still. Victory! XP Gained: +1500 XP: 13 000 -> 14 500"Huh. That was… easier than expected." Adam turned to face the rest of his companions.

"I didn't even do that much." Adam had only done enough to completely knock out pretty much any Expert he would come across, and he didn't even Onward Soar, or use his greater Divine Smite. Jurot picked up the core, which looked almost like a tiger eye gem, but larger, and was green and gold rather than brown and yellows.

"No point in picking up the mud, is there?"

"No," Jurot said.

"It was rhetorical, but I appreciate that." Adam looked around.

"Guys. Are we strong?"

"A little," Lucy said, having been certain she would have knocked out an Expert too. Even without Bell, she could tell, and so could Mara, from the way their blows had scattered large portions of the creature. Jaygak decided against mentioning how she felt she had done nothing, since it was already so disappointing.

Quest Complete: Forest Drake XP Gained: +500 XP: 14 500 -> 15 000 Stamps Gained: +2 Stamps: 3 -> 5 Sitting in the corner of the Guild, the group enjoyed their meal of roasted boar meat, grilled vegetables lathered in herbs and butter, and their palm sized cheese, though Jurot's cheese was twice the size.

'Huh. Feels kinda… I don't know…' Mana: 23 -> 20 Spell: Sending"Hey, Aunt. I hope you're well. We have an okay story to bring back. Please tell the children I love them so much."

'Hello, Adam. I am well. That is okay. I will tell them. I hope you are well.'

"We are well, thanks. Jurot sends his love too. Also, he is eating so much cheese. He had two whole fistfuls, and he keeps on-," Adam felt the spells magic leave his lips.

'Oh. Oops.'

'It is good to hear. Thank you,' Adam heard within his mind, sensing the gently joy of a mother's voice. Adam decided to send a message to Vonda too.

"Hey. You alright? Tell me if anyone is bullying you, unless it's Jirot. Love you."

'I'm well, thank you, darling.' Adam inhaled sharply at her words.

'She is not. She feeds me well. Mother Soza bless you. I love you too.'

'Should we go kill another forest drake?' Adam thought, feeling the echo of his wife's love filling him.

'Why not two more?' Adam spent the next day relaxing, however, going to buy gifts from the town. When he returned, many gold lighter, he glanced towards Barks, who motioned a hand to bring him closer.

"Got a merchant that has an emergency request. She's looking for a capable party, and is paying good coin."

"Sure."

"I'll call for her." She was short, stoutly built, with dark hair, and bright eyes. She wore the typical clothing of the Aldish, a blouse and trousers, and a pair of thick boots. At her side she wore a shortsword, and wore rings of silver and gold all along her left hand, sometimes multiple of each finger.

"Oh," Adam said.

"It's you." The merchant narrowed her eyes, certain she recognised this figure.

"Sorry, Barks, you're going to find another group of suckers to tolerate her," Adam said.

"I do recall you, yes. Alchemist, wasn't it?"

"Troublemaker," Adam corrected.

"Unfortunately, I'm in a hurry. Thirty gold a day to your party."

"Nope," Adam replied.

"Forty?"

"Nu uh."

"Fifty gold a day?"

"Even if you paid a hundred gold coin each, I wouldn't subject myself to you. Last time, I wanted to go about my life, and you had to go and mess around. I don't need your coin."

"This is business, dear, nothing personal," the woman replied, a merchant's smile plastering her lips, and a rich woman's annoyance creasing her forehead.

"The first time we met, you were so rude to me. Now that you need me, and it's inconvenient for you, you want me to forget? I'm too rich to be dealing with your nonsense any more, miss." Adam leaned back, inhaling deeply, the taste of satisfaction upon his lips.

"Isn't there anyone else who is dependable?" The woman bit her lower lip, and rubbed her rings with her palm. Barks shrugged his shoulders to the merchant.

"If you want a group that's Bronze, we've got a few. Steel? You're going to have to wait."

"Damn it!" As though Fate had wished to answer her prayers, a few hours later, a group of figures entered the Guild, each who were well armed and armoured, most in chain, their leader in full plate, each wearing deep red scarves.

'Oh,' Adam thought.

'Red Scarf, right?'

"Aha!" the merchant called, rushing up to the fellows.

"The Divine have blessed me! Sir Stephen!"

"Yes?" Stephen replied, eyeing up the woman for a moment.

"How may I assist, miss?"

"I was praying to the Divine to send me a group of great warriors, and thus the Divine have brought to me such fine warriors. I require escorting to Jaghi immediately."

"We will not be able to leave today, but if you are willing, we can arrange to leave tomorrow morning."

"That is acceptable," she said, shaking the man's hands with her own.

"Unlike other petty adventurers, you are not only strong, but of good company."

"Red Neck Stephen, wasn't it?" Adam called.

"It's been a while."

"Has it?" Stephen replied, before narrowing his eyes.

"Yes. A short while. Last year?"

"I fought Eddard," Adam said.

"Black Blade, was it?"

"Black Blood," Stephen corrected.

"You fought well."

"Thank you." Adam smiled.

"I know it's rude of me to ask, but would you be willing to spar?"

"What is the purpose of the spar?"

"I'd like to gain some Experience." Adam's lips twitched into a small smile.

"I want to know the difference between you and I."

"I am similar in strength to Black Blood," Red Neck said, glancing aside to notice the Iyrman who had an eye on him.

"I fear I would only disappoint you."

'What am I even doing? She riled me up and now I want to fight Red Neck Stephen? He's apparently one of the nicest guys around.'

"Ah, I'm sure you must be tired from your journey, how could I be so rude to ask you to spar now. Sorry about that, Sir." Red Neck bowed his head politely towards the half elf.

'Wait a second.'

"Sir Stephen, do you by any chance wield a magical weapon?"

"I do."

"Is it rude to ask what it does?"

"It is Greater Enhanced, and strikes harder than a typical weapon of its appearance," the man replied calmly.

"Do all of your companions possess magical weapons?" Stephen remained silent for a long moment.

"No, two do not."

"Which weapons do your companions prefer to use, the two without magical weapons?"

"…" Stephen furrowed his brows slightly.

"Pike and greatblade."

"Good to know. Well, apparently you're about to make some coin, so if you need magical items, we sell some at our business, the United Kindom. If you follow the road west from Red Oak, right at the border of the Iyr, you'll find our business.

"Which magical weapons?"

"Basic or Greater."

"How much are your Basic weapons."

"Typically around a thousand."

"Unfortunately, that will be difficult to procure for some time, as we often accept whatever little coin the commonfolk offer."

'Ah! I knew I wanted to make this deal for a reason.'

"Well, perhaps we could… work out a deal?"

"What kind of deal?"

"The merchant is about to offer your party fifty gold a day for your journey to Jaghi. Let's say, five hundred gold total, for two Basic weapons, and a favour from the Red Scarves?"

"We will consider it." Adam bowed his head.

"It's an honour to formally meet a hero like you, Sir."

"You as well, Adam."

'He's a merchant who works for an enchanter?' the woman thought, entirely befuddled by the conversation.

'A favour?' Jurot thought, wondering if part of the favour could be a spar with Red Neck Stephen. The group decided to relax that day, having no idea the old faces they'd see tomorrow.