Chương 398: Chapter 387 - Mother Virelle

Swords flashed along the riverbank. Despite their speed, the sound stayed dull, almost muted, as if the blades brushed the wind itself. Alonso's boot slid forward slightly, his left blade skimming the water and sending a fan of droplets ahead of him. An instant later his right sword flickered, every single drop split cleanly in two before they had even begun to fall. He exhaled, lowered both blades, and steadied his breath a moment later. He looked up at the sun, burning bright overhead.

It had been around six days since he left Riviera. He had travelled far enough in that time to circle Earth two or three times over. And this was only a loop inside one region of a single kingdom in this world. The scale of this stage—the planet it was based on—felt like it defied all common sense, making even Jupiter back in their solar system seem small. Yet… he had seen a lot.

The two Dungeons aside, he had seen natural wonders, sweeping views, lively towns, marching soldiers, caravans, and even a group of mounted knights in stylish armour from afar. As for himself… he had made great progress too since his fight against Jack a week ago. Stage 1 – 33. 643% ➤ 38. 000% Will Manifest – 10. 782% ➤ 13. 257% The two pieces of Grade 4 gear he had obtained suited him well, both the ring that improved wave output and a gauntlet that enhanced reaction time.

He hoped he could avoid selling them when he returned. According to Houston, his current Power Index, all things accounted, should be somewhere between 11, 000 and 12, 000. The only regret was that his two other skills were still at a bottleneck. No-Strike – 20. 999% Path of Shards –20. 999% He exhaled. It was time to head back. After a quick dip in the river to get a much-needed wash, he got dressed and swung the backpack over his shoulders, now heavy with tempering materials, gear, and orbs.

He stared at the horizon and took one steady breath. A moment later, he drove his foot into the ground and exploded forward, dirt and pebbles blasting outward in a sharp burst. Speed built almost instantly, the world compressing into streaks as he pushed past Mach 2, wind howling in his ears while Path of Shards warped his outline into a wavering blur.

Minutes passed as the scenery flashed through his eyes in a smear of green, stone, and sky, treetops bending in his wake and loose leaves spiralling into the air behind him. Shortly after, he slowed, cursing at himself.

"Shit…" His gaze dropped to his waist, where the package Gregor had given him hung, the one he was meant to deliver to an old friend of his living here in the north. With everything else going through his head, it had completely slipped his mind. And this was serious. The Guild Master had promised him to waive off 100 Silvermarks of his debts, and 5000 merit points, if he could do him this small favor. Luckily he remembered while he was still nearby. That was a good call.

He focused on the region's map he had in his mind, routes and rivers overlaying the land like faint lines of light, and then looked around. It should be just a few minutes East from here… what was the name again… Hearth… Hearthvale, right. He passed several trees and cliffs as he kept moving, boots barely touching stone as he angled across a hill, grass flattening in a line beneath him.

Eventually, he reached a region where the canopies grew thicker, sunlight breaking into scattered golden beams through the leaves, until, almost hidden from the world… he found it. A small, cozy-looking settlement nestled in a shallow dip of the land, like a hidden village in the middle of the forest. Alonso slowed down to a casual walk to avoid disturbing anyone and calmly made his way to the entrance… or well, what seemed like it. Just a widening of the path where flowers had been planted along the sides.

The town really had no borders, or guards, or anything to protect itself for that matter. It gave off a very nice vibe. Soft colours, a few wooden cottages, wind chimes turning gently, and neatly arranged patches of hand-grown vegetables and fruit trees casting shade here and there. As he walked in, he saw a man chopping wood beside a stump, sleeves rolled, axe rising and falling in steady rhythm. The man stopped to look at him, first with a frown, then a hearty smile that creased his weathered face.

"Howdy, traveler?" he said.

"Got business with Mother Virelle, I suppose?" Alonso nodded.

"Yes," he answered.

"Do you know if she may be available?" he said, looking around.

"I've got a delivery for her from a friend."

"Oh, sure, lad," the man grinned and pointed toward the back, past a line of cottages where children's laughter drifted faintly on the air.

"She should be in the orphanage now with the kids. She probably knows you are already here, though." The man smiled, gave a small wave, and went back to chopping the logs. Alonso looked ahead. Mother, huh? Was it some sort of orphanage run by the Church? From the man's reaction, it was clear they didn't fear strangers at all. Then again, given Gregor's strength, it was possible Virelle was a powerhouse herself, making this place a peaceful haven for others. Intrigued, he followed the well-kept paths.

For some reason, he felt no EM waves in the air, no clever artefacts humming beneath the surface, everything oddly grounded, like a town untouched by such things. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. He soon reached the largest building in the settlement, a wide stone-and-wood hall with a sloped roof of dark tiles and ivy climbing the walls. The faint sound of children's laughter drifted from within.

As he stood there, a voice echoed in his mind." Come in." He blinked, caught off guard by how he'd heard it without sensing any pulse. Strange. Still, he stepped inside. Gregor's friend likely meant him no harm… right? Children played in the central yard, their laughter bright as they chased one another between chalk drawings and wooden toys. Beyond them stood a kind old woman in a simple, long robe of pale linen. She wore a modest wooden pendant, and her silver hair was tied neatly behind her head.

Alonso bowed respectfully.

"Mother Virelle, I presume," he said.

"Yes, my child," she replied, voice soft and soothing.

"How is McCarther doing?"

"He… well, I suppose he's doing well," Alonso said.

"Can't really say much, to be honest."

"I see." She studied him a moment longer.

"Please, follow me, young man." He nodded, and they moved into a small office inside the orphanage. Shelves lined with jars of herbs and bundles of dried flowers stood along the walls, and a narrow desk sat by the window, sunlight filtering through thin curtains.

"Please, take a seat," she said, gesturing. They sat. Her hand made a small, graceful motion, and two cups floated gently from a side table, one settling before her, the other before him. Alonso stared at it. The scent was warm and calming.

"It's homemade tea," she said.

"I hope it's to your liking."

"Thank you," he replied, taking a sip. Warmth spread through him almost at once, a calm, steadying sensation that settled deeper than the taste itself.

"I imagine the journey from Riviera was no small one," Virelle said after sipping from her own cup.

"It wasn't," Alonso admitted, nodding.

"Long roads, changing lands. But a good journey all the same."

"That is often how the best ones are," she said with a gentle smile.

"So tell me, child… how did you come to meet old McCarther? From what I recall of him, he would not send just anyone, only someone he trusts, for a task like this." Really? Alonso blinked. He appreciated the Guild Master's trust, but… wasn't this just a delivery? He briefly recounted their short interaction, keeping to the story he and the others had agreed upon—that they had come from a distant kingdom in the southeast of Brithelm, seeking a new beginning.

Virelle listened with quiet interest, asking about his name, his travels, the road behind him, yet never prying too sharply.

"Well, it is good you met McCarther," she said at last.

"Despite his… rowdy nature, he is a very kind and reliable man. With his backing, you will have a smoother road ahead, Alonso."

"Thank you, Mother Virelle," he replied respectfully. She chuckled softly.

"By now you must be tired of this old woman's chatter."

"Not at all."

"Mmm." She nodded.

"Still, I should not delay you longer than needed. Would you hand me the package, Alonso?" He did so. Virelle held it a moment, then looked at him with a knowing smile.

"I suppose you are curious about what it holds?" He chuckled.

"I can't say I'm not." The oilcloth folds loosened on their own, revealing a small green core within, pulsing faintly like a slow, living heartbeat.

"This is a Natura Essence Seed," she explained gently.

"It helps the land remain fertile and strong." Alonso watched the soft glow, surprised. So things like this existed too, huh. Yet something told him this was far from being common.

"It will keep Hearthvale prosperous for years to come," she continued.

"We take from the forest, so we must also give back to it."

"That's really kind of you," Alonso said. Virelle smiled at him, then glanced out the window toward the forest beyond, sunlight filtering through leaves in soft green layers.

"May I ask a small favour while you are here, Alonso? It won't take long, but… I hope it makes a difference."

"Of course," he replied. He had a good impression of her. The woman felt like the personification of a saint, honestly, and he also owed Gregor at least this much.

"Many of the children here dream of becoming Knights and Adventurers one day," she said gently.

"You can imagine why. Most of the stories are about them, and I cannot blame them. Even I, in my youth, walked that road for a time… I travelled with Gregor in the old days." A faint nostalgia touched her smile before she faced him once more.

"Would you spend a little time with them? A few words and some flashy moves would mean the world to them." Alonso blinked once, then nodded.

"It would be my pleasure." She led him back into the courtyard, sunlight spilling across worn stone. The weather was mild, the air fresh and clean, carrying the faint scent of flowers. Virelle guided him toward the children, who stood facing him in a loose line, quiet and surprisingly well-behaved.

"This here is Alonso Shemson," she said warmly, and a dozen wide eyes fixed on him at once.

"He is a famous Adventurer who was passing by, and kindly agreed to greet you."

"An Adventurer?!" One child burst out before he could stop himself, and the rest lit up instantly. Virelle only smiled, stepping aside. The children gathered around him in seconds.

"Have you slain dragons!?"

"Can I hold your sword, mister?"

"Can you fly?"

"Can you smash a mountain with a punch?" Alonso laughed under his breath. Some requests were simple. Others… not so much. And famous Adventurer? Virelle had certainly raised expectations. Still, he played along. His sword lifted from his hip and began circling slowly above them, steel glinting as it moved in smooth arcs that made them gasp. He lowered it carefully and let one boy grip the hilt while his waves lightened the weight just enough for the child to swing it, guiding each motion so no one stood in danger.

He hoisted another kid onto his shoulders and broke into a short sprint, leaping over a low wall in a clean arc that drew shrieks of laughter. With a subtle push of his waves, he let another stand balanced on the flat of his blade, hovering just above the ground as he walked a slow circle, steady and controlled. The courtyard filled with noise. Bright, unrestrained laughter. Time slipped by, and his shoulders loosened without him noticing.

For a while, there were no monsters, no blood, no pressure clawing at his mind to grow stronger. Just— Then suddenly… everything vanished. Alonso blinked, and he found himself in a plain wooden room. He stood there frozen for a moment, until clarity struck suddenly… this, his virtual world? He looked around, a bit dizzy, until his eyes landed on—"Houston? What… why did you bring me here?" Houston's face seemed odd, a bit pale, and Alonso felt something was very wrong about it.

"Alonso… listen to me carefully, and please… remain calm," Houston said very carefully. Alonso frowned. What the heck was going on?

"Houston, where… the kids? Where… am I sleeping or something?" Houston shook his head.

"Alonso… just listen," Houston took a deep breath.

"There are no kids." What…

"There is no Mother Virelle, and there is no town in the middle of the forest." Alonso froze, a cold sensation hitting him hard…

"What… what do you mean… this, this, the package Gregor sent me to deliver…" Houston shook his head.

"Alonso… Gregor never gave you any package."