Chapter 1: Prologue: Dame Priscilla

The clear sky was a sign of relief for most, those without a place to stay have to struggle against nature’s might. Inside an inn’s room was filled with chatter from the floor below them, a paladin wore a battered blackened steel armor, symbol of his lineage. The dim light that came from the moon outside was the only source to keep the room bright. He was trying to fix the helmet on his head, it was bent near the visor so he couldn’t pull it up.

“Rein, why don’t you take that off?“

The soft voice came from behind him, a young teenage elf was sitting on the side of the small bed while tending to her bow. Her hair was blond and short just above her shoulders, both dark green eyes were focused on the job at hand.

She wore an iron kettle helmet and a white light gambeson that covered her chest and arms, she wore black pants with leather boots.

“We’ll move soon so it makes little difference.”

“Even so, taking a breath without that lump of metal on your head will make you feel better in no time.“

He grunted behind the protection, but nevertheless he removed the helmet, his hair was jet black and eyes were dark blue, his face was of nobility but little around him represented that. She took a second to look at him.

“Now that looks way better.”

“You just wanted to see my face didn’t you?”

She giggled playfully.

“Yeah, so what are you going to do?”

“I should have left you outside.”

“Hey don’t you think that’s too cruel?”

A sudden knock came from behind the wooden door, she pulled a dagger from the nearby bag she kept her things stored, he unsheathed his arming sword before approaching the door.

“Who is it?”

“Some royalty folk wanted to talk to ya.”

“I’ll be there shortly.”

He heard footsteps going away, he relaxed for a moment before sheathing the blade again.

“Elaine, we’ll be going out tonight.”

“Here then.” She handed him a sac of gold. “We still need to pay them.”

He nodded.

“Yeah… let’s go.”

He opened the door and lowered his head to walk out to the hallway, the narrow passage and poor condition of the wooden floor showed just how expensive the place really was to stay. They climbed down the staircase, the bar hall was full of people, drinks and food were being served by women while the crowd loudly cheered while toasting.

But not everything was happiness or cheers, knights with the royal family crest were standing between them and the exit, two from the three wielded spears while who seemed to be the captain had a greatsword on his back.

“Reinhardt of Lorraine. I believe you know the reason why we are here.”

“Yes. Here it is. Fifty silver coins.”

He handed the sac of coin to him, the weight leaving his hand was just another reminder of how low he stood against them.

“Next week your debt with the church will be collected, make it double by next week.”

“You-!”

The elf gritted her teeth.

“Leave it be Elaine.” He pulled her to the opposite side. “We’ll have it by then. Now if you excuse us.”

They exited the inn. The dark street was dimly lit by moonlight, both adventurers stepped out onto the cold of the night.

“Where will we go now? We don’t have much left.”

Elaine measured the weight of her purse.

“Don’t worry too much about it, first let’s go to the guild, we’ll find work there.”

“I hope we make enough to rest in an inn at least-”

She was about to tie the purse to her belt when a small but nimble hand caught it from behind.

“A thief!”

It was dark and the thief wore a ragged brown cloak making it even more difficult to see who it was.

Silent footsteps like the wind, that’s no ordinary thief…!

The elf in one smooth motion drew her longbow, the bodkin arrow was strong enough to pierce through mail, if she shot it surely would kill a person at that range.

“Don’t shoot it.”

Reinhardt touched her shoulder.

“But Rein that’s-”

“A thief, I know. But in this part of the town, I’m sure they can’t even find food for themselves.” He patted her shoulder. "Let’s go, we can just make more money in the dungeon.”

She lowered the bow, letting the thief go.

“You’re too generous, Rein. That was about thirty silvers.”

“I’m not a saint, but they need money just as much as we do, maybe even more.”

“…”

The slow but steady walk brought them to the center of town, a more illuminated area with guards patrolling and midnight services being held outside the brothels, the streets were wider and well maintained, the magical stone stands held orbs of light that swayed back and forth while doing its job.

“I never imagined working as an adventurer. First time for everything I guess.”

Her comment had its roots however, a high ranked servant such as her never found income in such ways.

“Not that many have the luck that we have Elaine.”

“…”

“Just like that thief from before. We can raise weapons against a human but them? They steal without doing harm, they are probably aware that what they’re doing is wrong.”

“You’re too good for your own good Rein.”

“I often get told that.”

He laughed.

After briskly walking the streets they finally found themselves in front of a large wooden building, the warrior guild, members that adopt the way of the blade often find honest work here. The wooden double doors gave entrance to the great hall inside, many men and women alike were searching for assignments to claim coins. A bar located to the left side of the building was full of adventurers, probably those who were fortunate enough to come back from the dungeon. On the right, blacksmiths had stalls to show and sell their creations, fine weapons and armor crafted from the metal found below was a way for those who wouldn’t dare to enter the dungeon to gain their living.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“Oh hello there.”

A female voice came from the side as they entered.

“You came earlier to register your party right?”

She was smaller than Elaine, a woman with silver hair and golden eyes, she was beautiful, her clothing was a formal suit with a white shirt underneath, black pants and low heels, on her hip there was a rapier and a flintlock pistol for defense.

“Yes, I’m Reinhardt and she’s my companion, Elaine.”

“We are acquaintances already, Rein. I did the paperwork, remember?”

“Ah.”

She let out a short laugh.

“Hahaha, don’t worry I remember you, your height is quite remarkable. But what brings you here? Are you looking for work?”

“Yes, specifically one that pays well.”

“Hm… to your rank… we do have a slaying quest, defeat four kobolds, the payout is twenty silver.”

“We’ll do it.”

“Here.” The guild girl handed a leather bag to him. “Make sure to cut the kobold’s left ear and store them in this bag, I’ll be here all night so you can just hand it to me when you’re done.”

She handed out a leather sac to him.

“How hard is it to kill those things?”

Elaine asked while putting her bow against her shoulder.

“Not much more than your average goblin or slime, they tend to walk in groups of two up to four, if you take your time to defeat them it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Can they attack at range?”

Reinhardt had a worried tone.

“From what I know no kobold was ever seen using another weapon other than their claws or a club, they can throw it, though it’s a rare occurrence. Your defense shouldn’t be a problem, plus you have her archery skills to deal with them far away.”

Elaine hit his back with a light punch.

“See I’m useful.”

“You’re too cocky.”

He patted her helmet, making it fall in front of her eyes.

“Hehe.”

He turned to the receptionist.

“Do we have a time limit?”

“It’s two days.”

“Two days huh. Alright then, where do we sign in?”

“Here follow me.”

She led them to the central counter, she pulled a form underneath and placed in front of them with a fountain pen.

“Just sign your names here, if I’m not around just show your tags to another receptionist and they’ll give you the reward for completing it.”

They both took turns to write down their names. Reinhardt almost signed with his family’s name but refrained from doing so, his nobility status was not important anymore.

“Alright thanks, we’ll be on our way.”

“Ah wait!”

She ran around the counter while carrying two red vials she took from beneath it.

“Hm?”

“These are potions we hand out for new adventurers, while I believe you two are strong enough to deal with them, it's our policy to give them out. Here.”

She smiled while handing the glass vials.

“Thank you. These will come in handy.”

He held her hands carefully and took the vials. She smiled before saying.

“I uh… wish you two good luck.”

“Thank you. We’ll be going now.”

Reinhardt handed the glass vials to Elaine, which placed them inside the bag she carried on her back.

From the bar, other adventurers were looking at the new duo with disgust.

“Heh look at that guy. Big and dumb as a rock.”

A man in light steel armor said while pointing the mug towards him. Another man joined the group, he was holding a piece of meat by the bone.

“Now, they’re beginners, can’t be too rough on ‘em.”

“Pshh, beginners, such a thing doesn’t exist. You either go there and live or die like a fool.”

“Says the man who’s stuck on floor four. Mhahahahaha!”

“Could you all shut up? I’m trying to eat in peace.”

A large young man was sitting on a stool near the two, a greatsword was hanging on his left shoulder by a leather strap. His armor was polished hardened steel gauntlets and boots, his muscular back was seen through the tattered white shirt and the brown pants had slash marks all over it.

“Huh? Who do you think you’re talking to?”

The first man slammed the mug on the table.

“A fool and a weakling, if you think you’re better than the new guy go challenge him instead of bragging about your shit skills with the sword.”

“What the hell do you want to pick a fight!?”

Before he could insult him, the young man hit his face with an elbow strike, grabbed his shirt and threw him on the other man that was ready to unsheathe his weapon. Both fell on the ground, some people nearby saw the commotion and moved away, others went over to see it.

The young man lifted him with his left hand.

“So teeth or nose?”

“Ugh… fuck you.”

“Both it is then.”

He was about to punch him but a great force kept him from doing so. Reinhardt was right behind him holding his wrist.

“I would like you to stop.”

“Huh?”

He threw the man aside like he was trash.

“Well who gave you permission to stop me?”

“Just cease this unnecessary violence.”

“Heh you’re sure big. But that said, bigger they are the harder they fall.”

He yanked his arm back and dropped into a battle stance. Reinhardt stepped back with his arms raised in a defensive position.

“Pff… Hahahahaha! No, I can't fight you at all.”

The young man straightened his legs, abandoning the fighting stance and lifting his chin. His smile was pure mockery.

“You have no malice, it’s no fun. Plus your elf back there was ready to shoot her bow.”

Reinhardt looked behind him, but Elaine had already pulled the arrow away.

“Stop this pointless fight! Right now!”

The receptionist was holding her flintlock pistol and defusing the trouble around.

The young man instead pulled the scabbard onto his shoulder and walked away.

“Don’t die out there big guy.”

Reinhardt and Elaine followed him with their eyes while he left the crowded place.

“Rein.”

“Hm?”

“He’s a dangerous man.”

“I can tell.”

He turned to look at the receptionist trying to put the guild in order.

“We should go to the dungeon.”

“Agreed.”

Outside, the young man was walking out of the central area towards the outskirts of town, but a figure wearing a dark robe approached him.

“What do you want?”

“We require your services, slay the fifth floor boss. And bring it’s ectoplasm.”

The figure left two pouches of coins on the ground. He moved to grab it and stood again, but there was no one there, but inside, it was full of gold coins.

He smiled.

“This will do.”