A New Dawn 85 An Unexpected Proposition

The crowd immediately separated itself in front of Meridiana as soon as she began to walk toward the Guild. Right now, no one dared to even slow her down for a second, fearing that they would be the next to be laying on the ground like beaten dogs. Hearing the clamor, everyone inside was a bit baffled by it. For them, it was logical that the group of experienced adventurers would crush the arrogant rookie, even if she was extremely strong. Because of the duel, however, the receptionist was completely free to just submit under the bored stare of Davion.

Whether she was extremely sensitive or not, the cute woman felt that the giant near her was more terrifying than even the most bloodthirsty warrior she ever saw. She did try to begin a conversation with him, but each time, the only answer she received was just a slight movement of his helmet. That simple thing increased the pressure on her so much that she had to curl up more and more. She truly wished that his companion will lose as quickly as possible, to make both of them go away. Even if they were adventurers, they were already labeled by her as people to avoid as much as possible.

"That's done, we can go now." The sweet and seductive voice of the succubus made everyone raise their head and look at her. Her iron armor was still as shiny as before, without making anyone believe that she fought a minute ago. But the fact that she was standing like that fearlessly meant only one thing. She had won. Behind her was a big influx of people entering as well, spreading what they saw from the battle.

On the other hand, unlike one could have expected, the main protagonist of the entire ordeal was leaving with her companion. And as much as she wanted the giant in his dark armor to disappear, the receptionist knew that she couldn't let the two leave like that. "Wait, please." But her shout was swallowed by the immense ruckus that was caused by all the discussions. Seeing them not responding at all, she screamed for good. "WAIT!"

She managed to grab the attention of Davion and some of the closest adventurers. The orodil grabbed the shoulder of Meridiana and nodded his head toward the young woman behind her desk. Since they were there, they felt that they could see what she wanted. But before they got any closer, the succubus felt a fierce killing intent targeting her, making her stop in her tracks. Davion felt it too, be unlike the succubus, he was far more used to that sensation. He was, after all, regularly sent to fight on enemy planets and not inside already conquered worlds.

Shaking a bit his companion, Davion decided to just deal with the threat himself. He still hadn't made a single move in this country, at least, openly. Disregarding everyone in his path, he carelessly b.u.mped into the humans that weren't quick enough to step aside. Just this projected the unfortunate ones on the ground, making the rest understand that it was not in their interest to stand their ground.

At the end of his path, the orodil saw the instructor that was supposedly in charge of training and testing the new recruits. Also, the very same man that asked them to strip and forced them to do useless things just to repair the damage done. That human was waiting for him to approach, smiling like a wolf staring at his prey. Even if he was only wearing some light clothes, the way he stood was as domineering as one could be in a set of an indestructible armor. Like he was invincible.

"So she beat them, eh. What about you, big boy? You are strong like her or weak like them?" He was taunting Davion, but his target was not some hot-blooded moron that could be influenced by mere words. After seeing that it was all the strange man wanted to ask, the orodil just joined Meridiana at met the receptionist. Even without looking back, he knew that the instructor probably had an unsightly face. From the looks everyone sent toward him, he seemed to be heavily respected by everyone.

"The Guild Master wants to meet you. Both of you." The pretty human added the last sentence when Davion came back. Previously, she talked a bit with Meridiana but it was just some casual introductions. However, the most important information was transmitted, being the fact that her superior was interest in them.

"Lead the way." Meridiana ordered the receptionist around, but the latter only bowed and brought them toward the stairs. The situation inside the vast wall was still a bit chaotic, with everyone talking about the duel outside. So, she could probably be absent for a few minutes without anyone being bothered. If it had been another city, it would have been fine because they had more employees. But this region was a bit barren, because of its proximity to the fallen Kingdom of Pankow and the uncharted mountains.

The floor they ended up was pretty small, with only a single corridor and two doors. Most of the infrastructures were on the ground and a few were even underground. As for the first floor, it was only composed of the apartments of the Guild Master and the meeting room. That was toward the latter that the receptionist was leading them. After knocking on the door and hearing the sound of a small bell, she opened the door and prompted the two aliens to enter it. Afterward, she closed it and walked toward her post behind the desk.

The interior of the room was filled with exquisite goods, whether it was the chairs, the table or the rest of the furniture. A man, in his forties, was calmly and slowly moving his spoon in the cup in front of him. Putting the spoon aside, he began to sniff the contents of his cup, and feeling that it was not good enough, began to form a small fire under it. "[Fire]" After getting the perfect temperature, he enjoyed his tea, from the strong odor, and finally looked at the two intruders.

"You have caused quite a lot of issues. And your records could be considered, quite unusual. In fact, it could be even more, since you managed to kill a monster from under the mountains for your first task. Disregarding the rules, not wanting to submit to a simple test, injuring your fellow peers after they slandered you, and finally, won an impossible fight. Have I resumed everything?"

He was looking neither angry or happy, just blatantly stating all the information he had. Without any emotions, he just picked up his cup once more, waiting for an answer. Turning her head, Meridiana looked at Davion, and saw him nodding. It comforted her greatly since it was his way of saying that he was capable of killing their enemy. Of course, the orodil could be wrong, but he was not the kind of being that would overestimate himself or underestimate his opponent. Removing her helmet, she let loose her hair, managing to make the man in front of them froze for a second.

"Yes, Guild Master. What task do you have for the two of us?" Instead of a mature and seductive voice, she was as sweet as a teenager. Even her face looked visibly young, even younger than the receptionist or Gwendoline. She hadn't expected for a man like him to be attracted so much by a young girl. It was not to the point of her looking like a child, but it was not far either.

"I … I didn't expect you to be this young. I heard … never mind." His previously impa.s.sive face was getting a bit fl.u.s.tered. Even without using her magic, a lot of people were truly losing control over their emotions when facing their inner desire. Right now, Meridiana was the incarnation of what he loved, taking him by surprise. Shaking his head, all the previously confused emotions were cleared and he regained his composure.

"Because you are strangers of this city, you are weirdly enough the less suspect in a certain case. You see, adventurers don't always face monsters. Sometimes, what could be asked would be related to people that forgot the fact that they were human. Usually, those are bandits, criminals, and kidnappers that do a lot of wrongs to our society. But this is related to a cult worshipping the Dark G.o.ds. I can't trust anyone, but we have found that certain members of even the City Hall could be accomplices of this cult. That's why I want you to investigate that."

Hopefully, for the two former commandants, they were master at controlling their emotions in grave situations. Before, it was because they were carefree and could vent a bit the tensions that built up after their arrival on this planet. But now that Leilade was personally supervising them, all their actions will be professional. Like now, all the man could see was a poor girl being deeply surprised by what he saw. A hint of fear and anger was even subtly visible like she felt the same as him.

"This can't be. How could that happen? What kind of evil deeds this terrible cult performed on the innocent citizens of Archet?" Meridiana was perfectly playing a poor girl a bit afraid of such a dark force. At the same time, it was normal for her to be curious about it, and ask questions. Noticing nothing that couldn't be explained, the man that could be father adopted a more paternal att.i.tude.

"They were extremely secretive. All the last night did someone notice that a guard was missing. It could have been explained, but that guard didn't come back. After investigating a bit, a certain pattern was found out, where this man went missing during several nights. At the exact same time, other employees at strategic positions have disappeared. In one of their home, a book lying about the Heroes and the Dark G.o.ds was found. This is why I need external help. And you arrived at the best time, you couldn't have, in two weeks, be approached."

Behind her worried face, Meridiana was inwardly laughing. Who would have thought that they were so in the dark about what was happening inside the city? Even a lowly member of the Black Gauntlet knew more than the Guild Master. Well, one was specialized in gathering information while the other was in charge of dealing with a ma.s.sive amount of adventurers. So, it could be explained.

"Of course, we will do whatever you want us to do. We will not let those madmen destroyed such a beautiful city. But … I know that you are giving us a very important … we are just adventurers, not some spies. So, we will try our best, but we can't promise anything."

She was visibly embarra.s.sed by saying that they had a weakness, making the heart of the man melt a bit. Even after he tried to convince himself to be impartial, he had a very hard time not rushing and comforting such an innocent young woman. As for the silent giant near her, he didn't even glance at him since the beginning.

"Of course, I know that this is a very hard task. The Mayor is also trying to understand the ramification of such event, like the n.o.bles and the merchants that know about it. But at the same time, whoever they will choose to investigate, they will have a small amount of distrust, not knowing if that man or woman is also a traitor. As for you, take this." He threw a small insignia, with a symbol neither Meridiana or Davion saw before. The man laughed at the surprised face of Meridiana. That only confirmed the fact that they were truly not from here, otherwise, they would have recognized it.

"With this, the guards won't bother you. I know it is just a faint hope to uncover anything, but if you find something, anything, report it immediately. I, and the entire city of Archet will reward you greatly. More than you can imagine."

For the first time, the two aliens felt that they were lucky. They managed to convert a powerful magician without even having to completely mind control him. They found a pretty and brave woman to appease the population afterward. And they will even be rewarded for the inevitable disaster that they brought to this city. As for if her smile was mistaken for something else, the succubus was totally innocent.