The mission became quite profitable, I acquired much money for slaying the Manticore, mainly gold coins, which I added to my previous rewards. Let's say that money is no longer an issue.
I am currently A-ranked, and I have a platinum plaque hanging around my neck, but now there are no missions that could raise my Rank. Therefore, I completed B and C-rank missions. It was slow, but maybe I can achieve an S-rank.
"Why are you so serious?" Missa asked from across the counter.
"Nothing, just thinking." I replied, sipping my ale.
"Do you mind telling me what those thoughts are?" Missa leaned on the counter, smiling at me.
"I am just thinking about how beautiful your eyes are."
"Oh, thank you!" Missa's face turned red as she looked away.
"Thank you for what? I said nothing." I replied confused.
"You dummy, don't play with maidens' hearts like that." Missa joked, poking the tip of my helmet.
"Seriously? So why don't you tell me what you wish me to say? Do you want me to compliment your beautiful hair? Your wonderful smile? Or do you prefer something more physical?"
"Not here, I'm on my work schedule." Missa's face turned even redder as she looked around.
What does she mean by that? I said nothing.
"Could you bring me another drink?" I said, offering my mug.
"Of course, I will be right back!" Missa stammered as she left to refill my mug.
Weird…
"HAHAHA!"
-XXXXXX-
"HAHAHA!" Eupherbia chuckled from inside Edric's pouch.
"Humans, it's so easy to mess with their feelings! Let's see if I can find something to have fun." Eupherbia said, poking her head out of Edric's bag and looking around.
The tavern was in its usual condition, with people drinking, eating, talking, and gambling until Eupherbia saw something that had the potential to generate an interesting situation.
Two circular tables; one close to the other and with a man sitting at each table, their chairs back to back.
"Hm... Let's see what I can do."
Quickly, Eupherbia slipped out of Edric's bag and flew upward before anyone saw her until she reached the rafter between the wooden beams that supported the tavern, landing and walking on it until she stood above the tables.
"It is time to start." Eupherbia said as she pointed a finger at one of the men's head's back. Magic formed on her fingertip, firing a small beam toward its target, being equivalent to a strong slap.
"OUCH!" The man at the table on the right screamed as his head flew forward, drawing the attention of the people around him.
"What the hell was that?!" The man demanded from the second one at the table beside him as he rubbed his sore head.
"I don't know what you're talking about." The second man replied confused.
The first man, seeing the confusion on the second one's face, returned to his seat as he mumbled.
"HAHAHA!" Eupherbia laughed and pointed her finger at the second man, firing another beam.
"DAMN IT!" The second man yelled, turning to the first man.
"What have I done to you?!" The second man demanded, confusing the first man.
"I'm sorry but are you talking to me?"
The second man grumbled and returned to his seat.
"HAHAHA!" Eupherbia laughed once more, pointed both indexes at both men's heads, and fired a magic beam simultaneously.
"SON OF A…!"
"YOU BASTARD!"
Both men stood up and glared at each other.
"You must find that funny, right?" The first man asked.
"Strange, I would ask the same." The second man replied, balling his hand into a fist before punching the first man's face, calling the attention of the entire tavern.
The first man fell against the table where he sat earlier, grabbing a plate full of food and throwing it towards his assailant.
"TAKE THIS!"
The plate flew away but failed to hit its target, hitting instead the face of an unrelated bystander who stood up, grabbed his chair, and threw it towards the two fighting men.
They stepped out of the way, but the chair hit another customer who stood up from the floor, grabbed a glass bottle, and ran towards the fight with a war cry.
Soon, a brawl broke loose in the tavern, and tables and chairs flew everywhere, hitting unsuspecting customers and increasing the number of individuals involved in the fight.
Meanwhile, a fairy laughed and watched.
-XXXXXX-
"Here is your drink." Missa said, placing the mug on the counter
"Thank you! Tell me; shouldn't you try to stop the fight?" I asked, drinking and pointing at the brawn behind me.
"Don't worry, this is normal around here. I will allow this as long as they pay for the damages, otherwise we will have a problem." Missa replied, closing her eyes while smiling and slamming her fist into her palm.
"If you're fine with it." I shrugged and tried to drink again, but spilled some due to a bottle breaking on the back of my helmet.
CRASH!
"Are you okay?" Missa asked worriedly.
"Yes, I've been hit by worse." I replied.
"If you say so, I think working as an adventurer eventually gets you used to taking blows."
"You can't imagine."
"Speaking of adventurers, you have become a famous adventurer, sir knight."
"Seriously? I didn't know."
"You have to listen to the stories, a knight in shining armor accompanied by a black dragon has traveled across Midgard, slaying monsters, capturing bandits, and protecting the innocent. You look like a fairytale character; a beautiful princess to pledge your eternal love it is all you need now." Missa smiled teasingly, I couldn't help but laugh a little.
"HAHAHA! Me, a fairytale hero? I can't imagine myself as one, don't believe all the stories they tell you, and considering my luck, the princess I meet might be a disguised demon."
"Do not say that, you are ruining the tales I heard as a child!" Missa crossed her arms annoyed.
"HAHAHA! I'm sorry about that; I'll try to be more of a gentleman in the future."
"I hope so."
I tried to drink again, but a chair to the back interrupted me this time.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Missa asked again.
"Yes, I am." I replied with annoyance in my voice.
"Changing the subject, I heard interesting rumors about you." Missa said, looking around the tavern.
"What rumors, exactly?"
"That you possess some kind of miraculous power that can cure any illness or injury."
I'm not surprised that rumors appeared due to what I did, probably one more exaggerated than the last. I'm not proficient with healing miracles, so these people should stop searching for me and search for a capable cleric.
"As I said before Missa, don't believe all the stories they tell you, I only did small good deeds for these people, but I believe there are more capable healers for the task."
"You may doubt yourself Edric, but the people you helped are grateful." Missa smiled.
Hm... Does this make me a good person? I've questioned that since what happened in the Defilement Valley. I tried to drink once more, and once again I could not, this time due to a table beaking on my back.
CRACK!
I heard something breaking and felt something dripping through my hand, I had crushed the wooden mug.
"Don't worry Missa, I'll pay for it." I said as I stood up.
"What will you do?" Missa asked me.
"I will end this quarrel." I replied, removing my Iron Knuckles from my bag.
"Edric? What are you…" Missa didn't finish as I jumped into the middle of the fight, generating pained screams from those involved.
"MY LEG!"
"MY ARM!"
CRACK!
"AAAHHH!"
I threw one of the customers out of the tavern's windows while Missa ducked, allowing another to fly over her and hit the racks behind the counter.
-XXXXXX-
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing fight, nobody noticed the small fairy floating among the customers, using her magic to remove their coins from their pockets and bags and place them inside Edric's bottomless one, all while laughing.
Then, Eupherbia dove into the bottomless bag and watched the fight with her head outside, nothing more than entertainment to her.
-XXXXXX-
"Here it is." I said while handing some gold coins to Missa.
"At least you paid for the damages." Missa replied, counting the coins.
"If everything is solved, I believe it is my time to leave."
"I wish you a safe travel, and be careful with your coins!"
"What do you mean by that?"
"You do not know? There is a thief in town; small objects have disappeared for some time, coins, rings, bracelets, hand mirrors, and more, keep an eye on yours."
"I am grateful for the warning Missa, until we meet again."
"You're welcome! Rank up in the guild soon and we will have a celebration when you reach S-rank!" Missa waved goodbye, so I waved back and left the tavern.
A celebration? It doesn't look that bad.
-XXXXXX-
A delicious smell entered my helmet as I walked through the streets. Looking aside, I saw a bakery with a gentleman inside, probably the confectioner, and several desserts on display, cakes, pies, cookies, and more.
"Hello, good morning! How can I help you, Sir Knight?" The confectioner asked.
I slammed my hand on the counter and dropped a handful of coins.
"A little bit of everything, please."
The confectioner just smiled ear to ear.
-XXXXXX-
I stored the last dessert in my bag and now it is time to return to the inn. Maybe tomorrow I'll find some new mission.
-Inside the Bottomless Bottom-
The bottomless bag is one of the greatest inventions of Sorcerer Geri, a friend of Sage Freke, and known throughout Boletaria as a craftsman of magic items.
The bag can store different objects in almost unlimited amounts, weapons, armor, and rings; it is the perfect item for those who seek to be prepared for all kinds of endeavors.
Some believe it is possible to live inside a bottomless bag, just bring food and water when you enter it, but nobody would do that, would they? Who would be foolish enough to live inside a magical object of infinite space?
Well, a fairy named Eupherbia currently lay on a pile of stolen goods hidden inside the bag.
"Eupherbia, you did the right thing following this human!" The fairy said to herself as she stood up.
"Look around, where, in the Land of the Forest, would you have found so many treasures?" Eupherbia said, placing a gold ring encrusted with ruby on her head like a crown.
"You changed your life, now you are far away from those simple-minded fairies!" She walked towards a silver-adorned hand mirror, grabbing a gold chain and wrapping it around her waist like a belt before posing as she spoke to her reflection
"Those stupid fairies only care about themselves. You saw what happened, everyone started killing each other for the crown the moment the dragon devoured that pathetic, incompetent king."
"But you differ, don't you? You've always wanted to stay away from that boring forest, haven't you? What do humans say? You're a country girl wanting to go to the big city." Eupherbia then opened a noblewoman's ornate box beside the mirror.
"Remember what your mother said, Don't end up like me, if you have a dream, fight for it."
Mother… Likely the only decent faerie in all of Midgard, she gave up her dreams to pursue love.
And what did that bastard I call father do when he discovered my mother's pregnancy? He abandoned her! Fairies only care about themselves! I hope a frog eat that damn bastard!
Eupherbia then put on lipstick and powder and posed in front of the mirror again.
"Mother, can you see where I am right now? Don't worry, I'm following my dream. I will accompany this strange human for a while, he is what humans call an adventurer, and they travel all over Midgard. Maybe I can finally see what lies beyond the forest where we lived. I won't end up like other fairies, I won't turn into a bitter old hag, and I won't be squashed like a mosquito by someone tired of my teasing. Just watch, I'll make you proud." Eupherbia walked away from the mirror and returned to the pile of stolen goods.
Suddenly, a light shone above Eupherbia, forming a perfect circle around her.
"Mother?" Eupherbia asked, looking towards the light. A dark spot formed in the middle of it, increasing as a shadow formed where she stood.
"What is that?" The fairy asked until her eyes widened when she realized what happened, Edric had dropped something into the bag and toward her.
"AAAHHH!" Eupherbia screamed, running away and narrowly avoiding a crushing death.
The fallen object was a large package wrapped in fabric with a small string keeping it together; emanating the smell of something tasty.
"Hm... What is that?" Eupherbia asked as her mouth watered.
The fairy approached the package and pulled the string, opening it and revealing sweets of all kinds, cake, cookies, pies, everything the fairy could imagine.
"Thank you human!" Eupherbia screamed, throwing herself into the pile, after all, she would never get that kind of food in the Land of Forests.
Meanwhile, Edric stood oblivious to the crunching sounds and crumbs coming from his bag.
-XXXXXX-
"So, what creature will we face today?" The black dragon asked me.
"I'm unsure; the quest said that something crashed airships in the Land of Mountains." I replied, analyzing my surroundings with my brass telescope.
"Facing an unknown enemy, foolish but a little exciting." The dragon laughed.
"I'm more concerned with what can bring down an airship."
"Several things can bring down an airship, like a dragon or a golem if it throws a rock high enough…"
"A big bird!"
"That is exaggerated, I've fought airships before, they're not that fragile."
"A big bird!"
"I already told you that they are not that fragile, human." The dragon said annoyed.
"A BIG BIRD!" I yelled, pointing to our right.
"What?!" The black dragon asked surprised, looking at the thing approaching us.
A large humanoid bird with blue feathers, arms and legs with three fingers and huge claws on the tip of each one, two large wings on its back, a long elongated tail and neck, and a slightly humanoid face with a large beak.
"A Vrock!" The dragon screamed.
"KKKYYYAAAHHH!" The Vrock screeched like an eagle before attacking us with its outstretched claws.
I quickly drew a crossbow from my bag, aimed it at the Vrock, and pulled the trigger; the dart broke harmlessly upon hitting the bird's chest.
"It's useless! Vrocks have resistance to non-magical attacks!" The dragon flapped its wings, stopping its flight and allowing the Vrock to pass by us.
Resistance to non-magical attacks does not equal immunity.
"Dragon, let's pursue it!"
"HAHAHA! No need to say it twice, human!" The dragon flapped its wings and chased the Vrock.
I equipped my Sticky Compound Longbow, cocked a sacred arrow capable of delivering magical damage, aimed at the Vrock, and released my arrow.
-XXXXXX-
The arrow left its bow and flew at great speeds towards the Vrock, hitting it in the back between its wings.
The monster roared in pain, not expecting its pursuer to possess something capable of causing damage, but it didn't have time to counterattack as a fireball spat by the black dragon almost hit its mark, exploding and scorching its body.
Arrow after arrow, fireball after fireball, the Vrock slowly took damage. Tired of fleeing, it opened its wings, stopping its flight temporarily, and allowing the black dragon and knight to approach.
Turning its body and flapping its wings, the Vrock soared towards its pursuers, who due to the speed, didn't stop in time, with the dragon receiving a slash to its right side.
"Damn plague!" The black dragon roared in rage and chased the Vrock fervently.
"Wait!" Edric tried to warn the dragon, but it didn't listen to him. The Vrock flew faster and faster as the dragon did the same.
Suddenly, the monster opened its wings once more, stopping its flight and allowing the black dragon to approach. Preparing its claws, the bird slashed the dragon just above its left eye, the blood preventing it from opening.
"Listen to my words, that creature is toying with you! You will achieve nothing by allowing it to anger you!"
"Silence! I will not be lectured by you! I will crush this creature like a true dragon should!" The black dragon replied.
"Why do I waste my breath?" Edric asked himself, firing more arrows.
The dragon spits more fireballs at the Vrock, who narrowly dodges each one as the battle in the sky continues, reaching the clouds. The pain of one of Edric's arrows hitting its wings distracted the monster long enough for one of the fireballs to hit it directly, creating a smoke cloud.
BOOM!
"Finally!" The black dragon screamed in satisfaction and shot towards the smoke cloud.
"Wait for the smoke to clear!" Edric shouted, but the dragon ignored him.
The dragon pierced the smoke cloud like an arrow, but the Vrock wasn't there.
"Where did it go?!" The dragon demanded, keeping itself stationary in the air.
"Careful, it could be anywhere!" Edric replied, analyzing his surroundings and having difficulty differ left, right, up, or down, it was just a sea of white.
"KKKYYYAAAHHH!" A screech similar to an eagle echoed through the sky. Suddenly, something forced the black dragon down, the Vrock sinking its claws into the black dragon's back.
"Release me, disgusting creature!" The black dragon demanded as the Vrock pulled its head back and threw it forward, thrusting its beak into the dragon's back.
"RRROOOAAARRR!"
"React or we will fall!" Edric screamed, but there was nothing the dragon could do, they crossed the clouds and saw the Land of Mountains again.
Edric grabbed the dragon's paw and tried to release himself, but its grip was too strong. Sighing, Edric drew his catalyst and held the dragon's paw firmly.
"You will have to forgive me for that." Edric said, pointing his catalyst at the dragon's paw and casting Soul Ray.
The pain opened the dragon's paw, Edric climbed the dragon's leg, hung onto its torso, aimed his silver catalyst at the Vrock, and cast Soul Ray again, piercing the monster's chest, right arm, and left-wing, releasing the dragon.
Finally free, the dragon spread its wings, slowing its fall, and flapped them to regain altitude, facing Edric hanging on its torso.
"I didn't climb on your back, did I?" Edric teased amusedly.
The black dragon muttered something in irritation, realizing that he was technically right.
"This misshapen bird is giving us trouble." The black dragon said.
"We wouldn't have so much trouble if a certain dragon wasn't so hard-headed." Edric answered.
"Don't you have anything better to say human?"
"Actually yes, a plan, to be specific."
"Oh, would you mind sharing it with me?"
"With pleasure." Edric then told his plan as they chased the Vrock.
The dragon spat a fireball just below the Vrock, forcing it to rise. The bird tried to fly to the right, but a Soul Ray prevented it as another fireball forced it upward once more.
Eventually, the Vrock reached the sea of clouds. Seeing its pursuers approaching quickly, it flapped its wings, flying aside and allowing the dragon to pass and disappear amidst the clouds.
Seconds passed in complete silence. Suddenly, a shadow formed in the clouds, forming the dragon's silhouette.
The Vrock flew aside once more, allowing the dragon to pass again, but there was something wrong, the human wasn't there. Confused, it didn't notice the human silhouette in the clouds above.
"KKKYYYAAA!" The Vrock screeched in pain as Edric landed on its back and sank his Holy Sword of Moonlight into its flesh.
Edric grabbed the bird's wing and repeatedly pierced its back with his sword as the black dragon returned, sinking its claws into the Vrock and biting its neck.
It ended, the Vrock could do nothing, or at least that's what they thought.
The Vrock breathed deeply and screamed a deafening noise, a stunning screech that hit its assailants, loosening their grip and initiating their deadly fall.
Shaking his head, Edric recovered from the screech, but now he went towards the approaching ground.
"Dragon!" Edric exclaimed, but it didn't answer.
"What are you waiting for?! Flap your wings and stop our fall!" But the dragon's eyes didn't open, it stood unconscious.
"Son of a..." Edric joined his arms and legs to his body and fell faster towards the dragon, grabbing one of its horns and screaming on its face.
"Wake up, wake up or we will die!" Edric begged as he punched the dragon's forehead. Looking down, he saw that the ground approaching.
"Is this how you wish to perish?! Falling from too high?! I've perished like this several times and believe me, it's humiliating!" But he heard no response from the dragon.
"WAKE UP!" Edric yelled one last time, removing his Dragon Bone Smasher from his bag and slamming it on the dragon's forehead.
CRACK!
"RRROOOAAARRR!" The dragon woke up roaring in pain, blood streaming from its new wound.
"What's happened?!" The dragon asked, looking around confused.
"Look!" Edric replied, pointing down.
The dragon's eyes widened upon seeing the close ground, so it spread its wings, trying to slow its fall. The dragon prevented a direct impact, but it was not enough, as it flew a few meters from the ground for some seconds before hitting the soil.
Edric clung to the dragon's horns as the two rolled along a mountain until they hit a large stone, throwing them up before falling into the abyss below.
"AAAHHH!" Screaming was all they could do.
-XXXXXX-
"Get off me!" Edric yelled, pushing the dragon's wing off him.
"You should be grateful that my body softened the fall." The black dragon replied annoyed.
"I would appreciate it if you had done it willingly." The knight spoke sarcastically, standing on shaky legs and retrieving his equipment.
"But I am, is it so hard to believe that I saved us out of the goodness of my heart?" The dragon asked in the same tone.
"Listen here you..." Edric didn't finish, as his bottomless bag moved.
Throwing herself from the bag and toward the ground, a green-faced Eupherbia vomited shortly thereafter.
"What the fuck was that?! One moment I'm eating my sweets and the next everything starts spinning! Throwing knives flying towards me! A giant hammer almost crushing me! A spinning ax almost cutting my head off! What the hell were you two doing?!" Eupherbia demanded, facing the surprised dragon and knight.
"Look, the cowardly fairy has returned." The dragon answered.
"You resided in my bag all this time?" Edric asked disbelieving and the fairy looked around nervously, realizing her mistake.
"Look at the time, it's late, I think I should go home for dinner!" Eupherbia tried to fly away, but Edric warped his hand around her, leaving her head free.
"AAAHHH!" The faerie screamed as the knight brought her closer to his helm.
"Listen to me, you will not go anywhere! We'll have a long talk when we return, do you understand?!
Eupherbia nodded vigorously.
"Moreover, I'll turn you into dragon meal if you try to flee!" Edric said, pointing to the black dragon who smiled, showing and licking all its fangs. The little fairy gulped, understanding her fate if she ran away.
"Perfect, now let's discover our location." Edric released Eupherbia and the fairy floated over his shoulder.
They were in an illuminated cave, light coming from the hole above, and further ahead, probably an exit.
"Well, there's only one place to go." Edric said, walking towards the light.
"What a brilliant observation." The dragon said sarcastically.
"As if you could do better." Eupherbia said to the dragon.
"What did you say?!"
"NOTHING!" Eupherbia screamed, hiding behind Edric.
"I imagined." The dragon said with disdain.
"Behave, you two." Edric reprimed them both.
They left the cave, entering a large crater inside a mountain with several destroyed airships.
"Well, we found the felled airships." The dragon said.
"Can we go home now?" Eupherbia asked.
"Hello, is there anyone here?" A male voice called, interrupting them.
"Not yet." Edric answered.
"Help!" The voice continued.
A crevice in the earth was on the left side of the crater, big enough for a person to fall into.
"Hello?" The voice spoke again.
"Shut up, Decadus! You should waste less time screaming for help and spend more time trying to get us out of here!" A female voice said.
"Being assaulted with such cruel words AAAHHH~~~" The male voice moaned loudly.
"Hello! Do you need help?" Edric stood at the edge of the crevice.
"Yes!" The female voice screamed.
"But Lady said…" The male voice couldn't finish.
"Shut up!"
"AAAHHH~~~"
"Wait for my return, I'll find a rope." Edric searched the crumbling airships until he found a rope inside a wooden crate, tied it around a large boulder, and dropped the other end into the crevice.
"Here is the rope!"
"Thank you very much!" The male voice said as the rope moved.
"Let me help you." Edric replied, offering his hand to the person emerging from the crevice, a tall, middle-aged man with a well-built physique, brown hair, and green eyes.
"Thank you for your kindness, sir…" The man asked.
"Edric."
"Thank you for your kindness Sir Edric, my name is Decadus." The man bowed politely.
"Nice to meet you Decadus." The knight replied, returning the gesture.
Suddenly, the rope moved again.
"It seems my lady is already climbing, better help her." Decadus said, turning toward the crevice.
"Tell me Decadus, what are your lady and you doing here, and how did you both end inside the crevice?"
"Oh, that! We investigated the missing airships until the Vrock surprised us, taking us down into this crater, luckily we survived the crash. How we ended inside the crevice, well… We saw one of our men waving at us after we left the wreckage, saying that some of our men fell into the crevice, and he kicked us down when we stood close to the edge."
"Hm... This sounds familiar. By any chance was this man called…" Edric didn't have time to finish.
"Finally, freedom from that damn hole! I was tired of enduring that idiot's moans!" A girl screamed relieved as she left the crevice.
"AAAHHH~~~!"
"Stop moaning!" She screamed annoyed at her companion's antics.
Looking at the girl, Edric saw Intoner Four fixing him with anger and distrust.
"You!" Four said raising her fists, ready to fight.
"Lady Four, what are you doing? This kind sir helped us." Decadus asked confused, putting himself in her path.
"That knight attacked us during Zero's invasion of Cathedral City!"
Decadus' eyes widened and he stood beside his Intoner, assuming a fighting stance too.
"I'm sorry Sir Edric, but as a person who wronged my Lady, I must face you."
"I see, you are loyal to her, which I can respect." Edric replied, removing Makoto from his bag and casting Regeneration to overcome the health drain.
"Are you done rescuing these people?" The black dragon asked as it approached.
"Oh, it's that annoying brat, the Intoner Four! Finish her off!" Eupherbia smiled sadistically, landing on Edric's shoulder as Four and Decadus retreated upon noticing the dragon.
"Decadus, we will summon my angel!" Four shouted in fear.
"As you wish, Lady Four." Decadus replied in the same tone.
Four sang, but she coughed profusely. Looking around, she saw a familiar blue magic circle surrounding her, making her sweat nervously as Edric approached.
"Listen, I think we started on the wrong foot! How about we stop and talk like civilized people?" The Intoner offered a handshake as she retreated.
"Don't believe anything she says, that girl's heart is rotten and full of holes!" Eupherbia replied, enjoying the fear on her face.
"That is not true; I am a fair maiden with a pure heart!"
"Are you sure? What about all the elves you slaughtered?"
"They were pirates, I just handed them justice!"
"Don't believe her words Edric; she killed several elves while laughing with joy! She hates anyone who isn't human!"
"LISTEN HERE YOU FLYING PLAGUE!" Four screamed, trying to grab Eupherbia, but Makoto's tip pointed at her face stopped her.
"Kill her, Edric! Cut her to pieces! Smash her with your giant hammer! Pierce her heart with a spear! Turn her to ashes with your spells! Do what you want, but don't let this monster escape!"
"Decadus, do something!" Four yelled as she hid behind her disciple, who looked around nervously for something that could save them both.
"You said all the ways I can die… Now, I can't help myself… AAAHHH~~~… Cut into pieces, crushed, burned… AAAHHH~~~." Decadus groaned at all the painful ways he could die.
Amazingly, this worked as Edric backed away with utter disgust beneath his helmet.
"That's it, Decadus! Use that weird fetish of yours for something useful for the first time in your life!"
"That human has issues." The black dragon said disgusted.
"Pathetic!" Eupherbia spoke right after.
"AAAHHH~~~!" The insults only pleased Decadus while the groans drove Edric away.
"ENOUGH, I'VE WASTED ENOUGH TIME! STOP THESE NOISES AND FACE ME!" Edric approached, but a screech from the sky interrupted him.
"KKKYYYAAA!" The Vrock had returned, extremely injured, but ready to fight again.
"Well, looks who returned for more." The black dragon smiled.
"I will leave that to you, Edric!" Eupherbia tried to fly away, but Edric wrapped his hand around her.
"You're not going anywhere! Either you help me or I'll hand you over to the Vrock."
Seeing no other option, she nodded and floated beside Edric.
"That's the thing that crashed my airships! You will pay for this, disgusting creature… I mean… I will not allow you to harm my people, so face justice!" Four turned to the Vrock.
"Well said, Lady Four, I'm right beside you! The thought of being torn apart by that thing's claws… AAAHHH~~~!"
"Not now Decadus!"
Sighing, Edric readied himself for the fight.
The Vrock screeched and flapped its wings, generating large gales as spores came from its body, covering the crater.
"Careful, these spores are poisonous!" Edric said, his poison resistance activating the moment he breathed the spores. He equipped his Poison Resistance Ring and ran towards the monster.
"Don't steal all the fun for yourself, human!" The dragon advanced towards the Vrock.
"Don't leave me here!" Eupherbia screamed, following Edric.
"Come on Decadus!" Four shouted to her disciple.
"Being poisoned and feeling my body die slowly… AAAHHH~~~!" Decadus moaned, running toward the battle.
The Vrock raised its right hand and tried to squash the approaching knight, who rolled forward, letting the blow hit the ground, and slashed the monster's thigh while passing underneath it.
The bird tried to turn and attack Edric, but a head-butt to its chest, courtesy of the dragon, stopped it.
The Vrock then grabbed the black dragon's neck, sinking its claws into the being's scales, but the magic shot hit its face before it could continue. Eupherbia flew quickly around the monster, firing magic at its body.
"I am here!" Eupherbia screamed, dodging a blow.
"Here!" She fired at the Vrock's back.
"Here!" She fired at the Vrock's neck.
The Vrock turned toward the fairy and opened its beak, trying to devour her, but an absurd pain to its back called its attention. Edric had cut off its left wing with a clean cut from Makoto. Blood gushed from the wound like a river as the blade's curse possessed an insatiable bloodlust.
The Vrock didn't have time to recover as punches met its ribs on both sides of its body, Four on the left and Decadus on the right. Breathing deeply and letting out another stunning screech, the bird made everyone in the crater clutch their ears in pain.
"Not this time!" The dragon screamed, spewing fire towards the Vrock's face.
The Vrock screeched again, receiving a hook to the chin and a punch to the side of the head by the Intoner and Disciple. This stunned it long enough for Edric to cut it from the neck to the crotch with Makoto.
Blood gushed from the wound, painting his armor red, Edric then shook Makoto, removing the liquid off the blade and gracefully sheathed it. Slowly, he returned to the dragon and Eupherbia.
"Looks like it's over." The dragon said, watching the Vrock fall.
"You don't want me to cook the Vrock?"
"No, not enough meat on its bones."
"And you Eupherbia? Eupherbia?" Edric asked worriedly.
The fairy stood pale-faced and flying with difficulty, the light surrounding her dimming as she fell. Quickly, Edric put his hand below the fairy, preventing her from falling to the ground.
"What a pity, it looks like the bird poisoned her. Unfortunately, we don't have a healer nearby, and it will be too late until we reach one." Four faked concern in her voice, trying to hide her smile.
Decadus, on the other hand, looked genuinely sad, adjusting his glasses as he looked away.
"Hm... I hope this works." Edric held his Talisman of God above Eupherbia and cast Antidote. Color returned to Eupherbia's face and her light shone brighter.
"I cured the poisoning; she will heal in time."
"Damn it." Four whispered while Decadus smiled relieved.
The moment of happiness ended as the Vrock rose, letting out a mighty screech, prepared to fight once more.
"KKKYYYAAA!"
BOOM!
The fight never continued since the Vrock blew to pieces due to several cannonballs hitting it as three airships approached the crater.
"Curses! How will I prove that I completed the quest?" Edric asked frustrated.
"Do not worry about it." The black dragon scavenged the remains of the Vrock and emerged with the monster's head dangling from its mouth.
"Fine, then let's return."
"Where do you think you're going?!" Four screamed, stopping him.
"Away."
"Don't even think about it, you criminal! I won't let you run away again now that my forces are here! Therefore, with the authority bestowed upon me as the ruler of the Land of Mountains, I, Intoner Four, command that… AAAHHH!"
Four never finished as Edric smashed her to the ground with his Dragon Bone Smasher.
"MY BONES!" Four screamed with her face buried in the ground.
Edric then faced Decadus, waiting for his next action, but Decadus did the unexpected, he dropped to his knees, opened his arms, and closed his eyes.
"What are you waiting for?!" Decadus shouted.
"Stay away from me, you are disgusting!" Edric replied, pointing at Decadus while backing away.
"Being assaulted with such words… AAAHHH~~~!" Decadus groaned in pleasure as Edric and the black dragon flew away.
-XXXXXX-
"Attention everyone! Congratulations to Edric, our newest S-Rank adventurer!" Missa cheered, raising a mug while placing one foot up on the tavern counter.
"EEEYYY!" All the occupants of the tavern shouted, doing the same.
Now I had a diamond plaque around my neck, proof that I reached the highest rank.
"Why so serious, Edic? It is time to celebrate." Missa asked me.
"I'm not used to this kind of festivity." I am not; I can't imagine this type of celebration happening in Boletaria today.
"You will get used to it." Missa asserted.
"I hope so." I sipped my drink, watching the time pass.
"Have you heard the news? Someone returned all the stolen objects!"
"I wonder why?" I replied, looking at my bottomless bag moving a little.
"Perhaps the thief had a change of heart." Missa shrugged.
"Maybe, Missa did you do what I asked?"
"Yes, just a minute!" Missa headed towards the tavern's kitchen and returned carrying a large bag over her shoulder.
"You have my thanks." I picked up the bag and draped it over my shoulder.
"I don't know what you will do with so much roast beef, but since you paid for it, I won't ask."
"I appreciate it Missa, a good night to you." I bowed slightly.
"Same to you Edric." Missa said as I walked away.
I faced a crowd when I left the tavern and knew what they wanted. I cast a healing miracle on them and went on my way without listening to what they had to say.
I walked through the streets, the moonlight illuminating my path. Eventually, I left the gates and headed towards the forest, reaching a clearing where the dragon waited for me. I lit a bonfire in the center of the clearing and sat beside the dragon.
"Well, what do I owe your visit?" The dragon asked curiously.
"I brought you this since you didn't get your usual meal on our last mission." I placed the bag in front of the dragon and opened it, displaying the meat inside.
The dragon ate without saying another word. Suddenly, Eupherbia left my bag and landed on my shoulder, carrying one of the cookies I bought, and biting it vigorously.
"So, what will you do now?" I asked.
"I don't know. I don't want to return to the Land of Forests, the fairies there are a bunch of assholes." Eupherbia said between bites.
"How about you stay with me for now?"
"Seriously?!"
"Yes."
"Thanks!"
"BUT! You will have to promise not to cause any trouble."
"I promise!" Eupherbia said, but I saw one of her hands hidden behind her back. I'll pretend I didn't see that.
"Does that mean the cowardly fairy will accompany us? Great, one more pest to endure." The dragon growled.
"Hey! Listen here you…" Eupherbia then argued with the dragon as she hid behind me.
I couldn't help but laugh a little at the scene. Meanwhile, I watched the moon, thinking about what awaits me.
-Unknown-
Report Number 2: The knight named Edric has proven to be a growing mystery, not only did he stand on good terms with the black dragon known for its destructive behavior in various branches, but he also won the friendship of a fairy. How relevant she will be to the future of this branch is still unknown.
The strange energy source within Edric, which has not been found in any previous branches, and the golden robes that the Intoner Three acquired are another cause of concern.
I have not determined the origins of these robes, but I have a bad feeling when approaching them as if they were alive.
Edric and these robes do not appear in any branches other than this one. Neither have I found them anywhere in this branch's past or future nor in the place Edric claims he came from, Boletaria.
At no time did a place called Boletaria exist in this world.
Perhaps Edric came to this branch from an entirely different branch? But that wouldn't be possible, would it?
No matter how different the branches are, there are always similarities: Midgard, Zero, Cain, Angerus, Watchers, Tokyo, Nier, Aliens, 2B, 9S. But Edric does not appear in any of these.
If there's a completely different branch, then I need to find it, after all that's part of my job.
End of report.
END OF CHAPTER