Chapter 1 : New Adventure

Part 1

E-Pespel is one of the largest city in the Kingdom of Re-Estize. Unlike the other cities of Re-estize Kingdom, the roads in this city is paved with stone, an indication of economic status of this city. The fact that the mayor of this city personally implemented one of the proposals of the Golden Princess, which most of the cities of Re-estize Kingdom did not implement, does not just display the extravagance of this city but also the influence of the princess in this city. One of the reasons why that this city has high economy is because of ore trading. This city has also the highest number merchants going in and out of the city, thus making the city the Center of Commerce in the Kingdom of Re-estize. With an easy access to the neighboring cities like Re-estize capital and E-Libera, which are also large city of Re-estize, this city is vital to trade in the Kingdom and has a high economic value. Not to mention the easy access to the former E-Rantel which is now in the hands of the Sorcerer Kingdom.

In the south of the city is a forest which is a home for goblins, ogres, and other wild animals. Beyond the forest is a mountain range which serves as a protection to the demihumans on the other side. These demihumans has constant skirmishes with the neighboring Holy Kingdom which is now a vassal state of the Sorcerer Kingdom. On the foothills of the mountain several number of encampments and warehouses can be observe. Near these buildings are entrances to the underworld which present many treasures, an Ore Mine. The warehouses are where the ores are gathered before they are transfered to the city and prior to the transfer, this place is also where the ores are categorize depending on its purity and value. The encampments are where the soldiers and workers stay and rest after working in the mine. The reason is because the city is relatively far from the mine and will take 1 and a half to 2 days of travel at most so they stay here in order to eliminate the time needed for the travel and fulfill their job. Some of the people from the Magician`s Guild which was hired by merchants to appraise the value of the ores also stay here. They can only return to the city whenever a new merchant buys ores and transfer it to the city for trade.

"Ahhhh, another quiet another quiet night." said by a guard with his sleepy face. His name is Marco. He has been a guard for the ore mines for almost 5 years now.

"Aren't you used to it already. You are the guard that is stationed here with a longest experience in years." said by another guard.

"I only agreed to take this job because it has bigger salary than being a guard on the city gates. I never really think about it." Marco said.

"Are you talking about your family?"

"Yeah. I hope they always pray for my safety and I really want to go home now."

"Hey, you are not thinking of abandoning your duties now, are you?"

"Of course not. Tommorrow is the start of my day off."

"Ah, I see. Did you already start packing."

"Of course."

"You are not excited, aren't you?"

"Nah. Just a little bit." Marco said this with a smile on his face.

"Hahaha. Lucky you, mine is next week. Speaking of which, the city is really generous though." said the other guard and then tapped the object.

In fact, aside from having a bigger salary despite being a guard, they also have additional training before they are dispatch in here. The city also have provided them with additional weapons and armors making them seem more like a soldier rather than just a regular guard.

They also have rotations of 5 days off the work after every 2 weeks. This also applies to the workers that work inside the mine.

"Yeah. Not just any city can afford this. You can't blame them, this mine is important to the city."

"Nothing is happening kinda boring you know." said by Marco and as he said a scream can be heard inside one of the encampments.

"What is that?"

"Nah. We did not get any report from the other guards. They are just probably workers having fun with each other. I hardly heard it, that`s how sleepy I am right now."

The workers having fun with each other is rather prominent in this place since most of them are always away to their families and wives.

"No, that's not it. I don't think that scream comes from a human. I have a bad feeling about this."

Marco turned to look at his partner only to be greeted by a serious look and he is shaking. This made Marco snapped out of drowsiness.

"Be ready. This might be a monster attack. Lets check it out to confirm."

They run towards the probable source of the sound. There are several houses here for the workers. One of the houses has its windows open and inside what is reflected by the light is a silhouette that does not belong to a human.

"What is this?"

Horror reflected within the face of the guards as they realize what is about to come. But, Marco who has maintained his composure issued an order to all the guards present.

"Retreat. We retreat to the city and ask for help. This is not something the likes of us can handle." Marco said as he run as fast as he can towards the direction of the city. As he run, he can hear several noises from his back along with the screams of his comrades. He looked back and he can see different figures as it was revealed by the natural light of the moon.

"We are doomed." Marco said this as he prayed to the Four Gods that this horror might not befall on his family in the city.

-

A man was reading a parchment with a contorted look on his face. This man is Gareth Rash Dale Aindra, the mayor of the city of E-Pespel. The look of his face is not because of the environment he is in but rather because of the piece of parchment that he was holding at this very moment.

"The couch here is really comfortable. Phew. Perfect for resting after accomplishing a request. This is probably the best couch in the world."

"Oh, isn't that chair, the best chair in the world. I think that is made to be really comfortable so whats with the face."

In fact, the environment in this room is made in order to hold conversations with a clear mind. The furnitures in this room are all top notch in terms of quality with intricate carvings in them. This room is the mayor`s room in the City Hall and the wall beyond the mayor`s seat has several different faces of people in there. Those are the faces of the people who previously led this city. This room is specifically design in order to hold conversations that decide the future of the city.

Yet, the one who just speak seems to be out of place for this kind of environment.

"Don't act so childish. You are in your proper age now try to act more mature." Gareth said with a serious look on his face.

"Okay, okay. Besides it is your fault for spoiling me too much. So, what is it?"

"This is the third incident for this week." Gareth said as he hand over the parchment to the girl.

The girl face turn to a surprised look as she read the contents of the parchment.

"Whoa. This is rather alarming, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is. Is your team busy right now?"

"We just finished a request and they are probably resting right now."

"Ah, so that means you are also free?"

"Yeah. Are you planning on holding a meeting?"

"You really know me, don't you." Gareth said as he laugh.

The girl also laugh.

"With that look on your face and this news." the girl raised his hand to indicate the parchment as she said this.

"Then, I will contact the Adventurer`s Guildmaster to arrange a meeting with the highest ranked adventurers in this city. You will also come as a leader of Golden Ray."

Golden Ray. Everyone in the city of E-Pespel knows this adventurer team. They are a famous orichalcum ranked adventurer team said to be the closes to attain the rank of adamantite, making them the probable third adamantite adventurer team in the Kingdom excluding Darkness. The leader of this team is Alexis Rane Dale Aindra. She is a younger relative of Blue Rose team leader Lakyus and a niece of Azuth Aindra a member of adventurer team, Red Drop. Because of this, people of this city has high expectations to the adventurer team Golden Ray including her uncle, the Mayor of this city.

"Okay Uncle. Lets do this."

Reviews are much appreciated.

Any questions will be answered as you go on reading to the future chapters, but if it is not a spoiler to my story I can answer right away.