A/N
Made a few minor changes in earlier chapters
XXX
Moe walked down the busy streets of E-Rantel.
It was their second day in the city. Merlin had secured some money for them to use the previous day. As they had nothing to do until Gazef's subordinates arrived, Merlin gave the rest of them permission to explore the city. Shortly after their arrival, they realized that they could not read the language being used here, so Merlin had to teleport back to Silver Castle to get magic items for each of them that would allow them to understand this new language. Also, for some reason, he insisted that they rent a cheap room even though they didn't need to sleep thanks to their rings. They were all given a small amount of money to use as they saw fit.
Eventually, he found himself in front of a five-story building in a large plaza. Noticing the many strange people entering and exiting the building, he took out his magic glasses and used them to read the sign above the door.
"Adventurer's guild, huh. So this is where it was."
Feeling curious, Moe entered the building through the front door.
Inside, there were many people. Warriors with full plate armor, hunters with bows on their backs, magic casters both arcane and divine, and many others. They all wore metal plates somewhere on their bodies. Most of them had silver or gold plates but Moe noticed a few with iron or platinum among them. The people here seemed to be swapping information about various subjects, looking at parchments on the nearby noticeboard, or gathered in groups on the tables. As Moe walked by them, he caught a few snippets of conversation.
...
"I'm telling you, the Ogre was twice as big as normal, I should be promoted for defeating it.
"Yeah, right. You keep saying that but no one believes you Gordon. Everyone can tell you're bluffing."
"I swear, it was…"
…
"A whole day of hunting and only three goblins, that's just sad."
"Cheer up Peter, tomorrow's another day"
"Even if you say that Ninya, what if this continues? What do we do if …"
…
"Hey, I heard the Magician Guild has some powerful new items for sale. Do you guys want to go and see them?"
"Do you really think we can afford them? We haven't been getting any big jobs lately."
"It can't hurt to look. Besides, if we combine our savings…"
…
As he approached the counter, the receptionist turned her attention to Moe.
"Hello sir, how can I assist you? Would you perhaps be applying to be an adventurer?"
"Thank you, but no. I have a few questions I would like to ask you regarding your organization."
Moe had already learned a little about adventurers from Merlin, but he still had many questions. After a short conversation, Moe learned the basics of the adventurer system including their ranks. Thanking the receptionist, he left the building, idly wondering what rank they would give someone like him.
XXX
"Are you feeling better now?"
"Yes, thank you very much."
"Be careful now, I may not be here the next time"
Sachiko looked at the elderly man as he walked away. After he had disappeared, Sachiko continued her exploration of the city. That was the seventh person she had healed on her brief walk. This city was filled with people in need of help. However, after healing the second person, she was approached by a man in a strange outfit who tried to reprimand her. Apparently the temples here charge for healing and look down on people who heal for free. After learning that she was just traveling in this city and not a member of any temple or an adventurer, the priest looked at her with anger showing in his face and mentioned that the temples needed money to survive before leaving.
Sachiko paid the priest no heed. She would help those in need because she wanted to. As she turned around a corner, she saw a woman leaning against a wall in pain. Sighing, she went to help her.
XXX
Curly entered the house with the small shop area in front. When he entered, the bell mounted on top of the door rang, signaling his entrance to the people inside. Curly looked around the guest lounge. He could see several bookshelves and plants around the room. It was quite nice compared to the other places in the city.
"Welcome"
A voice called out to him. It sounded like that of a young man.
A teenage boy with old work coveralls stained in plant juices approached him. Curly tried to look him in the eyes, but his blonde hair blocked them.
"May I ask what business you have here?"
Curly stared at the boy for a moment before asking him a question.
"Pardon me, but are you the owner of this shop?"
"Ah, no, that would be my grandmother, Lizzie. I do work here though, so I can help you."
"I see. Anyway, I was informed that this town was famous for its alchemists and the best herbalist in the region owned this shop. I was hoping that you or your grandmother would have some time available later. My team and I would be interested in talking to you. We would like to discuss several things and buy a few potions."
"Ah, I'm sorry. Normally I would be willing to discuss things with you, but an old friend of mine recently came to town. I need to go see her and help her family with things, so I won't have any free time after work for several weeks. Also my grandmother is so involved with her research that she never would accept this invitation."
"I see, that is unfortunate. I apologize for taking your time. Perhaps next time."
Slightly disappointed, Curly left the store.
XXX
Larry silently sat at the table and sipped his tea. It was not very good, but he could not really expect anything from a cheap restaurant like this.
Larry did not need to eat, drink, or sleep thanks to his ring, but he could still do so if he wanted to.
As he drank the bitter tea, he listened to the conversation going on at the next table. From what he could tell, it was a group of three guards complaining about their jobs.
"I'm telling you, being a gate guard is horrible. It's either extremely busy or extremely boring. We have to pay attention all day and if anything slips past us, we get blamed."
"Nah, the graveyard patrol is the absolute worst post you can get here. You have to be constantly alert for any undead that might attack you from nowhere."
"Yeah, at least you don't have to deal with drunk citizens constantly yelling at you for stupid reasons. I have to walk around the entire city and deal with every problem that comes up. They don't pay me enough for this."
"Yeah, that's true, we deserve better pay."
"I barely have enough to survive on. Ah, speaking of work, I think it's about time for me to go."
"Yeah, me too."
"Well, I'm heading home then. Same time tomorrow?"
"Sure"
"Whatever"
The three guards left the restaurant after paying the host. Larry took another minute to finish his tea before giving the host a copper coin and leaving.
"Now then, where should I head next?"
XXX
Later that evening, the vice-captain of the warrior troop returned to E-Rantel with his men. He was relieved to learn that Gazef was currently in the city and went to meet with him immediately. Gazef contacted Merlin, the village chief, and the mayor to arrange a meeting. Thus, once again five people found themselves in the mayor's mansion, this time in a larger room. The vice-captain replaced Theo in the meeting, who was currently at the Magician's guild headquarters.
After sharing some simple pleasantries, the five men shared what they knew about the situation. Once again, the mayor and vice-captain were shocked to learn the villagers had been revived. They even began to question Merlin's trustworthiness when he claimed that he believed they were from a different world, but they didn't push it. Eventually, the topic turned to the future and what they would do. Gazef and the rest of the warrior troop had to return to the capital to report what had happened. He also accepted Merlin's request to accompany him in an attempt to establish official diplomatic ties with the Kingdom. The villagers that were rescued from the countryside had a difficult choice before them. As their homes had been destroyed, they could either stay in the city or try to rebuild their village from the ground up. Either way, a life of poverty and hardship awaited them. Merlin floated the idea of possibly inviting some of them to stay at Silver Castle, but noted that the earliest that could likely happen would be the following year, as they needed to establish a relationship with the Kingdom first. The mayor decided he would not take any action on this issue as the situation appeared to be resolved. They were discussing the necessary supplies for the trip back to Re-Estize when someone rushed into the room interrupting them. It was Eric, the noble who was working under Mayor Panasolei.
"Mayor, we have a major problem!"
"What is it, Eric?"
"Undead, the cemetery is filled with Undead"
"Well, that's what the guards are for. A few undead are nothing to worry about."
"It's not a few, there are thousands of them"
"What!"
This new information visibly surprised everyone in the room except Merlin, who kept the same detached look on his face.
"How could there be thousands of undead in the cemetery? What caused this?"
"I don't know mayor, but the guards stationed at the cemetery walls have been overrun. They're pouring into the city as we speak."
This was very bad. Panasolei knew he had to do something or E-Rantel would be destroyed.
"Eric, this is an emergency. Summon Theo and Pluton immediately. We need to organize a defense. Warrior-captain-dono, although this may be inconvenient, I ask that you and your men assist in the defense of this city."
As Eric dashed out of the room, Gazef replied to Panasolei.
"It is our duty as the warriors of this Kingdom to defend its people. Think nothing of it, mayor. However, I must admit, I do not have much experience fighting undead. Merlin-dono, although it pains me to ask this of you again, would you and your group aid us once more?"
Merlin knew this was request was coming and had a response ready.
"I understand. Normally, I would not intervene in the affairs of another country, but if you request us to do so, we will in the interest of building a friendly relationship. Ah, chief-dono, I believe it would be best if you returned to your people and took them to a safe area."
Still shocked at the events that were unfolding, the village chief took Merlin's advice and left the room with a mumbled 'of course'
"Now then, I ask all of you as the mayor of E-Rantel to save this city. If the undead keep attacking, we will eventually be overrun. Uncover the cause of this and put a stop to it. Leave the defense of the city to the guards. I will meet with Theo and Pluton and arrange for them to send reinforcements."
"I understand, then we will depart immediately."
The remaining people in the room stood up as soon as Gazef said that. As they left the room, Merlin contacted his party with message and informed them of the situation.
The battle of E-Rantel had begun.