Chapter 7: Picoutatte
It was finally time for me to set off on my first mission from my Gospel. Prylla had already prepared our transport and I was picking out a new travel outfit. Prylla explained to me that we won't be able to wear our robes as the Cult isn't well liked in the world. If people like Faust are allowed to join I think I can understand why. After the duel he was scolded by Petelgeuse extensively. Something about being slothful, and arrogant to think that he stood a chance against an Archbishop. He definitely seemed much angrier than usual and he began to avoid me. I didn't mind that much as I don't like him either. I don't need him anyway, I have Prylla after all.
I let out a sigh as I stood in front of my choices: A green dress with frills, a red dress with a red flower on the chest, and a bright purple dress. Ultimately, I chose the simple purple dress and grabbed my black travel cloak. I was setting off to search for the metia my Gospel showed me, but I still have no idea exactly what I'm looking for. No matter how many times I revisit the vision it's always the same. Some green merchant trading something unrecognizable with some guy in a black cloak. So, naturally, I have to find the green man and get whatever this, 'metia,' is from him or is it the other one? Prylla explained that metia are tools that allow people whose gate isn't working properly to use magic.
I quickly changed into my new clothing and tucked my gospel inside my cloak. I opened the door to my room to see Prylla waiting for me leaning against the wall.
"Oh? You chose? You look lovely." Prylla pushed herself forward and reached out to take my hand. She was wearing a simple merchant outfit as she said it'd be best if we pretend like I'm her daughter and she's a travelling merchant.
Heading out of the Cathedral for the first time in three months was a big deal to me. Prylla led me through the winding paths and corridors swiftly until we finally reached the upper level of the Cathedral. It was a small church in the middle of a swamp. The upper level was run down and obviously never used for anything other than to reach the lower level which was well maintained. Sitting in the rundown pews were a few cultists who were probably guards to ensure no one enters the inner Cathedral. Upon noticing me they swiftly stood up and bowed. Prylla led me outside where there was a simple carriage prepared. Hooked to the carriage was a large red lizard creature that stood on four legs.
"So, this is a ground dragon? Wow..." I had only ever read about them in books, besides my visions. Seeing the creature in person was a different experience.
"Yep, She's gonna be taking us all the way to Picoutatte. Since there's a river that runs through the swamp we're going to have to go a rather roundabout way. So, we're going to be gone for about two weeks. Our business there shouldn't take very long though." Prylla was loading the carriage with boxes.
"What's in the boxes?"
"Just some food and other useful supplies for our journey." She placed the last box inside the carriage.
"Alright let's head off!" Prylla helped me into the back of the carriage and got into the driver's seat. I watched through the opening in the front as she flicked the reins of the ground dragon. The animal began moving quickly picking up speed strangely enough the carriage didn't feel wobbly at all. In fact it was like we were traveling across the smoothest road imaginable.
The first few days of our trip passed by without any complications. We stopped to camp out in the evening and Prylla had me continue with my magic practice on my own. She did her best to give me pointers about mana flow and control, but she couldn't do much else. It wasn't long before we got out of the swamp and arrived at Castour Field just south of Flanders. In order to reach Picoutatte we needed to pass through Flanders then we were going to head south towards Garkla and then take the road from there the rest of the way.
I spent the majority of my time ogling the beautiful scenery as we passed by through the rear of the carriage. There was a lake that was located at the southern edge of the field that was barely visible at this point. Flanders itself was located right on the Hyclara Plateau sadly since we had no intentions of staying in the city we merely passed through without taking much time to see anything.
About five days had passed at this point, as Prylla didn't give the ground dragon much time to rest beyond what it absolutely needed. I thought that was a bit mean personally, but since our schedule was tight on the journey there I understood why. We passed by Garkla without even stopping as Prylla had no intention of dealing with the Vollachian border patrol. She mentioned something about their heads being up their own asses.
The journey so far was enjoyable even though I did have to train during the evening's. Prylla was fairly strict when it came to that. At about the halfway point between Garkla and Picoutatte we had decided to set up camp for the night. We will be arriving in the city tomorrow.
"This has been pretty fun!" I was petting the ground dragon who was making a cooing noise in response.
"I'm glad that you're enjoying your first time outside the Cathedral. I hope it's been up to your expectations." Prylla was setting up the tent for the night.
"The land around here is super pretty! Gah!" The ground dragon's tongue glided across my face. It's tongue was rather rough yet warm to the touch. That doesn't make it any less gross though. I stopped petting the animal and found a spot to sit down.
"Too bad we don't have the time to mingle at any of the cities, but maybe we could on the way back if time permits." Prylla finished setting up the tent and I hopped up and crawled inside it.
"Ohhh, that sounds like fun!" I layed down in the tent.
"I'm sure it will be." Prylla sat down inside the tent.
I closed my eyes and fell asleep quickly for the night. The next day came and we packed up everything and finished our journey to Picoutatte. Prylla had handed me a special metia called a conversation mirror in case we got separated. Apparently they use magic to communicate over long distances. Prylla secured the carriage and ground dragon outside the city which I wasn't sure why she didn't just use the stable, but I decided not to ask. I double checked my Gospel and viewed the vision one more time. Sliding it back into the inner pocket next to my dagger that Prylla made me take in my cloak I took Prylla's hand as she walked me inside of the city.
I stood in the same spot where I was in the vision which was not too far inside the main gates on the road. It was easy to find as the time tower was clearly visible. I watched the tower as the color grew brighter until it matched the color I saw. Once it did I looked towards where I noticed the deal taking place and the sound of a bell went off in the distance. Good. Shouldn't be much longer. I waited and waited. I looked back at the time tower which the hue of the crystal no longer matched the one the Gospel showed me. Did I come to the wrong place? No, this is definitely the place.
"Prylla, let's go back there." I pointed towards a dark alley and dragged her along with me. I had her stand on lookout while I checked my Gospel. The world around me faded and was replaced with a new scene. I wasn't standing on the same street as before but now in front of a large building with people, presumably merchants, going in and out. I looked around for anything distinguishable, but found nothing that wasn't covered in shadow's and blurred. I looked down at my Gospel to see if it had anything new to offer and all it said was: Trading Company. I shut the book and hid it away.
"Prylla, do you know about any trading companies here?"
"There's one that's notable. The Suwen Trading Company."
"That's where we need to go next."
Leaving the alley we traveled further into the city. There were a multitude of merchants and demi-humans crowding it's streets. The city was separated into five different districts: North, South, East, West, and Central. We were currently in the North district and needed to head to the West district. It was roughly around noon when we arrived at the Suwen Trading Company. The stone walls were a piercing white and the entry was shaped like an arch. Entering the main building we were greeted by the man I saw in my vision.
"Welcome to the Suwen Trading Company! My name is Mazeran Suwen. How may I be of service?" The man's tone was awfully polite which I liked about the man. He pinched his mustache as he spoke which I marked off some points on the likeability scale for that one. Almost full marks, but he had to ruin it. Honestly only a stereotypical bad guy would have a mustache like that.
"Ah yes. We are in the market for a certain metia you may have come into contact with recently." Prylla replied.
"A metia you say? Forgive me but those are quite the expensive trinket's you know." I don't like him very much. I can't put my finger on why though.
"Money won't be an issue, I can assure you of that." As Prylla spoke Mazeran had an inquisitive look on his face. It's the mustache. Definitely the mustache. He has to be a bad guy with a mustache like that.
"It's a small ring with a red jewel on it." I spoke up.
"Hmm… I think I remember that one. I sold it to this peculiar fellow in a black cloak. Couldn't see his face, but he paid a rather handsome sum for it." I pouted at his response. I guess this won't be as easy as I hoped it would.
"Could you tell us everything you can about that man?" Prylla inquired.
"Sorry that won't be possible. Client confidentiality, a merchant's pride, and all that." He raised his hands and waved them back and forth.
"Oh? Pride?" I can't look at this mustache any longer. I let go of Prylla's hand and approached him. Prylla seemed to wave her hand a little, but I wasn't too sure.
"He- Hey! What're you doi-" He started backing up but lost his footing and fell to the ground.
"I've been wondering, mister. Are you a bad guy?" Prylla just watched without any visible expression.
"I wouldn't call myself a bad guy! I'm just a trader trying to make an honest living I swear. I don't know anything about the metia! You gotta believe me!" He backed into a wall as I continued stepping closer to him.
"Hm... How to test… How to test... " Well if by touching my Gospel I can see into the future, maybe it worked on people too? I stretched out my hand and placed it on the man's chest. A few moments passed and the world around me crumbled away in a similar fashion as when I use my Gospel. A wife and three sons, happy and joyful. If he's such a good father he couldn't be bad right? I took my hand away satisfied with my answer.
"I hope you take good care of your kids!" I turned around, grabbed Prylla's hand and marched out of the building.
"H- How? How did she know..." I couldn't hear the man's muffled voice as I left.