14xx/06/01 Johannes Calendar

32 days since arrival…

I've been busy.

When I got back to port, the first thing I notice is the big fuck-off galleon decorated with enough motifs of Ilias that even an illiterate can guess whom they served. They were surprisingly in good condition much to my utter surprise. 50 guns or no guns, seawater reigns supreme above all. Aside from the general wear and tear, they seem to be doing just fine.

The sailors were all over the place; loading boxes, at the markets, chatting up the locals. They didn't look clean, but the uniforms they wore signify who they stand with. Vermillion red with yellow highlights were the prevailing motif of the seamen around me. Some of their passengers, missionaries' types by the look of their robes hangs around the university, bearing new knowledge from over the seas. I saw Fizz chatting up with some young priestess who looked like she needed a trip to the nearest buffet.

Struck by a flight of fancy, I decided to strike up a conversation with one of the priestly types among them. The girl I was chatting up with, sister Julia I think, was an elemental magician. She said that the convoy she was with is actually a private convoy from San Ilia who for some reason wanted to cross through the storm even when the most gallant of vessel failed to move. The captain, an eccentric nobleman who doesn't want to be named, hired the Gaia's Servants, a company of elemental witches specialized on the usage of you guessed it, natural elements such as water and fire.

Julia also told me that the captain is intrigued by the news of Makinas from this land, and will pay handsomely for all the Makina-like equipment anybody could sell to him. Hence why the university has been in an uproar. Better to be informed first than be duped later.

The university was open for public, but the usual gaggle of warriors and bystanders were nowhere to be found. Everywhere I go, I see scholarly robes and wise words. I can see a few of them gazing at me with intrigue, probably interested by the suit I wear, which defies every form of design they are familiar of. I don't blame them. Polymer armour isn't what you call, Medieval fantasy.

The lobby was filled with people in their fineries, trying to hawk away whatever trinkets and baubles away to the unimpressed local scholars. I never thought a cargo cult of the 21st century would appear here of all places. Intricate carving of clocks, bows and watches were everywhere within the hall, all accompanied by their respective carver whom weave tales of 'high-tech' items borne from a dangerous land of Tartarus. I ignored them, for I want to have an audience with the owner of the ship.

Through a series of conversation, I was led toward a semi-private courtyard where most of the nobility and scholars were situated. While officially it was supposed to be open to the public, the area was hidden away from normal eyes and I have to relinquish my visible weapons to the guard. While being only armed with a pair of hidden blades and tiny 9mm revolver strapped to my ankle annoys me to no end, the fact that I have Sophie watching over my stuff and within calling distance soften the frustration a lot.

The design of the courtyard was strikingly Roman, with a dash of Greek architecture within their pillars and statue of Ilias. A middle-aged professor stood within the circle at the middle of the courtyard, giving out his thoughts about the danger of Makina.

It took me a while, but my target eventually shows himself by asking a question to the professor. The captain was an old man in his 50s, but has the bearing of a younger man. He wore an expertly crafted red admiral jacket and a pair of black tricornes with a simple red feather that adorns his scruffy Navy-Blue hair. Judging by the empty sheath at his side, he probably carried an exotic scimitar. Much to my utter surprise, I see the familiar handle of an old snub-nosed revolver tucked behind his jacket. Only a big shot is allowed to carry weapons within gun-free zones like this.

My time to shine comes when the professor invited my target for a speech or two. The old nobleman's age belies his hidden youthful vigour. He called himself, the captain, as he is the captain of the ship named Sea Walker that is now parked neatly at their harbour. He told them that he is here to collect as many objects as he can get from the Tartarus Rifts for his lord back home and is willing to pay high prices for it.

But he also said that he will not just take any whippersnapper that comes through the gate bearing trinkets. He wanted knowledge, practical and spiritual on the usage of each trinket given. He needed actual engineers, scholars, scientist, people who knows this shit.

And finally, he said that he wanted to visit the Tartarus Rifts and is willing to pay handsomely for anybody willing to guide him.

I could not contain my smile as he asked for a volunteer for his expedition.

The courtyard was silent as I approach the captain, offering my skills and expertise to the enigmatic nobleman. Some dissented at my boldness, but I argued my case, and won handily. Honestly, what were they expecting? I'm literally covered head to toe in polymer and wires.

The rest of the seminar was a blur, but in the end, I got what I wanted. In exchange of me bringing him to the nearest Tartarus Rift, he will give me and my friend a passage beyond the sea.

Of course, I wasn't alone truly. We have a few people following us as well, each wanting the same thing I did; a passage beyond the sea with all the benefits of a legal paying passenger while paying a fraction of the cost. I manage to eke out a passage for my friend Latina, whom surprisingly wanted to keep following me, even beyond the original scope of her work. Apparently to become a better guide, she wanted to expand her territory further beyond the sea.

The first guy is a paladin of Ilias, native of this land itself. Light brown hair, deep brown eyes, slim build, pretty much forgettable if not for his resting bitch face. Guy looks like he didn't get any sleep because his fucking neighbour kept doing construction work at 3 in the morning. Carried a solid flanged mace and a shield with the goddess Ilias emblazoned on the surface with silver. He wore a practical set of chainmail armour with his head protected by a mail coif.

Second guy's a wizard, a pretty boy with fluffy blonde hair and those weird green eyes that needed a pair of wire glasses on his nose. Got his unnecessary blue wizard hat and robes with him. Don't really like him at first, feels like he gonna get blown away the moment a fight broke out. At least he got a dagger and his staff is made of metal. Slim build too, and his skin is deathly pale. Have to watch out for his book though, got some real ghostly vibe from it.

Third girl is an archer of some sort. Slim build with ample bosom and behind (as expected), hazel eyes, jet-black hair, a winning smile. Wore surprisingly conservative shirt and trousers, with a tight green vest and solid boots. Carried a wooden bow and have a quiver of iron arrows. The handaxe at her hip is a welcoming sight, after seeing everyone here carries swords like they were cheap condoms.

Apparently, the first guy wanted to go back to his church at San Ilia. Wizard dude wanted to peruse the library at San Ilia. And the chick wanted to keep following the first dude. Damn, that girl is hella thirsty for holy meat. Her name's Natsuki, and she got it hard for Oskar the Paladin. Kael the wizard has no idea who the fuck those two are, but are willing to put up with some shit just to read some new books.

I don't really know what they offered to the captain, but they're my boys now, so I have to work with them. Haven't fought with them yet, so I'll take most of their words with a pinch of salt. Oskar's a Paladin, so he's good at both healing and hurting. Kael is a good magician who somehow knows way too much hypnosis magic. Natsuki's the most normal of the bunch, if you ignore the blatant saliva that kept dripping out of her mouth every time Oskar did something. But she did say she can cast some magic to make her archery better.

But for today, we will all rest in the inn for a day. Then afterward, we will accompany the captain to his destination.

Let's hope everything goes well tomorrow…