Chapter 8 - First Mission

We arrived back at the outpost within the hour. Has the argument ended? As we step in, the loud voices still echo across the room. That certainly answered my question. Fiona pushed the door open gently. I quietly entered, following her closely behind. Ceara was the first one to notice. Seeing my battered and bruised body, her lips curved to a simple smile. Marrec and the Rocheste commander were still staring daggers into each others' eyes.

Marrec: "...Just leave. We won the battle with no outside help. So, this is OUR matter to handle."

Gwynn: "This is beyond your capacity, mercenary."

Marrec: "I have nothing more to discuss with you. If you have nothing else to say, leave!"

He pointed his finger out the door, where I was standing. Feeling awkward, I moved inside towards Fiona. Gwynn didn't budge from her spot.

Gwynn: "We are going in circles, mercenary. Let me speak to your captain, face to face."

Marrec: "No can do. He's recovering from a serious injury. I'm sure he'd say the same thing. Or, he might just ignore you completely. He's got no more love for you than I do."

Gwynn: "Very well. I will return when your captain has recovered. Tell him that I was here to see him. Cadet Ellis, follow me."

She beckons Ellis to follow and left the outpost in a huff.

Ellis: "Yes, ma'am! B-bye, everyone!"

Ellis gives you a slight nod and then scrambles after Gwynn. After seeing the Rocheste commander leave, Marrec let out a scoff.

Marrec: "Hmph. Bluffing cowards, the lot of them."

Ceara: "Marrec..."

Ceara glances at you and then makes a gesture to Marrec.

Marrec: "Ow! Why are you poking me in the ribs?! Oh, Lethita! Welcome back! I'm Marrec. You remember me from couple of days ago, right? We owe you a great debt for saving Tieve- Er, for saving the oracle."

It seems like Marrec was used to calling the oracle by her name. I wonder how long have they known each other?

Marrec: "By the way, what really happened on the top of the tower? I tried to repair the equipment you had yesterday, but... It's completely wrecked, so I threw it out. I'm simply amazed that you managed to escape that place alive. Just use this for now."

He hands me a brown cloak and leather pants, both part of the veteran gears.

Marrec: "I'll give you the rest of them as soon as we get them. Just give me some time. We're still waiting for new shipments to arrive. Although this equipment isn't the best, it will get the job done for a while. And again, welcome to the Crimson Blades."

He then walks around the room, thinking deeply.

Marrec: "What should we do now? Since the captain is absent, I must make a decision for all of us..."

He looks at me and continues after making a swift choice.

Marrec: "We must investigate the Perilous Ruins. Lethita, do you know where that is?"

I was about to shake my head but Ceara unknowingly interrupts me.

Ceara: "But that makes no sense. The gnolls LEFT the Fomors!"

Why does it matter if the gnolls left the Fomors or not? Once a Fomor, always a Fomor. Wait, does that even apply here? It doesn't matter, I'll kill them anyways.

Marrec: "Exactly! When we talk of Fomors, we mean those monsters that are fighting a war against humans. And gnolls are no part of that."

Fomors only apply to the monsters that fight against humans? That statement left me speechless. ...No, my goal still hasn't changed.

Marrec: "Still, they attacked us this time... So, as the first official mission from the Crimson Blades, I want you to look into this matter, Lethita."

He then looks at Fiona at the side. She nods before he even says anything.

Marrec: "Fiona, I'm expecting you to accompany him. Go to the Perilous Ruins and investigate the gnolls. See what you can find out. You can do this, right, rookie? Good luck out there!"

Marrec dismissed and gave me the rest of the day to prepare. I am set to leave early tomorrow morning. He also suggested me to take a shower. Well, more like he "strongly recommended" that I do. I took a look at myself and realized that I haven't showered for weeks...not since the Fomors ruined my life. I sought out a shower at the inn and left the outpost.

Fiona stayed behind in the outpost and reported Lethita's progress at the training site.

Ceara: "So how many did he beat before getting smacked by the golems?"

She giggled as she looked at Marrec, keeping her laughter to a minimal. Struggling to keep a straight face, Marrec tried hard not to laugh as well.

Marrec: "Ceara! The training site is not a laughing matter. It gauges your abilities and summons the appropriate number of golems for enhancing your skills. The others didn't name it The Rookie Killer for no reason, you know?"

Ceara: "You're just saying that because you lost at the 10th one, which was below average!"

Ceara laughed even harder. Fiona could see embarrassment seeping through Marrec's helmet.

Marrec: "Hey! That was the first time! I can handle against many more now!"

Ceara: "Yeah. Like 5 more! Fiona took down over 30 on her first try. I'm sure she has reached over 50 by now. What was your excuse again?"

Marrec desperately tried to defend himself from the shaming, but to no avail. Finally catching her breath, Ceara composes herself.

Ceara: "Stop standing there and say something, Fiona! How'd the rookie do?"

Fiona: "...He beat it..."

Marrec: "...What?"

Fiona: "...He beat the training site... And with a quarter of the hourglass remaining..."

Marrec and Ceara's faces did a 180 degree turn and both fall silent upon hearing Fiona's words. They looked at each other and back at Fiona. Both of them know that Fiona isn't one to joke around, meaning that the rookie had actually triumphed the site. Fiona felt that they wanted more details. She continued on with her report.

Fiona: "...At first, the golems appeared normally like everyone else... He took them down in mere seconds... He was fast... Faster than anyone I've seen... But then... They kept increasing in numbers... To a point whereI was unable to count them... Still, he managed to beat them all down... Finally, a giant wood guard appeared... It took me by surprise as well... I don't know how he did it... But..."

Fiona trails off in silence. Marrec and Ceara can already guess what she wanted to say. Lethita beat the giant golem. There was no denying that the Crimson Blades received a very promising rookie. Fiona excused herself and left in the direction of the arena, vowing to become stronger.