Begrudgingly, the group followed Robin back, from the harbor, past the Imperial Gate Station, and all the way to the palace of the Lord of Larida. Although the manor was big and would have been quite luxurious in its prime, time was not nice to it.
The downfall of Larida after losing the business of the archipelago had left its mark, and the flamboyant palace was not only a crumbling witness of a time gone by. Still, the gates to the mausoleum of dreams were still guarded.
"Halt, who are you?" the guard greeted them agitatedly, pointing their weapon at them. It was not hard to understand why. The city had just been attacked, and most of the army seemed busy aiding and organizing the survivors.
"I'm Robin, an imperial aide, and these are our guests from Minas Mar. Our vessel was destroyed in the earlier attack, and we lost our crew. We came to request support from the Lord to continue our journey to the Auk Archipelago," the guy in a pseudo-maid outfit explained, composed.
It seemed like their guide had regained his bearings on the way through the city. The guard checked them closely before lowering their weapon.
"You are the guys that want to risk their lives to scout Auk?" he asked for confirmation, still doubting them. Whether he doubted their identity or their objective was unclear.
"Indeed. Our goal is to visit the Auk Archipelago. This should prove my identity," Robin said, as if he just remembered that he had an imperial token to prove his identity as a high-ranking civil servant.
As an answer, the guard only nodded and finally stepped aside, giving way for them to enter the crumbling palazzo. The inside was a little better maintained, but gaps and blank spaces made it clear that it used to be much more decorated, but decorations seemed to have been sold over the years.
Inside, they were greeted by an actual maid, but she was wearing a simple uniform that didn't resemble a maid's outfit at all. She almost wordlessly led them to a vast office. opposite the door, look out of a vast panorama window, was a man who seemed too small for his heavy, grand coat.
"Aide Robin," he greeted their guide, turning his eyes away from his still-smoking city. "I can guess why you are here. Although I appreciate your help in this disaster, I have to inform you that I have no vessels I could lend you for your journey," he said with a heavy sigh.
It was clear he already knew most of what was going on in the city. Even if he lost his luster, it seemed like the lord of a great city stayed the lord of a great city, even when the money waned.
"That is no problem. I was just informed that Minas Mar had their own backup vessel. But we are lacking a navigator, Sir," the aide informed him.
"You have your own vessel?" the man asked, his eyes finally emerging from the curtains of his bushy eyebrows, as they jumped up in surprise.
"Indeed, we just lack someone who knows how to get to the Auk Archipelago," Robin confirmed.
The lord fell silent and started mumbling incoherently for a moment.
"Alright. I will give you the third officer of my personal knight order. Grodin has experience navigating the sea and was originally from Fratercula," the lord said, like they were supposed to know that place.
"Fratercula?" Robin asked, causing the party to look at him. The lord clearly said it like locals were supposed to know what that place was. Why did the only local in their group, the great imperial aide, not know?
"No worries, it has been years since Auk was lost, only a few remember the capital of the archipelago," the Lord of Larida apologized for Robin's lack of knowledge. Seth started to feel like these guys were messing with them.
"I understand, it will be a great help to have a local lead the way," Robin said, not suspecting that the party he was supposed to guide was starting to question his competency. But maybe it was also a little too much to ask for an official to have perfect knowledge of the whole continent's geography. Just maybe.
"Yes, he should be returning soon. He is currently involved in the relief and rescue operation in the city," the Lord said with a sigh, glancing at his city that had almost burned down completely. "Would you care for a meal in the meantime?" he offered.
With Fin fervently speaking in favor of a second breakfast, it was an offer they could not reject. This way, despite having a substitute vessel, their departure was delayed for another couple of hours, as they waited for the third officer of the knights to return and get the happy news that he would return to his homeland.
They were back in the slightly dilapidated throne room. Grodin, his armor still covered in soot and grime, had entered with measured steps and kneeled before his lord to report the situation in the city.
"My Lord, I have returned, we-" he started, but he stopped when the lord lifted his hand. He had just spent hours helping citizens after the suspected demon attack; however, his lord also had news for him.
The man on the throne ignored the report about the situation in the city and briefed Grodin about his new mission. He didn't seem too happy about it. No, he definitely wasn't. Was this guy gritting his teeth as he listened to his lord?
"...Yes, my Lord. I will diligently guide the imperial guests to the best of my ability. I will go and prepare immediately," he said solemnly and excused himself. Considering what he just went through, they couldn't really blame him for not jumping for joy, but almost storming out of the throne room with clenched fist? Damn, drama.
Although Grodin showed a slightly unprofessional side of himself, it was excusable. They needed him. Soon, the third officer returned in lighter armor, wearing a padded jacket and a bag on his shoulder. They were finally ready to take their leave.
After bidding farewell to the city lord, they returned to the destroyed harbor, where they boarded Seth's new flying vessel. Grodin kept acting serious, but when the flying ship appeared from nowhere, he couldn't hide his surprise and serious glances.
"You only have to give it the course, and the ship can pilot itself. Will you manage?" the blacksmith asked, after giving Grodin roughly the same briefing that Hubert had given him when he acquired the flying ship from him.
"I think I understand it. When I have a problem, I will ask," the knight assured him, slightly less grumpy now. The interest in the new vehicle seemed to have calmed his initial disapproval.
"Good, thanks. Then I will leave it to you," the blacksmith said, somewhat relieved. It seemed that Grodin really had a knack for this, and he could leave the navigation to him. Which meant he finally had some time.
According to their new navigator, the journey across the sea would take two days. More than enough time for Seth to put the finishing touches on Monique's gauntlets. With just six people, there were enough empty rooms on the ship for Seth to set up shop in one of them.
"I want to watch again!"
"Me, too."
"Count me in."
His three spectators ambushed him before he was able to vanish from their gazes and lock the door behind him. They had to be really bored.
"Fine.." he said. Rolling his eyes, she let them in.