Time began to fly as Nathaniel continued to live in Ingerton, He had defeated countless threats and had gotten himself a promotion to C-Rank
Now with this rank he could at last take harder and tougher quests challeninging his body for he was merely 2nd-Circle
' ' Hmph.. ' '
Nathaniel scoffed looking at himself through a mirror,
He began to wipe the sweat off his body with a towel before sighing
'I need more money. My magic has been stagnating, The same with Aura.. I guess without proper funding even effort can't give you everything..'
' ' What an unfair world.. ' '
He sighed covering his face with his hand but under it... he couldn't help but smirk
' ' If I was any other person. Heh... All I need is to... Reach a rich enough merchant... I'm quite surprised there hasn't been a quest for one in a while too... ' '
He muttered to himself before shrugging, with a groan he put his equipment on and headed down stairs, his mask autonatically activating the moment he left his apartment
'Still as obnoxious and loud as ever.'
He scoffed as he moved through the crowds into the quest board, his eyes darting from each piece of paper to another..
'This!'
His eyes immedietly lit up as his gaze found something of value
"Escort the Golden Merchant Guild into the city of Westventer
Minimum of C-Rank due to the long journey and the suspected danger from the journey, Please make sure to bring all belongings."
Nathaniel smirked as he let out a soft chuckle his aura dampening the mood in the entire room as he continued to scheme
' ' Perfect. ' '
...
He looked around before realizing
' ' Apologies. ' '
He scratched the back of his head before taking the paper as he rushed to the counter, a massive grin beneathe his flaming mask
' ' Here. Sign me up. ' '
With a sigh, getting used to Nathaniel's, or Sol's antics over the past 2 months she did as she was told without question
'He should be able to survive even when escorts are typically one of the harder jobs in adventuring...'
With another sigh she signed the paper work watching as he left
As the next day came, the red horizon birthed from the sun was rather beautiful, signifying a new day... and
Starting Nathaniel's farewell to Ingerton, his town of Beginning.
Arf arf!
Fenris barked excitedly wagging his tail as he popped out of Nathaniel's Bag behind him his soft white fur radiated something warm as the sunlight reflected of his fur
As the two walked Nathaniel's peace and silence would be interrupted by a group of people
'Hm? 8 people, 6 being armed men... Bodyguards I suppose? Their golden attire seem familliar.'
He calculated his next course of action before gently putting his palm on the pommel of his longsword staring at the man with red hair surrounded by the troops and the much younger woman by his side
' ' There is no need to be alerted, I've merely come to talk. ' '
The man with red hair spoke, his voice gentle showing no ill intent as he waved his hand dismissing his guards
'He dismissed his men? Hmph... Either a trap or a show of trust. I'll bite for now and see.'
Nathaniel, in response slowly let go of the pommel of his blade dragging his hand away from the handle
' ' Are you the adventurer they call "Sol"? ' '
The man asked with a hopeful smile
' ' So what if I am? ' '
Nathaniel replied with a more agressive tone, perhaps he was showing that whatever he was plotting he wouldn't fall victim to it
' ' Please.. If you are really him please protect my daughter personally. Rumors of your achievements about how you scared of the Bandits during the raid have been spreading so.. ' '
He paused for a bit before his eyes lit up
' ' Ah! I almost forgot! I am Melvin Mercer, The owner of the Golden Merchant Guild.. and This is my daughter. ' '
' ' It's a pleasure to meet you. ' '
She said softly before greeting Nathaniel with a gentle and soft bow
' ' I am Elanor Mercer.. I will be in your care ' '
Her voice was soft, her long red hair swaying as the windblows
' ' I'll do it, but why me specifically? ' '
Nathaniel asked, there were some B-ranks in the listing so why a random C-rank? even if he was getting famous it didn't make sense for him to ask me specifically
' ' Did you know... after the bandits fled they stayed in some routes? That's the reason we couldn't leave, as the last time we did we were ambushed and a majority of my forces died. ' '
Melvin replied, his eyes filled with... sadness?
Nathaniel paused for a bit staring at him, Despair or Guilt Maybe he was sympathetic.. But because of that.. Nathaniel smiled
'Hm.. It would be easier to get a deal out of him then'
As Nathaniel pondered Merlvin soon inetrrupted his thoughts as he continued to speak
' ' If maybe Sir Sol was there the bandits wouldn't dare approach Elanor. ' '
Nathaniel paused, calculating what he could get out of the deal...
' ' I'll give you a promise, I'll make sure she'll be unharmed and you sponsor my funds ' '
Nathaniel spoke, his voice carrying certaininty
' ' Deal. ' '
To be continued