Since I need to find whether the local wood is good enough to be carved. I decided to return to the Scribel Forest, at the North of the City, but this time for a quest. To get firewood. I just need to borrow a cart and axe from the Guild. I suppose they provide them since they’re the sponsor. In any case, I left the city rather hurriedly once I obtained everything I needed. Funnily enough, I bumped into someone rather familiar. I suppose I did not need to search him in the city, eh?
“Good morning, my dear Paul.”
Scratching his chin, this friend of mine seemed to be speechless. No words left his mouth. For some reasons, he seemed to be feeling rather awkward. Whatever that is, I gestured my head to tell him to come with me.
“I gotta cut some wood in the forest. Come, we will speak on the way if you would.”
However, we did not speak on the way. Only when I stopped, after half a mile, did he utter a word. I lifted the woodcutter’s axe and stared at him. Likely, under this mask, he must have noticed that I wanted to swing this axe at him. Unfortunately, if it comes to this, I would likely be the one to be buried rather than him. He likely did not have any idea how to approach those topics, so he decided to be blunt and show his cards right away.
“Manyvat. I have a few questions regarding your bloodline, your past with tribal or ancient magic, and finally… the circumstances of your death, before you appeared in Tonia.”
Everything he said was within my expectations, however, I deeply had hoped it was not the case. Whatever was it. I know that there was something wrong with me, be it my soul or my body, and some… rare people seem to be able to sense it. Paul and that prisoner I met seem to be among these people-- or Paul was ordered to keep an eye on me and had an extensive knowledge about that matter, which would permit him to act as if he could see it.
“Middle-class family, took up the family business, travelled, created a company and died during… mmmm, troubling times. Let’s say that if the rulers were-- assassinated in broad daylight, and everyone would have cheered on the murderers. Since I was well-off, I was executed, end of the story.”
Objectively speaking, this is one of the reasons I died. Then, what really happened? Ha! Not even I know! Since my informants turned their back on me, I had no intel neither do I know the real motives of my sentence. It was at that moment that I began cutting a tree, to get the firewood you see.
“That is not what I meant… your ancestors, who were they?”
“I don’t know them. We had no familial archives. My parents rose up in the social ladder during their lives.”
Well, half-true, half-false. I knew a tale that kept getting told to youngest members of the family to scare them. It was apparently the story of one of our ancestor. But, it’s just nonsense. Although, if I consider the recent events, it may be true? Ha.
“Ah, and as for my experience in magical stuff… I guess I explored some ruins at my start. But most of the time, I immediately sold the goods either to keep hunting treasures until I found one that could ensure me… a nice stash of money to found my company.”
It also created connections with mages, who usually tend to be loaded. And thus, once I founded my company, and since they knew me and my tendencies, they first gave me a hand-- against a share of the profits.
“It worked pretty well. I needn’t learn magic or research it-- I was nothing, but a merchant that hired mercenaries to do the dirty job.”
Unfortunately, that is not the case anymore. Perhaps, I should have gotten some of these books and learn more about magic, so I do not end up helpless in a fight. That would come in handy today! For example, for beating up Paul.
“...and yet you became an Adventurer here?”
Well. Fair point. I just took the easy way and joined the ones that seemed to have more knowledge about… people who were not from ‘here’.
“Now, give me intel if you will.”
The tree fell. It was time to cut the trunk and turn it into firewood… I should have taken a second axe, Paul would have helped? No way. My eyes glanced at this despicable fool and saw how-- conflicted he seemed to be. Unsure whether he could share his ‘wisdom’ with the poor and ignorant me! If only I had more funds. Suppose I need to work on that deal with Basilgaraad as quickly as possible.
“Mmmm… another question-- sometimes, can you see, or hear, a sort of revenant? A ghost? A blurry figure who can… interact with you in some way?”
So, he knew about that as well. What a shame. So… these were not hallucinations? However-- Nene, I think? She told me there were no spirits encroaching on my soul… or did she say evil spirits? Mmmm. I do not quite remember. Seeing that I did not utter a word, a smile crept upon his face-- not as if you would believe me if I said no after all.
“Ha. You’re wrong on many points.”
The shape that I could see from time to time was not blurry. So far, I was able to discern its form, its height, and so forth. Nonetheless, if he wished to know. He needed to provide pieces of information he would not give. Little by little, the cart was half-empty. I still needed to cut more wood. But I will soon be done. While I was at it-- I took out my hunting knife and tried to see how resistant the wood was. Luckily, it did not work. If my knife could slice it, it would be unwise to use it.
I just needed to find a carving knife, I have… let’s say four days to do my part. That should not be too hard to find, right? Neither would it be too expensive. Perhaps I could just ask Lily to fetch me one. Oh well. Let’s speak a bit with Paul.
“In any case, how’re you doing? These few days weren’t too taxing on you, right?”
Of course, I did not stop cutting the firewood while speaking, wasting time.
“I suppose… I am doing fine. Just a bit pressured, but overall, I am good, I am good… although, not for long? The tree you just cut ought to have attracted some beasts who heard it falling.”
“That’s fine, you will protect me, right? If you don’t, I will just let myself get killed. Only the first time is terrifying after all.”
Since we are nearby the city, it must not be a dangerous monster. Even if I am no warrior, I would have no troubles to deal with it. However, I still prefer to let this kind of job to others.
“Aaah. Of course not you gotta defend yourself and become stronger, you can’t hire mercenaries after all.”
I am curious about that. Considering the troubles he went with to test me and know more about my previous life, would he just let me die? Hopefully, a beast comes soon, I need to try it out. Mmm. What kind of beast would attack me though? Wild animals would not. There can only be a monster… There were quests about goblins, so it could be one I suppose? But it’s unlikely for them to be alone, so if they come, I should be able to notice. Perhaps slimes.? Right, didn’t people speak about a Slime Horde? Huh. And they make no sounds. I guess if I am attacked, that would be a slime… though I can just run away with the cart. As far as I remember, slimes are slow creatures.
“Alright, just tell me if one comes. Then, we will leave.”
Nonetheless, I understand the need to strengthen my skills and become powerful enough to defend myself. After these words. a sigh left Paul’s mouth as if he was exasperated with me. Likely, he may think that I am coward? Whatever.
“Should I attack you myself…”
Again? I rubbed my temples as I finished filling the cart. If only I did not have such a cunt following me and inciting me to throw myself into the wolf’s mouth… Jokes aside, it could be taken literally. There could be famished wolves in this forest. I better leave quickly.
“Alright, alright. Next quest I will take will be about hunting, I can’t go straight into fighting. Either that or nothing.”
Initially surprised with this agape mouth and raised eyebrows, he then crossed his arms and seemed to be satisfied. Of course, I had terms that I had to mention only after getting his hopes up.
“Only if you get me a carving knife.”
A bitter smile appeared on his face as he simply nodded to my request. I suppose I will get my carving knife tomorrow, eh? Unless he does not find one, or if he tries to make me pay for it… I would just change quest midway and search for lost kids.
“By the way, I saw some small monsters moving, probably a hundred foot away from our position… you gotta hurry or you’re gonna get killed.”
“You will be there to protect me whether you want it or not.”
In all honesty, I didn't know if he would or what he wanted. But at the end of the day? I just needed to take advantage of it. I needed to stay alive for him to get something from me. Unfortunately, I do not know anything… although, he does not have to know that.
In any case, I came back to Scribel with a cart filled with firewood. The monsters that were there were searching for me but I left before they could find me.
