CHAPTER 51: INQUIRIES OF THE PEOPLE

To the left side of the garden at the trees that sprouted fruit, the witch held her stave, producing some sort of spell that brought the produce to grow rapidly. Beneath the branches, Emilia caught the ripening fruit, having to take quick steps while looking up to not let a single one drop.

It felt akin to printing money, though he wasn’t going to reject the idea of growing more food, especially when it was needed.

"Yo, Boss!"

—There was only one person to expect as he looked over, finding the red-haired swordsman crossing the walkway. In his somewhat airheaded stride, Phoenix nearly bumped into an elderly woman, who walked with a crane while biting into a peach.

"Woah–close," the adventurer quietly remarked.

Leon held back his own laughter, sitting beneath the shade of the tree as he was joined by his companion. In his hand, the bodyguard held two, green-skinned apples, holding one out as a peace offering to the lord.

He accepted the fruit, taking a bit into its sour, juicy core, watching the liveliness of the garden. From Charlemagne’s antics that kept the kids excited, to the fruit-laboring efforts of the witch and maid, it was a comforting setting.

–

[Vagrant Region, The Silver Passage]

Across the land enclosed by towering mountains, a forest persisted as one of the many paths in-and-out. An unusual biome, of trees that bore leaves of a platinum essence, resulting in much of the ground wielding the same, silver appearance.

Along the obscure trail, a lonesome woman traveled, carrying a sack on her back as she breathed out. Of silken, gold hair like that of a royalty given form and eyes as dazzling as diamonds, she marched with the beauty of a princess, yet equipped in sleek, silver armor, wearing a jet-black skirt and matching leggings.

At her hip, two blades rested; her back, a lavish bow remained in rest. She pulled the dark hood of her cloak over her head as the silver leaves drifted in the air.

"Just how much farther is it to find some people?" The woman questioned with a quiet pout to herself while hiking through the forest.

It was in the midst of her silent march that the sounds of figures scurrying through the bushes around her caught her attention. Like that of an owl, her ears discerned the weight of the footsteps that encircled her position. Mere forest critters, they were not.

"Well, I’m not surprised," she quietly sighed, drawing the bow from her back. "It is the Nebula Eclipse, after all."

The weapon crafted for archery was built of fine, white wood, engraved with cerulean lines of crystal that subtly glowed within it. It lacked a tangible string, though as she traced her finger between the ends, a line of light connected from the bow’s frog.

She pointed it upward towards the blackened sky, pulling the ethereal string back as an arrow formed of emerald light manifested. As her finger released the line, the projectile flew into the air.

At the very same moment as if prompted, those lurking in the hedges emerged–orcs of skillful descent, clearly showing some respect to her prowess. Each of the savages closed in within a second, bringing back their clubs and axes as they reached her within a moment, yet–

From the sky, emerald light rained down like a punishing rainfall. Not a single weapon was able to be swung before each orc was skewered by the plentiful projectiles. Anything alive within a ten meter radius of the golden-haired beauty’s position was left was countless holes drilled through them.

"Deathbringer orcs...I see, so the situation is as bad as I thought," she remarked to herself, returning her bow to the strap on her back.

["Astrid Nomaria"] [CLASS: Supreme Archer] [Level: 40]

–

In the courtyard overlooked by hedges taller than most cottages, he walked along the pathway that spanned the steps just beyond the entrance, looking upon the inactive golems. Each of the steel-built giants were in the same position, knelt with one fist to the ground and their heads resembled the winged helm of knights lowered as if bowing.

Four in total remained idle, though their time to awaken would undoubtedly be soon.

["Steel Golem"] [Level: 20]

"So, you really found these things in some hidden storage within the mansion?" Phoenix asked, standing behind him, gazing up with even more awe at the unmoving sentries.

"Yeah, something like that," Leon answered, lightly tapping his knuckles against one of the golems’ arms, feeling how solid it was.

While he was inspecting the metallic defenders, the incessant waving and calling out from a man near the parked carriages drew his attention. That is, it wasn’t feasible to ignore him—

"Greetings, Lord Schoeller! Yes, greetings and well met! Hello, Lord Schoeller!" The man with a bushy, blonde mustache greeted repeatedly while waving his hand, not taking silence for an answer.

The young lord shared a look with Phoenix before approaching with his bodyguard behind him. From the frilled, black-and-red attire with golden accents worn by the boisterous man, it practically yelled "I’m rich! I’m not like those poor peons!"

"Hello, did you need something?" Leon asked.

"Ah, well met, Lord Schoeller! I am Pedro Galvanick, the Third! You may have heard of me? The "Galvanick Express"? I export exotic goods to many cities, specifically to many powerful people," the merchant introduced himself, moving his hands as he spoke as if accentuating the importance of himself.

Just listening to the man speak was beginning to stir a headache as Leon nodded, stopping the incessant boasting, "Yeah, I’ve heard of you."

He lied, though it was well worth saving the headache as Pedro stopped, nodding his head in affirmation.

"So? What is it?" Leon asked again.

"You see, there’s a sort of...problem I have. In my carriage, I keep a very, very special and very, very, very expensive necklace. The problem is, you might notice, that it’s gone!" Pedro explained, his voice raising and his complexion reddening as the topic arose.

If he became anymore like a tomato, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if steam blew out of his ears like a tea kettle.