" Do you understand what you've just said? The weight of your words?" A grunt voice broke the silence in the room. The man's black brows furrowed as he digested the information. His whiskers trembled at what he had just learned.
He placed his elbow on the table, his hands supporting his chin as he stared at the man who sat on the opposite side of the table. He was genuinely surprised so he asked " Why tell me this, you could have conquered the labyrinth and taken its riches for yourself. Never to work again. So why didn't you?" The mood changed at his piercing words.
Nathaniel leaned forward glancing into the guild master's eyes as he said, " You know very well that with my power I cannot overcome the danger's of the labyrinth, even the guardian had almost done me in." It was a bitter pill to swallow.
Who in their right mind would not take the opportunity to become wealthy if given the chance. After Nathaniel's discovery that he was right and that Arneth's dungeon did house a labyrinth he had gone in to explore perhaps take its riches for himself such that he did not need Rose and the chaos she would bring into his life.
It was one thing to become wealthy but did he have the strength to protect such wealth? No, then how long would it take for him to assimilate the magic and artifacts in the dungeon discreetly, 5 no 6 or 7 years. He was sure he would not live past the month. He knew Rose and she knew him so no matter how flippant she was, she would not leave him alive since he had refused to join them.
He had no choice but to sell the intel. " Of course I have raided some part of the labyrinth but the rest is beyond my capabilities. So I would rather sell the information. " Nathaniel said as he upheld his decision.
" Lavender." The guild master Rodrick said, a man dressed in black assassin garments appeared next to him. " He is not lying." Nathaniel was not shocked by the unknown man's sudden entry. Rodrick leaned back tapping his hand on the table leisurely.
" Alright, I will buy your information but first I want you to accompany my scout team to verify the authenticity of your intel. So?" Rodrick questioned.
Nathaniel thought pensively for an moment, " It seems that my sincerity is not enough. I will take my leave then. I am sure that the merchant's association will be more appreciative of my intel." Nathaniel took a sip of water from his glass and stood up.
" Are you sure you really want to do that?" Rodrick asked however there was no anger or greed in his tone. "Well what can I do, though the information might sell for less we have established that I am not lying." Nathaniel said as he grabbed hold of the door handle. He was not worried about the guild master going behind his back to use the information. He did not say where the labyrinth was or in which dungeon. There were four dungeons located near Rose wood village however because of how weak the monsters were, most adventurer's migrated to cities once they were strong enough.
It would take about six months to fully explore all the dungeons and if the labyrinth was located in the wilderness then forget about it. He could not use the guilds resources unilaterally.
" A 100 gold upfront, 600 after verification." Rodrick said. The assassin merely glanced at Nathaniel and said nothing. Nathaniel paused at the offer, he wanted to refuse but recognized that he held no upper hand in the discussion.
The information was worth more than gold. "I will add three magic spells to on top of that, of course only tier 3 and below." Nathaniel almost chuckled at Rodrick's words. Why give a man power he could not use but Nathaniel took the offer nonetheless.
" Alright, I will assemble a scouting party within the week but all treasures obtained will belong to the guild." Rodrick said sternly, he stood up and walked up to Nathaniel. He shook the man's hand sealing the deal. Magic light erupted into chains binding the hands of both men.
It was a sign of a contract being established. Nathaniel took his leave his pockets heavier, exiting on the left of the reception desk. " Martha." Rodrick called out. Martha glanced at Nathaniel as she walked into the guild master's office. She wondered how someone so weak could have piqued the master's attention. The door turned illusionary upon her entry.
Nathaniel took a moment to look outside the window of the second floor, overlooking the village, a population of roughly 21500 people. It was a lot but compared to some cities that housed nearly a billion people it was small. The wall of dark rose wood enclosed the village providing only two exits.
Nathaniel walked to the south exit, the one leading to Arneth's dungeon. However he he diverged from the path heading for a small cliff not too deep within the Maldon thicket. He walked past all trees, standing at the top. The wind flushed his face, he looked loke a solitary figure overlooking mortals.
His left sleeve wafted by the wind, he wanted to regain his arm, his magic. To have vengeance but his will had been waning since he came here. Life was different but Rose made him remember that this peace was but a candle light flickering in the storm eventually to be snuffed out.
" So when will you do it?" Nathaniel asked.
" In a month or so, he will get the intel after your scouting work." a reply came.
" How many will he mobilize?" Nathaniel stared at the setting sun it's crimson hue engulfing the south end of the continent as the conversation went on.
" 250 or so, he will keep about 50 to protect himself."
" Will that affect the plan?"
" No, if he doesn't move then the guild will move but he is forced to move. So what about you, they will come for you."
" I know but I have no choice, so when will I get it?"
"No need to fret, we are friends aren't we. Of course I have it with me but still are you sure you don't want those treasure's?"
" No, I have enough taking more will defeat the purpose."
The sun was heralding the bloodbath that was about to wash over this tiny village with its crimson and orange hues.
" What about the baron?"
" He will seek your head, so where do you plan on going afterwards?"
"I don't know but the baron will be busy blocking the holes sinking his life to bother about me, so I guess the same. To the town of Liberia."
" Why not join us and scour the dark." The voice said.
" Unfortunately I have." Nathaniel took his leave from the cliff at those words heading back to the village.