I looked down at my hands covered in dirt before looking at the three dirt mounds with their cross and names on them. 'I will come back one day, to make sure your graves are taken care of. Mother, I will miss you.' I said before, then turned around and walked towards the group. 'Guel will be the first city they will attack. I plan to become a mercenary to join the war. I would appreciate your help in finding a place for me to stay. I can buy my own house in Victoria.' I said, looking at her, and she nodded. She wanted to ask me to stay with her, but she didn't know how the others would feel about having a male remain there for good.
We mounted the Utahraptors as I looked once more at their graves before turning, shedding my last tear for now. As we made our way towards Guel, Victoria needed to talk to the noble in charge to warn them that we would be attacked. I had kept the heads of the three I killed, as Victoria knew they were nobles, and this was evidence. We traveled, no one daring to speak to me as I was lost inside my head. Remembering the times I wished I had done something when I held back, not knowing that our last day was so close. Holding the reins tightly, I focused my mind on the road ahead. I will kill as many as I can get my hands on.
Making it back to Guel by ten, I wasn't even sure where I was; it felt like my body was on autopilot the whole time. As we stopped in front of a building, Victoria tried calling out my name. Until the Forest Elf pinched my thigh, snapping me out of it. 'Jacob, we are at the Count's mansion.' Victoria said with a worried look, making me take a deep breath before slapping my face. Jacob, you have important things to do; not being able to focus will slow down the withdrawal of villages around here, so they don't meet the same fate. 'I am good now, Victoria.' I said. Making her nod as we got down, and I unsummoned the Utahraptors.
Carrying the bag with three heads, Victoria knocked on the door, and a butler opened it. 'Miss Victoria, what may I do for you?' He asked. 'We need to talk to Count William right away, it's of the greatest importance.' She said, making the butler's eyebrow raise as he guided us inside to a waiting area. I stood next to the window looking out as the room became quiet; no one wanted to talk until the sound of the door opening and a man in his thirties walked in. 'Victoria, what is so important?' The man said. 'The Village of Umir was attacked and destroyed by the Azerth Empire.' I said, making the man look over at me before looking at Victoria, as she nodded.
'Do you have proof of this?' He asked me as I carried the bag over and started to take the heads out he could tell they were killed today as he looked at their faces he knew they were three Barons belong to the Azerth Empire and their lands were farther down south which means they had no reason to be so close to our Empire. 'I will send some knights to confirm the attack on the village. I will be taking these heads.' He said, and I nodded as he bowed to Victoria and was about to exit the room, when he stopped and looked at me. 'What is your name and where are you from?' He said, looking at me. 'I am Jacob of Umir village.' I said, making him understand my cold eyes as he sighed and nodded.
'You did the Empire a great service with this information.' He said, making me nod as he left. 'I want to buy a house and get some rest.' I said, making Victoria sigh and nod. I had 600 gold coins more than I needed for a good house, as she led me to a real estate building. I bought a house for 150 gold coins and received the key. 'Do you want to buy anything before you go there?' Gwen asked, trying to cheer me up as I shook my head no. 'I want to be alone for a while, please.' I said before walking away from them with the map to the place. They chose to give me space as I walked down alleyways and finally found the house. It was in the commoner part of town, and crime wasn't too bad here.
I summoned Adam and Eve, letting them lie down as I got in between them and went to sleep. That night was horrible, I awoke from a nightmare seeing my mother's body as Adam and Eve tried to comfort me, I stood up and sent them back as I wanted to take a walk. It was midnight when I left my house, the streets dark as I began to walk, not picking a way, just following the path before me until I stopped in front of an old, small church. I chuckled a little before taking a step into the courtyard and knocking on the door. The lights were on as I walked inside, candles lit in front of seven female statues, and I walked in front, taking a knee.
'It wasn't your fault.' A woman's voice said as I looked over at an old nun walking out of a hall. 'The thing you're praying for, they don't think it was your fault that those bad things happened. One can't be everywhere at once, and no one can know everything. Sometimes life just gets messed up, young one.' She said, taking a seat on the old pews, as I looked at the statues, noticing the one in the middle. 'What religion is this? I haven't heard of one that worships seven goddesses before.' I said I had asked John about it, and he had no idea. The old woman chuckled. 'We are called the seven divine ones. We follow the teachings and guidance of the seven goddesses, Jacob.' She said, making me squint my eyes.
'How do I know your name?' She said with a smile as I looked back at the middle statue and sighed. 'Thank you.' I said, bowing to the statue before taking a seat next to the old woman. 'Did she say anything else? Like what her name is?' I asked, making her chuckle. 'She said you would ask that, but no. She only said that nothing that happened was your fault, you didn't know they were going to attack. So don't blame yourself, you did what you thought was right, helping Dorydark, and your mom knows it.' The old woman said before placing a hand on my hand and messing up my hair. 'You just have to walk your path sooner than most people. I bet your mother will watch over you every step of the way, so don't let that hate devour you and become like them.' She said, kissing my forehead, and I felt something lighten inside me.
'May I know your name?' I asked as she chuckled. 'Most know me as Granny. If you ever want to come here again, you have to let the path lead you here.' She said before standing up and waiting for me as I smiled and nodded. I felt my head clearer now, and I had too much self-doubt going on inside me. She is right, I didn't know they would attack. My mother wouldn't blame me, so why am I blaming myself? 'Thank you, Granny. I will make sure to come and ask for advice if ever there comes a time where I begin to doubt myself.' I said, bowing to her with my hand above my heart. She waved me off as I stepped outside, and the light began to shine, making me shocked for a moment as I had been walking for so long.
I looked back to only see a ruined building, making me wonder if everything was just my mind or if it was real. Well, no point in wondering what will come or won't come, I thought to myself. As I stepped on my path heading towards my future, I made my way to the mercenary guild. But first, I need to drop by the Red Rose and get a letter from Victoria so they won't look at me like I am stupid when I try to join the mercenary office as I stopped in front of the Red Roses and knocked on the door, only for the twin catkins to jump out and hug me.
'Are you feeling better? Nya.' Gewn said as I smiled and hugged them. I was shocked they would be worried about me, after all, we only met the day before yesterday, and we had only had a physical relationship so far. Maybe it's a race thing, I thought for a moment and just shrugged. 'Yes, I am better now. Thank you, Gwen.' I said, making her happy. 'I need to talk to your Guild master.' I said, making the sisters nod, and pulled me to her room.
'Guild Master, Jacob is here to see you. Nya.' Amani said, opening the door to a naked Victoria, she was amazing. 'Morning, Jacob. I assume you want a letter or something to join the Mercenary Office. I don't mind joining your own guild after you make one, but you need to earn a name for yourself before you can do that.' She said, walking her naked body over to her desk, and opened it, pulling out a letter as she walked over and leaned down, lifting my chin. 'Please, take care of yourself.' She said, kissing my arm as she put the letter in my hand, making the twin catkin happy. They smelled their guild master on him when they left, but now they know for sure.
'Come by every day, do you hear me?' She said, and I nodded. 'Now go, I need to get dressed. If you stayed here any longer, I would want to take you to bed.' She teased me. I left the Red Roses building and made my way to the Mercenary Office.