The Hero's Party's arrival in Elmwood was nothing short of spectacular. The streets were lined with cheering crowds, and the air was filled with the sound of trumpets and drums. Evan and Lila watched from the shadows, their expressions grim.
"They're here," Evan muttered, his eyes fixed on the procession.
The Hero's Party was led by their charismatic leader, Sir Alaric, his golden armor gleaming in the sunlight. Behind him rode Lady Seraphina, the party's mage, and Garrick, their hulking warrior. They waved to the crowd, their smiles radiant, but Evan couldn't shake the feeling that it was all a facade.
"We need to find that ledger," Lila whispered, pulling Evan's attention away from the spectacle.
Garrett's last words had hinted at a ledger—a record of the Hero's Party's true activities. It was their only lead, and they had to find it before the courier or anyone else did.
They slipped away from the crowd and made their way to Garrett's home, a small, rundown shack on the outskirts of town. The door was unlocked, and the interior was a mess—papers scattered everywhere, furniture overturned.
"Someone's already been here," Evan said, his heart sinking.
"Maybe they didn't find what they were looking for," Lila replied, her voice hopeful.
They began searching through the chaos, sifting through piles of documents and discarded belongings. After what felt like hours, Evan found a hidden compartment beneath the floorboards. Inside was a leather-bound ledger, its pages filled with cryptic symbols and lists of names.
"This is it," Evan said, his voice trembling with excitement.
Lila took the ledger and began flipping through the pages. "These are alchemical symbols. And these names... they're all adventurers. C-rank and below."
"What does it mean?" Evan asked.
"I'm not sure," Lila admitted. "But look here—" She pointed to a series of entries marked with a red symbol. "These adventurers were sent on missions to the Frostfang Mountains. None of them returned."
Evan's stomach churned. "They were sacrifices."
Lila nodded, her expression grim. "The Hero's Party wasn't just fighting the Demon Lord. They were feeding him."
Before they could discuss further, the sound of footsteps outside made them freeze. Evan peered through the window and saw the royal courier approaching, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
"We need to go," Evan whispered, his heart pounding.
Lila tucked the ledger into her satchel, and they slipped out the back door just as the courier entered the shack. They ran through the narrow alleyways, their breath coming in ragged gasps.
"We can't let him catch us," Lila said, her voice urgent.
"Where do we go?" Evan asked, his mind racing.
racing."The forge," Lila replied. "It's the only place we'll be safe."
They made their way to Lila's forge, the familiar scent of molten metal and burning coal a small comfort. Lila locked the door behind them and began setting up traps—tripwires, hidden blades, and smoke bombs.
"We'll make our stand here," she said, her voice steady.
Evan nodded, though his hands were trembling. He pulled out the Truth-Seeker and gripped it tightly. "What if he finds us?"
"Then we fight," Lila replied, her eyes blazing with determination.
Hours passed, the tension in the forge growing with each passing moment. Then, just as the sun began to set, they heard the sound of footsteps outside.
"He's here," Evan whispered, his heart pounding in his chest.
The door creaked open, and the courier stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room. "You can't hide forever," he said, his voice cold and menacing.
Lila stepped forward, her dagger at the ready. "We're not hiding. We're waiting."
The courier smirked. "Brave words. But bravery won't save you."
With a sudden burst of speed, he lunged at Lila, his sword flashing in the dim light. Lila dodged, her movements fluid and precise. Evan joined the fray, the Truth-Seeker glowing brightly as he struck at the courier.
The fight was intense, the clang of metal on metal echoing through the forge. The courier was skilled, but Evan and Lila fought with a desperation that gave them an edge. Finally, with a well-timed strike, Lila disarmed the courier, sending his sword clattering to the floor.
"It's over," Evan said, his voice firm.
The courier laughed, a bitter, hollow sound. "You think this changes anything? The Hero's Party will crush you. They'll crush everyone who stands in their way."
"Not if we stop them first," Lila replied, her voice cold.
The courier's laughter died, replaced by a look of fear. "You don't understand. You can't stop them. No one can."
Before they could respond, the courier pulled a small vial from his pocket and drank its contents. His body convulsed, and he collapsed to the floor, lifeless.
Evan stared at the body, his mind reeling. "What just happened?"
Lila knelt beside the courier and examined the vial. "Poison. He'd rather die than talk."
Evan felt a wave of despair. "What do we do now?"
Lila stood, her expression resolute. "We take the ledger to someone who can help us. Someone who knows the truth about the Hero's Party."
"Who?" Evan asked.
"My grandfather," Lila replied. "He's the only one who might know what to do."