Michael didn't know how Stefan had convinced them. From what he saw, Ellis and Mave were clearly opposed to the idea because the quest to Alaris seemed too low for them. Knowing their party, they only took assigned quests given to them by the guild.
But riding along this open road and the breezy outside, Michael was stuck with whatever they wanted to do.
It was uncomfortably quiet with the only sounds coming from the steady trotting of the horses which, sadly, they had paid for at their own expense. But stacking the wagon heavy with provisions, supplies, and money, they had begun their journey west of Wilmere.
The quest to Alaris was a collective quest, meaning anybody had the freedom to tackle it without any official declaration. That had meant any other guild had that same opportunity.
Michael looked around at the scenery around him. The plains were calm, with the tall grass playing against the wind and the dense forest in the distance. They were going away far from home, far from that comforting attic in Aldoria. It's been about a few hours since they left and they've gotten good distance since.
Ellis sat in front with the map, focusing his attention on the trail and direction. Through that expression, Michael couldn't help but think the image of him and Evelyn will forever be burned in his memory when he would look at them again. It was embarrassing.
Stefan also sat in front as he held the reins of the horses. There wasn't much to say about his demeanor other than he was just himself. At least he was happy that they were outside the house.
Mave laid on the other side of the wagon, across from Michael, resting her eyes before the trouble they were waiting to cause. Michael wondered if she rather preferred staying home and beating him around than taking on a quest.
The quest to Alaris thankfully had an objective which crossed out their worry of repeating what happened at Almore. But what was happening at Alaris was similar, because it was dealing with people. One of Michael's worst fears.
Alaris seemed to be a first-rated town, based on what Ellis had discovered, and had its own standing inside of Wilmere. The population was a small fraction of Aldoria but way more than what they found at Almore. Apparently there's been a long on-going conflict within Alaris that needed the undivided attention from the royal guard.
And knowing the king and his stingy disperse of guards, sending adventurers was much cheaper and less of a burden.
The problem inside Alaris was nothing short of mysterious. There was a rumor spread across the town of a malicious organization conspiring something evil. The guards could only do so much from investigating their whereabouts and pushing law but even so, their numbers had been running thin. With an ongoing war, there wasn't any room to spare the towns for meddling protection. And the most reasonable reaction was to send adventurers.
Michael would even think sending adventurers for any conceivable problem could solve the case. He didn't know if he meant that sarcastically or not.
"A couple more days and we'll be there," Ellis said from the front. "I'm sorry Mave, but we're going to be camping for the while."
Mave subtly groaned under her breath.
Michael started to pretend he was invisible whenever Ellis talked. That memory in the attic will forever be burned inside his mind.
"Any information about any other guilds?" Stefan asked. "We can't be the only ones signing up for this quest."
Ellis sighed. "What if there's other guilds there? Would you be happy?"
"Probably not."
Ellis wrinkled his nose in a scowl. "Then tell me why we are on this wagon, riding along the way to Alaris?"
"Oh, then, we're too late." Stefan grinned without laughing. "We just have to pull through this quest then."
Ellis muttered something under his breath, something that was better kept to himself.
Mave opened her eyes. She looked seemingly unbothered if their quest raised concern of other guilds.
"If there are other guilds there," she said. "What if then? Are we competing against them or cooperating along?"
Ellis straightened his face. "I don't know. Best case scenario, we're going to play along with them and solve whatever problem is in Alaris."
"And that problem is?"
"Nothing about Falden soldiers or mana beasts, if that's what you're asking about."
"Oh, come on," Stefan bumped his shoulder. "You're really scared about interacting with other people? I would never expect this was the same hero responsible for saving Almore."
"I'm not a hero, let's get that straight," Ellis scoffed. "And I certainly didn't sign up as an adventurer to solve other rich people's problems. If I knew we were going to be meddling in their business, then I would have stuck a dagger into your knee and kept you home."
"Geez," Stefan frowned. "I just thought you guys wanted to feel occupied."
"I would rather be running for my life in a nest of starving mana beasts than be involved in a town of murderers."
Michael's thoughts lingered around the word of murderers. He already has his own experiences of people trying to kill him, so none of this felt any different. If a town was filled with killers, then what was the purpose of the guard? Were they only defending the nobles and people of importance? Were the commoners and the unfortunate left to fend for themselves against the night? Maybe sending adventurers really was the cheapest way to solve any problem.
Ellis sighed, turning to face the road ahead. "I assume none of you have the slightest intention of going back?"
Stefan chuckled. "We're adventurers, isn't that the point?"
Ellis nodded. "Then let's represent our own guild. You guys have to be on your best behavior at least, please?"
"Sure, no problem."
"That doesn't sound convincing at all."
***
After a few rough patches of camping in the wilderness, it took them two days to finally arrive in Alaris.
For an easy comparison, Alaris was at least three larger than Almore, to the point it would have taken hours to fully cross through on foot. It was comforting seeing other people and actual buildings after being stuck outside. The party steadily rode through the morning streets, passing by the commoners and trying to spot the supposed problem that the quest called for. Some of the town guards subtly acknowledged their presence and allowed them to do their duty.
Though none of them ran into any other adventurers which Michael was admittedly weary about. He didn't really like meeting new people.
Alaris was best described as mundane. From what Michael thought, he felt like Aldoria looked better in the presentation. The streets and sidewalk were thoroughly worn out, just as some of the buildings, and there wasn't anything that remarkable to take note of. It was just some ordinary town.
Michael wondered what type of evil could be lurking through this place.
It took about an hour turning in their horses at a local stable and registering at an inn then unloading all of their belongings. Once that was done, they went back to walking through the streets trying to spot any criminals or suspicious activity.
But there still wasn't anything to be found. Everything and everyone operated like normal, moving about like a regular town. From what the quest described it, Alaris sounded like it was in definite danger. And from what Michael was seeing, nobody was even aware their town was under a quest.
The party stopped before the surrounding area of a majestic cathedral, drawn by the heavy bells that ran across to their ears. If Michael could point out only one thing to remember about this town, it would be this place right here.
The cathedral was actually spotted first when they entered Alaris, seeing the tower's spikes pointing into the skies. It even seemed like this was the main attraction by judging how the other buildings felt inferior to this place of worship. Michael started to grow curious on what the inside would look like, watching the other people pass through those double doors.
They all wore some type of ceremonious cloak or robe, being dressed as some religious worshippers.
Stefan turned his attention back to them. "Well, I'm done looking around. Is anyone up for some grub?"
"Already?" Mave folded her arms. "You don't think we're being timed on this quest?"
"As if some colossal mana beast is clawing through the ground and swallowing this town whole? I just want to eat breakfast."
"You just want to eat breakfast…"
"How about you, kid," Stefan knocked Michael's shoulder. "Are you hungry?"
"Umm…no, not really. I ate some of the snacks we had along the way."
"Ellis?"
Ellis broke away from his stare. "In an hour, we'll meet back at our inn."
"What are you trying to do?"
"Whatever is happening here, it won't happen in broad daylight obviously. I'll get to know some of the locals, see what they can tell me about this problem."
Stefan shrugged as he walked away. Michael decided to follow Stefan, as the sudden thought of freshly cooked food grumbled his stomach. Mave and Ellis went in the other direction, still abiding by their adventuring duty and responsibilities as the two decided to indulge first.
They walked into an open tavern. The inside was warm and decorative, from the string of lights and hung lanterns, it was an atmosphere that pleased Michael. He had never been to a tavern this large and inviting. It was completely opposite of what he experienced at Almore.
Stefan stood at the front counter. Michael caught up beside him, following his eyes at the rushing servers around the tavern. Another server quickly noticed them and came over.
The kind server flipped a towel over his shoulder. "What's your poison?"
Stefan tapped on the counter. "Your hardest liquor."
Michael raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were eating breakfast."
Stefan shouted as he turned to Michael.
Michael hurriedly looked around them. Was there danger? Should he pull out his ego sword?
"You followed me?!" Stefan gasped. "What the hell, kid?!"
"I—wanted to eat. Sorry."
"No, it's fine," Stefan chuckled. "Give the kid a menu."
Michael skimmed through the menu and ordered a buttered toast slathered in cream with fresh fruits. He also emphasized to the server to add extra cream. It was a little overboard of eating something so heavy in the morning but they've been on the road for two days and he's been craving something sweet. All of their snacks were just dried provisions because according to Ellis's rule of diet, it meant for a healthy body.
Though watching this stack of thick buttered toast laid in front of Michael, he didn't really care about health and morals.
Stefan ordered the same thing, cutting away the toast and spreading the cream evenly.
"You're not going to order a drink?" Michael said with his mouth full.
"No, I don't want to if you're watching."
Michael didn't know how to respond to that. His head was just full of how great this plate of food was tasting.
"Come to say," Stefan waved around his fork. "Where is she? Evelyn? You haven't taken her out that sword at all, what's up with that?"
"She doesn't like sleeping outside."
"I see."
Michael had actually lied. He didn't want to take Evelyn out because he knew she would try to squeeze into his sleeping bag in the middle of the night. And the sleeping bag could only fit one person. He imagined the noises she would make to wake up the others just to look over at the sight of the two.
It was something she would shamefully enjoy.
Someone suddenly rested beside them, calling the waiter in a listless tone. The man had long dark curly hair, tied behind his neck, and beneath his cold eyes were heavy circles like he had never known sleep. He was just as tall as Stefan, wearing armor that looked much more expensive than the both of them combined. But Michael's attention wasn't initially caught by that first.
It was the sword at his hip. Was this another adventurer?
"Amontillado." the man said. "On the ice."