Emperor's Reckoning

Lyon sat back down after hearing what Cecile had to say about money. He had forgotten that Cecile was rich in the other part of the world, not in the Dark Continent where they used an entirely different currency.

Lyon sighed, "I guess we have to do some adventuring."

"You can become a vagrant adventurer though," said Nafail.

"A what now?"

"A vagrant adventurer," said Kesya. "It's a freelance job that takes quest independently and absolutely not affiliated with any guild or even organization."

"So the quester contacts us directly?" asked Lyon.

"That's correct, we would get the full pay," Kesya nodded. "However, it's tough being a freelancer unless you're famous."

"I agree, being a vagrant adventurer is an option many stay away from. After all, we got to eat good food once in a while. Not to mention weapons and provisions."

"Weapons?"

"Yeah weapons, some weapons wear off even if they are sentient ones," said Nafail.

"What really?" Lyon raised his brows.

Nafail furrowed his brows, "Yes?" ( Is that sarcasm? It's hard to tell ).

"If you broke a sentient weapon, it's still repairable, but if you broke a normal weapon, it's useless," said Kesya.

Cecile hovered her glance at Lyon ( It seems like nobody was there to teach him about the basics back in Nostria ).

"Alright, back to where we started," said Lumina, "There must be another way for a vagrant adventurer to obtain a quest."

"Well, we have a public notice board," said Nafail. "The quests placed on that board can be taken by anyone from any guild."

"That's convenient," said Luna.

"It is, however, that all of the quests are not rated, so we can only have a vague idea how much of a hassle the quest would be," said Nafail.

"But we get the full commission right?" asked Lyon.

"That is correct," Nafail nodded. "There is no third-party involved so the transaction is direct."

"But?" Cecile raised her brows.

"But that's the thing, the existence of a guild is also for both sides' safety," said Nafail.

"For safe transactions between the two parties involved there is a need for a third one," Lyon nodded. "So there is indeed the pro and cons of things."

"That's how life is," Nafail sighed, "But that is the alternative if you want to make money without joining a guild."

"I mean, it's not like they would give you a weekly allowance or something," Lyon laughed.

"That's true," Nafail nodded.

"How about you, are you still in the Harp Guild?" asked Kesya.

"I am, but I," Nafail smiled wryly. "I don't have the necessary strength to take on a quest, so I just gatekeeping."

"I see, why not stop being an adventurer and go to the other side of the world? You can easily make some decent living there with your cultivation," said Kesya.

"I was thinking about that, but," Nafail gulped before he tightened his lips as he looked at the calm water inside the cup he was holding.

"Because your pride prevents you so?" nudged Lyon with a smile.

Nafail let out a smile, "Perhaps so."

"Alright, Cecile, what do you think we should do?" asked Lyon.

"We should be able to make it to the next city, however, it would probably be difficult once we get there," said Cecile.

"The cost of living is higher than Arkham," Nafail nodded. "I once visited that place, but..."

"But what?"

"It's not really welcoming for the newcomers alike," said Nafail with a smile.

Lyon shrugged his shoulder, "Fine by me, it's not like I can't push the back of their head against the pavement if things escalated to it."

"That would be the best scenario," said Cecile. "Else you destroy an entire city again."

Nafail had his pupils shrink as he heard their laughter. He blinked in disbelief. ( W-What? Was that a joke? Again? What do you mean by again? ). He gulped before seeing Lyon stretching his arms and yawning.

"Right, I guess we're done here," said Lyon as he looked at the entrance. "Let's check out what they have on that public notice board."

"Alright then, Assid gave Nafail a decent compensation for his service, I will leave first," said Lyon as he waved his way outside the tavern.

Assid bowed, "Certainly, young master."

He immediately pull out a small pouch and gave it to Nafail.

"T-Thanks," Nafail smiled.

"Don't waste the opportunity my young master just give you, he pitied you, don't waste his grace," said Aside as he revealed his sharp glance. "And lastly, don't tell anyone about this, or I will have your throat pierced."

"Kh?! Yes!!" Nafail straightened his back before seeing the rest of the party leaving the tavern.

He gulped. Sat down by the table alone. The dishes were fully consumed with a trace of grease here and there. The fragrance of the food had disguised the unkempt tavern charmingly, but he was stuck there with the pouch in his hand. He took a peek over before he immediately shut his eyes. He inhaled before exhaling slowly.

"With this amount, my fate is bound to change, though, I wonder how they would fare against the cruel world of adventuring," said Nafail before he let out a smirk as if he was laughing at his own current state. "After all, after being a good leader, I got paid with betrayal."

"Oh? Are you guys done already?" the hunchback old man said as he walked up to Nafail.

"Yeah," Nafail answered with a light snort and a smile.

"They sure can eat, can't they?" the old man smiled as he watched all of the dishes he made empty out. Not a single shrimp, not a single, meat, not a layer of cabbage was seen. "Good lads, all of them."

"Old man, did you know that they beat the strongest party on their first day here?"

"They did?" the old man raised his brows. "They must be stronger than a Bahamut."

"Hahaha, that might be so, however, they are currently seeking Zelena, the Leviathan's Fang."

"Oh my, they sure aim high," the old man laughed before he saw an empty seat. "Mind if I join you for a bit."

"This is your tavern, do whatever you like, old man," said Nafail.

"Hehe, you're right about that," the old man made his way before letting out a sigh of relief. "Good business good business."

"You should clean this place, you have top-notch food and top-notch liquor, but people won't know unless you clean this place up. Even a stable has more looks and fragrance than this place."

"Hahaha, I'm too old to clean the place," said the old man.

"You should if you want to have a lot of money," said Nafail with a smirk.

"Money, what's good money for when you're as old as me," said the old man.

"Old man, you..." Nafail raised his brows.

"I've lived a very long life already," the old man raised his fist before banging it against the farthest shoulder.

"C'mon old man, don't say that, where should I go if you die?"

"My grave? I doubt that I will serve you anything though."

"Hahaha!" Nafail gave an unrestrained laugh.

"You used to be a happier lad," said the old man.

Nafail made a weak smile. "Yeah, I know, life seems so perfect not too long ago, I got friends, a woman, and a promising career, but now, look at me, downing your liquor is expensive now."

"I won't go into details, but you should be a happier lad."

"Woah, yeah, very helpful old man," Nafail rolled his eyes. "How about you, why did you stop adventuring?"

The old man sighed as he looked over the walls. There was one painting of a woman that was dust free and kempt, unlike the rest of the tavern.

"Is she your?"

"She was my love, no, heh, she was my life," said the old man.

"Where is she now?"

"I don't know," the old man shrugged as he shook his head. "Where do we go after we die?"

"Oh..." Nafail felt a little sour on his tongue, "Are you scared of dying old man?"

"Nah, I'm not scared of anything silly like that," the old man chuckled. "I'm here to tell you that your life is still long Nafail, don't give up what you like because someone hurt you."

"Heh, alright old man," said Nafail.

"That's good," the old man nodded before he got up from his chair. "And also, you need to pay for the dish."

"Wait what?" Nafail raised his brows.

"Well the group didn't pay for the dish and I saw them giving you money, so I just linked the two statements and here we are."

"Are you kidding me! Is that what all of those were for?! To ease into me and asked for money?! I thought you were sincere!"

"Sincere my ass! Pay the tab and leave! I have important work to do than consoling your pathetic tears!" said the old man.

"Goddamnit!"