“There you are! I have been looking for you!” The man stopped in front of the two as he heaved up and down. He looked a little tired seemingly from running.
“Sergi? Is everything ok?” Deka asked with a frown on her face.
“Yeah, yeah, I was looking for you because we’re about to have lunch. The others are wa- Hm?” Then, the man named Sergi noticed Arthur’s presence. “Who is this boy?”
Arthur had been silent the entire time as he didn’t have anything to say. But, he was watching their interaction closely. After all, he was trying to get a bigger image of this settlement and these small interactions draw that picture perfectly. However, he could swear for a moment there that Deka’s face turned sour for a split second when Sergi asked her about Arthur’s identity.
‘Hm?’
“He is a… Ehem, he is a new recruit and I’m showing him around.” She replied.
‘What? I’m not a new recruit…’ For a second, Arthur wanted to correct her. But, then he noticed the weird look on Deka’s face and he immediately realized that something was off.
“New recruit? Aren’t they supposed to arrive next month?” Sergi asked confusedly.
“Well… This one had arrived earlier by superior orders. Nobody was told he was going to enter the tower this early. His name is Arthur.”
“…” Sergi seemed very skeptical at first but then he shook his head and stared at Arthur. “Well, that is quite rare, but it isn’t unheard of. You must be quite the talented fellow to be sent this early to the tower. In any case, welcome, I’m Sergi, a part of the hunting squad.” He said as he extended his hand forward.
Arthur glanced at Deka for a moment before he turned to Sergi. “Nice to meet you. I’m Arthur.”
“So, do you want to join us for lunch? Since you’re new here, it’s on me.” The man said as he tapped his chest.
“… Well, uh, I guess that’s fine,” Arthur muttered. ‘I didn’t eat in the game in a while so this isn’t too bad. “But, I can’t stay for too long, I have other… orders to fulfill.”
“Of course, there is no harm in that.”
With that, the man turned around and started walking, followed by the two people. As he walked, Arthur stared at Deka who simply nudged him to remain silent.
‘What did I get myself into?’ Arthur sighed inwardly. ‘If I refused, it would’ve been even more suspicious. But, what am I hiding my identity for in the first place?’
“So, how old are you, Arthur?” Sergi asked.
“I’m 15… Almost 16 years old.” He said.
“Oh! Very young! You know, we didn’t have a new recruit as young as you in a long time! You should be proud of yourself!”
“Haha, thank you. I’m trying… I’m trying my very best.” Arthur laughed dryly.
“But, don’t let it get to your head. The Frozen Peak had harvested the lives of many young aspiring talents like you. People we expect to see become great warriors in the future. But…” The man sighed with a downcast tone. “Alas, it wasn’t meant to be.”
“I’m sure they’re in a better place now,” Arthur replied.
“Haha, I’m sure too. In any case, we shouldn’t be downcast now! Let’s go! Food is about to get cold!”
With that, the group hurried their steps through the wind and snow till they stopped in front of a random building in the heart of the settlement. The building looked especially closed shut as if it wanted to trap as much heat as possible.
Arthur could see flickering light coming from outside, presumably from an ignited fire. Sergi opened the door and let the two walk inside. Immediately, Arthur felt a wave of heat hit his body upon taking his first step.
The interior of the building was slightly dim and cozy. Simple wooden furniture was set around the entire place with a large counter on the other side where steam was rising. The entire place felt like a warm blanket that Arthur welcomed with open arms.
There were a good number of people setting around the tables, laughing and talking while sharing food and drinks. When they saw a group walk inside, they stopped for a moment before they resumed their conversations as if nothing happened.
“Welcome to our humble cafeteria. It ain’t much compared to the outside world, but we take pride in our meat stew. Which is coincidentally the meal for today, you’re lucky, Arthur.” Sergi said as he clasped his hand.
“This is quite a nice place to relax. I like it.” Arthur nodded his head. ‘I love the vibe. It is exactly how I imagine a tavern in a fantasy world. Cozy, warm, and inviting.”
With that, the trio walked inside, passing through the tables. On the way, some mercenaries greeted Deka and Sergi, clearly showing friendliness. Arthur could see the kind of relationship these mercenaries had. It wasn’t merely money-based cooperation, but there was a bond between all the mercenaries.
‘Maybe it isn’t all about offering the right price, after all.’ Arthur mused.
Eventually, they stopped in front of a certain table with two people sitting around it. An older man and a young lady, both wearing the same attire as Deka and Sergi.
“There you are! Took you so goddamn long!” The older man grumbled angrily. “My stew is almost cold!”
“I’m sorry, Fangs. The storm outside is picking up so it’s hard to see. I had to look around for Deka.”
“It’s fine, Sergi. You know how the old man is always angry. He didn’t take his medicine yet.”
“I’m not old, little one! I’m still in my prime!” The man growled. “Also, who’s that kid with you? Is he lost?”
“This is a new recruit Deka found. It seems he had been sent here before the first batch of next month. His name is Arthur.”
“Arthur? What in the old ages’ name is that?!” Fangs eyed Arthur with a glare.
“I’m sorry that my name sounds old to you. You look more ancient than my name, old man.” Arthur retorted.
“What did you just say-“
“Hey now, we aren’t going to argue.” Deka stepped forward, stopping any possible conflict. Arthur peeked over her shoulder and poked out his tongue, mocking Fangs.
Experience more content on empire
“Y-You brat!”
“Hahaha, good response… Uh, can I call you Arthur?” The young girl said.
“Yes, of course.” The boy smiled at her. “What is your name?”
“Kierra.” She replied. “Here, sit down, let us get you something to eat.”
The boy nodded his head and sat down next to her. The others did the same and the table was finally completely filled. Arthur exhaled a small breath as he rubbed his hands together.
“So, where are you from, Arthur?” Sergi asked.
“Uh, I came from a village on the outskirts of the empire,” Arthur replied as he received a bowl of soup and took a whiff. The smell was simply otherworldly.
“Oh, a village boy? We do get a lot of you here in the capital, aspiring to be mercenaries.” Fangs nodded his head as he took a sip from his drink. “That’s good. I like people who work hard.”
“Now that I think about it, a lot of our best recruits are actually from outside the capital. I guess everyone wants to fulfill their dream one way or the other.” Kierra replied.
“How long have you been mercenaries for?” Arthur asked curiously.
“10 years,” Sergi replied.
“17 years,” Deka said.
“30 years and going strong!” Fangs flexed his arm, showing a few scars, presumably from all the battles he had been through.
“I joined the group last year. So only one year for me.” Kierra replied.
“Tsk tsk, a young one will always be a young one.” Fangs clicked his tongue in a disappointed tone.
“I’m here to take your place, old man. You’re about to retire.”
“I’m still a hundred years too early to retire! Keep dreaming, brat! Hmph!”
The rest of the group laughed at the funny interaction.
‘Wow, they’re all from different generations. But, it’s almost like they all completely understand each other without any problems. How strong of a bond is it that they have?’
The warmth and closeness between this squad was as clear as day. They were far from just coworkers, but also comrades in battles and friends outside of it. In a sense, they reminded him of Isla and the others and without realizing it, a warm smile appeared on his face.
However, as the group was talking, a man walked into the tavern. Everyone stopped whatever they were doing and stared at him casually then resumed their meal. However, what the man did next made everyone stop.
“We have received information that one of the honored Gifted Ones had arrived at the tower today! Is he here?!”
Everyone was stunned for a second, but then they started whispering to one another.
“Gifted One?”
“Huh?”
“Is he talking about those people?”
“I think so. Wait, one of them is here? Who?”
Gossip echoed around the place. Nobody expected to hear about a Gifted One being inside the tower out of nowhere.
“…” Arthur blinked and then quickly stared at Deka. The woman had a difficult look on her face as if the worst had just happened.
“A Gifted One? You mean those divine bastards?” Fangs said.
“Shush, old man! Are you insane? If that person hears you, you will be in huge trouble!” Kierra hushed him quickly.
“A Gifted One? But we didn’t receive any new people toda-” Sergi was about to shake his head, only for his eyes to fall on Arthur and he immediately froze.
‘… Shit.’ Arthur mused. ‘Well, that didn’t last long.’
A//N: Don’t forget to give the book some golden tickets for good luck! :3