(Book 1 Complete!) Side Quest [Isekai / LitRPG]

Caerwyn's main streets were broader than they appeared from beyond the wall, and even though the buildings were packed together tightly, they were each wide enough that the storefronts didn't feel cluttered. Metal clanked and carriage drivers called out as they weaved lazily through the ambling crowd. Nobody seemed to be in a rush, and Logan needed the others to occasionally tug on his elbow to keep him focused on the right path.

"This is the Temple of the Five," said Cassandra, pointing to a massive structure that had just risen into view after they rounded a corner.

Its domed roof was tiled with silver-blue metal that shimmered in the daylight. Wide columns flanked the arched entrance, each carved with symbols that resembled protective runes or ancient guardians. Statues lined the steps, robed and faceless, each one carrying a different relic or tool: a book, a shield, a bell, a sword.

"I wonder if one of those is Luvania," said Logan. They still had the quest to return the five rings to the Life sentinel.

"If so," said Senna, "she would probably be on the other side. Each sage has their own entry, and this one is for the Void sage." She pointed to the dragon's face carved above the arch. It was huge, and Logan recognized it from the big statue in the Cave of Cursed Music. Tons of figures adorned the facade, but he especially noticed two standing side by side. One seemed to juggle apples as the other played a serenade. They could be Feast and Symphony, but there were more than just the 8 Kalashi brothers featured here. They passed the building and turned down another corner as Cassandra led them on before they could see more. He would want to visit the temple at some point.

The booths immediately surrounding the temple sold all sorts of trinkets that seemed tied to sages, priests, and guardians. As they continued on, though, the selection grew more varied as they entered the general market district.

Children ran underfoot while older vendors shouted about limited wares or seasonal goods. Everything was orderly, with the persistent hum of hustle typical of a trade hub.

They waited for Senna as she stopped at an herbalist cart selling yellowleaf mint. "If I'm making more potions of paced stride for both of you," she said to Bromlin and Mishki, "I'll need more of this."

As she haggled with the vendor, Logan glanced at a neighboring stall. There were several daggers on display, all of them crude. There was also a blowgun that reminded him of his own hand-fashioned reed that he used to launch thorns.

He idly ran a finger along the reed weapon and then glanced at it. It was in terrible shape, considering he had used it several times as a melee weapon.

"Don't bother with a replacement here," Alden said, coming up beside Logan. "You'll have better options with the guild market."

The vendor heard the statement and folded her arms, glaring at the silver-haired elf. He shot her a plastic smile, and Logan just shook his head. He had been on the receiving end of Alden's cynicism. Well, I still get it from him, I guess. But it was different when the mage was warmed up to someone.

"Hey you two, you gonna keep us waiting or what?" called Senna.

They pushed onward, but the market district seemed to stretch forever. They passed crates of roots and produce while farmers and bakers sold their specialties. Next came the barrage of craft goods, from figurines sculpted in soap to hemp bracelets. Nearly all the jewelry and fashion items were unenchanted, and whatever did have magic didn't look to be of much value.

Finally, though, they ascended the slope where the stalls opened into a wide plaza. The Adventurers' Guild dominated the eastern end of the square, rising three full stories with a steep gabled roof and polished copper trim. It was more ornate than the structure set up in Gnashridge Heights.

The main entrance featured heavy double doors, reinforced with gleaming rivets, flanked by tall panes of tinted glass that shimmered with soft light. A large mosaic seal of a satchel and sword crossed over a compass was set into the stonework just before the steps.

The second floor was mostly open, it seemed. Logan only caught glimpses at this angle, but he recognized some structures from the boot-camp like training area behind Gnashridge Heights' guild. The upper floor was all elegant and reminded Logan of a crossover between a Chinese pagoda and a Roman Forum with the use of fluted marble columns and red tiled eaves that curved at the bottom.

Time to do this.

He stepped inside.

The scent of polished wood filled Cassandra's nostrils as she entered the Adventurer's Guild. Not a single item was out of place, with everything almost exactly as she remembered it.

Several orbs hovered at the ceiling, each with a different purpose. Some lit up the room, while others sat stationed in the middle of the wall, acting as cleaning devices. However, they were unnecessary at the moment, given the room's spotless condition.

Two orbs at either end of the room were recording crystals, which replayed an instrumental version of "The Protectors of the Fold."

On the back wall hung a painting of the five sages: the dragon Void Sage, the elven Life Sage, the fairy Dream Sage, the serpentine Time Sage, and the mysterious Cosmic Sage, which was only represented as a glowing light. They were all gathered around a miniaturized replica of the Fold.

The artwork had a classic, timeless feel to it, but Cassandra noticed an addition to the painting from the last time she had seen it. The area of the painted model showing Gnashridge Heights, a prominent cross section was cut out to show a ridge line beneath the surface. That represented the subterranean chasm hidden beneath Gnashridge Heights' inn. That had only been a recent discovery by her and the others. Although this painting depicted a scene from long ago, the new region was integrated as if it had been part of the original artwork.

The reception desk sat unattended. Behind it were the busts of all the officials, including her father. There were three recent additions.

One was a man she didn't recognize. An eagle perched on his shoulder, and his nose matched the bird's. He was in the same branch as Chief Inspector Jorek Hane. Jorek had been assigned to Gnashridge Heights and had been in the party that disappeared in the blight blast. Whoever this bust represented would be involved with addressing the worst mana-scarred areas.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

The second person featured surprised her, being her childhood friend, Miriam Haltzer. Miriam had always been fascinated by history. Her statue bust was in the scribe area, and she was featured with a scroll in one hand.

The last and most recent bust was that of her younger brother, Stetson. His statue included a giant key and was placed directly beneath her father. That grated on her nerves. Despite his statue being newer, he was already above two others in ranking. She didn't hate her brother, but she was sure others now harbored dislike for him if her father had used his position to help him climb in rank. That would only earn her brother enemies, but she doubted her father cared. Anything, so long as it furthers his agendas.

The click of a latch was almost inaudible over the quiet music filtering from the audio-recording orbs above, but Cassandra watched as a door opened silently on well-oiled hinges.

The woman was shuffling papers into a stack as she made her way to the reception desk and was halfway there before she noticed the people standing in the center of the room. She broke into a warm smile. "Ah, Miss Varesh!" She picked up her pace to toss the papers onto her desk to free her hands, then trotted over to Cassandra and hugged her.

"Hello, Agnes," Cassandra replied with a laugh, returning the embrace.

Agnes gripped Cassandra's shoulders and used them as an anchor while she pushed herself back, as if trying to get a view of Cassandra's entire body. "Look at you, dear. You used to be shorter than me."

"It has been some time, hasn't it?"

"We received word that you and some friends were coming." Agnes's gaze lingered on Mishki, who still wore his helmet. There was a certain wary apprehension in her posture, and obviously word had arrived that one of their party members was a goble.

"Yes," Cassandra confirmed, "we've all been traveling a long time on guild business." She swept a hand, including everybody, especially Mishki, in the gesture.

A faint blush appeared on Agnes's cheeks before she smiled at Mishki, and then the others. "Of course. Well, let me grab your father. I'm sure he'll want to see you."

"I'm sure." Cassandra tried not to let her reply sound flat.

As Agnes bustled off, Cassandra caught Logan chewing on his lips and casting side glances at her. He clearly wanted to ask how she was doing but was holding himself back.

"I'm fine," she said with a soft, reassuring smile.

Logan visibly settled.

He must not have wanted to overstep his bounds, which she appreciated, but his concern for her still touched her. She would have to handle this matter delicately. By now, if Agnes had been expecting them, then surely the Caerwyn division knew everything the Gnashridge Heights' division did. If so, her father would know about the Devouring Coil and the reavers, although he would think Avalyn the aerudine had defeated everything. He wouldn't know about Cassandra's involvement, or that she had ventured beyond the the limits of the Fold. But he was the First Reconjurant, and he would definitely have questions about the aerudine's origins, considering it was a race never before seen.

Cassandra had asked Logan to help her contact the aerudine with questions about how to explain the aerudine's presence, and for now they were settling on her having been sealed away in dormancy. Her father would likely want to meet the aerudine, but Cassandra couldn't let that happen lest Kural be exposed.

The door swung open, with her father taking long, broad steps into the room. The moment he passed the mantle, his arms swung out wide as if to embrace Cassandra from afar. His ornate robe draped from his shoulders and caught the air like a ship's sail full of wind. "What wonderful news to hear my daughter visits her father," he said. His eyes narrowed with a knowing look. "No one knows just how much I truly have missed you."

She did her part by putting on the most convincing smile she could as she stepped toward him as well. "Father, I'm just as delighted to see you as you are me." A faint glint of annoyance appeared in his eyes. That was as close as she could come to standing up against the man in the public eye. Miriam had already returned, and Cassandra was surprised by how much she wanted to actually scream at the man.

Prior to her silent exile, she had always done as her father said. Out loud, they praised her skills with radiant mana, yes. But all those hours spent studying were simply to keep her shut away.

She had never minded, being ashamed of her own inabilities, but Logan had helped her uncover some block. She didn't know if she could use other mana besides force and radiant, but she was eager to find out. It was a wild sort of eagerness, and she didn't fully understand why it all seemed to boil inside her now. But as much as she wanted to burst at her rotten father, she knew how quickly word might spread through the guild about the guild's own First Reconjurant having discord in his family. It would only do a disservice to the guild, and in turn, all the Fold. Any ripples and disturbances in the guild's head command would inevitably ripple throughout all lesser divisions.

It was better to suffer her family's disdain in quiet than to send an entire world into upheaval.

"Cassandra!" Stetson ran from the open door before it had a chance to swing shut. He blew past his father and reached Cassandra before the man did. "Spheres! It's been so long! I heard about that monstrosity lurking beneath Gnashridge Heights. Is it true?"

"Yes," she said with a laugh as she sank into Stetson's embrace. Unlike her father, Stetson had never cared about Cassandra's limited strengths. But now that Stetson was being pulled into the guild hierarchy, she was sure her father would be quick to limit association between the two of them.

Sure enough, he cleared his throat, making Stetson give way as her father embraced her. His arms wrapped around her but lacked the sincerity of a squeeze. She waited in discomfort for the farce to end as he held the position before finally facing Logan. Now the true hunger lit in his face.

"And you must be the peculiar young man who has risen so far in the ranks. Look at you, already level 16."

Logan shared a look with Cassandra, and it was clear he had seen through the man's false interest in her, but she just gave a small shake of her head. She didn't want Logan insulting the man, or pointing out any of her family issues.

Fortunately, Logan cleared his throat and put on his lopsided smile. "Nice to meet you, Elias. Sorry, First Reconjurant Varesh."

Cassandra smiled to herself. It was a small, humbling jab at her father, but that was enough to make her chuckle.

Her father then greeted all the others, but his eyes hardly landed on Cassandra now that he had gotten the showy greeting out of the way.

"I'm sure you've all had quite the scare with that monstrosity tearing such a quiet place apart. I have rooms prepared for you in the upper halls of the guild, and I can assure you you will have peace of mind under watchful eyes there."

Cassandra caught Logan tense up. He was wearing a cloak to help cover the bump of Nugget hiding in his shirt, and Cassandra was sure he was worried about keeping Nugget secret if they were this close to the guild.

"That won't be necessary, father. We don't want people to think you're giving us special preferences based on family ties." Her eyes flicked to Stetson, who was distracted and trying to smile at Senna. When she looked back to her father, his face was slightly pinched. "Besides, I would love to show my companions the city, and we are more than safe inside the walls."

"How wise my daughter is." His gaze lingered on Cassandra's before he cleared his throat "It's a shame that aerudine vanished before we could ask her questions." Yes, there he goes already. "And none of you know where she went to? There have been no reports of this stranger from any of the guild branches."

She just stared at her father, even though he had moved on and wasn't looking at her at all anymore. The others just gave noncommital shrugs.

"Well, I'm sure the guild will discover more as we broaden our search. As for you all, I understand you need training. Well, we have everything set up to begin tomorrow."

A scribe came out of the back room. "First Reconjurant? The Class Assignment Ceremony is only days away and we still haven't charged the prism. I would send one of my scribes, but we are so busy with spreading news to the other branches about that terrible monster. It—oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."

"No worries, Osvald. I will find someone to take care of it."

"Uh," said Logan, "I wanted to head there anyway. Want me to drop it off?"

Cassandra smirked at seeing her father caught off guard.