Unrest in Summit’s Crest

Getting the agreement of the officer stationed to watch over the Summit's Crest Gates, and finding out that it was a key Chess piece for his S-tier Quest, he would need to focus more on getting his trust.

Captain Eldric Thornfield, a stern-looking man with a salt-and-pepper beard, barked orders to the stationed soldiers when he noticed the tall blonde man slightly hit the reins over his black stallion, signaling his intent of entering the town. 

The guards, dressed in worn but well-maintained armor, scrambled to respond.

'This man looks different to the other adventurers scrambling for their 'assistance'. He has a certain aura only the Red Knights possess.' thought Captain Thornfield, judging the newcomer from his demeanor to his dignified appearance.

"Soldiers, open the gates!" Captain Thornfield's voice echoed through the crisp evening air.

The soldiers swiftly obeyed, and the mechanism lever that controlled the gates began to creak and groan as it was set into motion. Slowly but surely, the massive gates of Summit's Crest Town began to swing open, revealing the bustling activity within.

Vecna observed the town from his vantage point on horseback. The first impression was decent enough, but his keen vampiric sight allowed him to discern details that might have escaped others. 

The town's walls, though standing strong, were considerably damaged, likely the result of the ongoing conflict with the Orcs.

Vecna controlled the reins over Huginn with one hand, his expression remaining calm as he observed the situation of the city he certainly might have to defend.

'There are weak spots in the wall's defenses. Fortunately for these people, the Orcs are braindead and have no military strategy.'

'Brawns can only get you so far in War. You need to know how to strategize and fight against a disciplined army.'

The town's exterior had clearly seen better days, yet it still possessed an undeniable charm. The cobblestone streets were worn but clean, and the buildings, while showing signs of wear, maintained a certain rustic elegance. 

Flags bearing the town's emblem, a crest with a mountain peak, fluttered gently in the evening breeze.

The town's gates fully opened, allowing Vecna and his entourage to enter. The guards on either side of the gate regarded them with a mix of curiosity and vigilance. Vecna, leading the way on his horse, turned his gaze toward the Captain of the Militia, Thornfield, who seemed to be overseeing the gate's opening.

With a respectful nod, Vecna addressed him, his voice carrying a tone of authority. "Captain Thornfield, I seek the Mayor of this town. It is imperative that we meet with him promptly."

Captain Thornfield's gaze, initially cold and wary, shifted to the Goblin Scout perched on hanging from Huginn's side. He frowned, clearly distrustful of the creature, but before he could voice his disapproval, Vecna interjected.

"Fear not, Captain. We have captured this Goblin for interrogation. It will pose no threat to your town."

Vecna's response seemed to appease the Captain's concerns to some extent. Thornfield sighed and gestured toward the town's center.

'Indeed, looking at the Chains binding that goblin, it should be magically enchanted. Also, that creature's expression is dead in fear. Meaning it's captor is no joke.'

'It would be smart if I try to befriend such a powerful adventurer for the benefit of Summit's Crest and of my Uncle.'

"In the Courthouse," he replied curtly. "The Mayor has been struggling to manage our town's supplies in this war. We've been waiting for the reinforcements Mayor Reginald promised us. Hopefully, you'll not let us down, sir."

"Worry not. Unlike the previous ignorant fools aggravating the situation of your Town, we're different."

With a slow, almost deliberate movement, Vecna kicked Huginn to approach the Captain, and akin to a General on horseback, Vecna extended his hand towards Eldric Thornfield. 

The soldier hesitated for a moment, clearly caught off guard by the gesture, and then reciprocated, shaking Vecna's hand. 

"You sound reassuring, Mr. Adventurer."

However, Vecna used his Uncanny Grip, subtly asserting his strength in the handshake, a silent message that he wasn't to be underestimated.

"My name is Vecna."

"I'll be on my way, Sir Eldric. I still need to get up-to-date with the current events that have happened in your town," Vecna replied calmly, his crimson eyes following the extended hand of the NPC, making the gesture a bit more awkward than intended.

The Captain nodded and stepped aside, allowing Vecna and his companions to proceed into Summit's Crest Town. 

As they continued down the main street, Vecna couldn't help but appreciate the town's aesthetic. It was akin to a mountain vacation resort with its classical architecture and welcoming atmosphere.

Since the town was relatively small, comparable to an IRL village, it took them about ten minutes to reach the town center. The horses moved at ease, carrying their masters toward their destination.

The town square was a sight to behold, adorned with well-maintained flower beds, and a large stone fountain at its center. A sense of normality persisted here, as townsfolk went about their daily lives despite the looming threat of Orcs. Children played near the fountain, and vendors offered their wares at stalls set up along the square.

'Seems this Mayor, Reginald Thornfield is a capable man. To have stability in a border town assailed by the Orcs.'

'Impressive.'

"Hmm? There's some discord inside the city?" Vecna muttered to himself, his curiosity piqued.

As they rode deeper into the square, Vecna's keen senses picked up on the disquiet that lingered in the air. His sharp hearing caught snippets of disgruntled conversations among the townspeople. Words like "food shortage" and "living conditions" reached his ears.

It wasn't long before they reached the source of the commotion. A crowd of townspeople had gathered near the fountain, their voices raised in protest. They held makeshift signs that bore slogans demanding more food and better living conditions. 

Frustration and anger were etched on their faces as they voiced their discontent.

Vecna, Maribel, and Elysia guided their horses toward the Town Square, where the protest was in full swing. 

The sight before them was a stark contrast to the well-maintained flower beds and the grand stone fountain at the square's center. Despite the looming threat of Orcs, it seemed that a portion of the townsfolk was unwilling to accept the constraints of the ongoing conflict.

The protesters were a mix of people—men and women, young and old, all unified in their demands. They held handcrafted signs with slogans like "We Need More Food!" and "Mayor, Do Your Job!" Their voices carried their frustration, echoing through the square as they voiced their discontent.

Vecna scoffed at their ignorance, but rather than engage with them directly, he decided on a different approach. 

"They have no idea what it takes to manage a town during a crisis," Vecna muttered under his breath to Maribel and Elysia.

Maribel nodded in agreement, her eyes scanning the crowd. "People often forget the sacrifices that leaders make to ensure their safety."

Elysia, too, wore a thoughtful expression as she observed the protesters. "It's easy to demand, but not everyone understands the complexities of governance."

As they navigated their horses through the square, the protesters' voices grew louder, some of them directing their frustration toward Vecna and his companions.

"Why don't you adventurers do something about it?" one man shouted, his face flushed with anger.

Frowning at the greediness of those people, he hit the reins over Huginn and spurrer him, causing the massive creature to let out a bellowing neigh and gallop a short distance toward the man shouting for his attention. 

The ground beneath Huginn's hooves trembled, sending a clear message to the protesters: his presence was not to be trifled with.

The sudden commotion caused some of the protesters to scatter in fear, while others backed away, their anger momentarily forgotten in the face of the imposing horse. Vecna brought Huginn to a halt near the protesting group, allowing the tension to hang in the air.

"Good job, Huginn," Vecna murmured to his horse, patting its neck affectionately. "Don't bother if you step on their heads."

The townspeople, now thoroughly startled, exchanged nervous glances. Wasn't the adventurer here for them? How could he speak so casually about killing them?

Another woman, seeing that Vecna stopped his beast from crushing the discord, stepped forward, her voice tinged with desperation. "We can't go on like this. Our children are starving, and the Orcs are at our doorstep."

"Your children are starving? That's a good joke. From what my eyes can see, you people are rather well-off. There's still meat hanging on your bones."

"If the situation was as dire as you make it sound, there wouldn't be a sign of trade and activity in this city. Why can other people handle this situation with the smaller rations, while you rats can't handle it?"

"Scram before I crush all of you, ignorant idiots. If you don't. I'll make sure you're standing in the front-line if the Orcs breach the walls."

From the imposing main gate of the Town Hall, a large wooden door swung open, revealing an older butler with a stern expression. He stepped forward, the guard contingent behind him ready to intervene if necessary.

The butler's voice rang out, loud and authoritative, cutting through the chaos of the protest. "Enough of this foolishness! You demand more food, yet you fail to understand the grave situation we face. These are not normal times, and your greed threatens the safety of every soul in this town."

The protesters fell silent, chastened by the butler's rebuke. His words had the desired effect, reminding them of the imminent Orc threat and the precarious situation their town faced. They exchanged hesitant glances, realizing the folly of their demands.

Vecna observed the scene with a raised eyebrow, impressed by the butler's ability to regain control. The butler nodded in approval as the protesters dispersed, some muttering apologies under their breath.

[Aldred Norwood - LV. 200] (Silver-Gold)

'A semi-named NPC, that's reassuring for a border town.'

"Mister, ladies, my apologies for the first sight of welcoming you. We're dealing with some pesky bastards stirring rebellion, attempting to grab the authority over Summit's Crest." called Norwood as he bowed in embarrassment at Vecna who dismounted.

"Be at ease, sir. We're not here to judge how you people administer your own Town. Our job is mainly to defeat the Orcs and Goblins attacking this location."

"However, for a fair price, I'm willing to offer my services on taking out the puppeteer of the commotion in your town."

"That's reassuring, Mister Adventurer. I'll make sure to notify Mayor Thornfield about such an offer. Now, please, after me. You can also bring that Goblin with you, since it's your hostage. We can't waste precious time."

With an air of finality, the butler invited Vecna and his companions inside the Town Hall, beckoning them to follow him. It was time to meet with Mayor Reginald Thornfield and discuss the situation in more detail.

As Vecna and his companions followed the butler into the Town Hall, they couldn't help but notice the signs of preparation and defense that surrounded them. 

The interior of the Town Hall itself appeared organized and bustling, with town officials and guards going about their duties.

The Mayor's office was their destination, but as they walked through the corridors, Vecna couldn't help but engage in a conversation with the butler.

"Your town seems well-prepared for the Orc threat," Vecna remarked, his crimson eyes scanning the surroundings. "The guards, the organization, it's all quite impressive."

The butler, who introduced himself as Mr. Norwood, nodded with a hint of pride. "Thank you, sir. Mayor Reginald Thornfield has worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of Summit's Crest and its citizens. We have faced multiple Orc incursions in the past, and we have learned to be vigilant."

Vecna nodded in understanding. "It's a commendable effort. Preparedness is crucial in times of conflict."

As they continued their conversation, Vecna couldn't help but notice the occasional guard stationed throughout the Town Hall. They would give murderous glances at the goblin following Vecna under the bounds of the Blood Chains.

"I assume you have a well-organized militia," Vecna inquired, genuinely interested in the town's defenses.

Mr. Norwood replied with a measured tone. "Yes, indeed. Captain Eldric Thornfield leads our militia. I presume you have already met him at the Gates. At this hour he makes sure to patrol and be sure that everyone is doing their job without slacking."

"He's a capable and experienced leader. The young lord of Thornfield. You will meet him shortly."

Before long, they arrived at the Mayor's office. Mayor Reginald Thornfield, a middle-aged man with graying hair, sat behind a large wooden desk covered in scrolls and documents. He looked up as the group entered, offering a warm but weary smile.

"Ah, our esteemed adventurers have arrived," Mayor Thornfield said, rising from his chair to greet them. "I apologize for the state of my office. These are trying times, as I'm sure you're aware."

[Reginald Thornfield - LV. 205] (Silver-Gold)

Vecna extended a polite nod, appreciating the mayor's dedication to his duties. "No need for apologies, Mayor Thornfield. We understand the situation you're facing. We're here to assist in any way we can."

Mayor Thornfield's gaze shifted to Maribel and Elysia, remaining longer on the appearance of Elysia, and could tell that she was an elven woman. "I am grateful for your prompt response. The safety of Summit's Crest is of utmost importance."

Vecna's crimson eyes met those of the mayor, and for a moment, suddenly Mayor Thornfield's eyes widened, as if understanding reached him about what was the blonde man's identity. 

'Impossible! What is a Vampire doing here? Weren't they sealed by the previous generation Pope?'

'This one doesn't seem to be a recently turned Vampire, but bears himself like a Royalty.'

'Shit, why did I have to read all of those old scrolls I found from the Dwarven Ruins?'

Following Vecna's cold crimson-eyes, and then looking at his overall appearance, he noticed that there wasn't an imminent danger from him. Especially after reconsidering that Vecna was sent by the Guild Hall, so there should be a deal between his old friend and this High-Ranked Vampire.

"Please," Mayor Thornfield continued, gesturing to a seating area in his office, "let us discuss the details of our situation and how you can aid us in this time of crisis."