Gathering

Crim let out a long breath, his weary eyes revealing signs of exhaustion as he exited the imposing castle. A group of energetic children sprinted around, engaging in various carnival games. Adjusting his bulky armor, he couldn't help but feel annoyed by its weight and impracticality.

Following his audience with the king, Crim found himself seated on a city sidewalk, contemplating how he had skillfully maneuvered his way out of a sticky situation. "An illusion shouldn't be this complicated," he thought, struggling to make sense of the bizarre circumstances. Just moments ago, he had been locked in battle with a foe mightier than any monster he'd ever encountered. Now, he found himself resembling a hero from an ancient tale, seeking a medieval leader to reaffirm an oath.

His gaze remained fixed on the panel, and his mind dwelled on the topic. Every illusion had a condition that needed to be met, the only way to escape such a spell when overpowering it wasn't an option.

However, the conditions for a spell of this complexity should have been less challenging, but the end goal appeared more daunting than expected. "What to do, what to do," Crim pondered as he leaned against the wall and observed the blue sky.

The king's words about a transport echoed in his mind. On his first mission as a captain, he was instructed to transport a group of products.

If he hadn't prepared before leaving the castle, it would become evident that he lacked crucial information.

The thought of encountering a situation where he should have been well-informed but wasn't sent shivers down his spine. "At worst, I would be labeled as an imposter," he mused.

That evening, Crim visited local bars, discreetly questioning drunken patrons for information. He skillfully masked his inquiries, appearing as if he were simply maintaining order among the inebriated crowd. But for anyone listening closely, a different story unfolded. He inquired about current events, and the purpose of the carnival, and even delved into more personal matters, learning about the commoners' situation.

After making the rounds from one bar to another, only one public inn remained where he could gather more information.

Crim lay down on a crusty seat and asked the bartender for a drink, paying with two silver coins from his pocket. The drunkard seated beside him, flustered and smelling strongly of alcohol, stared at the elegant knight.

The bartender meanwhile handed over the drink with a proffesional smile.

Crim reached out his hand toward a bewildered drunkard holding a wooden cup, but the man suddenly screamed, "Champagne!" The boy pulled back, surprised by the unexpected outburst. He had tried to give him more alcohol but the man had misunderstood.

"You know, it seems extremely peaceful these days," Crim muttered, and the man shook his head.

"A knight like you should be aware of the ongoing war and the presence of that monster in the outskirts. It's been there for quite a while," the man, named Musky, said with a hint of desperation. He then shrugged and continued, "There have been rumors about a giant creature with six hearts, slaughtering everything in its path."

Crim was thrilled to have gained new information. His excitement was tempered by the realization that his ultimate goal might lie on the outskirts, causing him to panic internally. But then his mind subdued with a new thought, "Hmm, I'm not going there alone, am I?" Crim concealed a sly grin.

Musky observed his empty wooden cup and tapped the table impatiently. A well-dressed waiter attended to the regular customer, giving Crim a disdainful glare before retreating unnoticed.

"Are you talking about the wolf monster?" Crim asked although he wasn't entirely certain of the existence of a wolf monster.

Musky sighed, unable to contain his fury towards the giant.

"I wish it were, but that would be too easy to avoid. A man-shaped monster always causes problems for trade, especially for merchants," Musky discreetly hinted at his occupation. The waiter returned with a pint of beer, which the man downed in seconds, leaving Crim in awe.

Although he wasn't truly an adult and had only tried alcohol at the insistence of "friends" in the past, he could hardly process even a small amount at that time. Therefore, he couldn't help but stare in a daze.

"Well, it should be dealt with soon," Crim composed himself, clearing his throat before continuing, "The empire won't let it be."

Musky rolled his eyes, his disdain evident at the mention of the word "Empire," which only fueled his anger as a merchant.

Crim was taken aback by this angry reaction. Others he had spoken to had praised the empire as a savior chosen by the gods, so this was a unique response.

"Those money-hungry rats?" the smelly man laughed before continuing, "Why would they get rid of the monster when they profit from protection fees? They're like leeches that latch onto the first thing in their path and refuse to let go until force is applied or they're completely drained dry."

The man had completely forgotten, he had been unloading on a Knight and treated Crim like an old friend due to his intoxication.

The young man could have easily sensed this, but he chose not to delve further into the empire's affairs or inquire about his actual objective.

"Have you ever heard of a shrine on the outskirts?" Crim inquired, taking a sip of the bitter ale.

"The ruins? It's been quite some time since they were discovered," Musky sighed in contempt. "No one has explored them since then because there's a strange barrier preventing entry, and it spouts some peculiar words as if it's some kind of chosen one scenario."

Crim was exhilarated, that had to be his escape route!

"Do you know where it is located?"

Crim inquired, and the man hoisted up.

"It should be around the east, you gonna try to get in or something?" Musty mumbled, "It would just be a waste of time."

Giving no response, Crim gave a content smile and walked out of the Inn.