THE SOUTH CITY

It was five in the morning when I heard the church bell, at that time the priests and nuns left their rooms to worship the god Vestu.

Before starting training, I always read with candle in hand an old book that I found hidden while cleaning in the cathedral library, there is writing about the past, about the true goddess of the world, Mauren Gala, at least that is what it is reachable to read, its pages are very worn, and I could not ask someone here to help me read it, that would be heresy. However, I always dedicate a few prayers to help me get stronger, after entrusting my prayers I bathe and put on my armor and prepare to train.

When I left my room that was located in the north tower of the cathedral, I picked up a sword and shield in the training room, I have always thought that my duty is to take care of those who are behind my back, most think that it is arrogance or that I'm crazy, but the simple fact of knowing that someone else will get hurt to protect me is something that I cannot allow, however, the orphanage, the children, I must protect them at all costs just as she protected me .

The place where I train, the courtyards of the north wing of the Cathedral, are part of the orphanage where I grew up for as long as I can remember, it is my sacred place, my treasure.

- Come, there is an important mission that the church wants you to carry out.

- Seriously... I haven't been out for a long time...

- This is serious, don't go for a walk, it seems to be a village that is being stalked by monsters, there is no knowledge if a rift is involved, it could well be a herd of wandering beasts.

- Okay, I'll delete them and come back as soon as possible.

- This time will be different, I know your skills well, but given the uncertainty of the situation, the church asked the adventurer's guild for help, three more people will accompany you.

- Honestly, I would like not to have company.

- The place is quite far away, you can't refuse, it's a seven-day walk, and it will also be good for you to meet other people, not just the children from the orphanage and me, don't you think?

- Well, if there is no other option and you say so, it will be as you wish, teacher.

She is my teacher, her name is Sora, even though she looks that young, maybe twenty-five years old, she is the most skilled person I have ever met in combat, besides she is the one who raised me since I was a baby when they abandoned me. and we came to this place.

There's a lot of controversy about how we got here, we're not family or anything like that, I've asked him many times, but he just ends up ignoring the issue telling me that what really matters is who we are and want to be, not where we come from, don't worry about what others say.

I trust his words, but it intrigues me to know, one day I heard some nuns talking about what happened, how an army outpost had found a bloody girl with a baby in her arms in the center of a village while corpses surrounded her. monsters and people, was something like this possible? I want to know the truth.

- They will leave at noon, you must go to the guild, they will wait for you there

- Okay, I'll go prepare everything, wish me good luck, teacher.

She approached my ear and whispered "may the goddess Mauren Gala guide your steps and bring you safely back to me" I was greatly surprised, how did she know that and, what's more, does she also believe in that story?

I prepared everything for the trip as quickly as possible and left.

In the guild I spoke with the receptionist Lis and asked about the people who would accompany me and they quickly appeared, they seemed to be an archer, a magician and a healer, they introduced themselves in the same way they appeared: Franz, Saria and Rose, they will be my companions on this mission.

- So, you will be our partner, that armor of yours and that great shield make me feel more confident "companion"

- Eh… I guess so, it will be a pleasure working with you

His tone of voice seemed a bit sarcastic to me, although I am not surprised, most people tend to see the church as an oppressive force that abuses authority and plays behind the scenes in order to obtain its own benefits, and I can't deny that, but right now I can't do anything about it, so I'm going to keep my mind off it and concentrate on protecting these people.

Anyway, after leaving them talking to each other, I approached Liz and asked her about my companions, "is she her first time in her battle" she told me to which I supposed this would be more complicated than I expected. looked like.

- Very well guys, let's go, the time has come to start the journey

- Okay sir, let's go then.

We loaded the provisions and what we would need and we left for that village called the Crimson Circle, quite an eccentric name I must say, from what I understand and you can investigate while I loaded the things into the cart, they call it that because of the color of the leaves that the forest at a certain time of year.

Soon everyone got into the cart and I got ready to drive the horses, just when we left through the great gates of the wall I could see my teacher raising her hand in a hidden way, she was on the outside of the wall while carrying a hood, however, I knew instantly it was her, her bow was evident and her white hair was peeking out from under the hood, I was so relieved to know that even now she still cares about me, I couldn't tell if it's like she was my older sister or my mom.

While we were traveling, they started talking to each other, "it seems they know each other" I mentioned to which Rose replied:

- That's right, when we went to register at the guild and do the pertinent tests so that they would let us register, we met.

- That's right, I met Rose and Franz while we were doing the exam, we liked how the composition of the group was given, and believe it or not we are quite good, we got the best position of the groups in the exam.

- Oh, they sound quite confident, have you already participated in missions like this?

- I think we are more than qualified, we have already completed several guild missions together, don't worry gentleman, we are reliable

What the magician answered at the end of the talk made me feel quite calm, although, because Liz must have said that it was her first mission, perhaps they are lying to me or I have misunderstood what she told me, in short, the fact does not change that I have to protect them.