Chapter 41

The next day, Astaroth and Lalitha ventured towards the ruins of the once-majestic adventurer guild, its once-stalwart walls now reduced to ash and rubble. The acrid scent of charred wood hung heavy in the air, a testament to the devastating fire that had consumed the place. Amidst the chaos, the resilient employees of the guild and determined adventurers toiled tirelessly, their faces etched with determination.

As Astaroth and Lalitha approached, the scene unfolded before their eyes—a desperate scavenging for any remnants that had managed to withstand the inferno's wrath. The crackling embers whispered tales of lost treasures, their flickering glow echoing the hope that lingered even amidst the desolation.

Suddenly, Astaroth's keen eyes caught sight of Nick, one of the guild's most reliable members, amidst the debris. Eager to learn more about the guild master's condition, Astaroth called out to him, voice resonating with concern.

"Hey Nick, how are things going?" Astaroth's voice carried a mix of worry and genuine care. "I hope that the guild master is faring well, as I didn't catch a glimpse of him this morning."

Nick's weary gaze met Astaroth's, momentarily distracted from the laborious task at hand. With a heavy sigh, he responded, his voice tinged with both exhaustion and relief.

"The guild master is currently resting at his house," Nick revealed, wiping sweat from his brow. "He worked tirelessly throughout the night, pushing himself to clear away the remnants of this disaster. But alas, his age and the weight of this calamity have taken their toll. He collapsed this morning, utterly drained. Thankfully, it seems to be more exhaustion than anything serious."

"Oh, right! I haven't thanked you both for coming to help yesterday," Nick exclaimed with a mix of gratitude and regret. The aftermath of the fire had been chaotic, leaving him little time to properly express his gratitude. He looked at Astaroth and Lalitha with a sheepish smile, appreciating their presence amidst the disaster.

Astaroth's face softened, understanding the demanding nature of the situation. "Do not be concerned about it, Nick," he reassured. "We are just relieved that you, the guild master, are taking some much-needed rest." His voice carried a tone of genuine care and support.

Lalitha nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with empathy. "Indeed, it was a trying moment for all of us. But now that things have calmed down a bit, we must address the issue of our travel documents to Sanctavia. Sadly, they may not have survived the fire."

Nick shook his head in dismay, his eyes filled with regret. "All our important documents, including your travel papers, were tragically lost in the devastating fire," he explained with a hint of desperation in his voice. "But let's not lose hope just yet. Once the guild master awakens, we can seek his assistance. He possesses the authority to issue a letter that will grant you entry to Sanctavia. Please understand that, for now, this is the best course of action. However, if you haven't explored the town yet, I encourage you to do so while we wait."

Astaroth's mind swirled with thoughts and possibilities. Despite his immense power, he realized that simply waltzing into Sanctavia could bring unwanted attention, especially after the gatekeeper's warning echoed in his mind. Reluctantly, he decided it would be wise to conceal his abilities, at least for now.

"Seems like there are no other options for now, thanks again, Nick. I shall come by again in the evening and if you can meet me here and show me the way to the guild master's place that would be great." After arranging with Nick to meet in the evening, Astaroth decided to visit the marketplace in town.

As he and Lalitha strolled through the charming streets of the town, Astaroth couldn't help but notice the bustling marketplace, alive with vibrant colors and tantalizing aromas. The sweet fragrance of freshly baked pastries danced in the air, drawing him closer to a quaint bakery. The warm, golden crusts of the bread beckoned him, and he couldn't resist indulging in a flaky croissant, its buttery layers melting on his tongue.

"Do you know, Lalitha," Astaroth began, his voice tinged with a mesmerizing allure, "even after traversing countless worlds and living for eternity, humans still captivate me? Their essence is woven with boundless fascination. They are born with an insatiable appetite for desires. From the very moment of their existence, the cravings for flesh, power, and wealth consume them. Even those who are born into abundance are not exempt from this relentless thirst. It is as if the greed within them knows no bounds, surpassing even the yearnings of elves, dwarves, demons, and angels..."

Astaroth paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle. His piercing gaze locked onto Lalitha's, holding her enraptured in his spellbinding presence. Then, with an air of intrigue, he continued, his voice barely a whisper, "It almost seems as if the divine entity responsible for fashioning humans deliberately bestowed upon them this flaw. Could it be that their purpose is to be tested, to navigate the treacherous labyrinth of desire and emerge transformed?"

"My lord, it is true that humans harbor countless desires and wants, and I am no exception," Lalitha confessed, her voice laced with an undeniable yearning. "My deepest desire is to wield unimaginable magical powers, to transcend all other spellcasters in the realm. This insatiable hunger for knowledge drives me to delve into the realms of study, research, and experimentation, igniting my personal growth. Indeed, on a grander scale, the ceaseless desires of humanity have propelled the progress of nations and the entire human race."

"I don't blame you for your desires, Lalitha," said Astaroth, his voice dripping with an air of intrigue. "I'm simply revealing my thoughts on humanity. You see, even Nick, the unassuming receptionist at the guild, harbors a desire you could never fathom. Care to take a guess? But I highly doubt you'll come close."

Lalitha's eyes widened, curiosity-fueling her every breath. When she spoke to him there wasn't anything that showed Nick to be interested in other than the fact that he was festivals and adventures. Lalitha couldn't help but imagine the depths of his hidden desires. Was there something extraordinary lurking beneath his ordinary facade?

"He desires to venture into diverse worlds and dimensions. I do not know who planted the seeds of these tantalizing notions in his mind, but the existence of parallel realms is not a well-kept secret. The intensity of his longing is so profound that he is prepared to forfeit all he possesses. Oh, how I relish the audacity of his aspirations... kekeke," Astaroth chuckled, his voice laden with sinister delight. As the demon king who trades souls for the fulfillment of desires, he revels in such endeavors.

When she heard that from her master, Lalitha was surprised. Her master is right, she would have never guessed that the unassuming young man has such as desire. "My lord, when you ask Ezio to track Nick, there must be something else you want to know since there is no living being that could hide its desires from you."

"I wanted Ezio to follow Nick because I sensed that his desires were likely manipulated. The three elves were behaving suspiciously, always lurking around us, and I could feel their eyes on me. My instincts screamed that there must be a connection. After all, there seemed to be no other option for Ezio."

Lalitha's eyes widened in realization. Something was amiss. The utter destruction of an adventurer guild was highly unusual. These establishments were typically safeguarded by powerful magic and manned by skilled adventurers and guardians. It was unheard of for a fire to consume it completely. The guild master alone should have been capable of containing such a catastrophe.

Both of them eagerly continued their exploration of the town, immersing themselves in its hidden corners and uncovering intriguing secrets. They meandered through quaint streets, their footsteps echoing against the ancient cobblestones. As evening descended, casting an enchanting golden glow upon the town, they decided to return to the adventurer guild.

To their delight, Nick awaited their return, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. Standing beside him was a figure who exuded an air of seasoned adventure—a man in his late twenties, whose weathered face bore the marks of countless quests and daring exploits.

Nick's warm smile greeted Astaroth and Lalitha, his voice brimming with excitement as he introduced them to Aric. "Hello again! You're always punctual, my friends. Allow me to present Aric, as a formidable adventurer in his own right. He is also the nephew of Magnus Ironfist, the revered guild master. He's heard tales of your upcoming journey to Sanctavia, and he's eager to meet you."

"Welcome, Astaroth. It's a pleasure to finally meet you," Aric said, his voice carrying a touch of mystery. "Nick has regaled me with tales of your journey and your impending trip to Sanctavia. But due to unforeseen circumstances, the guild was burned down and your documentation was lost. I hear from Nick that you need to seek a letter from Magnus to allow you to pass through Sanctavia."

"Yes, we have asked Nick to bring us to meet Magnus, if he can write us a letter it would be most helpful," Lalitha replied.

"I understand, I will accompany you to meet him."