Return

After finishing up with the hobgoblin, Kendal told us that we'll be heading back to Inasdale the following morning which gave Luna and I time to turn in our job at the guild. It was a pleasant surprise that my experiment with the hobgoblin worked out as I imagined, it would be quite handy in the future I'd imagine.

Getting back into Pontia, Kendal dismissed us for the day to do anything we would like to do before we head back to the academy tomorrow. Luna and I immediately went to the guild to turn in our job, and I also had the hobgoblin ears to sell too so I'm curious how much this all will add up.

Heading inside, the lady greets us at the desk as we approach.

Ellen: "Hi, we collected the poison berries for the job."

I pull out a pouch in my bag that held the berries before handing it over to the lady.

Lady: "Guild cards please"

Luna and I hand over our guild cards as she takes everything to one of the back rooms, returning after some time.

Lady: "Yup! The job's completed. Here is your payment along with a bonus for the extra berries"

She handed over a small pouch that had only copper coins in it along with a few silver coins. This was new to me as all I've seen so far growing up was silver and gold coins.

Ellen: "Oh and I got these as well"

I show her the hobgoblin ears I had carved earlier as the lady had a surprised look on her face.

Lady: "You managed to take out a hobgoblin?"

Ellen: "Yes"

Lady: "They are mostly hunted by C rank adventurers, so if you keep it up you can make it all the way there. Did you want to sell these ears?"

Ellen: "Yes. How much will it be?"

Lady: "It depends on how clean the cut is. But looking at these, they look fresh and cut cleanly, so I'd say- 15 silver for each ear."

She grabs the ears before heading back into the back room, coming back with another small pouch of silver coins.

Lady: "Here you go. Oh and here are your guild cards"

She gives back our guild cards as I shove the pouches of money into my bag before exiting the guild with Luna.

Ellen: "To be honest, I thought we would get paid more than that. Not even a single gold coin"

Luna: "Seriously? Jeez Ellen, that money is quite a lot for a commoner haha"

I knew I was living a life of luxury growing up, but I didn't think it was this bad...

Ellen: "Well either way, that berry job was 'our' job so we can split it 50/50"

Luna: "Deal"

Outside the guild, we divide up the pouch that contain the coins of the job we completed. Counting it out, there was 50 copper coins and 4 silver so I give 25 copper and 2 silver to Luna.

Luna: "Thank you~"

She goes to hug me around my arm once again before we walk off towards the dorm. There was no way we would have time to complete another job here before we had to head back to the academy so we decide to take it easy for the day.

Luna began to pack up her things, getting ready to leave tomorrow as I also give her a hand. My heart at this point is pounding at the thought of getting back to Inasdale to see if a letter had came for me. I also missed having a bath since in this inn here was only a shower.

Luna: "Looking forward to going to the guild in Inasdale?"

Ellen: "You read my mind once again haha. Yeah, It's all I've been thinking about these couple days."

Luna: "We can head there after we unpack our stuff at the dorm. Unless Kendal has something planned for us."

I really hope not. If I could I would just run there right now, but I didn't want to throw away my education that my mom spent a lot of money to get me in. I need to make her proud.

Ellen: "Yeah. In a way, I'm glad I didn't pack any bags. Will save us time to get over there."

I took notice the sweater that her father gave her as she held it close to her before putting it into the bag. Makes me think of my relationship with my father, or should I say 'new' father. I always thought Fabian was just like him, but after crossing swords with Fabian I have come to understand him a little. Meanwhile my father, he seems to always be disappointed in me. I think if my father was the head of the family he wouldn't of allowed me to enter this academy. I guess I'm a little jealous of Luna in that regard.

After packing our things, it was starting to get dark outside so Luna and I decide to head to bed a little early. I did everything I wanted here so all I wanted was to pass time faster so I can be with Kaede.

Luna: "Goodnight"

Ellen: "Goodnight"

We were once again in the same bed facing each other as we both drift off to sleep.

Luna and I having woken up on time, make our way out of the inn. I thank the innkeeper as we walk out the inn before joining up at the usual meetup point with our classes, where I could see the 4 carriages that we arrived in waiting for us.

Kendal: "Okay everyone's here. You can all get inside."

I choose to hop into the same carriage like before, taking the second one from the front as Luna joins me. Getting inside I notice Duane was inside talking with George and Mark. I'm glad they still remained friends after everything that has happened, even though I really don't like Duane. He notices us enter as he shoots me a disgusted look before going back to talk with his friends. "Typical." George and Mark however gave as a smile as we enter with Luna and I sitting away from them, not wanting to get involved.

Moments pass before the carriage doors close and start to move. Feeling the carriage moving makes my heart race at the thought of every passing moment I'm getting closer to her.

Luna: "Here we go~"

Ellen: "Finally."

Luna now intertwining her fingers with mine as she grasps my hand firmly.

Luna: "Hey... When we do find her, Kaede. We'll still be together like this right?"

Ellen: "Promise. It's impossible for her to replace you, same way that you can't replace her. You both are important to me"

Luna: "I'm glad."

If the people in the carriage knew exactly what we were talking about I'd expect them to give us questionable stares, but it seemed like everyone inside here was clueless as they stuck with their own conversations. Luna now holding onto my hand tighter as we ride back to Inasdale.

On our way back, we come up to the south entrance to Inasdale as the carriages come to a halt for a few minutes before starting back up again. Looking to the sides I could see more guards than usual posted up at the entrance which I felt was strange. Maybe the goblins pushed past Pontia and gave Inasdale some trouble too? Actually now that I was looking around the city as we rode to the academy, I could see that guards were everywhere, some wearing full plate armor as well. The other students took notice of the sudden activity as they began whispering to each other.

Ellen: "Do you know what's happening?"

Luna: "N-no. Those guards there are from the knight's division in the army. It's rare to see this many of them."

I knew something was strange, even Luna was suspecting something has happened. Eventually we come to a stop at the academy as we all start to exit from our carriages.

Kendal: "Alright everyone wait. When we came back, the guards informed me of some dire news. Please do not roam around too late as there has been a murder in Inasdale."

The students all began to gossip with one another at the sudden news. My guess was correct that something was up, but a murder? I didn't expect that.

Mage Student1: "Do we know who was murdered?"

Kendal: "That's actually the reason why this is dangerous. The person that was killed was Baron Aston, a nobleman."

Aston... George? I turn towards George as his face went pale, motionless. If my memory was correct, I believe his last name was Aston.

George: "My father is dead?!"

Kendal: "Yes. I am severely sorry for your loss. Reports came in that he was killed last night."

George looked furious now as his emotionless expression turned into rage.

George: "Who? Who killed him!?"

Kendal: "I've only been told of the murder. I'm unsure who the murderer is"

The thought of someone getting away with murder in a city like Inasdale, and a noble at that is unreal. Thinking of someone like that hiding in Inasdale is scary. Luna having the same thought grabbed my hand once again, tightening her grip.

George: "What about my mother..."

Kendal: "I've been told she's fine. It was only your dad's mansion that was attacked."

At least there was a silver lining. Suddenly I think about if my father died I might not be that affected by it, but if it was my mother then I'd have problems. Looking at George it seemed like he was close with his father as I could see tears welling up in his eyes.

Kendal: "There you have it everyone. Be sure to not roam around at night and be back in the academy early. At least until we have more information."

We grab our things with Kendal's dismissal as we all head into the dorms. Luna and I immediately dumping our stuff before heading back out to the guild.

There was still plenty of time to make it back before dark, but we still decide to move at a fast paced walk.

Arriving at the guild I immediately approach the lady at the desk, pulling out my guild card for her.

Ellen: "Any letters for me?"

Lady: "Ah right Yui, that's it. Yes a letter came in for you a couple days ago. Here"

She looking through the drawers before handing me the letter. The fact that the letter arrived was reassuring as I immediately move to the side to open it.

Letter from Fleur: "Hi Yui! Kaede as talked a lot about you recently. She isn't here in Azalea at the moment as she said she's travelling to see you. Maybe hanging around the guild in Inasdale would be your best bet to find her? I hope to meet you one day."

She's coming to Inasdale?