Chapter 12: Two Capitals One Center

Sounds of fire crackling from the woods as Troy began to inform the clueless Goberin.

"There are 2 Human Kingdoms: Magical Kingdom and Knight Kingdom. The Magical Kingdom is in the center of the map, far south from where we are near the borders. It's where the capital of Evergreen resigns. It's a place for youngins like you go there to look for job as adventurers!"

"Huh? But I heard monsters couldn't go into Human city"

"Oh ho! That's where you're wrong! You see... This capital was built by a kind King of the Magical Kingdom and he wished for all races to live as one and when war lasted for centuries this place was known for its hospitality towards monsters from far and wide! And no other Kingdom could touch them because they were under the watchful eyes of the King's many generations of kind and merciful heir!"

"Oh wow... So um from the name. This Kingdom was on top because it researched on Magic right?"

"That's correct! And that's where the Knight Kingdom comes in. It was built far north from the Magical Kingdom. Knights in training who wanted to become stronger for the Kingdom. The Queen of the Magical Kingdom decided to build the capital of Tirinium there! To ever replace Evergreen when they needed to but there was no need so Tirinium might be the second capital, Evergreen was the one in the center of it all!"

"Oh um..."

"Hm? What is it that you want to ask Goberin?"

"C-Could you introduce me to this 'Kokoharu' person?"

A moment of silence before Troy looks at Goberin with questionable eyes, "And why would I want to do that?"

"O-Oh umm... W-Well maybe she could figure out why I was so smart in the first place? Hahaha?" Goberin gave out a nervous laugh.

"Huh... Hahahaha! Then why didn't you just say so? The moment I heard you rambling off something weird I thought that you had this similar thing with Kokoharu! But I didn't want to pressure you that much"

"Oh, haha! Y-Yeah! I'm glad that you understand it..." Goberin then gives a sigh of relief. "So, where is she? Oh actually wait... I wanted to ask this before I forget but what happened to you guys after defeating Obsidian?"

"Oh uhhh... Well, a year after we slayed the thing we climbed up to S-rank and got privileges like getting notify when a new labyrinth or dungeon was discovered first before anyone else and we got to missions for other Kingdoms as well!"

"Woooww!"

"Yep but the good life doesn't last forever sadly... Hector got news about his mother's uncured sickness and we held his farewell party before bidding him off wishing that his mother would still be fine and healthy but he said something along the lines of 'Bahahaha! You needn't worry about me! I'm already old and I'm planning to retire soon, so this might be our last night together! And plus I'm feeling a bit homesick y'know? I got a wife and kids already so I need to go back to them and tell that daddy has been adventuring with the greatest team in the world! And with a captain that I respect most!', I shed many tears that night knowing that he wouldn't be drinking together with me anymore..."

"WAITTT!! How old is Hector?"

"Well when he left the party... It was about 3 years ago so he was about 41 as I remembered..."

"Still going on adventures even when he was in his late 30s?"

"*Sigh* Yeah... He was the most ruff-tuff person I've ever met!"

Tears start to flow down Troy's cheeks.

"So... What about Helen?"

"She was planning on going with Hector because she was already a fine Healer and Herbalist but he said that it was fine and no need to trouble herself over his family problems. That was when 3 months later, a letter from her hometown had come to her and it was about her mother... She had died to unknown cause and she was the only best healer in her hometown so she decided to leave as well. Even though we weren't a couple but I enjoyed her time with me... She had endured all of my sexual harassments and finally come to respect me as a good leader and that just left me with Kokoharu"