The Need for Strength

"Thank you for your time, my lord." Joshua said as he got up and left the room. The doors shut behind him and the butler was waiting for him at the end of the corridor.

"So how did it go?" The butler asked. "I see you have maintained your head."

"He made me a noble." Joshua said. "I am now a knight." Joshua showed him the ring, which he had already placed on his finger.

"The same rank as the man who holds your mother." The butler said. "I took the liberty of investigating for you, while you were in your meeting. The noble's name is Lord Gilroy, and he is a knight with no lands to call his own. It seems he took your mother in when she arrived in the city, as she had no place to go. Now he refuses to let her leave. It is a common tale among the people who live here.

Regardless of his knight status, you should not challenge him yet. He had deep pockets and employs a man known throughout the underground as the breaker. He is an ex-adventurer that has now turned noble's champion and boasts a level of one hundred. Back in his adventuring days he was an AA-Rank adventurer.

You will need to get stronger if you wish to save your mother, rushing in will only result in your death."

"Thank you for telling me." Joshua said. "I appreciate the help."

"Don't mention it." The butler replied. "It was the least I could do for the son of Gilhaven."

"So, you knew my father as well?" Joshua asked.

"Everyone knew of Viscount Gilhaven, but I had the distinct pleasure of serving him for a time." The butler said. "I fled the same night as your mother. It is a tragic memory that has been seared into my mind. I can still smell the iron in the air from all the blood, and I hear the screams of the fallen when I close my eyes.

Your father stood in the front lines and ordered us all to flee. He bought us the time we needed to escape, trading his life for the lives of his servants. That of course made him the laughing stock of the nobility.

None could fathom why a Viscount would die to save those beneath him. He was a good man. His death made the kingdom as a whole a worse place."

"Sounds like he was a hero." Joshua said. "I wish I could have met him."

"Indeed." The butler replied. "I am sure the late master would have wished to have met you as well. Also, I know this may not be my place to tell you, but he loved your mother. The rules of the nobility prevented him from marrying her since she was a commoner, so he made her his personal maid. That way he could spend as much time as he could with her."

"Then why didn't you try and save her?" Joshua said. "If you loved my father, and he loved my mother, why would you let her suffer at the hands of Gilroy? Why didn't you help her?"

"By the time I arrived in the city she was already in his clutches." The butler said. "It is my biggest regret and shame. That is why I wish to help you. If I can in some way aid the son of my beloved lord, then perhaps I can find some peace for my failings."

"How can I level up quickly?" Joshua asked. "I need to save her as soon as possible."

"I knew you would ask." The butler said as he reached into his coat and pulled out a rolled-up parchment. He then placed the parchment into Joshua's hands. "Take this map. It will lead you to a dungeon. Based on my research it should be the best fit for your level." He then pulled out a stone from his other pocket and handed it to Joshua. "Take this as well.

It is a teleportation stone that is attuned to the fountain in the lower city. Should you ever get in over your head, just break this stone in your hand. You will be instantly transported to the fountain. Remember you cannot rescue your mother if you are dead."

"Thank you again." Joshua said, as he started to walk out of the palace. The guards opened the doors for him without saying a word and he made it back to the upper city streets.

His mind was racing with all of the knowledge he had just learned. To think his father was a noble, but a heroic one. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. All that mattered was freeing his mother, he needed to focus on that first.

He opened the map and studied it. The exit of the city he needed to use was the one in the lower city. He needed to check on Gina, and report to the guild anyway before his departure. He left the upper city and passed the guard that gave him issues last time. Waving his ring in his face with a smile.

"Sorry lord." The guard said as Joshua passed. "I should not have doubted you."

Joshua didn't even acknowledge the guard as he continued walking. He had more important things to do right this second. As he approached Gina's bakery the aroma of cake filled the air, and a line was waiting outside the door. Seeing the back entrance open Joshua rushed in to help.

"I need more of this cake!" A loud customer could be heard. "Look I will pay you ten gold a slice if you give it to me instead of him!"

"I was here first!" The customer in front of the man yelled back.

Gina saw Joshua enter from the back; her eyes lit up with joy as she was to the breaking point of stress. "Joshua! Help me!" She cried out.

"Quiet or no cake for any of you!" Joshua yelled out. "If I hear a peep, no cake!"

The crowded line silenced themselves quickly. None of them wanted to lose out on the chance at deliciousness.

"You, how many do you want?" Joshua asked.

"Three pieces please." The nobleman said.

"You can have one." Joshua said as he wrapped up a single piece. There is a hard limit on one piece per customer!" Joshua yelled out. "If you want more you can preorder an entire cake. It will be ready for pickup in a few hours. It will be fifty gold though."

"That's fine." The noble replied, as he handed Joshua his status plate.

Joshua then handed the plate to Gina, and she completed the transaction. "Alright for speed and ease, please raise your hand if you would rather pre order a cake for fifty gold?"

The twelve nobles in line all raised their hands.

"Alright, payment is due now, you can pick them up in a few hours." Joshua said.

Gina went to each one and processed the transaction on their status plate. As she did, they left, promising to return in a few hours.

When the shop was clear Gina wiped her brow. "Joshua, thank you!" She yelled out.

"Lock the door, we have enough orders." Joshua said. "Let's go make those cakes. I need to talk to you while we do."