“Why you didn't show up!”

Farley approached Viers in the cult’s library while he was reading, fuming.

“Shhh, tone down the voice please. We must keep the peace, dear lady.” Said Viers while trying not to smirk.

“Just answer the question and don't give me lip.”

“If that is my lady’s wish. What is this about again?”

“The tournament!!”

“Ah yes, I recall receiving some sort of invitation in my room a few days past. By the goddess, was it yesterday? Oh woe is me, it totally eludes my mind. What a disastrous loss.” Viers was channeling his inner Shakespeare.

“That’s your excuse? I lost a hundred crystals betting on you yesterday! Not to mention your reputation dragged through the mud!” Slamming her hands on the desk in front of Viers with a loud thump.

“Indeed? Now who in their right mind would bet on a weak, fat, unsocial, boy like me? I dare say you need medical attention. Please find a skilled healer at your earliest convenience, my deeply esteemed lady.”

“Mrrgh… Play the fool all you like, but I know you are not weak.” Scowled Farley, looking Viers dead straight in the eye.

“Untrue, a simple breeze could topple me over. I’m totally unfit for any tournaments.” Sighed Viers, lamenting his condition. His eyes were sincere.

Viers knew he was weak in the grand scheme of things. He had his cheat but there were still many things and people that could end his life, courtesy of Spring of Wisdom.

“Our cult respects strength. By refusing the challenge means admitting your weakness and lowering your standing in the cult.” Warned Farley.

“The tournament was a ‘challenge’ now, hmn?” Viers rose one of his eyebrows inquisitively. “I really am weak and my standing is rock bottom. So I have no shame in admitting the truth. ”

“Fine, suit yourself! Hmph.” Farley left after a display of dissatisfaction.

“Have a good day, my lady.” Viers respectfully stood and bowed then resumed his reading.

Thirty crystals aren’t worth exposing my abilities to my not-so-far-in-the-future enemies. Better lay low and give them a shock later. A hundred thousand volt kind of shock. A literal heart-stopping shock and awe!

Imagining his future ‘badass’ moment, Viers grinned like a scheming villain. He let the thought passed by after a few seconds and continued reading a book about Arte casting.

***

“It’s been two weeks, there have been no signs of the cult or the white mask. I’m sorry, I haven't been able to avenge you.”

A girl stood before a tombstone, this was her second visit after this tomb was erected. She was at the hill inside the town where the townsfolk buried the departed.

“You’d said tears don't suit me before, yes? Well, I’ve decided to never cry again. Can’t have the guys at the church think of me as a cry baby all the time.” Rose gave a lonely smile.

“Oh, Bach confessed to the bakery owner’s daughter. She accepted! I know right? Just like you said she would. His head has been so high on the clouds so much that Captain Angelo assigned him on kitchen duty to ground him back on earth. But the bakery girl sneaked in and they cooked together like newlyweds. That's why our meals are a bit sweet-flavored lately.”

Rose told tales of what was going on at the church, like Leon was sitting there, listening.

“So I-”

A gust of wind blew, carrying a summer round hat. Rose caught it since it flew close to her. A girl came closer, chasing the hat.

“Ah, sorry for interrupting you. I’ve just finished visiting myself and then a sudden wind blew my hat away.” The girl said.

“Not at all, is this yours? You can have it back.” Rose extended her hand.

“Thanks,” The girl said as she put the hat back on her head. “...If you don't mind, let me treat you something. As thanks for earlier.”

“Thanks for the offer but it was no trouble, really.”

“I insist, its double thanks for saving my hat and for my friend's funeral. You’re the church priestess, yes?”

“Actually, I’m not that great,” evaded Rose. “I think I remember, Mr. Terry’s funeral?”

“Yes, shall we? There’s this new treat called ice cream in town, it’s very delicious.”

Rose wanted to refuse but her ear twitched when hearing the word ice cream.

Ooh, I heard about that. I want to try it but I couldn’t spend the money from honest townsfolk’s donation for my selfishness. Wait, this must be the goddess’s way of rewarding my good deeds! I shouldn't refuse this girl and the goddess’ goodwill. The Radiant Lady wills it!

“...Ehem, if you insist,” said Rose sheepishly. “My name is Rose, what’s yours?”

“Paina, nice to meet you, Ms. Rose.”

“We’re the same age so no need to be so formal.” Rose faintly smiled, her face was brighter than before.

Before Rose left, she stroked Leon’s tombstone softly.

See ya, I’ll be back.

***

Currently, the usually empty mayor’s office in Luxore town hosted ten of town’s official and the mayor himself. They listened to a young woman’s grim report.

“Thus concludes my report, mayor.” A girl wearing silver-white armor with the face worthy of an angel spoke. “The boars are getting stronger, they are evolving at an unnatural rate.”

Mayor Sabarin listened while clasping his hands above his desk, his face was full of worry. The man was in his fifties and his head had lots of greys.

“Thank you for your reports, Lady Valentine. The town just went through a difficult incident and another soon followed, the people will not take the news well. And the town’s coffer situation is not that great either.” Sabarin spoke with a heavy tone.

“As I said earlier, this is no ordinary beast tide. This would be unlike the previous beast tides that the town has weathered in the past, please do not underestimate it. Our best bet is to cut the problem at the source. By gathering a group of elites, back them up with our full support, and send them south to the lair of the beast. If that is not possible, we build a fort at a defensible terrain to mitigate the boars’ incursion. I do not have experience in governing a town, mayor. However, I believe steps must be taken. If this is not contained now, this will spread, the town itself could be at risk.” Ciel advised.

“A fort!? You make it sounds simple, my lady, but we are hard-pressed ourselves. Our trade flow have suffered with the boar threat and with the town’s recovery because of the vile Ghoul, we are low on money and manpower to spare. Not to mention the raised taxes that target the rich. The upper-class people are already breathing down our neck.” A town official rebuked.

“Walt, Lady Valentine is correct. We cannot address the threat only after the boars are knocking our town’s gates. The townsfolk’s wellbeing is my responsibility. Three thousand and two hundred souls, Walt… I must not fail them.”

“My lord…” Walt opened his mouth but after seeing the mayor’s determined eyes, he swallowed back down any words that were about to come out from his throat.

Ciel also surprised but she was pleasantly surprised. She controlled her emotions well so her face didn’t show any signs of change. Ciel thought the mayor would dismiss her warning, pointing at her young age and lack of experience, chiding her for her seemingly overreaction to the threat, giving tons of excuse. She had heard frequent cases such as that from her seniors at the Silver Legion, so she didn’t actually count on mayor Sabarin’s support.

“But the sad truth is, my lady, we simply don’t have the people to send for this kind of mission. I could order the fort building and commission the Adventurers guild for more enticing rewards so more adventurers come and hunt the boars but I fear they won’t be sufficient. If what you said is true, even with the fort, we must kill the beast king or this won’t end… Lady Valentine, mock my inability if you will but may I request assistance from the Legion?”

“Mayor, how could I do that? I’m grateful you heed my warning. And I already lodged a request for a team of Legionaries to be dispatched here. To remove the boar monsters' king.” Ciel politely said.

Mayor Sabarin’s face lit up by the news.

“One month, two at most before they arrived.” Ciel clarified.

The town officials started to whispers among each other. “Why the delay, Lady Valentine?” Walt impatiently asked.

“Walt! Lady Valentine, please don’t take offense.” Mayor Sabarin said.

“It's fine, mayor. The cults have been increasing their activities lately throughout the Coalition so the Legion is unable to come immediately. Therefore until they arrived, we must do our best. I suggest building the fortification… here.” Ciel pointed at the map.

“Hmn… yes, that area is good terrain, very defensible. The fort will serve as a bulwark until the Silver Legion comes. The adventurers also could use it as a staging point to hunt the low-level monster boars. We should be able to hold long enough until the reinforcement from the Legion arrived to slay the monster king… Forgive me for asking but what must we give the Legion in return, Lady Valentine?”

He knew the sky-high cost it would take to move high-level Path-seekers. The mayor was worried he might not be able to compensate them and they refused to come.

“None. We are the Goddess’ shield that protects the realms of men. Protecting the people is our duty and honor. They will come to protect the town.” Ciel said with clear eyes and voice. Her confidence and will seeped through her words.

The fact she was a member of the Legion, filled her with pride. The weight of her words awed the people in the room, some of them had goosebumps. Hearing her answer, Walt frowned. He voiced his rejection based on self-interest and a guilty feeling appeared in his heart.

“On behalf of the people of Luxore town, I offer my sincerest gratitude.” Mayor Sabarin stood and bowed with a solemn expression.

“Until my comrades come, I will do my duty as a legionnaire and fight as well. Don’t thank me yet, mayor Sabarin. This will be a long summer.”

Ciel put his right palm above her heart, she returned mayor’s bow with a warrior’s salute.