“What danger are you talking about?” Sevyn started.

It was just now that she realised how delicious the food was, the meat was cooked softly but just to the point that it did not feel like it fell apart. The spices were mixed nigh perfectly, and it came with some grain as well. Nicer than anything she had before now. She could tell the boys enjoyed it even through Gael’s expressionless face.

Right as Amuro was about to explain the situation to them, his face changed expression to one of extreme seriousness. This lasted for only a moment, one that passed so quickly that most people would have dismissed it practically as a hallucination, a trick of the mind. Sevyn noticed the changed and was nearly convinced with how quickly his expression morphed back to the easy-going smile.

“I have had a premonition for this village.” He started without missing a beat. Sevyn was curious about what that was all about but doubted it was something she had to worry about. Sure, she was willing to help them right now, but she did not plan on staying here forever. The food however, was a tempting reason and might have played a part in why she was willing to stay here for a month despite the chances of pursuers being likely.

“I have seen that a monster is going to pass by this village very soon.” He said.

“I can only assume that it would be a power one because I am sure Raavar and Ariel here could take care of any regular monster.”

“That is correct, this monster is likely an artillery class creature based on what Raavar has told me.”

“Artillery class? Wait Raavar?” And Artillery class monster sounded way above their current capabilities, and she was confused about how Raavar would know.

“I had actually come across the monster before, on an escort mission a few months prior and man do I wish I didn’t.”

\ 4 months ago

Raavar sat on the top of a fancy carriage, the large thing was easily twenty metres in length and six across on top of that it was enchanted meaning it needed nothing to pull it along. It was comfortable regardless of terrain due to the incredibly well engineered suspension on the large wheels which were further enhanced. It was gold in colour the various metals reflecting the greens of the Jigal forest around it. If he was being honest, it was a bit of an eyesore with the sharp contrast to the surroundings. It must have cost a fortune. The noble family of Hughston had hired him to escort their young daughter across the forest from Taelruin in the north to the eastern city of Maitol.

They were about a quarter of the way through the journey, and he was getting stuffy sitting in there with the high-class lady. She had spent these first ten days hitting on him and he was close to losing it. Ariel had just laughed at his expense as he tried awkwardly to turn down her advances without sounding too rude after all he was decent friends with her father and the older man placed his trust in him.

She had her own bodyguard of course, Zoe. She was a very strong Soldier class Xerani. A dark-skinned brunette beauty that stood a few centimetres shorter than him. Her green eyes under her helmet surveyed the surroundings with a sharp light of incredible alertness, nothing was escaping her sight. She wore dark blue Ehror enhanced armour and a large sword and shield combination of the same colour. She did not have an inherent ability in her Corpus but her use of Ehror to enhance her body as well as the general skills she had for close combat made her a force to be reckoned with. She was respectful and straight forwards while guarded as to be expected from such a person. As Raavar understood it she had served the Hughston family for over a century, it was a story that he did not know too much about. While he was being accosted upon by her mistress the look she gave him was apologetic making him feel marginally better.

They also had twenty human class guards all at the top level that a Human class could be. While it was true that Soldier classes made up the vast majority of armies and adventurers that was not the case for regular guards. There was only so many Xerani that existed after all. And most were already in some kind of government employment mostly requiring combat if not becoming adventurers to use their abilities to the max. However, most of the time you would not need powerful Soldier class fighters or even those at the mid-level. Most Soldier classes end up near the lower end of the spectrum. This includes monsters. This has to do with both ability and talent as well as motivation. This means that there are far more top-level Human classes than low level Soldier classes.

A lot of people get complacent as they reach the Soldier class as you have practically made life at that point. Yet the difference between a top-level Human class and the lowest end of a Soldier class while a noticeable gap is not completely insurmountable for a skilled enough Human class fighter. Meaning that enough Human classes at the top level can take down Soldier class. Or if the Human class happens to have a powerful ability and again enough skill they are capable of bringing down a Soldier class as well. This is not an untold story which is why there is the occasional Human class fighter in an army they tend to be quite impressive as they have incredible will and push themselves to the maximum or have incredible abilities within their Corpus. Essentially hiring a single body guard of the Soldier class is very expensive while you could hire a lot of top level Human class body guards at a lower price comparatively. And those Human classes are still as effective in combat depending on the strength of said Soldier class while also being higher in number which is always an advantage.

Essentially, they would still be useful against most criminals who would be Human class too with the occasional weak Soldier class or the average Soldier class monster. Raavar respected Human class fighters, a lot of Soldier classes tend to look down on them for reasons of superiority and it certainly adds to inequality in the world. Raavar however, saw them as incredible men and women willing to push their bodies to a breaking point to achieve what others could reach easily due to how unfair this world was. Even so they were smart to hire him another Soldier class when crossing the Jigal forest was a good idea and he brought on Ariel as well for good measure the pay just for him was decent enough so he did not mind splitting between them.

The Human class guards stood behind railings on a veranda type object that surrounded the cart on constant alert. The carriage stopped, looked like it was going to be the usual break at afternoon time. This meant food for everyone and likely yet another picnic as the Hughston daughter loved to do. The large double doors on the carriage’s right side opened. Zoe walked out first shield and sword at the ready scanning the world with extreme prejudice. He knew that she was using more than just a typical five senses to scour the environment. After a couple of moments, she was done and walked down the steps, followed by Ariel in her green robes a wide hood held a large portion of her blond hair. She held a white staff in both hands daintily. Last was the Hughston daughter Odelia.

She wore a white wide-brimmed hat hiding her face as she walked down the stairs. Upon reaching the bottom she looked up revealing her blonde straight hair which reach the small of her back. Her dark eyes hid incredible intelligence in them and her pixie like face combined with said eyes gave her a mischievous expression. She wore a flower adorned white dress tied with a black sash at her waste. She only reached up to below his sternum in height. Glancing around she noticed him on the roof before flashing a blinding smile, nearly eliciting an audible groan from him.

“Raavar, I hope the sun light was enjoyable for you.” She greeted cheerily.

“Sure was.” Was the brief and slightly forced answer.

He jumped down to the ground, he was looking forward to the meal. The food was incredible, certainly one of the reasons he could bear this mission. Hughston family hired great cooks. Sits were brought out of the carriage and arranged in a circle, the entire guard was to participate in the meal too.

“So Raavar what is your plan after this?” The noble daughter asked almost innocently. Almost.

“Mmh? Oh err, I guess I would buy some equipment at Maitol before heading to the village of Diar.” He spluttered at first, he really should have seen that one coming.

“You wouldn’t stay in Maitol for long? It really is a beautiful city and next to the ocean we could take some time off on the beach together.” She was straightforward.

“I-I don’t know about that, I am quite bus-.” He started before he was on full alert standing up. Zoe had was faster weapons already drawn as she scanned the surroundings.

“Battle formations now!” She yelled taking command.

The entire forest seemed to come to life around them as the trees swayed and the very ground rumbled.

Something reared its head, from a very long neck. He could instantly tell from that Ehror exuding from the creature. An Artillery class monster.