《ASTREA - A Game of Different Realities》Chapter 23
Advertisement
I reached the entrance of Moonshire in record time after avoiding all pests and Travellers who were fighting everywhere. The sounds of steel clashing and beasts howling are still ringing in my ears after leaving the chaotic path.
The full moon along with the twinkling stars gave the night a serene view in this plain field deserted of Travellers. It made me think how barbaric those people act, giving me a worse evaluation on them.
Demons and beasts may not bring any good to humanity, but compared to the ruckus a while ago, I prefer these creatures just roaming around while minding their own lives quietly.
Satisfied with the peacefulness of being alone for a minute, I went inside the cave after dropping my hood.
No signs of any battle so far. Only a few traces of people walking in and out could be seen in this dark pathway. These tracks may come from Williams, who is assigned to harvest Morning Glory every year.
It was only when I stepped out of the darkness did I find any pieces of evidence of a battle.
Used arrows and red stains littered all over the soil. From the looks of it, it was only one person who uses a bow as his or her weapon. There was one spot where almost all arrows were used.
He or she is good based on the number of arrows who have hit the target since almost all have bloodstains on the arrow tip, but still weak enough to not penetrate the target.
I was about to have my alertness at the highest level when I found all of these fresh battle traces. This mysterious person who did all of these did not maintain her mystery for long because I heard a murmur nearby.
"I could all these flowers for a good price."
Advertisement
Looking over, it was a girl saying weird stuff while picking up flowers. She has a bow on her back, so I assume she was the one who killed all the monsters here.
"There's one more?!"
She retreated when I was about to talk to her. Having a better view with the light on her, she was quite appealing for someone who was wearing something worn out although I was not able to observe any further because an arrow was coming at my way.
"It's not normal to shoot people when you meet them."
Her reflexes were noteworthy but still took long enough especially when I was practically giving my presence away.
Grabbing and examining the arrow that she just shot, it was identical to the previous one I found a while ago. So this girl is the one who did all of that. Quite anticlimactic I may say.
"Nothing? I'll get going then."
It seems seeing my face made her freeze from shock. She was a long-haired blonde archer whose appearance does not look like a native of Astrea. I can only remember a number of fellow Children who can rival her beauty. With proper attire, maybe she would have a lot of fans back in the Capital.
But that is not the problem now. Even though I'm the least popular among the Imperial Lords, my image was still all over the cities. Dropping my hood might have been a bad idea especially when I wear my best armour today.
"Wait! Who might this person be?"
I guess not-- Her ignorance seems to be genuine. She does not know about me, an Imperial Lord. Besides Children, I do not know anyone who has not heard or seen the faces of every single one in the King's palace.
Advertisement
Actually, there should be one more group.
"You don't know? You're a Traveller I suppose. How fortunate."
My mission of interviewing a Traveller may not have failed yet. However, I cannot waste my time any further. I stretched my journey here to the limit, any more delays and my strange actions might reach the ears of Isaac.
"Meet me in Opidelhm. I have a lot of questions to ask."
"A quest!?"
"Quest?"
"No, nothing. I'll meet you in Opehelm? Opidhelm?"
"What a strange girl."
Her strange remark threw me off, but having my purpose of coming here done, I was pleased for today. I left her making sure that I would meet her later with a confirmation. Now I got it done, time to settle everything here.
There was a lot of pest along the way, but nothing to be any concerned about. Although, I did remember William told me that there should be nothing in this cave. All of these pests should have found their way somehow.
Not like I care anyway, but I found this a little peculiar especially considering how many strange things happening to me this day.
After a little jog, a ghastly figure appeared in front of me. This strange thing is supposed to be the protector of this flower, but I have no problem with this at all.
Killing this thing is not a good idea because the Morning Glory would be easily snatched if it were not here. It'll take a long time before it produces one again, so I brought a Calming Incense as William told me to do and everything was piece of cake.
Passing through that guardian, I finally found the flower I have been looking for. Its beauty will be difficult not to see because its glasslike petals reflect all the light within this room.
"As expected, this place is freezing cold."
It is difficult to see because of the darkness, but I was walking on frozen soil. My breath produced a small fog every time I walk nearer and nearer the flower. If it were not for my equipment, stepping into this world would be impossible and would only result in death if I did.
Carefully, after wearing the proper gloves, I removed the Morning Glory from the soil making sure that the roots are all intact. A single cut or scratch will immediately wilt the flower, so making a mistake is out of the question.
...
After a slow process, I was able to finally put it in the special case I have bought. Cold sweat ran at my back when I finished the task. This nerve-wracking experience told me that I will never be going to volunteer once again for this thing.
My business in Twilight City is done, so time to head back and report this Morning Glory. This case will only last a day before the flower inside it will start to wilt.
When I was back to where I met that strange Traveller, she was already nowhere to be seen. Traces of her battle have also vanished. She must have cleaned up before she left, what a thoughtful girl.
Since nothing in here interest me anymore, I left and went to the forest where I stationed the Royal Gryphon and leaving then afterwards.
Advertisement
- In Serial238 Chapters
Memoirs of Your Local Small-time Villainess
An editor at the prime of her life—and with maybe just a little too much free time—finds herself waking up in one of her favorite RPGs with no clue as to what's going on or how to get back home. This might be the part where others rejoice over getting whisked away to a world of wizards and magic, but she certainly doesn't think it's anything to celebrate about. After all, she woke up in the body of a small-time villain with some severe personality issues. [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge]
8 138 - In Serial295 Chapters
Legends of Gods. Tale of Vjaira.
In the Sarkcente Kingdom, in the south of the continent, the life of the King is nearing its end. The Royal Capital and the entire country slowly grow unstable. The many Royal Children are amassing power and allies, and shall soon engage in a life-or-death struggle for the crown. The four Great Families and the three Great Martial Schools will be forced to abandon their long-standing neutrality and choose their own sides. During the calm before the storm, the leader of one of the four Great Families decides to take in two common children and to the shock of everyone, officially adopts them and treats them with great favor. However, Tei’ru dies before long, leaving the two kids ostracized and alone within the family. As the major events in the Sarkcente Kingdom and on the entire continent start to unfold, the ten years old boy, Laien, is about to begin his epic adventure. (Read the brief introduction before you proceed to reading the chapters, thanks!)
8 207 - In Serial20 Chapters
The Opportunist
A world where magic is proportional to the amount of knowledge one wields.An above average student is chucked into the world in hopes to save it from its demise.With knowledge that far surpasses the world itself the burden is placed on him. But will he save it? If he does at what cost?First time writing a story. Would love any and all feedback.
8 201 - In Serial99 Chapters
The Mortal Acts
The Mortal Acts is an epic progression fantasy with a lower focus on training aspects and a great focus on discovering new ways of using powers intelligently. I've always been drawn to stories where characters use their powers creatively to overcome opponents and obstacles, and I think all the possibilities can provide a great playground for twists and turns. It's inspired by a variety of media, including Will Wight's Cradle, Hunter x Hunter, and Bioshock, so if you like the creative power use elements from those, come check it out. This is my first serial, and please feel free to leave comments and feedback. For backstory, behind-the-scenes, and other fun stuff, come chat on my discord! Become a patron to read up to 20 chapters ahead here! Blurb: Riven Morell cuts short his regular life at school and home when his mother falls terminally ill. Desperate to find a cure, he travels to Severance Frontier, a desolate land haunted by hordes of ghosts, witches, and demons collectively called the Deathless. But a miraculous cure doesn’t magically fall into his hands. Things are worse in Severance Frontier than Riven had assumed. Ghosts are banding together into armies, demons are kidnapping anyone who strays out of settlements, and witches are enslaving everyone left and right. Riven, of course, gets embroiled in the mess. Missions to curb the Deathless activity are one thing, but when it starts to look like this is just the beginning of a war that extends beyond the mortal realm, Riven has a hard time focusing on why he came to Severance Frontier in the first place. His mother is inching towards death with every passing day, but if he doesn’t face down the Deathless, what little civilization the Frontier holds will be overrun and destroyed. Thankfully, it looked like the Deathless might just hold the secret of the elusive cure.
8 285 - In Serial24 Chapters
Ashen Ghost
Gravelroy, the last free city, giant metropolis. All ethnicities, cultures, and religions can be found there. Merchants, sailors, criminals, everyone is welcome inside its walls. Everyone but a king, the free citizens don't kneel. But some rulers on the continent would like for this to change... A country bumpkin coming to the Big City. Raised by the wilderness as much as the war. Turned criminal by necessity. A wounded and insane woman. A monster lurks in her prison. She struggles to regain her memories and dreams of escape. A tiny, insignificant meeting. It will send ripples through the world. Given time, ripples can become waves. With enough luck, once in a very long while, a wave will turn into a storm. Slaves, commoners, and soldiers. Bishops too, kings even. Perhaps the Emperor himself. Everyone will feel it. But for now, the stubborn little rock has yet to fall into the waters. He has quite a long way to go in fact. Let's give him a little nudge, shall we? With chance, something might happen. Life can be unpredictable. Especially when we consider the adventures of a crazy girl and a weird lad. Things might get dramatic as the prelude suggested, or they might decide to do as they want and go nuts. Maybe a bit of both. The girl will fight against her own mind, her prison, and her fate. Who imprisoned her and why? But maybe she has imagined everything. She is mad after all. To save someone dear, the boy fights hunger and city guards. Sometimes pigeons as well. Well, this city is cracked anyway. Cover art by Paul Lerouvillois.
8 199 - In Serial25 Chapters
Where Did The Little Rock-Star Go? (GXG)
Devon is now 21, older and wiser. She is now once more the quiet solo artist. She is both, immature and mature. She is responsible but also irresponsible. She can be late, or she can be on time. One little meeting can bring all the memories back.sequel to: Little Rock-Star
8 202

