My suspicions about not being well received turned out wrong. On the contrary, it was clear that our presence was expected, which indirectly proved Aison's words about everyone knowing everything we told at the gate already.

As soon as we took a few steps unto the grounds of the mansion, a few meters of elaborate garden, a couple of heavily armored guards approached us. This latter, not only carrying swords but heavy shields, spears, and full chainmail, turned out as Baron's soldiers, like the ones at the gates. Not very impressive in stats as Aison, barely above the higher ceiling of the average. But still, they were nicely trained and equipped.

A brief confirmation of our identities later, they led us to the entrance, where the guards left us in the hands of a servant of the manor. This latter, dressed in a long white shirt and black pants, looked nearly like the ones I could expect from a noble house, maybe adding a suit jacket for the complete image.

After inviting us in, the servant excused himself, asking us to wait in a reception room near the entrance, and left us to ourselves for a few minutes. I had a couple of doubts about how I should behave, but as I turned to ask Aison, he shook his head while touching his ear with his ungloved left hand.

With nothing better to do, I spent these few minutes looking around. And well, what I can say, everything in there oozed luxury and riches.

I can't be sure that the entire mansion was like that, but the twenty-five or so square meter room we were in, with its triple-height ceiling, several sets of magic lights, wooden panels, gold-embroidered seats, and so on, was definitively high class. Not tacky, but very elegant, even if this sole room could cost like a decent house in the same city.

"I am sorry to have kept you waiting. I only returned home right as you arrived." The man started speaking as soon as the door opened. There was no doubt of who he was. And yet, I was somewhat surprised by his appearance.

From the bits of information I had, Gudea was a small-time merchant who ended up marrying the right person and, from that moment, advanced in standing thanks to his new family influence. Aison also dropped a few rumors about him being intelligent and a keen merchant and that he was barely 30 years, so I expected some clerk-type or the cliche fatty merchant type.

Yet, the man that appeared before us was neither. He was about my height and had an athletic build. His finely chiseled face reminded me of Greco-roman statues, and he had his nearly-golden shoulder-length hair arranged in a ponytail. The same manor's wealthy elegance was present in his dress, a suit-like combination combining light and dark blue tones.

But if I had to point out my biggest surprise, it would be his stats. I could hardly believe the man was a merchant, and while I am unsure how he concealed it from everyone, my [Status Screen] pointed out a lot of stuff that created a lot of questions (even if the numbers and words appeared in a waving, blurry script).

NAME (As I see it) Usual above average (10 = trained), at least when it is merited. Litwalian Empire, Empire's Own, Two-faced Demon - Kingdom of Neverc, Noble - Strength 13 Body 13 Agility 14 Speech 18 Manners 17 Education 19 Persuasion 18 Deceit 14 Negotiation 15 Economics 13 State 12 Subterfuge (Lockpicking, Traps, etc.) 20 Poisons & Antidotes 20 Close-Quarters 15 Unarmed 15

Anyway, it wasn't like I could ask about the strangely blurred stats of his, or I continue staring at him, so I half bowed almost at the same time Aison did and followed up with my own, probably unnecessary, introduction.

"Mmm, allow me to welcome you to Chubu. News of your arrival reached me a few days ago, but I thought you would only enter the city tomorrow at best." After responding with a deep nod to our introductions, he pointed towards the leather-draped chairs and only spoke as we sat.

"Maester Rador had a mishap with one of the encounters on our path, so we spent some time in Bigradh and had to rush out to avoid losing days." Aison didn't explain much, but at the same time, he preempted any questions about the first part of our journey by setting up a hook. One that our counterpart took right away.

"I am ashamed to share such with the Maester, but I heard some calls of distress and rushed out only to find myself falling into a ditch that wasn't supposed to be there." This part he did explain to me, so I was the one who answered as Gudea asked about that encounter.

"And yet, Maester Rador didn't lose consciousness from that heavy fall and ended up dealing with two bandits attacking a farmer's cart." We had only agreed on a fall, so Aison's addon was unexpected. Still, if it was just playing hero, no problem.

"Hah, no need to speak about that. That two were probably farmers themselves before. Deficient farmers if they went to rob their brethren. So what could they have accomplished by fighting a trained fighter?" While recalling the part about acting (but not overacting) high and mighty against lower-standing people, I tried to speak neutrally but with a hint of mocking.

"Yes, sometimes such people just don't know their limits." Seemingly Gudea approved our story as he nodded with the face of someone who did understand.

***

For the next few minutes, helping ourselves to some quite tasty wine served by the same servant from before, the only topics touched were the reasons for our visit, as well as what plans we had for the days we would spend in Chubu.

Aison went with a prepared story about being free for a few weeks and choosing to travel with me. As for if he would stay in Chubu after I left, he mentioned that he didn't know yet. "Probably if I get a couple of people to instruct, I will spend my break doing the same I do in Megvuroz, but hopefully earning something additional."

For my part, my story was about being rewarded with a leave period that would also bring some money earned some chuckling from Gudea. From his own words, it wasn't strange for the Guild people to offer such, although he considered, and I agreed that it would have been far better for my patron to give me the coins directly.

"Maester Eike probably wanted me to check the road. If I am not mistaken, he planned to send a fairly big order to your branch in the next months, so I assume it will be me to come and fetch it." I had to make Gudea interested in establishing close contact with me, and Aison's instructions helped me hint at a future profit.

As a side note, I was surprised to hear that each branch managed its own funds, and they actually would negotiate, barter, and fight tooth and nail for better prices against not only people from outside but also the other branches.

***

Until that point, our talk went pretty well. But then the stuff I hated most began. Some mix of politics, strange plays, and plans that I would have to participate in, even if I had no desire to.

It started with some brown-nosing on how everyone spoke about the Chubu branch. All intermixed with a few disguised jealousy-filled compliments to Gudea's position. To all that, Gudea played the same hand, complimenting our pair reaching Chubu safely and how that spoke of our martial might.

Yet, somehow, what could have been the perfect finish for our talk, suddenly turned into something else. A test, as Aison would point out later, or a pest, as I myself considered it.

"But two fighters of your caliber probably will be bored with a city like Chubu. Drinking and resting are fine, and there should be no shortage of nobles who could use a refresher with the sword, but wouldn't you be up for some action?" Just when I thought we would be excusing ourselves, Gudea spoke up while signaling the servant something, which made the man leave the room.

"Oh, and what does Maester Gudea have in mind?" Aison immediately asked, not allowing me to start the preplanned tirade about how I wanted to get drunk and laid only.

"A small outing, if you may." Gudea's smile wasn't well-natured, that was clear even to me, and my inner sensor for trouble triggered.

"Men or beast?" And yet, Aison asked as if he was itching to hop on!

"Hopefully, the former, probably the latter. But let me explain..." And Gudea explained, oh, he did.

To keep the hour-long monologue, which I spent despairing and drinking, short, let's just put it like this, the region had a lot of problems, and only the efforts of Baron Farald and the Viscount (in that order!) kept it afloat. From bandits to escaped criminals, from beasts to I don't know what else. All aimed to disrupt the so-great region, and while most troubles were countered and solved by the soldiers (of the Barony of Old Anear, unsurprising), they kept popping up.

Two of that problems were directly related to the Trade Guild, the food traders' carts disappearing, and the same happening to some of the Guild guards tasked with collecting the rent for several Guild-owned farmlands.

As it stood, no one was sure if it was a magic beast or a human group responsible for it, as either could have attacked food carts and small groups. Obviously, soldiers were looking for the culprits, but Gudea was planning to send a few fake collectors to snuff out whatever was behind the disappearances.

"Usually, they go out in pairs, but as it will be dangerous, I was hoping to get the best fighters for such a task. It would greatly please me if you two could help us. Both because of your skill and of our shared affiliation."

"Oh, how could we allow the interests of the Guild to be affected, right, Maester Rador?"

And just like that, I was signed up for a dangerous and absolutely unnecessary (for me) mission. {Let that great Baron deal with it.} Regretfully, I could only think so while smiling and saying that for us two, it will be easy to deal with whatever comes.

***

"Well, it's not like it's the first time such shit happens." I mumbled, unheard by anyone in the boisterous tavern, nursing an enormous mug of some beer the waitress said to be the best in the region.

It wasn't my first mug of the night, and I am sure the beer wasn't inadequate, except I didn't care to taste it. Neither did I pay attention to the dozen or so men sitting at the same table as I did, absorbed in my thoughts.

"I am not sure it will be the last time, but let's at least try to do so." I continued my low-voiced monologue, not even caring that one of the things I intended to change was this, speaking to myself without an actual reason.

"Oi, friend, tough day?" I was jerked out of my half-pensive half-lamenting state by a sudden question accompanied by a light tap on my shoulder.

It was a bit unexpected to be spoken to by someone, so I looked at the person who had approached me, considering if I should even answer. It was a young man, probably about twenty years old, dressed in the typical leather clothes of a warrior but slightly more armored, with a scratched steel plate on his chest and robust half-plated boots. Straw-colored, shortly cut hair and what one could call an honest face, he stood smiling, waiting for my response.

"Wasn't expecting anyone to ask, but yeah." In the end, deciding that it would not bring any harm, I replied with a shrug.

"Judging from the badge, Trade Guild? But not from here, are you?" He asked while nodding towards the badge on my belt, but before I said anything, he waved towards the men at the table and continued speaking, "We have been here in Chubu for a week. And there are days before our work starts. We would welcome any news from outside. Care to join us?"

Usually, I would have refused, but between my mood and the need to speak with at least someone who maybe, just maybe, may not be trying to further some unknown goal, I went along with it. Nodding to the man, I half-stood from the bench and inched closer to the group. As for him, he returned to his place on the other side of the table, in front of me.

The fourteen men turned out to be a group of mercenaries, or free swords, under the name of [Zlolim]. Note: 'Zlolim' isn't a word from Common but the Imperial or human tongue, meaning something like relentless.

They were young, I could even pass as the oldest one, and were dressed and equipped similarly to Wern, the one who spoke to me first. While I did not examine each of them, the few I did had pretty average stats, with the higher ones being martial or labor skills. For example, Wern had only one above the minimum of ten (skilled/trained) I established for my [Status Screen] - [Strength] at 11.

Neither of them carried weapons except for a dagger or knife on their belt, but as I looked around the table, I saw a pile of spears, swords, and shields near the far end of it.

I could not say that my talk with them, which mostly ended up being introductions and drinking, ended up being productive, but I did enjoy the company, jokes, and a couple of random stories. The only bit I got interested in was about their leader, as Grol, one of the guys sitting next to me, mentioned it to be a woman called Ezilda, supposedly a noble scion and a renowned fighter. The others didn't say anything else, so I only registered it as something random without asking more, as I didn't really care about someone I would probably never meet.

From my side, I went with Rador's backstory. As for news, it wasn't like I had any, but they were mainly interested in the road state, as they would be leaving the city while escorting some rich client and wanted to know anything that could hamper or endanger their journey.

About two hours before them inviting me, somewhere around midnight, I excused myself, citing I had things on the morrow. I had rented a room in the same inn that I was drinking in, so it wasn't like I had to walk long until reaching the bed I would use for the night. As for them, their plans appeared to include drinking all night long and then some more. Wern's words -"Our boss is very serious about drinking on the move, so we need to fill ourselves before leaving!"

The room I rented was what they call the best room of the inn, but with the latter being a middle-tier one near the gates, it wasn't much better than the first one I had stayed in on Lieade. A bed with a straw mattress, a table, a chair, and a wardrobe, all packed in an about nine square meters room, with a door and a single window, this one of the fake, animal horn glass.

One of the girls that worked both as servers and the inn's staff had given me an oil lamp when I started making my way up the stairs, but I snuffed the flame out as soon as I entered the room, preferring to use the safer, non-flammable spell.

Not that I had anything to use the light for, as I only looked around for a few moments, locked the door with both key and the bolt, and threw myself on the bed after unfastening the sword. [Clean] took care of clothes and armor to the point that they appeared ironed, so I had already accustomed myself to sleep dressed, only taking off my armored boots, gloves, and protectors.

{Well, I probably should [Record] everything before sleeping.} I am unsure why I even continued to maintain such an inner diary, as disconnected or not, I could recall anything on will. Still, it felt somehow right, and the events of the last hours merited some extra reflection, at least if I wanted to avoid being surprised later.

Next day;

I woke up far better than I expected. Maybe because of the sleep, the drinks, or my unexpected frolicking the night before, the task appeared like something not so bitter, even the right thing to do. After all, people disappeared, and while I am still unsure how good I am fighting, between Aison and myself, we should be able to resist until the promised reinforcements arrive.

"In any case, that's for later. First things first, time to prepare and go meet Yuld." Since I arrived on Lieade, I have been waking up at sunrise, even without clocks, and it wasn't different on this day.

Not because of being stingy, but to save time, I summoned some of the remaining food from my [Inventory] and ate in the room, not the tavern downstairs. The tavern wasn't so high-class, but it did have a bath on each floor, and while hot water had to be requested, I was content with a few buckets of cold water and a [Clean] spell to my clothes.

Surprisingly, the tavern had a mirror in the bathroom. A simple piece of polished bronze or similar metal, but it was the first time I saw one.

My face didn't change when I turned into an Apostle. As for the other attributes, I had them concealed for the moment, or had I?

"Hmm? What the..?" The reflection wasn't so good, and the amber coloring didn't help much, but I noticed a part of my hair looking differently.

Thankfully I hadn't drained the water yet, so I used it to get a better look. {Damn, it's something from overnight, as Aison would have definitively pointed it out, but still, I can't go out like this!}

Either the die wasn't so good, as supposedly my hair would remain tinted for several weeks, or something affected it, but nearly a third of my hair length was now back to its 'normal' white. {I should ask Aison or Yuld to procure some die. As for now..?}

*Rip*

Taking out some of the black cloth I had meant to use for clothes from my [Inventory], I half-ripped, half-cut a square, then folding it in half, tied it around my head as a bandana.

"Let's see how the day goes. And let's hope this was the only random incident for its duration." I am unsure if it counts as a prayer, but I muttered such words while thinking of Sepyre. But if it was, then, Sepyre, let's hope you can make my words true!

I am unsure if it was some kind of sensation or else, but I ended up recording my memories up until this point. At that point of my adventure, to call it someway, I had no idea that my next [Record] would only happen two days later or that for the moment I did archive my memories, I would not be a simple visitor, apostle, or whatever, to this world...