359. Sickleshade Valley

“Salvos?”

Saffron rapped lightly on the door before entering the room. She glanced about the opulent room, but the silver-haired girl was nowhere to be found. With a frown, the young noble stalked down the gilded halls as she wondered aloud.

“Did she leave already?”

“Are you looking for someone?”

A soft voice asked. Saffron craned her neck, facing a regal girl. Rana Alyras, princess of Alyras, approached the Vampire with a maid slowly trailing after her.

“Princess Rana. I apologize for the disturbance.”

Saffron hurriedly bowed, raising the seams of her dress. The princess just smiled as she waved a hand off.

“You don’t have to be so formal with me. You can just call me Rana.”

“If I may interject, I do not believe that a princess ought to be so casual with a woman she just met.”

The maid spoke politely with her head bowed. But Rana flushed, sputtering.

“That’s not— you’re Salvos’ friend, aren’t you? Saffron Merryster.”

She turned to Saffron, scowling. Saffron raised a brow and nodded.

“I am indeed, princess— Rana. I was looking for her since she was granted lodging here, but I can’t seem to find her. Have you seen her anywhere within the palace?”

Rana exchanged a glance with her maid. She shook her head.

“Unfortunately, Salvos has left Alyras with her companions to pursue the berserk [Goliath Oliphants] to the southeast of the Helbir Plains.”

“Wait…”

Saffron blinked.

“She already left?”

“She told me she was departing this morning. And considering how high-leveled she is… I don’t think you’ll be catching up to her anytime soon.”

The princess nodded as she spoke in an apologetic tone. Saffron frowned, and Rana fixed her with an inquisitive look.

“Did you need her for something?”

“I just…”

Saffron sighed. She didn’t expect Salvos to leave so soon. But that was to be expected with the silver-haired girl. There was never a ‘slow’ for Salvos. Shaking her head, the young Vampire smiled politely at the princess.

“Archmage Warshade had asked for her.And I don’t think she’ll be too happy to hear that Salvos had already left.”

Rana blinked.

“Wait, why does the ArchmageWarshade need to speak with Salvos?”

“I take it it has to do with something that happened in Catark. Archmage Warshade didn’t offer much details. I’m sure it’s some mess Salvos got into… again.”

Saffron shrugged. She was used to Salvos’ shenanigans at this point.

“I’ll just let Archmage Warshade she’ll be back soon. I’m sure Salvos will return before the meeting next week. She is Salvos, after all.”

Seriusly, it wouldn’t be a surprise to Saffron if Salvos somehow returned with her two companions— Daniel and Edithe— and they were all Level 150.

“The meeting… next week?”

Princess Rana paused. Saffron nodded, waving a hand off.

“Indeed. Is something the matter?”

The young Vampire narrowed her eyes, sensing something was amiss, but Rana just shifted uncomfortably.

“I-I— it’s nothing.”

“I see.”

Saffron didn’t pry any further. It wasn’t her place to ask, however she took note of Rana’s odd reaction as she thanked the princess and excused herself. Then she wondered how Salvos was doing— her previous predictions were hyperbolic, of course. But surely the silver-haired girl would be already at her destination, right?

“I’m lost.”

I threw my hands up into the air, frustrated. Daniel and Edithe snorted behind me, speaking in unison.

“Of course you are.”

“Where’s this Sickleshade Valley? Are we there yet? The map says we should be there by now!”

I gestured at the piece of parchment I was holding. It had led me through forests and past rivers. I’d spotted mountains in the distance, although those were now nothing but undulating dark silhouettes at this point.

There was no valley in the shape of a sickle. No crescent depression between two hills— one taller than the other. It was angled so that one of the hills permanently shaded the second one from the sun. A river ran alongside this valley as it spanned for nearly a mile, and monsters oft found shelter and rest there from the oppressive heat during the summer. Due to this potential threat, travelers were urged to stay away from it as a result.

Which was a warning that wasn’t necessary at all, since I couldn’t even find it!

“Salvos, Sickleshade Valley is nothing more than a smidge in a map that shows the entirety of the Human lands. We might be at the right coordinates, but we’re probably still miles off from where it actually is.”

Edithe explained as I scowled, tossing the map aside. She shrugged and spoke casually.

“It’d probably be smart of us to find a nearby settlement and ask for directions from there. Searching this jungle for a specific valley when there are literally hundreds of different valleys around the area isn’t really a smart idea.”

I tapped a finger on my chin as she gestured vaguely around us. Daniel nodded in agreement.

“Edithe’s right, Salvos. We’re lost, but it’s not really your fault that we’re lost. We should’ve honestly brought a guide with us. Find a [Tracker] or a [Scryer] before we left Alyras.”

“Agree. Stupid.”

Willy chimed in. He made sure to include his eye-rolling remark to end it off. I crossed my arms defensively, but a voice spoke up in support of me.

“Ah, but I’m sure Salvos has already determined they’re not necessary.”

Orgaf, the Thief of the Golden Scales, strutted forward. He waved a hand off dismissively.

“After all, tracking down something like the Sickleshade Valley is mere child’s play, even if it would take a little bit of time. We’re not lost. Merely on our way to our destination.”

He finished, nodding at me. Willy made a scoffing noise, while Daniel rolled his eyes. But Edithe just stood back, lips pursed. I, however, snapped my fingers.

“You’re right! I’m not lost, the map just sucks!”

Sure, my clones got lost all the time. But that was because they were my clones. I was me. I was better than me!

“If you wish, I could scour miles of this jungle in but a—”

Orgaf started, but I hopped past him. I leapt into the air as my wings spread wide.

“Don’t worry, I got it!”

I flew up, speeding past Orgaf as he blinked a few times. He stared at me, and I turned back to face the group below.

“I’ll find it in a moment! You coming, Willy?”

And I shot up, activating [Haste] as I soared through the air. The [Will O’ Wisp] sighed, but followed after me moments later as we looked out for this so-called Sickleshade Valley, leaving behind Orgaf, Daniel, and Edithe alone. Nothing could possibly happen while I was gone, right?

Edithe watched as Salvos left, flying swiftly into the sky. The silver-haired girl’s speed was evident. The way she just exploded into the air— Edithe couldn’t help but note it even now. However, her focus was drawn elsewhere.

She looked down and eyed the man standing where Salvos had been. Orgaf. Thief of the Golden Scales. Elite Ranked adventurer. He was someone the redhead didn’t trust in the slightest. He was, to put it plainly, an asshole.

There were a plethora of incendiary remarks Edithe could make about his character. However, more than anything, she was afraid of what he could or would do. He was a prideful man, judging by the way he’d talked lowly of even Diamond Ranked adventurers.

And the fact that Salvos just brushed him aside like that? Edithe could tell his ‘nice’ facade was on the verge of breaking. The way Orgaf stood there staring at the speck in the sky that was Salvos after being rudely dismissed? At any moment, he was going to lash out. Edithe just knew Orgaf’s mind was full of devious thoughts, on the brink of exploding.

That Salvos… Orgaf looked towards the sky. Beyond the white blotches painting the blue canvas above. He closed his eyes. His jaw clenched, and he tightened his fist. …is so amazing!

He was absolutely enamored with her in every way. She was truly a once in a millennia prodigy. The fact that Helena Warshade missed something so obvious just proved how out of touch she was. Orgaf believed— no, knew— that Salvos was going to surpass even the Watcher one day.

Seriously, even though she was only in her Level 130s, she was moving at a speed that matched Orgaf when he was on the brink of Level 150. And he was one of the fastest adventurers in the world!

Just imagine what she would become when she finally became an Elite. Orgaf fully believed Salvos would be even stronger than Orgaf currently was at only Level 150. He sighed wistfully, watching her flit around in the sky.

He wanted to impress her. He had to impress her. And yet, it had been a full day since they left Alyras, but he still hadn’t done anything to catch her eye. The Motharis Mountain Range lay in the distance, and he’d been too nervous to do anything. Even now, he could’ve maybe… followed her. Showed her his [Darkfriend] Skill and accompanied her in the air, trailing after through her shadow.

But he didn’t. He was too nervous. He didn’t want to… weird her out. Or creep her. And because of his apprehension, he couldn’t keep up with Salvos. It was insane to think of— the fact that he couldn’t keep up with someone?

And that was why Orgaf, Thief of the Golden Scales, independent Elite Ranked adventurer, and [Nightcrawler Shadower], resolved himself. He would impress Salvos by the end of this trip even if it killed him.

Edithe wasn’t sure what nefarious thoughts Orgaf had, but she knew it couldn’t be good. She slowly stepped over to Daniel as the Thief of the Golden Scales was distracted. With a nudge, she whispered to the [Hero].

“Daniel, I think we should be on our guard.”

“On guard?”

Daniel faced the red-haired woman, raising a brow. Then he shook his head.

“I don’t think we need to worry so much. The [Goliath Oliphants] are massive. We’d see them from a mile away— or at least feel the effects of their magic.”

He laughed and gestured at Orgaf as Edithe looked at him for a moment.

“Besides, Orgaf is here. He’ll look after us.”

Edithe tried to work her jaw, glancing between Daniel and Orgaf. After steeling herself, she insisted.

“That’s exactly the problem. Orgaf is here. We can’t trust him.”

“Why not?”

Daniel frowned. He looked at Edithe with narrowed eyes. He wasn’t skeptical of her, just curious. She pressed her lips into a thin line, not sure how to explain the full situation in a few sentences.

“Just trust me. He’s up to no good.”

Edithe was aware that she was being cryptic. But she also knew Daniel. He was the one who found her after her defeat to Lucerna. They were both, individually, closer to Salvos. However, they were still close friends.

“I… see.”

Daniel nodded slowly. He looked up as Salvos descended from the sky, chippering excitedly.

“I found it! It’s over there—”

“No. Found, me—”

Willy zipped down beside her. Daniel nodded in their direction.

“Should we tell Salvos?”

“I’m not sure.”

Edithe turned away from Salvos and Willy’s arguing. She faced the [Hero[, taking a deep breath.

“But we should be on our toes—”

Before the red-haired woman could finish, Orgaf spun around. His eyes flashed as he whirled to face her, raising a single jade dagger. Her eyes grew wide, and Daniel called out.

“Edithe—”

But Orgaf lashed out. Neither could react in time. Orgaf leapt forward, stabbing with his blade. The redhead flinched back, gasping.

“You—”

There was a snap. The splintering of wood. Edithe’s heart hammered in her chest as her eyes bulged out of their sockets. Orgaf had missed her, striking a tree behind the red-haired woman.

She stared at Orgaf, gritting her teeth.

“What are you doing?”

“Saving your life.”

He snorted, pulling his blade back. Edithe paused as she caught sight of a black cloth. A torn cloak clung onto Orgaf’s dagger before he flicked it off. A single drop of blood splattered on the dirt. Edithe looked at him, then turned as Orgaf spoke sharply.

“Name yourself, assassin.”

Salvos slowly landed, puzzled at the commotion. Daniel blinked.

“That’s…”

He stared at the shadowed figure as she lay on the ground before continuing..

“—not an enemy.”

“You know her?”

Orgaf peered at Daniel inquiring. The [Hero] from another world sighed.

“Yeah. I didn’t think she’d follow us here. But… why are you here, Amanda?”

He asked with a sigh. And Amanda, the brown-haired woman lying on the ground, gripped her bleeding shoulder tightly. She faced Orgaf, sputtering.

“What the fuck am I doing here? I should be asking you what the fuck are you doing? You nearly killed me, you fucker!”