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“To use such a powerful attack in here… didn’t you go too far?”

Elenore said that, but I honestly thought it would end with maybe just one wall being smashed. I mean they look thick so I wasn’t expecting to blast through all of them. With these guys, I can’t show that I’m backing down now, though.

“Powerful attack? Don’t make me laugh. That was just a small greeting.”

The retainers became noisier and all the guards were shaking. They would normally have to point their spears at me, but they were scared to do that. The king finally got off his throne.

“Silence!”

Everyone closed their mouths. This guy really is respected.

“Ladies, please excuse my court. We had no intention of doubting you, but you must understand, someone with strength on your level is truly one in a million. I offer you my apology if we offended you.”

Oh. So he can act nice and polite.

“Apology accepted.”

“Thank you. It also my understanding that you saved my youngest daughter. For that I am also grateful. I originally intended to send more men with her but various circumstances happened. You deserve a reward.”

Bingo. That’s what I wanna hear. Show me the money.

“Normally I should reward you with a noble title or some land.”

No! Give me money! That was my thought. However Elenore once again whispered in my ear that even if we mostly travel we still need a base somewhere, so having a home would be a good idea.

“I would also like to tie a mutual friendship with you. You are also an adventurer, if my understanding is correct.”

“Splendid idea, Your Highness!”

Another retainer came close to the king.

“Your Highness, how about giving a request? There is that matter that has been upsetting us. If these two will solve it, then nobody would object if this young woman would receive a mansion and a noble title.”

“Oh, as expected of you, Castor! That’s an ingenious idea.”

Ugh… this is so annoying. Do you guys even realize what you’re saying? So instead of thanking me for saving your daughters’ life, you’re making me do more work. Just how is that making sense to all of you?

“Then, lady Izunahime, what say you? We have a rather pressing matter. A few days north from here will get you at the base of a small mountain with a very unique cave. That cave is a source of malevolence.”

What’s he talking about? I don’t recall any quest like that.

“Every human that passes by is drawn inside… and they never come out. Not even my best knights. Everyone that enters is demonized. They become monsters as vicious as the waves themselves.”

Hold on. Something doesn’t add up. In Astral Storm Online there was nothing mentioned about NPC’s turning into wave monsters. Not even limited time events did that. There’s also the probability that these guys are just making it up.

“The cause for this is a cursed sword. Everyone that touches it goes berserk. I want you to retrieve that sword so we can seal it.”

Okay genius. If nobody came out alive, then how do you know it’s a cursed sword at fault? Your story is so lame and full of inconsistency. Something is fishy about this task. But fine. You got me curious. I’ll take the challenge. And if it’s a trap or something, I will crush it.

“Fine. I will take this quest, but besides a house and a title I want our adventurer ranks to also be increased.”

“That much is a given. After all, it’s something that nobody else managed to do, so of course we will show you the proper credit.”

“Fine. Then we’ll take our leave right now.”

I didn’t wait for the answer. I grabbed Elenore’s hand and walked right out. This quest… something about it got me all tingling.

“Have someone fix all the holes in the palace.”

“Of course, Your Highness. And might I add, you handled that wonderful.”

“No flattery is necessary. We’re lucky she didn’t kill us all and she believed our story.”

The king once again sat on his throne. He brought his hand to his forehead and started to massage his head.

“That sword is important for us. If she can retrieve it for us the better. And if her power is genuine I want to tie her to Magnolia. She will be an important asset for us. Perhaps I can even get her to teach my children about her powers. For now, we can only wait.”

“Your Highness, there is one more matter for today. Your audience with lady Edelweiss.”

“Ugh… one monster was enough. And now I have to deal with another. Very well. I will come up with an excuse about all the holes. Send her in and let’s hear the reason for her visit.”

After the audience me and Elenore were invited to some stables and were handed provisions for our trip to that cave. The guards also gave us some weird looking mounts. They totally looked like dinosaurs. Velociraptors to be more precises. They were as big as a horse. I didn’t understand why they didn’t give us horses. Until Elenore said that steep mountains and horses don’t mix.

So they gave us these lizards. They were called Galleons. Apparently it had something to do with the name of the family that discovered these creatures. Feels weird. They’re still raptors in my eyes. And honestly, when you think of lizards or crocodiles, you don’t see them as stamina creatures. But hey… it’s a different world after all. They were friendly though. Mine kept wanting to lick my face.

After we saddled up, we started riding.

“Honestly, Izuna, that attitude of yours is going to get you in trouble one day.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You blew a hole in the castle! You’re lucky the king didn’t ask you to pay out of your own pocket for the repairs. And not only that, you had such a controversial tone with the Warmaster…”

“Hold up.”

“What?”

“By Warmaster, do you mean the same one you told me about? Zirconia’s Warmaster?”

“Who else?”

“But… who was it?”

“Eh!? You’re seriously telling me you don’t know? The woman you played chess with. Lady Edelweiss.”

She’s the Warmaster!? Never expected a beauty like her. It’s true that she was the highest level I saw in this world so far. I wonder how strong she really is?

“Izuna… please don’t think of challenging her to an actual fight…”

“Do I really look that eager to you?”

“No… but your face is easy to read.”

Well… I’m not a battle maniac. But she did trigger my interest. Still, I wonder what is she doing in this country? Oh well. Let’s take one thing at a time. First, let’s see what this curse sword thing is all about.

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