Tales of New World: The Magus

41 Lerwick

One coach is moving slowly through the calm forest near Azalea. Even though the place is calm, the driver and his helper are always on alert because of the bandit activity around the area.

When one of them is taking the leash, the other will look around for any movement from the forest. They will do that to make sure their passengers get the highest comfort when using their coach.

Meanwhile, inside the coach, four people are sitting inside it. One of them is wearing full armour and takes off his helmet. He looks outside from the coach's window and lets the wind blow to his face.

Not long after that, he sighs and says,

"I can't believe it at all... That we manage to do that in time..."

His friend who sits across from him looks at him and smiles. He then asks,

"About what, Romain?"

"Of course what I mean is our house payment to Albert. We are barely late to pay for it, Volya" answer Romain as he sighs once more.

They are two Adventurers that live in the Kingdom of Haegia. Romain Ambros, the knight of Haegia, and Volya Portar, the mage. After several circumstances, they live together and become adventurers after Romain's suggestion.

Volya then laughs and said,

"At least we didn't pay late and need to pay any fine, right?"

"Well... You are right..." answer Romain

"And thanks from the payment of our last mission, we even could pay in advance for the next four months," continues Volya

"Really... You are too easy-going for this..."

"Oh come on!"

Both of them laugh together and then Romain looks outside the window again. He then mumbles,

"The scenery here is contrasted with the scenery at Haegia."

"Of course!" said Volya

"Ah... So you heard me, huh..."

Volya only laughs and Romain continues to look outside. Volya then looks at besides him and observes the woman beside him. A woman with long bisque chocolate hair and wearing a green robe. She looks focused on reading the book that she brought from Haegia. She is Gracia Ravelli, another resident of Haegia.

Noticing that she is lowering her guard, Volya then touches Gracia's cheek and she startled. With a red face, Gracia said,

"Volya... You..."

"Oh come on, you look so serious and easy to tease," answer Volya

"Eh?"

"And... The urge to tease is bigger than my restraint," tease Volya

"Seriously, Volya!" said Gracia with a red face and flicks Volya's forehead.

Romain can't hide his laughs and says,

"Come on, Volya. Stop teasing her."

"I know... I know..." said Volya

"And look here... Only several hours ago both of you showing a sour face and intention to kill," said Romain

Volya and Gracia look at each other and remember what happened before.

After their coach leaving Haegia territory, they passed through checkpoint owned by Wraitus Empire.

Wraitus empire, led by Emperor Sartak, is the neighbouring empire near Haegia. Their territory mostly at the northern part of Azalea near the territory of Haegia and spread from east to west. Their territory is right in the middle between Haegia and Azalea, and also between two other empires and kingdoms with Azalea, making it an empire with an unique territory.

Wraitus empire is one prominent empire that excels in horse riding and they use it to extend their border until their current territory. And because they win their war against the other three kingdoms, they always look down on other kingdoms and will do anything they like to everyone that passes through their territory.

And that's what happened at the checkpoint. Wraitus put a high toll fee only for passing through their territory and their army is far from word friendly.

If only their fourth member didn't intervene, there will be a big ruckus at the gate and causing them a bigger problem.

Volya and Gracia now look at each other and then look at the fourth member of their team. She is none other than Helena itself, the Queen of Haegia.

Volya takes a deep breath and tries to ask her, but Gracia cuts him,

"Helena... Why did you join us?"

Helena notices Gracia asks her and then smiles. She then answers her,

"It's because I heard from Albert that the three of you will take a mission at Ostonorid, especially Lerwick village,"

"Eh? From Sir Albert?" said Romain

"Yes. He told me about it and at the same time Uncle Mikhail asks me to send these two letters to someone at Lerwick," answer Helena

"But, why must you be the one that sends this letter? Why don't you ask other people to send it?" asks Volya

"It's because one of the recipients is my old friend when I am still an adventurer. That's why I volunteered to send this letter," answer Helena calmly

"And our King accept that?" said Romain

"Of course he accepts that," answered Helena with a smile.

Romain and Volya only could facepalm themselves after hearing Helena answer.

Ostonorid Empire, their destination, is another Empire at Therious Island. They take the eastern part of the island as their territory and they have the biggest territory from all kingdoms and empires there. With the sea on their back and a lot of areas where they could create plantations, they prosper themself by trading with other kingdoms and empires with their commodity.

The current emperor is Theofilo Anderson, the twelfth emperor of Ostonorid, and under his name, Ostonorid goes back to its golden age.

Compared to their neighbour Wraitus, Ostonorid is well-known with their longbow, magic, and siege weaponry. But, their cavalry is also on par with Wraitus' cavalry, and they need that to protect their vast area.

Gracia then looks around and then says,

"Why Big Sis Ludmila didn't join us?"

"Ludmila? Ah... She doesn't want to meet her because she knows several questions that will be asked by my friend to her," answered Helena

"Also... Isn't it dangerous for you to join us?" asks Gracia again

"I'm not worried as I know all of your capabilities. Rather, why did all of your looks more concerned than usual?" asks Helena

Gracia looks at Volya and Romain. All of then nods and Volya says,

"First, I'm afraid if someone besides the recipient of the letter knows about your status. It's will cause a huge ruckus at their empire,"

"You don't need to worry... I'm well-known as an adventurer there. Rather, not many know that I already become a queen at Haegia as I use my other name when I become adventurer," answer Helena

"Then, the second one is..." said Volya

"A serial killer is lurking at Lerwick. Even it still occurring until now. If the serial killer targeting you and you either injured or died, it will cause tension between Ostonorid and Haegia," continues Romain

"You don't need to worry about that. About injured, it's the same package that you get when you become an Adventurer. And if killed, I doubt that will happen. Especially with the three of you here," answer Helena with a smile

Both of them were a little bit frustrated after hearing Helena's answer. Helena then looks at Gracia and Volya, and says,

"There is another reason why I must join you."

"Huh?"

"One of the recipients is also Uncle Mikhail's old friend. He is one of the Royal Mage from Ostonorid."

"Royal Mage?" said the other three

"Yes. And it's because Uncle Mikhail wants both of you to meet that Royal Mage," continues Helena as she points her finger at Volya and Gracia

"Eh? Why?"

"It's because..."

"I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation, Your Highness. But we already arrived at Lerwick," interrupts the coach driver

"Ah... Thank you very much,"

As the coach stops, Helena immediately leaves the coach and pays the fee to the driver. She leaves Volya and Gracia dumbfounded at the coach until Romain taps their shoulder. He then says,

"Well... It's better if we work harder this time."

"I agree," answer Gracia

"And let's finish this mission as fast as possible," said Volya

The three of them nod at each other and leave the coach. As Volya stepped outside the coach, now his new adventure starts at a new place.