The afternoon sun shined upon a horse drawn carriage heading into the Magic City of Sharna in the Ranoa Kingdom.
Hello, my name is Ru- Oh ... I'm sorry ... Arthur .... Arthur .... Hmmm I guess I never thought of a family name before ... I should probably think about that later.
I am currently hitching a ride with such a nice merchant heading to the Magic City of Sharna in the Ranoa Kingdom.
This nice man said he is just stopping through so I have to walk the rest of the way ... That's fine. I always liked a good walk, taking in the scenery and all.
"Hey wake up ... We are about to arrive, this is where you get off"
"Yaawwnn" I was catching up on some sleep while I was sitting up with my sword leaning on my shoulder. I had my large and worn out bag to my side as I used it to lean on something.
"Yaawwnn ... Ah .... We are here already"
As we reached the edge of the city, I jumped off as I bowed thanking the man.
"T-Thank you good sir"
"Take care of yourself, and try not to get yourself lost again"
Hehehe ... That's right this merchant found me in the middle of nowhere as I seem to have been lost, reading a map or directions hasn't been one of my strong points.
The man immediately left as he goes through the city to the other side to continue on his travels.
I began walking through the shopping distinct. Hmmm ... Now where was his house again.
Ah ... I completely forgot to mention. I am here to answer the call to action from my best friend, Rudeus Greyrat.
Me and Rudy went way back. We were all member's of the adventurer party 'Dead End'. I was traveling with Ruijerd at the time.
* * * * *
Ruijerd Superdia, one of the few remaining members of the Superd Tribe, a warrior demon race that currently face major discrimination.
Ruijerd was currently walking through the rough terrain of the demon continent.
"Stop following me"
As Ruijerd stops to turn around. He was being followed by a silver scaled creature, me. As I approached on all fours, I stopped a respectable distance, waiting for him to continue.
Ruijerd face stiffened as he can get a closer look at me. My scales have already began to shed as my bare skin shows in patches.
I was beginning to learn to stand and walk on two feet, though I still preferred to walk on all fours. Old habits died hard, I guess.
Ruijerd looks carefully at me as he wonders if it was his attack that was the cause of one of my silver slick back horns being broken, causing him great guilt as he also noticed how my wound of my forehead was healing nicely.
Oh I know what your thinking. Ruijerd hitting a child, no way how could he. But the thing is when he first encountered me he thought I was just a simple beast trying to attack him and he attacked on reflex. You can imagine his face when he struck my forehead causing some of my scale to come off as blood began to gush out a bit from my forehead.
But I didn't care. My blue eyes sparkled in amazement as I had my two hands into fists.
S-So strong .... So C-Cool. I thought.
My wound is a big scab now from our first meeting as I sat like a dog looking at Ruijerd, studying him.
"S-s-stop .... Fo-ollow-ing ... Meee"
I was learning his language by imitating him. You see, I was having problems with this monster in my way when Ruijerd came by and defeated the monster. I decided I'll observe him and learn all I can. Anything to survive in this world.
Ruijerd sighed as he continues his path and I soon followed behind him.
Slowly but surely he tries to earn my trust ... How odd, he couldn't use his usual methods he does to earn the trust of kids. He looked at me as he suspects that I was around 5-7years old, it was hard to tell because of my dragon like appearance.
He had to use another method. He noticed how I got my own food and he decided to catch and eat a beast, leaving some left over for me. As he left he took noticed how I cautiously went to the leftovers. He kept leaving food to the side until one day I worked up the courage to approach him again as he hand me a bowl and I began to eat.
"What's your name kid?"
I lifted and tilted my head. "N-nnaame?"
Oh how embarrassing, I never got a name as a baby so I had to think of my own name. But that's a story for another time.
We continued our relationship like this until one day.
"Ah Ruijerd-san ... Look ... Look in the sky"
I said as I hoped on his back, I pointed to the night sky as two figures popped out as they began to fall.
Ruijerd grabs me by the back collar of my rags and placed me on the ground as he went to save those two figures.
The two figures were laid side to side as Ruijerd began to start a fire and a campsite.
I was sitting like a dog as I observed and study the two figures.
One was a pretty girl with red hair. My admiration to her beauty quickly changed due to her personality, which was a hard lesson I learned in the future.
But the other figure I seem to completely focused on. I was staring blankly at the young boy with yellowish hair. His staff to his side had a pretty blue ball that I can see my reflection with.
The scenery faded as I felt like it was only the two of us in a white void world.
That's right this was one of my turning points. Maybe I had one before this, but I don't remember so maybe not.
My first meeting with Rudeus Greyrat.
* * * * *
Sigh ... Those were the days
You're probably confused about something. I had scales when I was a kid? What was I, some kind of monster? Well, I can just say your are not entirely wrong. I was treated as an average monster by many adventurers as a kid.
I learned later from Rudy that apparently I'm from a rare demon race known as the Hakuei Clan. Apparently they are a clan of human based demons that has Dragon Tribe blood within them.
As infants we appear as dragon like monsters, with sliver scales, horns, and claws, the works. But as we grow we slowly but surely shed our dragonic scales and features. Rudy also read up that a member of the Hakuei Clan is considered an adult when they lose all their scales, the only dragonic feature they don't lose is their horns, so off course Rudy suspects that the clan's horns are their pride.
Now you probably also noticed something. Where are my horns? Despite my slightly pointed ears and fanged teeth, I look just about human right now. Well long story short, I was banished from my clan when I was young for some unknown reason. That was why I was already missing a horn when I met Ruijerd. Apparently when this clan banishes someone they break one of the victims horns as a reminder of your shame.
This was also why I was getting all my info from Rudy as well, I nevered learned about my culture. Rudy also found out that a Hakuei Clan's horns is important to their long lifespan ... If their horns are broken, the flow of mana is disruptied and we basically age the same as humans. That's a bummer, living as long as Ruijerd would have been nice but I guess it can't be helped. No use crying over spilled milk like they say.
Rudy remembers that the Hakuei clan has other distinct features as well, similar to the dragon tribe, they have white hair with golden eyes. Huh ... That's odd, I have black hair with blue eyes. I wonder what's up with that. Maybe it has something to do with the reason I was banished in the first place.
Oh ... the last fact that Rudy found out as well was in one of Roxy stories when she taught him when he was younger. So it seems that my clan has about the same reputation as the Supers tribe, they are a demon race that sided with Laplace. So Roxy would tell Rudy as a kid "you better behave or the Superd and Hakuei will take your family away"
The only difference was that the Hakuei earned their reputation unlike the curse inflicted upon the Superd.
Well that's enough about me for now.
Anyways ...
The sun was beginning to set as I was walking on a dirt path leading to Rudy's House.
I got some directions from a nice fruit stall vendor as I helped the old man set up his produce.
"Sigh ... This would have been so much faster with Nyla"
I began to see a house coming to view as I look at the piece of paper.
This must be it ... Sigh ... I wonder what Rudy could want after all this time
* * * * *
I had just finished a solo quest in the Dragon King Kingdom. I was currentlyin the the adventurer guild to receive my reward for my expenses for a period of time.
"Hey look that's the 'Lone Wolf', apparently he is too good to join any other party" One of the adventurers whispered to his friends.
Let just be clear here, I don't mind joining in another party ... temporarily, I mean ... But whenever I get comfortable I tend to just quit after going on a couple of quests with them.
I guess when I get to the bottom of it, it's because it feels like I'm cheating on 'Dead End' ... I know we broke up but we got back together to face Alec and Badigadi ... Man what a thrill ... Good times, so who knows when we will get back together again.
I was currently eating a meal at the bar when.
"Lone Wolfe" Arthur ... Is your name Arthur"
"Yes" I had a mouthful of food I was chewing.
"A have a letter for you from Rudeus Greyrat" the person handed me the letter as he made his way to his next delivery.
A letter from Rudy ... What could he want? It not the usually time I get a letter about his children.
Hello Arty.... How are you? ... Sorry, but I'll make this quick. Come to my homenin Raona as soon as you can, I have an important job only I can trust you with.
Rudy? What job could it be that only I can do? I know he has been working closely with Orsted. Making connections with the other kingdoms for the coming battle with Laplace and Hitogami. He was also setting up teleportation circles and communication tablets thoughtout their allied kingdoms as well.
But why his house? Why not in Orsted office, well I guess we can just teleport to his office if need to or simply walk since it's in the same city. But the problem lies with .... His house.
* * * * *
I reached the front gate as I was met with a Treant.
"Oh hello ... What could your name be?" I waved to the Treant as he opened the gate from me "Oh ... Thank you"
As I passed the gate, a dark thought crept to the back of my mind "Umm actually, do you think you can hold this for me"
I handed over my sword to the Treant for some unknown reason.
The Treant took my sword in a bit of confusion but took it nonetheless. It seems to be interested at the shining sliver fragment tied to the handle of my sword.
Just in case
I walked to the entrance as I knocked on the door.
"Haaa Ahhhhhh" Calm down ... Calm down. Just relax, you can do this. Just go in, see what Rudy wants, and go. Simple.
My heart was beating fast as I pounded into my chest to calm down Just then the door swings open. My eyes turned dim as I looked down at the young boy with Red hair and emerald eyes like Rudy. This boy was the spitting image of Rudy when we traveled together in 'Dead End'.
"Yes ... Can I help you?" He asked politely.
"....." My eyes are dim as I breathed a little heavy.
"Hello ... Who are you mister?"
"....."
"Ummm"
"Ars?, what a helpful boy you are, but this is my job" Just then a women of average height with a well-endowed chest came to the entrance, she had maroon hair and the same eyes as the young boy. This maid also had a canine tooth that is clearly visible as she smiled.
"Who is at the door?"
"Ah" I got out of my trace as I shook my head. "Sorry"
Yes, I know this girl, her name is Aisha Greyrat, one of Rudy's precious little sisters.
A secret I always kept to myself ever since we met as kids in the Shirone Kingdom. The thing is, I have always wanted to be friends with her but she always seemed to have a one track mind. I always felt a little sad whenever she dismisses me but I guess it can't be helped.
"A-Aisha-chan ... It's been a while ... Do you still remember me?"
"Hmm" She brought her finger to her cheek as she tries to remember me "Yes ...I remember you ... Yes I do ... Yup ... Ahem"
"Ehhhhh" I made a comedic tear stained face. "It's me ... Arthur, come on ... We go way back ... Sniff" I know I don't tend to stick out but come on.
My head lowered in defeat as I just simple hand over Rudy's letter to her.
"Sniff I got a letter from Rudy, it says he needs me for something Sniff"
"Hmmm so you must be one of Big Brother's friends then" She beckons me to come in, her professional demeanor on full display "Come right this way"
Aisha leads me through the house, I can hear the sounds of other children echoing in the halls. It seems Rudy's family is as lively as ever
Somewhere along the way, Ars left us so that he can return to training with his Red-mama, but not before giving me one last look.
I decided to start some small talk on the way to Rudy's study.
"Umm ... So is that Ars, I read about him from Rudy's letters"
Aisha's face beemed as the topic became about Ars. "Oh yes, he is a very skillful and special boy, he is always hard at work bettering himself ... He's so cute"
Finally, Aisha showed me into Rudy's office as she gesture for me to hand her my bag.
I saw Rudy bent over a desk, scribbling furiously on some papers. He looks up at me as I entered, and a wide grin spreads across his face.
"Ah ... Arty" Rudy stops what he was doing to get up and give me a big bear hug. "It's so good to see you"
He places both hands on my shoulders. "You know I was starting to worry when you missed Ruijerd's wedding"
"Oh yes ... I'm terribly sorry about that" Yes that's right, I missed my role model's big day ... Why you might ask, well let's say it was because of some of the attendents.
When he and Norn fully moved into the Superdia Village, I went to visit them at their home to apologize. Of course he said it was fine but it didn't make me feel any less guilty.
Rudy gestures for me to take a seat across from him.
"Should I prepare some refreshments, Big Brother?"
"Yes, thank you Aisha"
Aisha lowers my bag on the floor to the side of the couch I was on as she headed to the tea station on the side.
"Ah, you don't have to do that Aisha-chan"
Aisha simply ignored me as she prepared the tea in the background. She served Rudy tea first and then me. I nodded my thanks.
"Ummm ... So Rudy may I ask why I am here?"
"Hmmm" Rudy was sipping away at the tea. "Oh yes" Rudy sat back on his desk.
Aisha, noting the private conversation, prepares to leave the room but Rudy stops her.
"Ah, actually Aisha can you stay too. This assignment involves you too"
Aisha just cocks her head, as she places herself to the side from behind me, he prepares to inform the both of us what would we be doing.
He casped his hands together as he begins.
"You see things have been ... Complicated lately. We're made progress with the teleportation circles, but there's been some resistances. I need someone I can trust to help me with a delicate matter"
Where was he going with this? Does he want me to go and take people out of something?
"You see Arty, I received a new mission from Orsted and since I am currently dealing with these resistances with the circles, I would like your help with it"
A task from Orsted, the Dragon God. I know Ridy became his follower the last time we fought him but now Rudy works with him to defeat Hitogami in the long run. But the thing is, should I help? How can I after everything I have done? What if he finds out?
Gulp
"You see, we are working hard to establish connects with all the people we can for Orsted and his coming battle with Laplace and Hitogami"
Rudy's eyes grew serious as he continues. "We are going to establish a Kingdom in the the heart of the Ringus Sea. The purpose of this Kingdom is to help establish relations with the Sea Folk there, for Orsted's coming battles. He thinks they will be a big help"
Woah, this is some serious stuff but I'm not following something ... "Wait ... So why exactly am I needed, this seems out of my field of expertise"
Rudy smiles "That's it, this task will be led and run by Aisha here ... Your job Arty will be to act as her personal guard and keep her safe"
Both me and Aisha reacted at the same time.
"Huh"
"Ehhhhh"