We rode into the town called "Altersville". It wasn't close to an Imperial city, but it was good enough to be better than most towns in Runesca.
The border was around a 100 kilometres from here. We could make it there in an hour of fast riding. But the traffic of horses, cars and trucks carrying materials and people were simply too high.
Fortunately for us, I was an Inquisitor. A high ranking member of the military, and i could simply go the local military garrison and ask for an escort. Thankfully, that was the same place where I'd parked my car.
"Another 10 minutes of walking and we'll reach the garrison," I exclaimed as I saw the baron struggle to walk. The horses were left at a Guild's station, and they took it with a promise to return the Baron's two steeds to Eastern Runesca. And the stallion I had bought in Southern Guild to the New City's military compound.
We were passing through bustling streets, and I had my guard up. I had the White Saint's Eyes activated as I was looking for any sign of agression to ignite my blade.
"Oh my god." The baron exclaimed as something caught his eye.
Watching a fat 60-year-old man try to run is indeed a funny sight, not so much though when his life is at risk. Especially not if you're supposed to protect them.
I ran behind him, alongside the Vice-Captain, through the bustling street, pushing people into each other. We soon grew to a halt. The baron was seemingly content, having found what he was looking for.
It was a toystore. It had multiudes of toys, knitted, weaved, wooden and metal. But the Baron's eyes seemed to be on a dragon.
"Ahh, that dragon, shopkeep, how much does that piece sell for?" The Baron's voice roared, as I kept checking for threats.
"Ye sire, only 100 Geld, but me shall give it to you for maybe just 90." The shopkeeper said, with a smile on his face that screamed he had found a victim to scam for his lecherous price.
"Ahh 90 Geld aye. That's interesting. How about 10 Geld, and my guard there won't cut your eyes off yer mug." He was pointing to me.
"He's an imperial officer, yer know." The Baron's coffers were full, but he was known as a man who kept his Geld close to his heart. Never sparing a Geld more than what was needed. Perhaps that's why his coffers remained full, unlike the King's.
The shopkeeper stared at me, hoping for some sort of sign. That sign never came, and he had to give in. We soon moved a bit farther from the shop.
"My nephew yer see. He's a good lad. In love with them dragon myths. I don't know what he sees in them. But he's sure to love this piece of work." The Baron said with a big grin on his face.
I couldn't help but feel jealous of that kid. Being born to a noble family. It must be good, his life.
The Baron seemed to look directly at my naked thoughts.
"Argh, that kid. Love to pamper him. His parents both died in a shit scrap of a voyage to Europe.-" he was seemingly interrupted, as someone bumped into him and moved on.
"Are your eyes even on your head, kid?" The vice-captain tried to scream. But that came out as a faint murmur.
"Ergh, What?" The Baron roared out, screaming out that his signet ring was lost.
The ring with his crest, if gotten into the wrong hands, would allow for anyone to remove assets and money from the Baron's bank holdings.
"I need to find that man, the man who bumped into me. Im sure it was that bastard who fucking took me crest." The Baron swore. But we couldn't leave. Not yet.
"We can't search for it now. It's almost dusk. We need to get to the garrison.
The Vice-Captain piped in just as the Baron was about to rebuke me.
"How about you both get to the base. And I'll get the crest and join you on the way." In all honesty, I was skeptical about this kid.
He never once used his magic powers, despite proclaiming himself a mage. Always watching whenever we ever got caught in a Zenith's attack.
But the Baron seemed confident. "Alright then, kiddo. You can get going. Make sure to join us fast."
The kid wearing a brown suit and a brown tie disappeared into the crowd.
___
Antares and Zekros saw my mana-infused swordsmanship and seemed thoroughly impressed. Antares at my strikes and precision, and Zekros at my control of mana.
"Kid, finally that straw doll felt something. You've been scraping at her for almost a week and finally got a couple of proper digs in."
Zekros then spoke,
"And honestly, the mana infusion is a huge step. The control can be better. But this is the first step. Pretty soon, you'll be infusing mana into your body, shaping it, and even coating your sword with it."
I felt good about myself. "Guys, i think I might soon get my first scenario done."
They both grinned and agreed with me. Although it wasn't that easy. I had to find and hunt down a Tripaphobian Zenith. An F grade Zenith. Although the F grade sounded weak. It was equal to something that could destroy a pasture of land by itself.
An E grade could cut down a village.
D grade, a town.
C grade, a small city.
B grade, large city.
A grades could go toe to toe against entire nations.
Things beyond that, well, they could crush anything they wanted to.
Although, thankfully, the last time even a B grade was spotted in Runesca was over half a year ago. Most Zenith above C grade were found almost exclusively within dungeons.
Well, my opponent wasn't that crushingly hard. But for my level, it might end up being an even fight.
___
The Baron and I had almost reached the military base. I was growing more and more concerned for that kid who had claimed he could get the ring back.
An imperial guard stopped us. I showed him the code engraved on my armour, and he placed the metallic scanner on it.
"You're free to go in, Inquisitor R-EX 1913."
The man stood in a standard Imperial salute.
The Baron and I walked inside the military base. This was technically considered Imperial property, therefore I could finally use the scenario shop.
The Baron and I were split up to be checked and vetted for diseases and checked for our identities.
I was placed in a white room. There was nothing in there, clean white marble flooring, concrete tiles, and white roofing too.
I heard the door open and close.
"Hello, inquisitor. I've acquired the ring."
I turned back immediately, the kid stood there. Unhurt. His tie still stood tied to his collar, almost in a perfect manner.
"It's good to see you're unhurt, Vice Captain."
"Oh no, I am hurting Inquisitor, I'm hurting so much. And I need a favour from you." He struggled to move as his hand reached out to me to give me the ring.
I could tell he was in pain. A weird pressure seemed to be filling the room. I needed to help this kid.
I held him in my arms. "What favour do you need? Let me see where you're hurt. I can help you."
"You can help me, is it? That's very interesting, considering you rejected my offer to help you just a couple days ago."
I could see darkness within his eyes. I had made a mistake. A huge mistake.
[You have signed a contract with the deity, "Master of Mirrors."]
["Master of Mirrors" has summoned your body to the Nether Realm.]
I could feel my skin being torn and transported somewhere.
___
The Inquisitor Rex has been reported MIA, last seen in the military complex of the town, "Rustborough." Alongside him, the Vice Captain of Eastern Explorer Corps has gone missing.
The baron was petrified when he heard they they couldn't find Rex or his vice-captain. Wait, what was his vice-captain's name? He couldn't think of it no matter how much he tried.
The baron was detained in the military complex for his safety as Imperial search squads were convened. But the two weren't found, even after arduous searching for two days.
Another Inquisitor by the title of "Handler of Light" was assigned to escort him to the Imperial palace.