Capítulo 11: Making a Decision
[Location: Town of Navia - Kingdom of Tevell]
[5 days have passed]
After a long walk and a few problems in the forest, we were already close to the town, before leaving the lake I gave Celes a healing potion after her fight and she also made me drink one fearing that I would have some injury from my encounter with the King of the Forest, about 2 hours walking later we finally arrived at the first town, according to the map it indicated that this is the town of Navia, at first glance you could see a large town, people walking everywhere and several buildings as far as the road could go. seen, it is as if a piece of the capital has been placed here.
-Zyrus: How amazing, this place looks very lively.
-Celes: It seems so, I can see many Hunters around here.
-Zyrus: Hunters?
-Celes: They are a type of mercenaries who are dedicated to carrying out Jobs that are on the tavern's boards or look for objectives posted on the hunting boards outside the Guard Station or the Town Halls.
-Zyrus: So isn't there something like an adventurer's guild?
-Celes: Adventurer's Guild? That concept doesn't sound familiar to me, but the only guild I know of is the merchants' guild.
-Zyrus: And how do you become a Hunter? I mean, it can't be as simple as walking down the street saying you're a Hunter.
-Celes: Precisely, a Hunter's license is required that can be obtained at the town hall, if I remember correctly you must pay for the license and then pay to renew it.
I knew that when I arrived in this town, new things would be revealed to me and having Celes to explain things that I don't know is really very useful, unlike the anime, in this world there were no adventurers or guilds of such, if not there are Hunters, all those extravagantly armed men and women must be Hunters, I admitted that the idea piqued my curiosity.
-Celes: Oh!...damn, how could I forget.
Celes's expression changed showing a slight frustration, I looked at her worried thinking that she could provoke that reaction.
-Zyrus: What happens Celes?
Celes: We can't deliver Doug without a license.
-Zyrus: What do you mean "we can't"?
-Celes: To deliver any hunt or carry out any Job, the Hunter's license must be shown, since this also works as a right so that only Hunters who paid for the license can collect the rewards.
-Zyrus: Are you serious!? Does that mean we went through all this trouble and dragged this guy's ass here for nothing?
No doubt this could be considered bad luck, but it was also understandable, if you pay for a right to hunt, you should really be annoyed that someone else uses that same right to hunt without having paid what you paid for.
-Celes: Don't worry My Lord, I have an idea, tell me how much money do you have left?
I checked my suitcase and counted the money I still had, I don't think I remember having spent money since I bought Celes a few days ago.
-Zyrus: Uhh....if my calculations are correct, about 8 pieces of gold, 34 of silver and 11 of copper.
-Celes: Excellent, you still have a lot of money left, I was worried that you wouldn't have much money left after buying me, but in that case I'll need you to lend me 1 gold and 30 silver.
-Zyrus: Sure, but for what exactly?
Celes: If you allow me, I'll go to the Town Hall to register as a Hunter and thus obtain a license.
-Zyrus: And I can't accompany you?
-Celes: Although that would be very much to my liking, it would be dangerous to walk through the streets carrying an unconscious man possibly wanted with us, it could attract the attention of troublesome people.
-Zyrus: True, good point, besides you know better about this and if something happens you will know how to deal with it, very well, I'll stay with him where no one sees us.
We hid in an alley between some boxes, Celes lowered Doug to the ground and leaned against the wall, I gave Celes the money she asked for and headed towards the town hall, I looked at poor Doug who still had a lost look and drooled, poor fellow.
-Zyrus: Now it's you and me friend, play the waiting game.
I sat leaning against the wall next to Doug to wait for Celes, I just hope she doesn't have any problems.
[Story continues with "Celes"]
After leaving My Lord hidden with Doug, I set out to go register as a hunter and thus obtain the license, I knew beforehand the registration price for Hunters that I met in Zeorian during my training days, I just had to find out where the town hall was but I walked for a few minutes looking everywhere and I couldn't find anything similar, so I started asking people about their location until they finally gave me a clear direction, I went through an alley to shorten the way but someone blocked my way, they were some nasty guys.
-Muscular Man with Axe: Well, well, well, but look what we found.
A huge guy with an axe on his back appeared in front of me with a stupid smile and from behind I felt two other annoying presences.
-Scoundrel with Knife: Hehehehe and I thought that today would be a boring day, but this changes everything.
-Hooded Bootlicker: Look at her clothes, boss, it looks like she's running from something, besides, that sword she's carrying looks valuable hehehe....
-Muscular Man with Axe: But, what is this? Are you a little rat that stole some Hunter's sword? that is not right, as honorable Hunters that we are, it is our duty to bring you to justice.
-Celes: Get lost.
I looked at the huge guy with a withering look, who gave a slight gesture of fear when he looked me in the eye, my clothes did not favor me and this sword, useless as it is, drew a lot of attention due to its design, attracting scum like this.
-Muscle Man with Axe: Wh... What!?
-Scoundrel with Knife: How insolent! How dare you talk to the boss like that, you brat, don't you know who he is?
Without looking at any of those who were behind me, I just let out a gesture of indifference.
-Hooded Bootlicker: he is the Great Boldor, Rank B Hunter, with his incredible ax he has razed and destroyed hundreds of monsters with a single shake, if I were you I would be kinder, cutie hehehe.
-Boldor: That...That's right, if you apologize now I'll forgive you for this disrespect and if you come with us to our hideout...hehehe...we'll ignore your criminal act.
I could clearly see his intentions, they couldn't be more obvious but I'm glad that My Lord is not here, that way I have nothing to worry about, I could deal with garbage like this on my own but I really didn't want to dirty the jacket that My Lord allowed me to use
-Celes: I won't repeat it, get lost.
-Scoundrel with Knife: You really don't understand the position you're in, do you girl? If you don't want that pretty face of yours cut off, you'd better come with us peacefully.
At that moment I felt that one of the guys from behind approached me and put his hand on my left shoulder and out of nowhere I felt a shot of anger, as my blood burned and my eyes widened with a clear sign of rage, his disgusting hand was sullying the jacket that My Lord had lent me, if they had turned around and quietly withdrew this would have been easier for everyone, but they made the worst mistake of their lives.
-Celes: How dare you...
-Scoundrel with Knife: Huh?
I took that guy's hand, lifted him into the air and knocked him down, hitting him to the ground without first breaking the wrist of the hand with which I sullied this jacket, he gave a scream of pain that I quickly silenced by punching him hard in the face knocking him unconscious, the other two guys gasped in fear at seeing how I left their partner.
Boldor: What the... what the fuck was that!?
-Hooded Bootlicker: Aaahhh!
-Celes: I won't forgive any of you! this garment was given to me by My Lord and you dared to sully it!
I knew that only one of them was responsible but I blamed all three for getting in my way, I took a quick turn giving a roundhouse kick with my ankle hitting the face of the other guy behind me destroying it, he didn't have time to react and his head crashed against the wall and fell to the ground unconscious.
-Boldor: Damn you!!
The huge guy took his axe when he saw how I easily finished off his lackeys and rushed at me quite angrily but with fear in his eyes, a stupid move that I easily repelled by drawing my sword.
-Boldor: Wh..What!!?
The huge guy, seeing how his axe that was repelled, took his arms back, exposing his body, I turned the sword, leaving the blade behind and with a quick movement, hit the belly of the huge guy with the pommel of the sword. which I send to fly against the wall leaving him completely unconscious
-Boldor: Woooahhhh!!
He could be big, have a lot of physical strength and a huge axe but all that was useless against a well honed skill, years of training and combat experience, as if nothing had happened I put the sword back in its scabbard and continued my journey quickly to the town hall .
-Celes: These guys made me waste time, I must hurry up and return to My Lord's side.
Finally I got to the town hall and in front of it there was a water fountain, I approached it and with the water I gently applied a little bit of water where that unpleasant guy had put his disgusting hand trying to remove that stain, which in plain sight You couldn't see it but I could feel that it was there, I couldn't allow that filthy presence to soak into his garment, after finishing the shoulder it was a little wet but I felt calmer.
-Celes: How could I let that nasty guy touch this jacket? I must be more careful.
Finally, I entered the town hall, there were several people and I could clearly distinguish several hunters, I approached one of the windows that was available with a receptionist.
-Receptionist: Good afternoon, how can I help you?
-Celes: Good afternoon, I would like to register as a Hunter please.
The receptionist seemed somewhat confused as she looked at me in detail, once again this outfit doesn't play in my favor, I didn't have the appearance that Hunters commonly have but in my situation I couldn't do anything else.
-Receptionist: Well, if you're sure, the value of the registry is 1 gold piece and 30 silver pieces.
-Celes: Understood, here you are, miss.
I took out the money that I kept in one of the jacket pockets and left it in front of her, I could see the surprise expression of the receptionist when she saw the money, she must have imagined that from my appearance I would not have such an amount of money, immediately afterwards She took the money and took out a piece of paper that she placed on the counter with a bottle of ink and a pen.
-Receptionist: Excellent, now you must sign this agreement that details the dangers of becoming a Hunter, that the kingdom of Tevell nor any other is responsible for accidents, losses or deaths that occur during a job and in case of death, notice will be given to their relatives along with the belongings that are recovered.
"I should have guessed, being a Hunter is something that cannot be taken lightly, many careless hunters die in search of a fast path to fame and fortune"
I signed the agreement and handed it over to the receptionist, I didn't have any concern for me, despite my time as a slave I still maintain a large part of my ability and combat strength, immediately afterwards she put it away along with another pile of papers and took out a silver metal plate under the counter and put it in front of me, it was not very big, it was the size of a playing card.
-Receptionist: Good, now please put her hand on top of this plate and let your magical power flow over this plate that will fill it with your personal information.
-Celes: Understood.
As the receptionist asked me, I put my hand on top of the plate and let my magical power flow through it, shortly after, words began to appear on the plate that filled in the empty spaces with my information, my name, age, hometown, affinity and class.
"As I thought, My Lord can't do this, the plate reveals all the real information of the person and he tries to hide who he really is, it was a good idea that only I registered as a Hunter"
-Receptionist: Very well miss....Celestine Roseberd, from now on you are a Rank F Hunter, now to congratulate you for registering let me explain how the Hunter system works.
The Receptionist took another piece of paper from the counter and showed it to me, it contained drawings about the ranks of the Hunters and other information.
-Receptionist: The ranks start from F and can climb up to S, after you deliver a hunting objective you will be awarded a star, when you obtain 5 stars your rank will advance, from rank C you must take a special exam to be promoted to the upper ranks.
"I get it, it means that when we hand over Doug they'll give me a star, now that I remember that guy with the ax was B Rank, either the higher ranks aren't that strong or that guy was especially weak"
-Receptionist: But the ranks are not only to demonstrate their value, but they will also have discounts in markets in different towns, Jobs and special hunts.
"Discounts in markets? That will come in handy"
-Receptionist: And speaking of hunts, on the boards outside the Town Halls and Guard Stations you will find that the wanted posters are categorized by threat levels, from Level 1 that they are only wanted thieves or criminals, up to Level 5 that arrive be threats that put an entire city at risk, the higher the threat, the higher the reward.
"If it works like that, I wonder what level the tamer will be? I feel like I've managed to control a giant beast that's over 100 years old."
-Receptionist: The Jobs you find in the taverns have a requirement of a specific rank to higher to be carried out and as they are part of a service offered by local people, it is the same person who requested the assignment who must give you your reward, but Let me just say to clarify, fulfilling Jobs won't give you stars, only successfully delivered hunts at Guard Stations will give you stars.
"It makes sense, it means that if I want to rank up I have to dedicate myself only to hunting"
-Receptionist: Finally, you must renew your permit every 5 months, otherwise the license will turn red and the claim for rewards and benefits will be cancelled, please keep that in mind, well I think that covers the essentials, I wish you luck and happy hunting .
-Celes: Thank you very much.
I gave a little bow to the receptionist for her help, I took my license and left the Town Hall, I looked at my Hunter's license and all my personal information was precisely visible.
-Celes: My name, affinity, hometown....Zeorian huh, class....Fencer, I guess you can't tell I'm a Knight by my outfit, I guess that's ok, age 19, wait, 19? ...oh....that's right, my birthday has passed.....
At this point I had already forgotten even my own birthday, it was 2 days ago, so many things have happened in my life in a row that my mind did not have space to remember such banal things.
-Celes: I should go back to my Lord, it's getting dark and he must be worried about me.
I continued back along the same path I came from, remembering my steps so as not to get lost, the same three individuals who blocked my path before were still unconscious on the ground, there were already fewer people on the street, at this time and at all They begin to look for a place to rest, until I finally reach the alley where I left My Lord.
[Story continues with "Zyrus"]
It must have been about 2 hours since Celes went to register as a Hunter to obtain the license, it was already getting dark and I was starting to get sleepy and a little hungry, suddenly I heard some steps entering the alley that woke me up then it was when the figure of Celes appeared in front of me.
-Celes: (Gasping) My... My Lord, please... forgive my delay but I was finally able to register as a Hunter.
-Zyrus: Celes at last! Did something happen to you?
I stood up for the happiness of seeing Celes again, she seemed tired, I guess she must have been running a lot or maybe she had some problem on the way.
-Celes: Nothing to worry about, but the important thing is that now we can take the tamer to the Guard Station to deliver it.
-Zyrus: Finally, I was already falling asleep, let me see the license. I want to see how it is.
Celes handed me her license and she then lifted Doug up on her left shoulder, I checked the license in detail, it was a metal plate, it had a silver color and with white edges and several scribbles on it, there I realized that I still don't know read this language.
-Zyrus: How...great is Celes, congratulations.
I handed Celes permission back without saying anything about it as she smiled and nodded at my compliment, as we walked Celes told me all about the Hunter system and she was right about one point, I couldn't sign in if I wanted to hide my trail of the people of the castle, and after a few minutes we arrived at the Guard Station and entered, I must admit that I felt somewhat scared, that if the guards saw me they would jump to arrest me but I had to have faith, when we entered we saw several guards and a few Hunters, one of the guards, seeing us carrying someone, approached us.
-Tevell's Senior Guard: How did I help you?
-Celes: We have come to deliver this man, I think there is an order for his capture.
She left Doug face down on the ground while the guard crouched down and raised his head to see her face, while he called to a partner who had some papers in his hands.
-Tevell's Senior Guard: Yes...it looks familiar to me, what do you say?
The other guard started flipping through the papers he was carrying, I guess looking for the wanted poster that had Doug's picture on it, I just hoped mine wasn't there.
-Tevell's Young Guard: Let me see.....ah!...here he is.....Doug Silver, threat level 2, wanted for use of wild animals to attack villages and caravans, bounty 1 gold and 40 silver pieces.
-Tevell's Senior Guard: Not bad kids, now if they could remove the necklace and allow me their licenses.
-Celes: No problem, here is my license but.....
-Zyrus: I'm not a Hunter, I'm just accompanying her since I was the one who put the necklace on that guy, just give me a second to remove it.
I approached Doug and removed his slave necklace the same way I removed Celes's that time but before putting the necklacer back, the younger guard spoke to me.
-Tevell's Young Guard: Wait, if it's not too much trouble in exchange for that necklace I'll give you some extra silver coins, it's just for security.
-Zyrus: Sure, I had no intention of using it again anyway.
I handed the necklace to the guard who then retreated to a table in search of the reward, while the other guard carried Doug on his left shoulder and led him down a hallway.
-Celes: My Lord, how do you feel?
-Zyrus: At the moment everything seems normal, they have no suspicions about me, let's finish here and let's go, I still feel somewhat uneasy.
She agreed and after a while the young guard returned with the license from Celes who already had a star, he also handed us the coins.
-Tevell's Young Guard: Well here she has his license with his star and here is the reward for the hunt and plus 50 silver for the necklace.
-Celes: Thank you very much.
We both gave a small bow in gratitude to the guard and we left, finally we had finished and without raising suspicions or so I thought since before reaching the exit we heard how the guard called us and I felt how my skin stood on end, did he have noticed? ?
-Tevell's Young Guard: Wait a minute, you two.
The guard stared at us for several seconds, I was afraid he had recognized me, Celes looked at me worried, almost telling me to run if everything got complicated, but the guard came over and pointed at Celes and me with his finger.
-Tevell's Young Guard: With those outfits it should not be very comfortable to fight, you should use that reward to buy more suitable outfits to fight, it is not known how dangerous it can be next time.
-Celes: Yes...Yes...thanks, I will.
I felt how my soul returned to my body, we turned around and left the barracks, we moved as far away as we could until we reached some benches where we sat down.
-Celes: Everything ended well after all and as you said it seems that your friend Sarah did manage to delay your search warrant.
-Zyrus: Yeah...
I was happy to know that Sarah kept her word but there was something else on my mind that was worrying me.
-Celes: What's wrong, My Lord? I thought you would feel calmer.
-Zyrus: I've been thinking, I think it's time to accept the reality of all this, I'm a coward and weak.
I looked at the floor clenching my fists with a frustrated face forming on it.
-Celes: My...My Lord!? please don't say that. you are not a coward and much less weak.
-Zyrus: We both know it's true, when you faced the King of the Forest I couldn't do anything but watch, seeing you suffer when you received damage, it made me feel helpless, I was afraid to do something and even though you swore to protect me, I still don't feel like it. Just that I leave all the weight of this trip to you.
I remembered what happened this morning at the lake and all the other previous events, it made me realize how weak and fragile I am, I don't know how it occurred to me that I could walk through this world full of dangers without receiving a scratch and even though I had Celes next to me, she was human, she is strong but not invincible, I had to make a decision if I wanted to continue moving forward, I looked up and looked at Celes in her eyes.
-Celes: My Lord?
-Zyrus: Celes, teach me to fight! I want you to teach me how to use the sword!
She looked at me in amazement, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing, but this was the right decision, I couldn't depend on Celes forever, I must get stronger if I want to survive in this world and this was the path I had to walk. .
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