Chapitre 32: Return And Reward
______________
POV: 3rd person
______________
It was late evening when it began. The sky was beginning to turn yellow as the sun began its descent upon the horizon. The clouds in the sky twisted and swirled as though swimming in the heavens in the form of a grand shoal. The winds that came from lands unknown blew and bent the green grasses making them sway and blow as though it was but a large living carpet. From the forest, came the whispers of zephyrs from shallow hollows, their words unintelligible to city guard who manned their city wall.
It was a peaceful evening as always. The only true incident where the guard had fought and lost lives was a skirmish with beast-men marauders three years ago. As they walked up and down spears held high the alarm bell rang twice. Then twice again. The city fell silent as men and women of the city realized what was happening. The last time the bell was rung a drake had come close to assaulting the city of Elden.
Parents rushed their children to hide while dark mages prepared to put up a defensive field around the city. Mages and archers lined the walls as spearmen took up defensive positions alongside the ballista operators. The vanguard which was outside the wall said their prayers to Theadris as they drew their weapons.
The forest shook as two massive beasts peered out from the trees. One pair of eyes was a fierce yellow, boring into the souls of the guards who held their ground. The other pair was sky blue and seemed to force the mind to freeze over. They then stepped out into the evening light together.
Two massive wolves strode out to meet the army which had gathered. One had a back of crimson and flaming hackles, with an underside as white as mountain snow. The other seemed to have been dragged from the abyss, it's white fur stained black as it stared down the army.
Then more wolves began to arrive. The adventurers guild had now also arrived and had pressed everyone they could to come out in service of the city and it's populace.
At the head of this group stood guild-master kali wielding two black konda's which coursed with water mana.
Her black armor shined in the light of the fading sun as pulsing blue light flashed from beneath the seams. Her black cape fluttered in the wind as it occasionally revealed a dark blue underside
Kali wielded water mana. She lacked a large mana pool but had an unnaturally high regeneration rate. Though this meant she couldn't fight using high powered or long ranged spells, her ability to wield hydrokinesis was unmatched within the human lands.
It was a standoff. But before blades and claws could clash. Before arrows and teeth could pierce flesh. Before magic could cleave and boil bloody bodies he arrived. The sea of wolves which stood in front of the forest parted. From beneath the shadows of the forest canopy he came once more.
"How nice of all of you to come out to see me upon my return." {???}
The newly remade armor shined as he stood at his full towering height. The glittering final throes of the falling sun reflected off him and cast long shadows which added to the depths of the abyss that was his seemingly empty faceplate.
"It feels good to be back, now if I remembered correctly there was a reward also waiting for me?" {Astaros}
…
The uproar of Astaros's return was massive. He had commanded the army of wolves to return to the forest and 'cleanse' the route to the island and marched through the city to the cheers of it's people with the near entirety of the adventurers guild. It was this grand return that had caused the streets to be full of people. Now Kali began to quietly speak with the giant man who had caused the entire ruckus, the roaring of the crowd covering they're quiet voices.
…
____________
POV: Astaros
____________
My return the day after I remade my armor was a resounding success. I had thought of using the humanities champion title to increase the effectiveness of my plan but I decided against it as mental manipulation left a bad taste in my mouth. Instead I used the titles Silver Fenrir and The Destroyer to increase the effectiveness of my commands towards the wolves and increase my presence. I believe I have done a fairly good job as well. Though I have revealed the existence of two new Fenrirs I have little fear for their safety. Lupus has the pack and Val Systin has me. If anyone wants to hunt either it would require someone with higher capabilities than me to hunt and kill either of them.
As the crowd cheered for the parade of adventurers returning to the guild hall Kali sidled up to me as though timid but the words that reached me were anything but.
"What do you think you're doing?" {Kali}
I chuckled, turning and waving to the crowd.
"Just enjoying myself a little. Anything wrong with that?" {Astaros}
She also began waving to the crowd with a beaming smile as we led the parade of excited adventurers back. Now that they were no longer in danger and were being cheered on by the massive crowds of people the adventurers were feeling quite good and full of themselves.
"Having a little fun doesn't equate to bringing two disaster level monsters into close proximity of the town" {Kali}
I laughed again as I turned to face forward.
"Careful there your grin is showing some of your true colors." {Astaros}
The smile plastered on her face instantly reverted from the excited grin she had for a second. I knew exactly what she was thinking even without my abilities. Well in any case she makes for a good test subject for my strategies for when it comes to evading subservience so I really don't worry too much about what she does while I'm not looking
We returned to the guild and the moment we re-entered I watched as an army of waiters, waitresses and cooks got into position. The instant we returned the party began. This was the adventurers guild. Someone could one day come back battered but alive and dragging the heads of ten trolls. The staff here were well prepared to handle a massive amount of partying adventurers.
'Although…' {Astaros}
I looked over to see Oadry, who had taken a job here being cheered on as she downed a massive glass of alcohol, her face already red.
'Haaah, hey Fillia, where are you at the moment?' {Astaros}
Her voice resounded in my head seconds later.
'Trying to get through the massive crowd you made bucket head. I mean seriously, what were you thinking!?!' {Fillia}
I began to walk over to the guild desk, passing through the crowd as people congratulated me and raised their drinks.
'That I may need to loosen up a little before getting back to work. In any case Oadry is about to down her 9th pint in the last 5 minutes and Nikky isn't about to stop her. I fear that she might do something weird and expose everyone if you don't get down here.' {Astaros}
However before Fillia could answer Dryis screamed in the soul link causing me to place a hand to my head.
'SHE'S DRINKING ALCOHOL!! I'LL BE RIGHT THERE!' {Dryis}
What an odd bunch. I guess beast-men really do have their quirks.
I walked up to the front desk and looked down at the trembling receptionist who's eyes were bugging out. The guild hall quieted as I spoke to the receptionist.
"So what are the rewards for the eradication of the drake?" {Astaros}
It was pin drop silence as the entire guild waited for her response. She pushed he glasses up several times as she tried to read the receipt paper but no sound was coming out of her mouth. Finally after several attempts to read it she passed out with her eyes open.
"I-Is she okay?" {Adventurer 1}
Most of the guild began whispering as she was taken away and another more prepared receptionist took over. I hope she's okay. She was really stressed there. Now again the hall fell quiet, besides the occasional burp from Oadry.
"For the subjugation of an S class monster and the reduction of guild casualties you have been invited to become a SS rank Adventurer and will receive THE MASSIVE SUM OF ONE PLATINUM BAR!!!" {Guild Receptionist}
The guild blew up in cheers and hollers that eventually transformed into a single chant.
"SILVER FENRIR!, SILVER FENRIR!" {Adventurersx147}
I felt Fillia and Dryis arrive through the soul link and turned to them with the shining platinum bar and ss rank certificate in hand. Christene came running through the crowd and slammed into me at full force, wrapping in a hug.
"Congratulations!!" {Christene}
Fillia walked up and I gave her both the certificate and platinum to hold onto as I peeled off Christine. Dryis was busy trying to wrestle a bottle of booze away from Oadry while Fillia laughed at them both. This was the kind of peace I wanted to achieve. One where we could all enjoy happy moments like these together. But of course that can't last.
Suddenly the voice of Kali pierced through the loud festivities. She walked forward with a pure fake smile on her face as she approached.
"Astaros! Hero of Elden, this humble guild leader has received an request from the Duchy. He has nominated you to become the number 1 Adventurer of the country, a position that will grant you an audience with the king of ALVARIA!" {Kali}
The crowd now fell silent and waited for my answer. I could feel eyes on me from all around the guild hall. This was a serious trap. If I refused it would in essence be an indirect refusal of his majesty's wishes. If I complied I would likely end up as one of Kali's tools. I see she's kicking things up a notch. Well then what to do. I have a literal second to reply. This was not only extremely sudden it literally trampled all over what I was just thinking earlier.
"I refuse" {Astaros}
The hall was now completely silent as the environment grew slightly hostile. Fillia and Dryis had hands on their weapons as Katia grew solid. I needed to explain and fast or a fight might break out between them and some of the more loyal adventurers.
"I refuse this offer not because I believe what the Duchy wishes to bestow upon me or that an audience with his majesty is insufficient but because I simply do not want the responsibilities that come with becoming a SS rank adventurer." {Astaros}
The guild was now completely quiet. It was easy to see that some were confused by what I meant while others understood but didn't have the courage to stand with me.
It was obvious that what I had said, whether true or not, is a direct decline of a royal proposition and thus an insult to the crown. I had called Kali's bluff and now I would either be understood by his highness or receive a summons. Well it'll be a while before either. Lets alter my owb plan a little bit.
"Nikky and Dryis were leaving, go pack up everything in the inn. Katia pick up Oadry and go with them. Fillia, Christine let's go to the Barons home." {Astaros}
I needed to get rid of this platinum bar as soon as possible. One it was a source of unwanted attention and two I had no want to hold onto such a massive sum in the first place. The silent crowd parted as I passed through. We left, splitting up and heading in different directions.
"Astaros, was that a good idea?" {Christine}
I sighed walking quickly while both Fillia and Christine jogged besides me.
"Of course not but if he hadn't said it I likely would have. We all know how important your freedom is to you." {Fillia}
I smiled wryly at the thought of such a sight but pushed it away. I needed to focus on how we were going to negotiate with the Baron. Things really began moving quickly when I came back.
...
We arrived in the governmental district and reached the baron Guidevierre's office where the guards stopped us.
"Halt what business do you have here at the Guidevierre estate." {Guard 1}
Christine, my town liaison, stepped forward towards the gatekeepers, and offered them her card.
"We're here to discuss Astaros getting new accommodations. Though we have no prior reservations we would like to meet with the Baron Governor as quickly as possible." {Christine}
They nodded returning the cards and one of the guards turned and opened the gate while the other walked through.
"Understood I will escort you to the front desk where you can make your request to Mr. Ruth." {Guard 2}
We walked through the disgusting pit of vanity that was the front yard and entered the building.
"Hello Mr. Ruth I would like to speak with Baron Guidevierre about a transaction, is he available at the moment?" {Astaros}
Upon hearing me calling his name he froze before regaining his composure and looking up from the set of documents on his desk.
"He should be, let me contact him quickly." {Mr. Ruth}
The four eyes reached to push up his glasses but seeing my hand twitch he stopped. He then motioned to a butler standing nearby and he ran off before coming back minutes later and whispering something in Mr. Ruth's ear.
"He'll meet you now. If you would please follow me to the governor's office." {Mr. Ruth}
I nodded and walked after him with the others in tow, passing the familiar portraits of his predecessors.
We arrived at the entrance where Mr. Ruth let us in. We were met with the same slightly overweight governor sorting a messy set of papers on his desk.
His shirt was buttoned wrong and the room smelt of fluids. Well it seems I was interrupting something. Not that I cared very much.
"W-welcome Uhhm sir how can I help you today?" {Baron}
Fillia walked forward and placed a platinum bar on the table and his eyes widened as he saw it.
"I'd like to make a direct transaction with the kingdom for some land." {Astaros}
Generally buying land cost several hundred gold or a couple platinum coins but you still had to pay all the taxes attached to real estate so only businesses ever did such a thing. I however had acquired a large sum of money. Enough to directly buy land from them. This would allow me to essentially create my own little couple acre microstate within the borders of Alvaria.
He looked up at us in shock but he quickly hid it and then opened his desk before pulling out a contract and writing several things quickly. He then pulled up a map.
"Exactly where do you request to buy." {Baron}
Several spots were colored yellow, meaning I couldn't choose them. But the island was untouched. I pointed to it and he wrote down the coordinates in a frenzy before turning the contract to me. Confirming there was nothing suspicious I signed it and handed it back to him.
"Even if you have bought land from the kingdom your Liaison must still make reports as long as she is within Alvarian borders" {Baron}
I nodded and we turned and left while I stopped at the door.
"Have fun with your wife, if that is her." {Astaros}
Before he could respond I closed the door and left, catching up to Fillia and Christine.
"Did you really need to say that?" {Christine}
I chuckled and looked over at her.
"Of course, there was no reason not to." {Astaros}
…
After we left the barons office and headed to the town square where we met up with Dryis and the others.
"Are you all ready to go?" {Astaros}
They nodded and Dryis grabbed my hand, smiling up at me.
"Then let's go to our new home." {Astaros}
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Blue_Robin
Blue_Robin Im sorry this chapter is a load of whiplash but I needed to get it done quickly and to be honest it isn't the most important one in the first place
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone