Bab 23: Prelude to the Journey to the Akarios Island
When they left the royal castle, Vincent couldn't help but grin at the prospect of having their own base, and what's more it's off the main continent. Meaning, no one would see him using his system and summoning military hardware and troops.
It was the best reward that he could have ever wished for and he was glad that the Demon King General Telus attacked the kingdom because if he didn't they would live off the land, and settle on something that is not as secure as the Akarios as they have no legal rights to that place. With Akarios Island, they had a legitimate base of operations.
Alpha 1 noticed Vincent's expression and smirked. "Looks like we hit the jackpot, huh, boss?"
Vincent nodded. "Absolutely. This island is the perfect place for us to establish our operations without any prying eyes. We can summon, train, build, and prepare without interference."
Alpha 2 chimed in, "And the fact that it's overrun with monsters means we'll have plenty of opportunities to test out the system's abilities right?"
"You couldn't be more right," Vincent agreed with a grin.
Then as they were about to make their way towards the carriage that took them to the royal castle, Vincent noticed two people standing there as if waiting for someone. He recognized those two, it was Luminova, and Elinalese Claes.
"Oh look who it is," Vincent smiled as he approached the two women. "Good morning to you two."
"Good morning Sir Vincent!" Elinalese greeted, her eyes shining brightly.
"Good morning, Sir Vincent," Luminova said in a composed demeanor.
"What brings you here?" Vincent asked.
"I was told by my father that you'd be a guest for a short while, and I wanted to see you off and wish you luck on your new endeavor," Elinalese replied, her enthusiasm evident.
"And that the Lady has something to give you as well," Luminova added with a hint of a smile.
Elinalese blushed slightly but stepped forward, holding out a small, neatly wrapped package. "I baked some cookies for you and your team. I thought you might enjoy a little taste of home on your journey."
Vincent took the package, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Thank you, Elinalese. That's very kind of you. I'm sure my team will appreciate it."
Elinalese's eyes lit up with happiness. "I hope you like them. They're my special recipe."
Luminova added, "Safe travels, Sir Vincent. We'll be looking forward to hearing about your successes in your endeavors."
"Thank you both," Vincent said, giving a slight bow. "We'll be sure to keep in touch."
"Uhm…what about you join us in the City Square and try out the delicacies this country has to offer before you leave?" Elinalese suggested, her eyes hopeful. "It would be a nice way to spend some time before you embark on your journey."
Vincent considered the offer for a moment, then smiled. "That sounds like a wonderful idea. We could use a bit of relaxation before we get to work. What do you think, team?"
The members of Vincent's team nodded in agreement, their expressions brightening at the prospect of enjoying some local delicacies.
"Lead the way," Vincent said to Elinalese and Luminova.
The group made their way to the City Square, which was bustling with activity. Stalls lined the streets, offering a variety of foods, crafts, and other goods.
Elinalese guided them to a stall that sold a popular local dish called "Skewered Beast." The vendor handed them skewers loaded with marinated and grilled meat, seasoned with exotic spices. Vincent took a bite and his eyes widened in appreciation.
"It's delicious, like barbeque."
Elinalese beamed. "I'm glad you like it. Skewered Beast is a favorite around here."
Luminova pointed to another stall nearby. "You must try the Firefruit Pie. It's made from a rare fruit that grows only in the volcanic regions of Eldoria. The heat from the fruit gives it a unique, spicy-sweet flavor."
Intrigued, Vincent and his team approached the stall and purchased slices of the pie. The warm, flaky crust combined with the tangy, slightly spicy filling created a perfect balance of flavors. Vincent could see why it was a local specialty.
Elinalese then led them to a stall selling Glowroot Stew, a hearty dish made from roots that emitted a soft, blue glow. The stew was thick and savory, with a comforting warmth that spread through them with each spoonful.
Next, Luminova guided them to a stand where a vendor was serving Crystalberry Juice. The drink sparkled with iridescent hues, and as they took sips, they felt a refreshing burst of sweetness and a cooling sensation that was almost magical.
"Well, who knew trying out dishes would be this good," Vincent commented. This was his first experience trying the local cuisine in this new world, and so far, it didn't disappoint.
As they finished their culinary tour, the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the City Square. Vincent and his team felt a sense of contentment and satisfaction from the delicious food and the warm company of their acquaintances.
"This was a wonderful day," Vincent said, turning to Elinalese and Luminova. "Thank you for showing us around and introducing us to these fantastic dishes."
"It was our pleasure," Elinalese replied, her eyes shining. "We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did."
"We did," Vincent confirmed. "We'll always remember this experience. And we promise to keep in touch and share news of our progress on Akarios Island."
"Akarios Island? So that's where you are going," Elinalese said. "I am familiar with that island. I thought it was infested with monsters."
"Yeah they do…but we'll clean them up," Vincent continued with a confident smile. "We have the means to handle the monsters. Akarios Island will soon be a safe and secure place."
Elinalese looked impressed. "That sounds like quite a challenge, but if anyone can do it, it's you and your team."
Luminova nodded in agreement. "We wish you the best of luck, Sir Vincent. Please be careful out there."
"Thank you, Luminova," Vincent replied. "We'll make sure to keep our guard up."
With their farewells exchanged, Vincent and his team finally made their way back to the carriage. As they climbed in, Vincent took one last look at the City Square, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the hospitality they had received.
They went back to the Golden Stag where Captain Vandar was there waiting.
"So…are you ready for your journey towards Akarios Island tomorrow?" Vandar asked.
"Yes," Vincent answered simply.
***
Moments later, in their room, Alpha 4 asked an important question.
"What are we to do with the vehicles that we left?"
"Simple, we can't bring it with us. We will have to destroy it."
Hadiah
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