章 31: The Needed Break I
~~~(POV: Justin Xander)~~~
~~~(Location: Gregon Hareson's House, Geonia, Aeternitatem Genesis)~~~
~~~(Day, Date, Time: Sunday, April 14th, 8:39 PM PST)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 19 Years)~~~
I'm the last to finish my plate of food among the entire group. I ate as fast as I could, but I just couldn't keep up with any of them. Even Gregon had me beat. The looks of relief and satisfaction take form on all of them.
Celia has a thoughtful expression on her as she relaxes in the kitchen chair. Her hand slowly glides over her stomach, and the other two do the same.
As the seconds pass, I watch her sit up straight and look me in the eyes. The expression on her face changes to a more serious one. I think I'm about to get an answer to my offer to end her brother-in-law. That's what I'm hoping for, at least.
"I would love to see my brother-in-law suffer for what he's done to me. But I'm not his only victim. What's more important to me is saving my sister from him. If you kill him in the process of rescuing her, that's even better."
I can't help the grin from spreading on my features as I know I'm about to be offered a quest. The more quests I get, the better. EXP is the game right now, and I need as much of it as I can get.
She silently waits for my response, wanting to know if the change to the offer is one I'll accept. I just wish my brother and sister were here right now; they'd love to be a part of this quest. Revenge is a dish best served with family.
"I can do that for you, Celia. Send the quest to me, and I'll have it done as quickly as possible. I don't know anything about your brother-in-law, so you'll have to explain to me what I'm walking into here."
Since I know quests don't give a ton of information, I might as well get the needed details from the best source I have. Celia slowly nods her head, and I watch her open her interface. Clicking a few things. It's not long before I get something.
[You've Received A New Quest.]
"His name is Garson Faredawn. He married my sister Felicity Catherine, who now goes by Felicity Faredawn. He deceived us. My sister and even I thought he was a good man. That all changed when she married him."
Vipers and snakes have an uncanny ability to hide their worst and most dangerous parts. It doesn't surprise me that they were deceived, but the results of those deceptions do surprise me. You never know evil is evil until it's too late.
I open my player interface and click on the quests tab. There, I see that the quest I'm currently on only needs one more step to be completed, and that's to return to Eliza. However, below the quest is a fresh one. I click on it, and the information pops up.
---[Quest: Savior of Sisters]---
[Difficulty: Hard] [Grade: Rare]
[Recommended Player Level: 50]
[Player Level EXP Reward: 15,000]
[Rewards: Massively increased Reputation with Celia Catherine and Felicity Faredawn. Greatly increased Reputation with (Unknown) noble house. The ability to ask for help from Celia or Felicity with no questions asked.]
[Step 1: Find the Faredawn Estate.]
[Step 2: Locate Felicity Faredawn.]
[Step 3: Free Felicity from the control and capture of Garson Faredawn.]
[Step 4: Return Felicity to Celia.]
[Step 5: Kill Garson Faredawn. (Optional)]
[Completion of the Bonus Step will result in better rewards.]
[Bonus Step: Bring Garson Faredawn to Celia alive. (Optional)]
The rewards may not seem that good to someone looking strictly to improve their weapons or armor, but with the increase in Reputation with Celia and Felicity, I'll have real allies here in Geonia.
I'll even be able to go to them for help if needed. I don't know the extent of that, but it seems it'll come in handy for as long as I'm in Geonia. What really catches my eye is the rep boost with an unknown noble house.
I'm looking forward to completing this quest. There are a few more things I need to ask Celia before I start on it. After tomorrow, when I finish my break, I'll turn in my nearly completed quest and start this one.
"Okay, I can do this. But first, I need to know where I can bring Felicity when I have her. Do you have a safe place to stay while I do this quest?"
This scumbag has taken over her home, and she hasn't spoken about any other allies since we started talking. She smiles brightly as she hears I can do this quest for her. Gregon and the other two share grins as well.
At the request to know if she has anywhere she can stay while I do this quest, her eyes shift to Gregon. I can't help but internally chuckle a little.
"I'm sorry to ask this of you, Mr. Hareson. But can I stay here for the time being? I don't have anywhere to go in Geonia that's safe until Garson is dead."
As she says this to Gregon, I notice the other two don't share the same plight. It makes sense they'd have some places to go in Geonia. Maybe instead of staying with Gregon, she can stay with one of them.
After everything they've all been through, I would think remaining together would be something they'd want. As Gregon is about to speak, I interrupt before he can.
"Instead of staying with Gregon, why not go with Yelina or Rena? Rather than separating from each other, wouldn't it be better if all of you stayed together until I sort this out for Celia. That way, we all know she's safe."
I think the suggestion is pretty good. However, the three women in the room show downcast looks and sadness. Maybe there was a reason she didn't ask, and I just fumbled that. Still, I wouldn't think it's a bad idea.
Yelina lets out a small sigh as she looks me in the eyes, and Rena relaxes in her chair as she looks to Yelina to explain why this is a bad idea.
"Because Rena and I don't have a place to stay in Geonia either. I'll be honest with you, I don't want my friends and family to know what's happened to me. Going home means they learn, and then the shitstorm comes."
I can't help but scratch the back of my head as I process what she says. The only reason someone wouldn't go home after everything they've been through would be fear of punishment or retribution. I don't understand.
Rena sees my confused look, and she sits up straight again. Taking a small breath, she prepares to speak, looking to educate me on things I don't know about AG yet.
"Just because this happened to us doesn't mean our families will welcome us back. A woman having children out of wedlock is very frowned upon in Edaria. Regardless of the circumstances of how it happened. If I go home, my mom and dad will punish me."
Wow... Really?
They're supposed to be your family, and they'll get mad at you and punish you for being... Wow... Just... Wow...
She specifically associated this public stigma with Edaria. That means it's possible it only happens in Edaria and is not necessarily everywhere in AG. Still, to have to go through so much... Well, it's part of playing a VRMMORPG.
You're in a different world with different races and societies. It makes sense that there are going to be extremes you're not used to seeing in comparison to real life. I can already see the forums for the game online blowing up when stuff like this is learned.
But it's not like devs can jump in and change it. You can't do that with modern VRMMORPGs. It's impossible.
"I'm really sorry to hear you have to deal with that after everything you've been through. It seems unfair..."
As I respond to this lore drop I've been given, I turn my eyes to Gregon. He can already tell what I will ask, but I'm still asking anyway.
"Gregon, can you take care of them until I'm done with Celia's quest? I know it's a lot to ask, but they don't have anywhere to go. I'll try to find something more permanent for them after I'm done."
When the words that I'll help them find places to live leave my mouth, looks of surprise and fresh tears start to form. It's a brutal world out here, isn't it... I'm not taking responsibility for the babies or their lives from now on.
But that doesn't mean I can't give them a jumpstart on their lives after everything. Sometimes, people need a hand to hold until they are strong enough to stand independently.
I don't mind being the guy who holds out his hand for people who need it. And these three need it. When they have places to live and are safe, they won't need me anymore, but until then. I'll help them in any way I can.
"Yeah, they can stay here as long as they need to. It'll be nice to have some company around here again."
Good, that's good.
Now, I think it's time I go to an Inn and log off. I need to spend some time in the real world. I know the first thing I do when I get off is head for the bathroom.
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