“No no no! Over my undug grave am I allowing this to happen! Shoo! Get the hell out of here!”
‘What do you know, pure unfiltered racism from an old man no less. Truly is a brilliant era we live in.’
Upon leaving the palace and getting through another memory, the both of us head to Tuscany’s guild branch to maybe see if we can do a side quest or two while on this main one. Sure enough, there’s an entire board ripe for the picking. It’s just a shame this bigot won’t allow us access into the nearly filled guild.
“Lena, stay calm… my good sir! We’re registered adventurers under the Bordertown branch and we’re under employment by the prince and princess no less! You wouldn’t turn away such an opportunity to make a future connection, right?”
It doesn’t matter how sarcastic I sound nor Lena’s aura of pure anger burning behind us, this guy isn’t having none of it.
“I don’t care if you’re registered or employed with goddamn Seraphim herself! This is my branch and we have certain rules, one of which is that your kind only belongs in chains. Now beat it, vermin!”
‘Yup, should’ve expected that. I’m sure the branch leader our way said this guy was a piece of work.’
In the end, we abandon that plan and head elsewhere when the old hermit starts shaking his walking stick at us. Unfortunately for me and my ears, we’ve still got some things to do in the city so the dungeon will have to wait. Maybe the next person may even spit, out of disgust? I still don’t know why I’m finding this amusing.
Ah right, this cesspit of a city is reminding me of that vision again. We’re obviously still going through with the plan to find the dungeon, it’s not entirely unexpected those two royals would hire someone like that General. As long as we don’t cross paths, we should be okay for now. I am a little worried because technically, I’m the only living witness to what happened.
“I’m so sorry, Sera. I knew this would be bad, but people talking like that right in front of your face? We can always come back later and kill that old geyser in his sleep, if you want.”
Unsurprisingly, Lena is able to calm herself down to an extent and keep thinking of my sake. Even though I like her caring for me, the thing is, I don’t care at all.
“Heh, relax Lena, I’m fine. People take words too seriously… that dick isn’t worth the effort.”
That’s the thing, we could kill him and hang him from his entrails, then whack the body like a bloody human piñata. That would be fabulous. I don’t think it’s the time to burn our bridges just yet… can always collect that blob of EXP later.
Anyways, putting our dark auras aside for a moment and heading to a different shop, the state of this city really shows how life can differ from one place to another. All of it may look prosperous, it just relies on the backbreaking labour of the endless slave force.
The district we wander through is filled with collared beastkin, some completing daily chores like shopping while others just simply relax in the dwindling evening sun. Men, women, children, all ages of beastkin, all discriminated against. I appear to be the only elf around, although, I did know elves are apparently a rare occurrence in this city.
“Sera… they seem happy. Am we missing something?”
“I know, where’s the misery and depression? I was looking forward to seeing those eyes devoid of life.”
“Hehe, that’s not even funny, Sera.”
All those we encounter seem to have faces full of smiles, even laughing and cheering to one another. Either something sinister is afoot, like mind control, or we have no clue what slavery is supposed to be like in this world.
“Yo elf, your owner allows you unshackled? Wait, you have no marks!? You’re a free citizen!? Everyone, over here!”
In response to one onlooking beastkin, me and Lena are crowded by a sea of animal eared friends in a matter of moment. All are clearly fascinated by the fact I’m free.
“Wow, no branding on her neck!”
“She must’ve come from the jungle.”
“Who knows how old she is? She could be a thousand!”
Lena tries her hardest not to giggle at the fact I’m basically being poked and prodded from all directions, I guess I’m an anomaly to these people. It is starting to get a little annoying though.
“I don’t mean to pry, but how are the living conditions around here? I hope things aren’t too harsh for you all.”
I chose my words very carefully, the idea of starting a quest chain to end slavery just off a single comment is what I fear. I’m obviously against oppression, just this isn’t something that can be solved by completing a few heroic deeds. You’d have to change entire ideologies to get somewhere.
“It’s honestly not that bad! Most of us get regular food, water, a barn to sleep in. Unlike you elves, beastkin aren’t fetishized as much, so we mostly do tasks and cleaning for our masters.”
“Uh huh, taking a beating every now and then is nothing compared to life in the desert. I’d rather die than go home.”
“Eh, there’s pros and cons like all things in life. At the end of the day, we did all choose to be here.”
All the beastkin continue to smile even as I ask that question. The fact anyone would choose to be a slave confuses the life out of both me and Lena.
“You chose to be here? As slaves?”
“Yeah, you’re either born into this life or you come here voluntarily, elf. Isn’t your kind the same? I’ve heard the jungle can be really nasty as well.”
“Life in the desert, it’s fight or die, draw blood or lose it. That place knows nothing but death. We have a more peaceful purpose in this city.”
“Of course, the high and mighty elf wouldn’t understand. Go out there to see our home for yourself someday, elf. Or don’t… outsiders never return from the desert.”
‘I’m not high and mighty, am I? I guess technically I am. I do have an ability that states I’m genetically superior… that’s beside the point!’
As the beastkin slaves wander off and lose interest in me, at least this gives us more of an idea why the slaves around here are so happy. It’s either enslavement or death, best to avoid that desert for as long as possible if we can.
“You have any idea why that desert is apparently dangerous, Lena?”
“Erm… not sure, Sera. I’ve never been. This kingdom did once try to go to war with everyone to try becoming an empire. Maybe the desert is terrible because of that?”
Just some more generic lore as we arrive at our next stop. Slavery is now good and war is bad, who’d have thought it!?
Nevertheless, I push open the door of this small shop, hidden down a dingy alleyway and a small bell chime’s as soon as we get inside.
The first thing we see is shelves stacked with colourful bottles in every direction of the shop, some look gloopy and glittery while others glow. It looks like we’re where we need to be, an apothecary. Potions are everywhere.
“Heya elf, you looking to pick up something for your mistress over there? What can I get cha?”
…
When staring racism directly in the face, I’m unstartled. However, this upbeat woman pointing towards Lena, referring to her as my mistress, hurts me more than any amount of bigotry. Now I’ve got an extremely vivid image in my head that I’m not sure whether I like it or not!
Spoiler
[collapse]
“My partner isn’t looking for anything, I am however. There’s a bunch of specific ingredients I’m after.”
I’ve got twenty-four potions to try and craft so the quicker I get started on this, the better. Hopefully the reward makes the effort worthwhile.
“Ah, my mistake. Apologies, but we’ve only got limited stock, the only surplus I’m allowed to sell is for medicinal purposes. It’s basically just healing herbs for now.”
This takes me back a bit, aren’t apothecaries supposed to sell both drugs and elixirs? Hopefully, I can at least make a healing and poisoning potion then.
“What about brewing waters? Or more specifically, glacial water?”
“Oh yes, we definitely have that in. You’re in luck because we’re allowed to sell that…”
…
Pausing for a moment, the upbeat woman seems to have a personality shift and turns a little depressive.
“The problem is, it has a huge markup like every potion. They’re always expensive because we have to import the stuff off the nomads up north.
“That’s why everything costs so much? Don’t you feel guilt or anything?”
Shrugging in response to Lena’s question, the apothecary does in fact look guilty. I kid you not when I say the prices are through the roof, we’re talking over a thousand for a below average health potion! We can’t afford much in here at all.
“Hey, I’m not happy about it either. Our soldiers to the east get supplies first, so what we’re left with, the kingdom set the prices and impose heavy taxes as well. Eight years ago when my ma ran this place, before the war, a normal health pot was a tenth of this price.”
‘Oh great, this world is affected by supply and demand as well. Back on Earth, it was the price of energy, oil and food. In this, potions are affected by inflation?’
Regardless of this, I still grab a bottle of glacial water and take it to the counter. This is going to hurt financially, but if someday I end up one potion short from completing that quest, I will rue this day.
“Oh, still want to become an aspiring alchemist then? This is the part I hate… we’re looking at three-hundred for the bottle. Maybe three-fifty depending on how many herbs you want.”
…
The urge to shout “how much” becomes overwhelmingly obnoxious, especially when we’re literally talking about a single bottle of imported water!
‘Heh, it’s basically tree-fiddy. I swear even a bottle of purified water would cost less caps than this.’
Despite my best complaints, I know deep down we have enough to survive, even if I make this absurd purchase. So I grab the smallest pouch of herbs imaginable and head to the counter.
“Thank you for your purchase! Have a lovely day…”
As soon as I hand over the money and hide my purchase behind my back, subtly putting them into storage, I feel is my heart is now empty. Any second now, it’ll be gone from my inventory as well.
[STORAGE][WEAPONS][ARMOUR] [Name][Quality] [Weight] [Name][Quality] [Weight][Iron Dagger][Weakened]1[N/A] 0[Iron Shortsword][Weakened]1.5[N/A] 0[CONSUMABLE][MISCELLANEOUS] [Name] [Weight] [Name] [Weight][Waterskin: Filled] x22[Adventurer's Guild ID - Sera]0[Glacial Water]1[N/A]0[Medicinal Herbs] x40.4[N/A]0[Alchemist's Book]
Spoiler
[Potion Type][Solid Ingredient][Fluid Ingredient]HealthHealing HerbsGlacial WaterStaminaEnergetic HerbsGlacial WaterMagicMagi OreGlacial WaterHealth PoisonHealing HerbsDemonic WaterStamina PoisonEnergetic HerbsDemonic WaterMagic PoisonMagi OreDemonic WaterAphrodisiacSuccubus CoreSea WaterNight VisionPurple CarrotSea WaterWater BreathingShark's ToothSea WaterSpeedCheetah's BloodSwamp WaterJumpingRabbit's FootSwamp WaterCarry WeightCamel's ToeSwamp WaterWeight GainTroll FatOasis WaterWeight LossAvocadosOasis WaterInvisibilityGriffin HeartOasis WaterPerceptionSalmon RoeMineral WaterIntelligenceOpiumMineral WaterSpeechcraftGold CoinMineral WaterStrengthOrc BloodMineral WaterEnduranceSuccubus SalivaMineral WaterDexterityCoffee PlantMineral WaterCure DiseasePearlHoly WaterCure PoisonSnake VenomHoly WaterExperienceDragon HeartHoly Water[Current INT Range: 10 - 29] [Brewing Quality: Weakened][collapse]
0 [CURRENCY: 179c][CAPACITY: 11.4/13.5]‘This hurts, I had over five hundred a moment ago… right. Let’s rip this off like a bandied.’
[STATUS][ABILITIES][STORAGE][MAGIC][QUESTLOG][CRAFTING][CRAFTING] [Category] [Input][Output][Timer][Alchemical][Water Type: Glacial][Ingredient/s: Medicinal] (x3)[Healent] [ETA: 24h][Intelligence improvement +1] Leaving the store, then inputting all the required items to make a single potion, Lena playfully bumps into me just as we make our way out. I'd normally respond in jest... but today, I know she wants to see me suffer.
“Hehe, why are you looking so glum, Sera? That could be the tastiest water around!”
Her sarcasm cuts deeper than I'd like to admit, we're practically broke again. I need a distraction from my emptied pockets and tsundere dragon.
Exiting the store, purposely ignoring the ringing bell and Lena because her sarcasm cuts deep, I need a distraction from my emptied pockets and tsundere dragon.
‘The sooner we leave this city, the better. We’ve still got something very important to do first…’
__________
“Hey! This isn’t okay! The lesser races shouldn’t access education, you really need to leave.”
‘Oh, come on! This is getting ridiculous!’
As soon as we enter the library to do some researching before we leave, a grumpy librarian stands in our way. Obviously, her heart being filled with hatred just as much as that guild master.
I’m going to get a migraine if this keeps up. Lena as well, I’m not sure how much longer she’ll be able to keep that anger contained. That shaking will someday explode into uncontrolled anger, I just know it.
At first glance, this place is gigantic with a range of books in every direction. It’s unsettlingly empty but then again, we are close to the slave district and this librarian apparently has no interest in letting us lesser races enter.
“Oi librarian, the highnesses sent us here to research a quest that needs completing. Take it up with them if you don’t like it… doubt they’ll be pleased if we can’t find the dungeon.”
“The crown prince and princess sent you, an elf, to research in my library!?! Darn royalty sticking their noses in places they don’t understand… *grumble*.”
Continuing to grumble and curse under her breath, I can only pray this bigot is more inclined to listen to reason.
[Speechcraft improvement +1] ‘Oh! I guess you can reason with stupid sometimes.’
“Hmph… fine, you can stay, as long as that human keeps an eye on you. There are books like that in the back, I sell copies if you need any.”
The librarian looks to stop speaking, then starts rambling even more when our backs are turned to her.
“Please… just make sure the elf doesn’t mark her territory or something. Those elves and beasts are basically the same thing…”
Leaving the mumbling librarian to worry if I’m going to spray everywhere, I could unironically use the loo, we quickly come across a great wall of books in the back.
‘That’s… underwhelming.’
In the section labelled as dungeons, most of it is empty with only a few dusty books left. There are even cobwebs scattered about, I guess these books have been here for a while.
Both of us find a table to sit at, far in the corner and away from prying eyes. Now, we should be able to find a little more info on the dungeons in this world.
But beforehand, Lena needs a little TLC.
“Sera… this city is really starting to test my patience.”
Still with her teeth grinding, Lena looks at me similar to how a dog trying to defend its owner might look. It’s an odd comparison but with how this city looks to my ears, it might for the best if we avoid these lands once this quest is complete.
Without even giving it a thought, I put my hand on her head and give her a smile. Hopefully these books are short but informative.
“Heh, we’ll be leaving soon, Lena. Keep it inside and hopefully we’ll find some bandits you can take that anger out on.”
“Yeah… I hope the next bunch don’t crunch too much. It’s not great for the teeth, ya know?”
‘Heh, just casual dragon problem. Would brushing them help? Would need a bloody big brush.’
Gigantic and bloody coated teeth aside, I wipe the dust off a dusty tome and position it between us. Let’s get researching…
What Exactly Is a Dungeon?
Spoiler
Many philosophers or mathematicians have pondered over this question for a lifetime, a phenomenon even the most educated struggle to come to understand. One of the rarest and most confusing mysteries Seraph has to offer.
To begin with, most who enter are underequipped and uncapable to survive, those deaths are countless yet unrecorded. What is recorded are the survivors and their tales, all telling differing and conflicting stories. Some are understandable, other’s less believable.
Some stories include, starting with, a fight of endurance having to survive one hundred floor to be reward with loot. Others state they’ve seen places and worlds that exist in fairytale, rumours of Seraphim’s holy temple, or even the world otherworlders come from. My favourite was hearing about a game where children are selected from twelve districts, all chosen to fight to the death. Some of these dungeons include incredible convoluted backstories as well.
There was even a report stating wizards took hold of one and were running amok, harnessing its power and pouring it into an unstoppable killing machine as big as a city. That may sound like fiction, but was confirmed years prior to me by the dwarven institution of technology.
So, what do we know for certain?
Dungeons are untapped beacons of energy and magic, dangerous to most but confusing to all. What happens inside is unconfirmed, but plenty of adventurers have tried exploring and exploiting them. There are no known guides on how to survive because each is unique and the survivors rarely tend to try their luck fighting through another.
If you ever happen to enter a dungeon, accidently or voluntarily, choose your steps very carefully. However, don’t be afraid to throw caution to the wind because those that have survived all have exhibited a can-do attitude. Illusions that confuse the mind are known to be common. Sometimes, the only way forward is to break through that illusion…
[collapse]
Suddenly, the book and my entire world go black, my vision darkening with the only sign being a giggle and a slight breeze coming from the back from the back of my neck.
“You’re not going to let me read today, are you?”
“Nope! Just buy a copy, then we can leave and do something better. I’m sure there’s a bathhouse around here somewhere, hehe.”
Of course, the restless dragon has gotten bored of reading together already, I’m not surprised at all. I can’t let her get away with being this cute though, can I?
“Lena… did you just sniff my hair?”
“O-Of course n-not, Sera! Y-You’re being crazy a-again.”
‘She’s so unbelievably easy to tease, I love it.’
Her hands immediately jump from my eyes and she puts them on her face, most likely to hide the blushing. Then again, she could now be smelling her hands, look at her being a loveable creep!
Now standing to my smell loving intruder, my hands wander to her hips and I gradually get closer. I’m slightly worried I may turn her entire face and hair red if I keep this up, her purpleness obviously being a side effect from all the blushing, right?
‘She really is adorable… think I’ll go down a different route.’
I close in for a kiss and she closes her eyes. However, I feel that is too easy, she did ruin our reading session.
“S-Sera! W-We’re in public, don’t start this a-again!”
Numb numb numb! Lena’s face floods with fluster and desperately looks around with embarrassment, only to see we’re completely alone. It’s not like I’m going to nibble her ear when we’ve got onlookers, am I? Seeing her reaction makes me want to do it in public though.
“Heh, don’t tempt me then, dragon. This book is important.”
“But it’s so boring when you read! Even eating wolf isn’t as bad as reading!”
Now pouting and crossing her arms at me, sometimes I wonder just how she managed to survive in human lands all this time. Three-hundred is obviously young for a dragon, right?
“You can always go do our chores for today if you want. We’ve still got to stock up on food and the likes.”
It either that or we engorge in godforsaken rabbit or forgeable food from the woods again. It’s not at all surprising that Lena frowns in response to me.
“Leave you all alone in this city of elf haters? You’re way too reckless, Sera. Go back to reading and I’ll give you a backrub instead.”
“Heh, so you can go straight back to smelling my hair again? I could understand if we had bathed recently… huh. I bet you’d be into strawberry scented shampoo.”
“That’s a thing!? Do they sell it here, Sera!? Screw this, I’m going shopping now!”
Disappearing in the blink of an eye, it looks like I’ve now lost my partner to her sense of smell. Am I happy being treated like an object for my scent? I don’t mind at all.
‘Heh… still can’t get that cursed image out of my head. Mistress Lena… I think she’d prefer the other side of things though…’