Exiting the guild, Albert leads Quinn through Orbis. Today didn’t go as Quinn had expected, but this chance had been his lifeline. He does wonder, though, exactly what he is supposed to do on this expedition.

  “So, what exactly is this expedition anyway?”

  “...” Albert pauses for a moment, perplexed that there was someone who agreed to the expedition before knowing what it was. “You’re not from here, are you, Quinn?”

  “No. Why can only residents partake in it?”

  “Of course not. It’s just that- It’s a very honorable task, but it’s just as dangerous.”

  “Is that right?” Quinn remains unfazed. The reward was more than most people would see in their lifetimes, so he had already deduced it would be risky from the start. “So, what is it?”

  “Simply put, it’s a grand monster subjugation quest. The Aksha Kingdom borders the Primal Forest, a home to many unique monsters that sometimes leave the forest and wreak havoc through the land. We are the strongest and closest city to the forest. So we are the main force that sends our people to dispose of the monsters that are about to cross the border.”

  “Why haven’t you pushed further into the forest? Then you wouldn’t have to do this as often?” Quinn wonders

  Albert shakes his head. “We can’t, it’s too dangerous. We can barely manage to kill the monsters that live on the outskirts. Going further in would be a death sentence.”

  “How strong are they?”

  “Let me ask you this. Why would someone leave the safety of their home and risk the dangers of going to someone else's territory?”

  Quinn ponders for a moment. “Fear,” He finally said, thinking about his own reason for abandoning his family.

  “Correct. The ones that come out are among the weakest in the forest. A stronger predator took over their homes. With nowhere else to go, they leave to find a new place to live.” Albert points to his insignia on his chestplate. “The very first expedition took place over three hundred years ago, in the 276 calendar year of the new age. Back then, a giant serpent emerged from the forest and killed millions. It was then that many came together, led by a woman named Katarina Verdey. She was a fierce and unstoppable sword grandmaster who took the beast’s head. Suthil’s emperor bestowed the title of Duchess upon her. She made the serpent’s head her insignia, and since then, the Verdey family has led every expedition. Even now, this expedition is led by my Lady, Louise Verdey. The future head of the family. We are to assist her in any way during her battle.”

  “We are putting our lives in the hands of a single person?”

  “My Lady isn’t just anyone; she was born with immense talent with spirit magic. At just the age of Sixteen, she formed a pact with two high-ranking spirits. Now at twenty-three, she reached the rank of a grand wizard, just a single step away from an archmage, the highest rank for mages.”

  Albert happily talks on and on. When the topic of Louise came up, he would proudly speak of her achievements and of how wonderful a person she was.

  “Alright, I get it. Anyways, how many people are currently going?” Quinn grows tired of Albert’s rambling and tries to get back on the main topic.

  “...”

  Albert suddenly comes to a stop, and Quinn, who wasn’t looking in front of him, bumps into him. It was as if slamming face-first into a brick wall. Albert then turns around to face Quinn.

  “What the hell? Don’t just randomly stop in front of someone.” Quinn gets impatient as he rubs his forehead.

  “Umm, about that. The number of volunteers we get is getting fewer and fewer. Which is why we raised the pay, but even then it wasn’t enough, and we were only able to get six adventurers besides Grant.”

  “Six? That’s it?” No wonder Grant was able to stay hired for as long as he was. They were desperate. Quinn figures. “I assumed more people would jump on the chance to become filthy rich.”

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  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to trick you into joining. Although I did withhold critical information, I hope you will still be willing to help us.” Albert lowers his head, pleading with Quinn.

  Quinn walks past Albert, who still has his head lowered.

  Right, anyone would walk away in this situation. It’s only natural to be scared and refuse. Even I sometimes have second thoughts about the expedition. Albert, sadly, reasons that Quinn has made the right choice for his survival, though it is still disappointing.

  “Are you just going to keep standing there?” Quinn calls back to Albert. Albert lifts his head and eyes Quinn. “I don’t know where we’re going, so you need to lead.”

  Albert expected Quinn to back down after hearing the shocking news of their lack of manpower, yet it seems as if he isn’t fazed at all. If anything, Albert is the one who's left stunned by Quinn’s nonchalant response. ‘Guess there’s more work that I have to do,’ is the attitude Quinn extruded. Is this confidence, or simple arrogance? Albert assumes.

  “Ah, right, of course… Thank you, Quinn. Truly, thank you.” A big smile spread across Albert's lips.

  Quinn gets slightly embarrassed by Albert’s gratitude in the middle of the city. It was dark out, but many people were still walking the streets.

  “Enough, I get it. Just get a shit ton of money ready for me once we return.”

  “I will inform my Lady to prepare the appropriate amount for your dedicated work.”

  “As you should.”

  “...”

  “What now?”

  “Umm, if you don’t mind me asking, Quinn, just how old are you?”

  “Huh?”

  “I apologize if it sounds rude, but you appear young, yet you're so confident in your abilities, so I was just wondering how experienced you were.” Albert regrets opening his big mouth, believing his question offended Quinn.

  Quinn lets out a deep sigh, “I turn fourteen in six months.” Quinn crosses his arms and answers.

  “Pardon? Thirteen? That means you really are just a kid.” Albert’s jaw drops.

  “So what? You already promised to pay me, so it’s too late to change your mind now. Unless you weren’t actually that desperate for help.”

  “No, we are, but that’s not the issue here. Where are your parents?” Albert is genuinely curious about Quinn’s family, but the other part of him hopes to recruit them as well. If their child was strong enough to subdue Grant, then the parents are sure to be strong allies.

  “...”

  Albert’s hopes disappear just as quickly as they had appeared. Quinn looks away from Albert’s eyes, and a sad expression settles over Quinn. Orphans aren’t a rare sight, especially in a dangerous Kingdom like Aksha.

  He said he wasn’t from here. How long had he been traveling alone? Albert wonders, imagining the struggles Quinn had endured. His empty eyes made sense now that he knew more about him. It was probably not that long ago that he had lost his family. The thought of such sorrows cast a shadow over the two. Not knowing what to say next, they stop talking and resume walking.

  Quinn silently follows Albert, observing the brimming nightlife. This is a first for him, seeing so many people gathered around putting up tents and hanging decorations. A celebration, perhaps, Quinn thinks.

  “It’s a farewell for us.” Alfred breaks the silence. He noticed Quinn’s wandering eyes ever since they had entered the city square.

  “For us? Ah, the expedition. Wait, why is there a celebration before we leave instead of when we return? Isn’t it backwards?”

  “Because there’s a chance not everyone will return.”

  “...”

  “This is a standing tradition here in Orbis. Each time we venture into the Primal Forest, we hold a festival. It’s a way for the people to express their gratitude to those who risk everything to push back the monsters that emerge from the forest. We are meant to enjoy the event to the fullest for two nights before we depart on the second night. We are reminded of exactly what we are fighting for, and if we die, it will be without regret.”

  “Right. We leave in a couple of weeks.” Quinn agrees to participate for the money he will receive. At first, he thinks it is a ridiculous amount for such a simple hunt, but after leaving the adventurers' guild and learning more about it, he realizes that calling it ‘simple’ is a complete understatement.

  A festival is held whenever a monster is reported near the border, and in the past, thousands of people have signed up to fight them. However, only a fraction of them return.

  The survivors are hailed as great warriors. They are treated with respect and spend the rest of their days in comfort. Grant had dreamt of such an extravagant life; he was confident in his abilities and was sure he would be among the few to survive.

  How many people will die this time? Albert lets his mind wander.

  “Where are we going, anyway?” Quinn finally asks after blindly following Albert for quite some time. They were now on the outskirts of the city, where plenty of nobles lived. Each and every house was big and expensive.

  “Don’t worry, we’ve arrived. Welcome to the Verdey estate.” Albert stops in front of a gated road. Two city guards stand by the gate. As soon as they see Albert, they open the gate, revealing a massive house in the distance.