339 Adventure –

The two soon came upon the mighty castle walls of Thrud Castle. 

Bethel, still riding upon Terry's shoulder. Was entirely within tourist mode. Simply enjoying the ride, the adventure and taking in the fresh and unpolluted air of this world.

"Halt! State your identity and purpose!"

Dozens of soldiers primed their arrows at her. Snatching her attention away from the aesthetically pleasing stone walls, decorated with the kingdom's banners. Seeing the knights and soldiers clad in armour, and mostly unmoving. Honestly, she almost believed herself to be entering a museum.

Before her daydream even ended, one of the knights who had a passive that naturally boosted his eye sight. Noticed the emblem upon her back and shoulders. 

"Stand down! That's His Grace's knight!" Whilst this knight had been stationed long enough to having received Asai's help from the battle. The newer knights could only question the man's certainty.

"You mean, the duke of war, Asai De Trichia? The hero of Thrud Castle?"

The knight simply nodded whilst grinning. Proud of being there to fight alongside such a mighty man. Although he was mostly fighting alongside Robin and the dwarves, he didn't let the little details bother him. Their conversation being up upon the walls. Bethel down below was completely oblivious to their misunderstanding.

"Let them through!"

The mighty castle gates opened. As Bethel and Terry entered. The soldiers grateful to Trichia's support and timely intervention showered her with military rations and best wishes.

"System?"

[??]  [??]  [??]  [??]  [??]  [??]  

The system, still unable to show her any information on targets other than herself and monsters/beasts. Simply gave her question marks.

"You guys don't care about my pet?" Bethel pointed to Terry, who was nervously surrounded by knights fully prepared for war. Although they weren't hostile at all, and were simply daring one and another into petting the beast.

The knight thought about how best to answer. Afraid of offending duke De Trichia.

"Well, Your lord, His Grace. Is known to surround himself with anything and anyone. As long as they're capable, strong and reliable. Thus, your pet lycan is nothing special." Bethel, still mostly unlearned, and not comprehending the way nobility traverses dialogue, didn't catch the "Your lord." part.

Seeing the girl continue her intrusive gaze, he caved in and explained himself.

"His Grace, Asai De Trichia travels alongside humans, half-elves, elves, dark-elves, dhans, dwarves and even the undead. Many of these different races and sentient species we weren't even aware of until he forged friendly ties for us, humanity.

And our enemies, the dekans. They're reportedly able to command beasts like kobolds and gnolls."

Bethel nodded, apparently understanding.

"I see, so the duke is a necromancer?" The tunnel-vision within this girl was indeed strong. "Thank you. I best get going now."

The knight saluted her, before gifting her Thrud Castle's badge.

"Wear this, and you won't be stopped at any of our check points. I'm sure you must be busy."

Bethel stared into the man's eyes for moments longer before accepting it.

"The men here, they're not as horny and perverted as the people back in Einhoren? I guess.. Not all men are bad? Or maybe, the tutorial area had the lowest budget? And this new area is where the funds went? So these NPCs have better dialogue and personality designs huh?

Yep, that's probably it. I've just been unlucky, and meeting only the shit ones. Until... Until, I met the duke? Does that mean meeting the duke, and fighting him was the end of my tutorial and the beginning of the main questline!? Sweet!

I guess I must be on the right track. North it is!"

"Terry! Come!"

Terry, eagerly jogged on over to his master and protector. Hoping the little human who appeared to hold authority over the thousand humans dressed for battle, would protect him. Quick to kneel, allowing her ascension onto his shoulders. The lycan felt invincible, the moment he stood up again. Proudly displaying the little human girl who kept playing with the fur upon its head. A Lucky charm in which the rest of the humans saluted, made way for, and opened the gates for.

"Wow, this human is amazing... Am I... Actually lucky to be serving her?"

At the final wall, that had already been built prior to Victor's leave. A knight trotted over to gift the girl the latest report. Something she easily accepted as a random act of kindness, or perhaps due to pretty previlege.

"The far north is where our two enemy kingdoms lay, All humans are forbidden to travel northwards until Her Majesty decrees so. For those who were tasked with scouting, and mapping the lands. Head east, where you'll find the majestic statue of Goddess Roha, sister of Goddess Loha. East of the unmissable statue, are the lands and territory not yet charted by humanity.

To all would be explorers, tread carefully as the deadlands is infested with monsters and beasts alike."

"I see, so north is the end game zone, so its sealed. And I need to head east, for my quest?"

"That way Terry! Lets go!"

"Arooooooof!"