Chapter 70 - 70

"Might I ask, what the reason was for the secrecy?" Vala asks, the first she's spoken in a while, and the Noble appears to have missed the presence of the two identical demons.

"The family faces hostile takeover, looking to claim our title by marrying off the next generation into their families. At level 5 and so young they can't do much to fight back, so we sent them to a safe place to get stronger. As long as they make level 30 before they return they should be fine. The nobles don't exactly grind levels in the dungeons or on the front lines."

They talk about noble politics while they walk and Cain learns a lot about the inner working of the city. Only a few titled families live in town, including those two, and everyone else wants a piece of the benefits granted to them. All fighting for wealth and power, but limited by their lack of title, as their families are many generations removed from the titled beginnings they trace their nobility to.

The two worried mothers smile when Cain enters and holds up messages with their family seals on them. He sets the letters in front of them without a word and lets them read.

"The Mission Hall Master is a genius. We would never have thought to hide them there, and they'll certainly get stronger stomachs in a place like that." One woman smiles. Once they're both done reading Vala picks up the letters and burns them to ash with Hellfire. Cain doesn't think anyone managed to sneak a look, but better safe than sorry.

"They'll return when they're ready, no need to worry about them for now." He assures their families.

On his way out of the Cafe he's 'befriended' by an obviously fake adventurer. He might have a system interface, but he doesn't use it. His armor doesn't have a mark on it and his shoes are polished.

"Tough mission today with these lovely ladies?" The man asks in a jovial voice.

"Not too bad." Cain shrugs, "Just a couple day trip."

"If it were me I'd have ditched the Noble brats in the woods." he says in a leading tone.

"Don't tell anyone, but I sold them to the Debtors Regiment in Peaceful Valley." Cain whispers. Debtors Regiment is what the locals call the conscripts, many who were jailed for unpaid taxes, who are forced to fight on the front lines in a city's defense force to clear their sentence. Sending kids there is a death sentence.

"Good on you then." The man chuckles and saunters away.

'Bunch of morons' Cain thinks to himself, headed back to the Guild House. But at least nobody will suspect the two posing as level 23 Elven siblings at the Magic Academy are the level 5 heir and heiress they're looking for.

A magic academy is a curious thing. The education plan lets the students learn spells as if they'd used a book drop. The kids that graduate have a wide of grade F and D magical skills in their repertoire, mostly non combat, making them ideal to run magic based businesses.

There's a rather ragged looking Spirit Folk kid with a cloth bag slung over their shoulder standing on the sidewalk outside the Guild House staring at the door when they come down the street. Cain stops Vala so they can see what is going on. The kid walks back and forth a few times, then stops at the end of the walk, getting a determined look, but stopping before taking a step into the property.

"You've got it kid, just have confidence in yourself." Cain says as he walks up.

"Thanks mister, but what if they turn me down?"

"Well, what do you want to ask? Maybe I can help." Cain smiles, realizing the kid doesn't know who he is. Cain looks them over using his interface.

[Name] Kone

[Level] 32

[Class] Druid

A Spirit Folk Druid? That explains the ragged appearance, Char has a very primal look as a Spirit Folk Shaman and druids are at least that level of isolated from modern civilization.

"Well, you see, I heard the Guild is all female and multi species friendly, so I wanted to apply, but I get so nervous about being rejected that I keep chickening out before I leave the sidewalk."

"There's one man in the Guild, but the rest is right. We've got humans, Elves, demons, pixies, Spirit Folk and Dwarves. We're members you see." Vala smiles at the Druid.

"Well now I've embarrassed myself. I'll just go, I think." Kone says dejected.

"No need for that, I'll put in a good word with the Guild Master for you." Vala laughs. "I'm sure they'll give you a chance."

"So, do you prefer combat, or do you have a trade skill?" Cain asks gently.

"Druids start with herbalism and alchemy, so I've been working on those. I just got here from the Elven Woods and I'm a bit under level, but I've got a pretty solid Bear Form for combat." She says gaining some confidence.

"Plus, of course I have Spirit Circle and Healing Factor maximized for the healing side of things."

Max looks over the basic templates for his summoned Companion and doesn't find any Druid, so it's an advanced class for sure, not one that gets healing late like Shaman. One of these days he's going to memorize those character creation options he promises himself.

"Healing and a bear form? That should be a pretty good combination. Sounds like you've been in the woods a while. Our Pixie, Elmira had that same problem. Why not come on and meet the Guild? It's time for lunch anyhow." Cain ushers the shy Druid in before she can think of a way to mount an objection.

"Everyone welcome Kone, a Spirit Folk Druid. She would like to audition for the Guild, so please make her feel at home." Cain calls loud enough the others should hear him, except maybe Dimnys in the Forge.

"Oh, but she's adorable. Can we keep her?" Char smiles as she comes down the stairs.

"That's the idea. Don't scare the poor girl away." Vala laughs. "Kone, this is Char, a Shaman. Forgive her abundance of mom energy, she loves meeting new people. Behind her, coming down the stairs is Mythryll, and that's Elmira riding on her shoulder. Misha, our Guild cleric is somewhere, likely in her room Tailoring, and Dimnys, a Dwarven warrior is probably in the Forge."

"We're not a huge Guild, but sometimes that's a good thing. The dining room is this way, and I can smell lunch already.." Cain ushers Kone through the door and asks Ciara and Clara to go get the remaining two, and tell them the Guild has a potential new member.