Chapter 98a: Tablet Monitor

Chapter 98a: Tablet Monitor

As they drew closer to the city, Edwin began to notice more and more side roads connecting to their main path. Then again, it wasnt all that surprising on further reflection. There was no way the single, unswerving main road managed to connect every minor settlement in the area, and the supplementary paths werent quite as straight as the cobbled street they currently were on, instead curving in to gradually join in with their current direction of travel.

It seemed likely that they were built in such a way that it would be relatively easy to get from Sheraith to wherever the roads led or vice versa, but they were very much optimized for travel to or from the nearest large city.

Rather clever, all told.

Of course, the increased road quantity also increased the amount of traffic they encountered. Sure, there were still the daily couriers running back and forth and travelers making long-distance treks, but now they were joined by local farmers hauling in their harvests to the city, small groups of individuals on their way to and way from laden with more manufactured goods there was apparently a market of some form going on.

The density of nearby buildings increased as well. Here, Edwin saw way more wooden structures than stone ones, and that led to significantly different architecture than hed normally been seeing in the stone-dominated Vinstead. Whereas there wood was only used for internals and a bit of structure, here it made up nearly all of nearly every building.

Oh yeah, what was up with the lack of wood in Vinstead? Edwin asked Lefi, There was a massive forest right there, why did everyone choose to use stone as their building material? Was there a fire at some point or something?

What do you know of the Verdant, and of Rhothos in general?

Edwin shrugged, Not a whole lot. I know that Vinstead is ancient, though, like predating the Empire old. And the Verdant is this big magical forest with lots of crazy stuff when you go further in, lots of great magical plants.

I see! Well, the Verdant is the nigh-literal heart of the southern half of the continent. It overflows with life and magic, only kept from encroaching upon and swallowing much of the continent in impenetrable woodlands by a mighty magical boundary. It took centuries to drive back the trees as far as they are now, and none wish to invite them back!

Edwin frowned, So what, theres a superstition that if people use wood in construction, itll weaken the boundaries of the Verdants containment? Not to insult anyone, but that seems kind of stupid. Stone has to be way harder to get and work with than wood.

Lefi shook his head, It is no mere superstition, my friend. It has happened thrice over in history that whereupon too much wood was used in Vinstead, the Verdant leaked and caused a multitude of wild creatures to be birthed within the city.

Wait, what? Like it just summoned bears or whatever?

The houses sprouted limbs and began to grow a canopy, birds claimed their roosts in those branches, and beasts and monsters began their hunt in the streets. Thus, wooden buildings are strictly limited. Lefi nodded in explanation.

You think theyd have learned after the second time, Edwin remarked.

Ah, but why would they pay heed to such a baseless superstition? the adventurer winked back at him, forcing Edwin to nod in concession.

How do you know all this stuff, anyway? Edwin had to ask, I thought you ran away from home when you were Yathals age or whatever. Howd you learn so much history?

Ah, you are mistaken in a pair of ways, you see? While I was still an Exceptional youth, my parents saw within me the greatness I was destined for and always encouraged me to fully realize myself- once it was clear that I was already free of the Management and wouldnt be able to rejoin regardless of what efforts they might endeavor to undertake.

Alas, one day bandits set upon my village and burned it to the ground. I escaped the destruction on account of my exceptionalism yet swore my revenge upon the perpetrators. To this day, I continue to stalk the land in search of their leader in the hopes of getting my revenge.

Wait, really? Im so sorry, I had no Edwin immediately felt bad, though a part of him still whispered, protagonist syndrome.

Ha! No, I merely proved far too Exceptional for my peers and thus the village head deemed that I was too much of a disturbance. He drove me out and thus began my true calling as an adventurer!

Are you messing with me again?

Not in this case, no. That is near enough to my history as to be sufficiently enlightening, however! Though in truth I was as eager to leave as they were to get rid of me- I was off on a treasure hunt, you see.

Treasure hunt?Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

There was a great bounty to be found and I sought to claim it. Powerful magical beasts may maraude the country at times, and if you can kill them before the Enforcer is called out their hides and meat can fetch truly wondrous prices!

Thats interesting, and its strange that they would allow that sort of behavior to happen. Doesnt that kill lots of people?

Lefi shrugged, I do not know that they care. Such activities are seen as exceptionally reckless and that said deaths would be inevitable so it matters not whether they die by a manticores venom or an oversized hole in the ground.

Is that in reference to something specific?

Manticore venom? Truly nasty stuff, it is! Completely incurable and is more potent the more Skills you have- particularly those meant to resist its effects. Never fought one and I hope I never have to, one scratch and youre as good as dead.

No, I meant the... oh, never mind. How do you know all of this stuff anyway? Like some of it Id understand, you just picked up a random bit of trivia here and there in your years of travel, but the thing about Vinstead? Howd you learn that?

Historical Recall! Such a marvelous evolution of the simple Recall skill, as it allows me to Recall things I had never learned akin to Common Knowledge. The two function together marvelously, I shall say.

You really do have a Skill for everything, dont you?

Every little thing!

Other than Stamina Manipulation, Edwin teased.

Oh, you little! Youll pay for that!

Edwin managed to dodge the good-natured cuff, his training sessions with Lefi not wholly worthless, but found himself suddenly drenched in cold water.

Hey! he yelled at Inion, who had snuck up behind him with a bucket.

Gotta watch out for danger from everywhere! No safety! she called back.

Experienced Lirasian Gatekeeper

The Gatekeeper looked at them- Identify flickering in concert with a couple of other Skills- and nodded. The one who seemed to be in charge of their inspection turned to Lefi, currently showing as an Adventurer-Mage. He made some gestures on a tablet- a literal tablet, not a computer. Just a slab of granite with some carvings on it- and started in with a set of questions.

Place of birth?

Riverbend, there was a hint of a laugh in Lefis voice, but the guard didnt seem amused, Rhothos, he finished, and the Gatekeeper nodded.

Current Registrar?

Rizzali of Vinstead.

Reason and date for leaving?

Desire to travel, visiting a friend and providing mentorship. Been on the road for two months or so.

Most recent stop?

Ashglen.

Family and given name?

Lefi Forolova.

There was a crack in the guards otherwise stoic faade and Edwin could have sworn the man glared at Lefi a bit behind his glimmer of recognition, Right. Reason and duration of visit?

Visiting a friend, possibly a month or two. The kid needs a helping hand and she can provide.

The guard pointed at Yathal, He yours, then?

As far as it matters.

Good enough. Planned location of stay?

Rented room, or also possible with friend.

Whos this friend?

Adventurer Rillah.

That got the guard to finally look up from his tablet, The daywasr?

Polyglot didnt translate the word, but given the mans tone it didnt sound complimentary, so Edwin didnt poke at it. He had a good enough idea, he felt.

Yes, her. Is that a problem?

The man snorted, Not one of mine. Seven or twelve.

Me and the kid or just me?

Both, but not the alchemist.

Twelve?

Twelve. Youre free to go elsewhere, Adventurer.

Twelve, Lefi agreed with a sigh and pulled out a small handful of silver. He dropped a number- Numeracy let Edwin cheat and count twelve- into the guards waiting palm. A curt nod later, the two spear-wielders withdrew and allowed Lefi, Yathal, and Kyni through. They slipped into the crowd, but Edwin saw a string of two Skills play- namely, Whispering and Yelling- as they passed through and whispered into his ear with Lefis voice.

Well be nearby and find you once you get through.

Fortunately, he knew basically what to do. It was the job of the Gatekeeper to ensure that only productive individuals would be let into the city- they assessed the potential value and risks they brought with them and set an entry price accordingly. Those who were sick or known troublemakers were usually refused outright, but Adventurers would usually get away with just a ridiculously high entry fee. He wasnt entirely sure why the man had listed two prices, but no real matter. He was hopeful hed be able to escape without one regardless.

Place of birth? the Gatekeeper asked once again.

I, uh think Im supposed to just show this in response? I dont think I should say much more than that. Edwin asked, pulling out a small token- his adventurer license, which had apparently at some point been updated to show his Ally of the Empire status according to Lefi. How the adventurer knew that he didnt know.

No, he has everything or he has all of the Skills dont count as explanations.

At first the gatekeeper didnt seem to pay too much to him, finishing up some sort of Skill-based interaction with his tablet before finally looking to study the small trinket, If you think thats supposed to Oh, now that is interesting. Step to the side, my lieutenant will be with you shortly.

What about my stuff?

It will go with you. Now, move.

Alright, alright, Edwin caved easily, mentally preparing himself for an Important meeting.