Chapter 52: Returning Home

At the sight of a bustling city, although the sun had just set and it is now night, people still flooded the streets decorated with different sorts of lit up signs for their stores, lanterns of various sizes beautifies the area even more.

Serene inhaled the smell of the air before exhaling it in a satisfied manner, "home."

The group had finally arrived in the capital after the long agonizing trip of almost a week. Lance figured since they were all still freshly beat up with two different missions, they should travel slowly and conserve energy since all that's left for them to do is to report everything to the guild.

But they thought head of the guild, Chief Calla would want to talk to them and verify whatever it was reported by the two councils, Edrei and Eric to her.

'Just one more stop and we can all have our rest,' Lance told himself to get it together. He's longing for his bed and wanted to get his long-awaited undisturbed sleep. He knew it was not just him, but knowing his teammates, some would surely return to their usual training routine, visit a pub and mingle with friends, and return home and carry out duties that must have piled up on their absence.

"Do we all have to show our faces to the guild, can't one of us just do it?" Serene said. Since this is her first group mission, and with how much she craves a huge ice-cold beer and shares her story to both Ivy and Robert, she wanted out.

Robert, the one who she sees as her father figure, always scolds Serene whenever she comes back from mission and would always ask her if she's injured or even bruised. He and his daughter Ivy would throw a fuss when they see even a slight mark on her body. They treasure her and care for her.

Lance's brow raised when he saw Serene took a quick peek at him, 'what does this girl want?'

"Don't tell me you're planning on escaping to rest?" Lance caught her and her plans.

"Well," she hid both of her hands behind her, playing with them, "can't we?"

Verin grinned, "We all must be present. This is our first mission as a group so we have to be there, who knows what will happen? That was a big mission as well."

"When the two of you goes on a mission, do you always report together?" she asked.

"We do, it is what it should be." Verin answered.

"Ugh," she slumped, "I am just so tired and can't wait to have my beer!"

She was so out of it, she did not notice her drool trickling down her chin.

"At least wipe that gross drool on your chin," Lance glared at her chin while handing out a handkerchief, "also, why are you planning on chugging down a beer? You had just recovered."

Serene's head burst in anger and smokes came out of her nostrils, "what are you saying chugging them down? I wasn't planning that. I was planning on enjoying them!"

"Is that not how you enjoy your beer?" Lance thought at that time they all drank in the quarters and watch Serene chugging beer one after another.

"NO IT IS NOT!" she screamed, "BESIDES, LILY HAD ALREADY FIXED ME SO I AM GOOD AS NEW!"

"I did not fix you," although her voice was quiet, they still heard her.

Serene's eyes grew wide hearing Lithea and not because she spoke, she is genuinely scared of her life now that she knew Lithea did not fix her.

"Wh-what do you mean?" she stuttered, checking her body and trying to feel any pain, "What do you mean you didn't fix me?"

Lithea innocently nodded, "I cure, I never fix. Besides, you weren't broken, just injured."

All of them blinked, and blinked again. They can't figure out if Lithea was being serious or joking to lighten the mood. But seeing her stoic expression, not even a glint of playfulness displayed in her eyes, they did not know whether to let it be or laugh.

"Ah," Serene is trying to not to laugh, "oh, yeah. That—that is right, ha ha ha, you can't fix what wasn't broken anyway. Ha ha ha."

"Oh, ha ha, yeah." Lance scratched his head, embarrassed at how he wanted to burst into laughing just a moment ago.

Thenea who is one of those who are only listening can't help but laugh awkwardly at Serene and Lance who misunderstood Lithea. It is true that it is hard to figure her out, but being with her for days and doing missions with her, it is not hard to know that Lithea's always serious and everything that comes out from her mouth are either true or what she actually believed in.

Verin cleared his throat and looked up, "you guys should prepare yourselves for the chief."

They finally are in front of the guild building.

"No matter what," Lance eyed each of them, "don't mind their words, okay?"

He doesn't want any more trouble, he wanted to rest as soon as all of it is over.

Verin is the only one who nodded and he turned to open the double doors. He was preparing himself for the rowdy adventurers and their loud drunken voices but to his surprise, inside was not the usual. No more clinking of beer mugs, spilled beers on the table and the floor, loud echoing laughs, a fight of boastings of their recent missions. There was none of it. What greeted them were low heads, quiet, and gloomy people.

It very unusual for the guild to have this kind of mood, usually it's always lively inside, but now, it is as if someone powerful was keeping them in their place.

Lance's brows knitted and was not unnoticed by the attendant at the front desk, she smiled when she saw them and was back to herself in a snap, "welcome back, esteemed adventurers."

It was Alice who greeted them.

"Hey, Alice," Lance waved his hand, "what happened here?"

His eyes returned to the quiet lot.

"Ah, well," she cleared her throat and leaned forward to whisper to him, "There are a lot of killed adventurers even on a low rank mission."

Lance's brows knitted even more, "what?!"

His loud voice caused the other adventurers to look at their direction, and unlike the usual ridicule they receive for being a ruby rank, they all lowered their heads even more. It is like they did not want to be seen by them.

"How unusual," Verin commented and walked up behind Lance, "what's wrong with these pigs?"

Before, they would get into fight for just one insult, but the lower ranks really did endure Verin's insult and kept their mouths shut.

This caused Verin to shiver, "what the hell?"

"I guess it's good for us?" Lance forced a smile as he shrug.

"Have they finally accepted the fact that we stand at the top?" Serene can't help but feel superior with the sight of the cowering tall and buff men.

"Now, now," Thenea let out a smile and patted Serene's back, "how about we report now so we can all rest?"

But the situation flipped after Thenea said those words, the cowering adventurers raised their heads and started screaming.

"What the fuck did you just said? Rest? How can you rest at a time like this?"

"You think this situation is a joke? You fucking ruby ranks! Just because you all are higher than us, you think you can throw our lives away?"

"They are probably laughing at us now that we are decreasing. They can all take the glory now."

"Useless piece of shit! Going to easy mission with high pay and leave the difficult ones to us. Look! Not even a scratch, not even a disheveled hair! They all had it good!"

The adventurers did not know what to do and how to react, they still have no idea what is going on yet they were being called out for something they did not do.

Is that the problem, not doing anything? But they all have a mission to take care of themselves.

"Ah," Alice sweats, "I will take you to Chief Calla now."

"Chief Calla? Aren't we supposed to report to you?" Verin asked.

Alice shook her head, "I was told to take you to her immediately."

"And by immediately you meant we have to argue with them," Serene pointed at the other side where the adventurers were, "no?"

Alice bowed as an apology, "my apologies Miss Serene."

"Never mind that," Lance tapped her shoulder gently, "take us to Chief Calla."

Serene wanted to say something but kept herself from doing so, she thought its best for her to save her energy than waste it on fights.

Once the group arrived in Calla's office, they all were silent.

She was sitting elegantly behind her desk, papers at hand. She looked at them with such seriousness like there's something she must figure out and hand it to them as soon as she's done.

The group was hoping that she won't utter another mission, they all wanted to rest. They have been all over the place in days.

Finally, Calla placed the papers down and had her elbows on the table, hands clasped together; she looked up to the people before her.

"Rubies," her tone is neutral, there's no hint of worries nor a hint of stress in it, but her deep eyes says otherwise, "both Edrei and Eric had already reported to me. And I am also well aware of how many of you were injured in those missions."

They mentally cursed, 'here it goes, another mission.'

"But there are low ranked missions that had been hard to deal with for our low ranked members," Calla pinched her nose before massaging the middle of her brows, "I would like to assign each of you to accompany these adventurers at some of their missions. I will have Rego draft which teams he thinks need one of you guys. For the meantime, please take some rest. You all need it."

They all felt a sense of relief, they will be assigned to smaller mission in the meantime, but there's also a creeping feeling of irritation to some of them. And it all is rooted to one source; the low ranks hatred towards them.

"Ah," Calla raised her finger, "before I let you go, since you all are gathered, you must have your sizes taken for your uniforms."

"Uniform?" Serene's eyes widened. What she liked the most about being in the ruby rank was to not have to wear uniforms, she has her own sense of style and having to wear plain boring clothes dreaded her.

"Is there a problem?" Calla tilted her head.

Serene gulped and was quick to respond, "No! Ha ha ha, there's not one bit of a problem, Chief, ma'am."

Thenea and Lance can't help but to snicker discreetly, it is obvious how Serene wanted to escape the situation.

Calla well knew Serene hated it, but it was already signed and passed by them, it is a must for the people to recognize them. What she doesn't know is that this specific uniform would only attract more insults to them. But of course, they wouldn't want to tell that to the chief, after all, it is only a small insult. Their skills can still speak for them.

"Then, you best visit the guild's commissioned boutique before you rest and have it done with."

"We will, Chief."

After they all left, Calla was still troubled by the unknown things that kept happening within the Kingdom. She thought after the rubies successfully solved the things at the two regions, it will be over. But with low adventurers being killed at low ranked missions, it is very concerning.

Calla rummaged through her drawers and took her stationaries and prepared a letter addressed to her most stubborn aide, Lord Ember. This will be a pain and will need time to be able to persuade him but she won't give up this time. If needed, she might threaten him a little if he's going to be adamant.

He has to let Thenea go and let her and Viv live with the others in the quarter. If not, it will only cause troubles with the team if they had to wait for them during missions. And now that there's a kraken waiting to swallow a large ship, they must prepare and capture it before it creates even more damage.

The large amount of deceased adventurers did not only lessen the manpower in the guild, but also discouraged people in joining the cause.

She had a feeling what happened in the three regions, the northern, the northeastern, and the eastern, was just the tip of what's about to come.

She has to prepare.

'If only you were here, then maybe, we won't be having this kind of problem with you guarding the kingdom.'

The group finally was able to relax and it is a must with how Lars walked in on all of them when he returned from training. The five of them, sprawled on the floor, panting, eyes black and deep, while both Lithea and Hugo had a gloomy energy while leaning on the wall.

'What the hell happened here?'

It was like he walked in a zombie hideout.

Just a moment ago, in the boutique Calla told them to go to the six of them were measured with ease. But when it comes to Viv, as he was the last one to get measured, he was making a fuss and moved so much the staff and all of them had to capture him.

He did not like the idea of other people touching him, it felt like they're going to harm him using the measuring tape. He wiggled and smacked a lot of staff, including some tailors and seamstresses. They had to tie him down just to get measured. It was the only way.

"Are you guys okay?"

"I don't wanna talk about it," Lance mumbled, his lifeless eyes never left the ceiling.

Lars could only smack his lips as he shake his head, he felt sorry at how troublesome their job is. While he only had to deal with Dash, they have to deal with a lot of people, and also their own people.

Lars could only laugh on the inside while pretending to cry for them. But he meant no harm, it was just funny for him he could cry while laughing. Such strong and skillful people yet they never were seen as one by others.

It's ironic.

The next day, it was almost noon when Lance opened his eyes. He was having a peaceful sleep when he jolted up as he remembered something.

"THE WAGON!"

He stared at his wall and took a handful of his hair, "wait, wait! How do I talk to Terrence?"

He bit his tongue as he dig deep in his brain for answers, "what must I do? What must I do?"

He sat straight and peeked under his bed, he saw a box with a bunch of locks on it, inside was his savings. If he can't calm and reason out with Terrence, which he pretty much believe he won't and it is understandable as it was him to lost his horses and wagon, he would just pay him the damage.

'I wonder how much I'm going to pay him. The rent for that wagon was originally five to six silvers at best.'

Lance can only sigh, and after beating himself up, he screamed.

"AAAARRRRGGGHHHH!"

Verin who had just finished his daily training routine, and Lithea who came back from the market to shop for lunch, heard Lance's cries and raised an eyebrow, 'what's wrong with him?'

"WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?!"

The two had their foreheads crease, having the same thoughts, 'is someone with him?'

It had already been over a week since the dreadful mission up in the Land of Scorpion but Pygmy is still traveling for west. They all picked different regions to make a home and Sylvestris, the elemental guardian of the wind, picked the west to settle in. He liked how the air carries all sorts of birds, bugs, and insects.

The sound of animals singing all day calms him. And although he carries such trustworthy gaze, Sylvestris is the least trustworthy out of the four. He, if needed, will not hesitate to flip and betray those who had asked his protection. He dislikes anything vexing, and everything—at least to him—is.

Despite his attitude, he is still a very diligent guardian. He is the most hardworking out of the four. And with such vast holdings to look after, nothing escapes from his winds. Not even the most treacherous stench of all kind.

He is the most powerful out of the four, second to him was Nymph, followed by Vulcanos, and lastly, Pygmy.

Pygmy, just like Nymph, can easily become powerful, but because she chose life over power, she did not hone her spiritual power like the others making her the weakest out of the four.

She was getting tired, without rest for over seven days straight, spiritual beings could potentially get weak until they restore their energy by taking it easy. And since she's in a hurry, she's been using her power to hurry her travels. Not to mention she had her invisibility at all times to avoid being seen by humans at dangerous areas.

She was almost there.

Pygmy can see the tip of his house, it was behind a boulder. To people, it as just a mountain behind the boulder, but it was Sylvestris' home, it was just an illusion he put up to avoid them going inside and ransack his domain.

"Please, please be there."

Although she immediately came to see him, she still is unsure if he was there. Sylvestris still do travel to do his duties and is not always at home like her and the others.

"I don't know what to do if you're not there. Still, I can still wait for you until you show up."

Face to face with the boulder, she closed her eyes and exhaled slowly.

"Okay, let's go before someone sees."

Pygmy touched the boulder using the arm where her elemental tattoo is, and once it glowed, the boulder became opaque and let her step inside.

She was not surprise to not see even the shadow of Sylvestris, but what caused her eyes to widen were the disarranged things inside. It was very unlike Sylvestris who dislikes even a slightest move of his things.

"What happened here?"

She walked around, taking in the situation. Investigating on her own would lead her to nothing; she doesn't have a single culprit in mind. Pygmy kept walking and trying hard to remember where things were to come up with her own scenario of what could have possibly happened.

If Sylvestris was throwing a fit, he would not take it out on his treasured stuff, instead, he would just simply create a windstorm at most.

Then her head whipped to where he usually sets his summoning creatures, they are the ones he uses to deliver word to the three that they are needed by him with the type of urgency. But the three summonses aren't there as well, and there was no trace of them being taken. Their dome glass home wasn't touched, the things inside were arranged as well.

"Did something happen to him after he sent the three?"

Pygmy shook her head and made up her mind, 'no, I will have to go to Nymph next.'

She turned around and was ready to take off again when something clinked and stopped her tracks. But before she could move, a smoke broke out and took her consciousness little by little. And not long, Pygmy fell and was in deep sleep. Before her body could hit the ground, a pair of ivory skinned arms caught her.