The Connection Between the Strong and the Weak

[Afred POV]

With the task given to me, I will try to complete it to the best of my capabilities. Though it seems I have mostly come empty-handed in this particular task. Diligently checking over 20 traces of adventurer cards, many were either found dead or missing, mostly dead.

Looking toward the chaotic rumbles and destruction happening not far from us, I pull out a puff and give it a puff.

FFFF Puffff...

While some jobs aren't the most exciting, every job must be done to ensure stability.

'Maybe I should take a vacation soon.'

Puffff... Tap tap tap tap..

"Captain, another dead confirmed.

FFF Pufffff... *sigh*

"Name?"

"Fraiser Vay, Captain."

Pulling a piece of paper and a pen, I write down the name, which completely fills the already-filled paper.

"Fraiser Vay, may you rest in peace. Alright, let's get back to camp to see if there are any others. "

Putting the paper and pen away, I crush the puff and throw it away. There are probably a few dozen others out there that we don't know about. The basic Guild Disk can't detect mana signals through rock, plenty of folks may be buried or lost in the labyrinth of caves.

Tic... SLASH!!

Hearing an unfamiliar sound that none of my men would produce, I unsheath my sword while spinning around. The result was a stone monster, cut in two with its arms still held high. It also induced many whispers from my team.

"Did you see that?"

"Yeah, I did."

"If it was me, I won't have noticed and died."

"Yeah, me too"

'...'

"With enough training, you'll get to my level in no time."

"YES, CAPTAIN."

'Well, at least their hearts are in the right place.'

After a couple of minutes of tracking, my team passes through the barrier of the camp. I quickly head to the Guild Disk to see if any new signals were found. As I get in sight of the Guild Disk, I see My Lady and Sir Earnest standing there. Stella was issuing orders while Sir Earnest was there just waiting.

"My Lady, had there been any new signals?"

"Hmmmm, actually there was, I was so busy that I forgot about it. Hmmm, it only was on screen for half a minute was I saw that it was moving so there's someone out there. It was in this area."

"Thank you, My Lady."

Looking one more time at the area that My Lady pointed to, I quickly return back to my team.

"Get ready, we can a confirmed survivor.*sigh* Someone get Jerry out of the bathroom."

"Yes, Captain."

Not waiting for my new recruit to finish his business, I rush outside the barrier. Vaulting and moving through the tattered terrain, I soon arrive in the general area Stella pointed to. As I began my search, my team slowly all arrived.

"2 minutes late. You need to understand the situation we're in. Two minutes is two too many. Get searching!"

"As you say, Captain."

As my team scattered in search, I myself return to the search as well.

'I wonder why they didn't just run toward the barrier. It's not far and all of the stone monsters have been cleared out from the combat team.'

As I continue to scour the area, I feel like laughing at the state of the Adventurer Guild. The guild is right next to an S.T.A. but there was not a single person with a reconnaissance skill assigned or present. You really just can't compare to the larger cities. They take all the best resources and people leaving behind nothing for the ones who are the most vulnerable.

"Captain, I think I found them!"

Hearing a call from one of my team members, I quickly run over as the rest of the team also returns from their scattered positions. Arriving at the scene, the guard points into the crevice of a large rock formed with the cave wall. Looking inside, I see the bodies of Jaque and a kid. Moving inside, I go up to them and check their pulse.

"Their alive."

wooooah!

With the silent celebration of the team, I pass the child to someone else while I carry Jaque on my shoulder.

"Captain, should we take this bag of items as well."

"No need, we got what we came for."

After a slow walk back to camp, I bring Jaque and the kid to Stella to signal the completion of my task.

"JAQUE!! ARIUS!! What are they doing here?"

"My Lady, you didn't know?"

"I didn't!!!"

I didn't know how to feel. My Lady, crying while hugging two boys. She didn't even know that they were in danger. Turning to Sir Earnest, who equally had a weird expression on his face, I ask him if he knows anything.

"Sir Earnest, did you know anything about this."

"Hmm, right at the cusp of sunrise, they appeared at the depot asking for some Fonotavic Dust. They left after I told them that the entire stock was bought out."

"WHAT! It was that Mr. Doherty. wasn't it?"

"It makes the most logical sense, My Lady."

Typically the stock of Fonotavic Dust is never empty simply because there is a very small demand for it. While it is difficult to source, even the small amounts that get retrieved on accident start to build up. Other than selling it to merchants, the only other consumer of Fonotavic Dust was Mr. Doherty's workshop.

"I'm gonna give him a piece of my mind once I see him agai-"

"Phew, man, I worked up a sweat, Krast. Want to get some beer later?"

Speak of the devil, Mr. Doherty just happened to step foot into the camp. Looks like all the stone monsters were exterminated. Quite impressive considering that there were thousands and it only took them a few hours.

"DOHERTY!!!"

I probably need to tell Sir and Madam about considering giving lessons to Stella on how to control her emotions.

"Oh, Stella. Why you so excited?"

"Why did you send Jaque and Arius to this S.T.A.?"

"Looks like they're safe, good to know."

"GOOD TO KNOW, Do you know what could've happened?"

"Don't worry Jaque's got a thing for surviving the impossible, the lil kid too."

"YOUUUuuu.."

Seeing that everything has returned to normal, I walk back to all the guards resting and getting ready to change out of their uniforms.

"Everyone, I like to thank you for your hard work today but we still have one last task to do."

As everyone was confused as to what task they still had to do, I pull out a paper, filled with many different names. The group of guards that were with me immediately realized and had a bit of sadness and sorrow plastered on their faces. The rest grew increasingly confused at the situation.

"I count 23 confirmed deceased or missing. It's our responsibility to deliver this news to their families. Each family will be given 50 silver coins as well."

Taking out a bag of coins, I know 50 silver is definitely not enough but this is as much as we can afford. After the creation of Euqolia, the council issued a universal coin to allow for faster unification. Denominations going from Copper, Silver, Gold, and Platinum from smallest to largest. I've only ever seen one platinum coin before but there may be higher denominations too. Each is worth 100 of the smaller denomination with 1 copper roughly buying a single person's meal.

Leaving the S.T.A. and arriving in town. While the rest were partying at the local bar. My teams and I work far past sunset to bring important news to families as quickly as possible. Seeing the tears and emotions of the townsfolk, and the connections I form with the townsfolk is the reason why I'll continue serving for the rest of my life.

...

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Dakria's Fun Fact: Back in the day, Dwarven currency was of course metals and ores. Specifically the more common ones. Copper, silver, gold, platinum, titanium and many others were there. I can confidently say the Dwarf's wealth could stand head to head-with the wealth of many of the major clans and groups of races.