Chapter 6: Lord

After what seemed to be ages, Aqua seemed to open her eyes when she felt something cold was pressed to her shoulder. When she slowly opened her eyes, she saw a hand that was near to her face. It stopped briefly before her face before taking the cold cloth away.

Then she saw a maid. A black haired girl with green eyes was looking down on her. Aqua guessed that she was laid down in the carriage because she could see the roof of the carriage. The maid then said in a monotone voice.

"My Lord, our guest seems to be awake."

The Aqua heard another voice near to her. A voice of a male.

"So it seems, Mia. Thank you for taking care of her."

The maid bowed as she replied.

"It is my duty as a servant to follow your orders. Then I will be in the front, my Lord."

After saying that, the maid named Mia opened the door of the moving carriage before jumping out and closing the door?

Then she tried to look at the man who was inside the carriage with her. Aqua was tongue-tied at the appearance of the man. He was a blond haired man with green eyes. He was very handsome as his countenance oozed confidence and righteousness. She was sure that if she was not a male inside she would have heart sticking out of her eyes. It also seemed that he was someone of very high standing due to the fact that he was wearing quite an appearance grabbing white and dark blue clothes. Aqua tried to thank him by trying to stand up.

"Thank you... Aaah!"

But a sharp pain hit her shoulder as she flinched in pain when she tried to stand up. Wasn't her [HP] supposed to be full? The man spoke.

"Please, still rest. You survived from being chased after by the Goblins. The Goblins are known to take females for.... unsavory purposes."

Then he made himself comfortable in his seat as he spoke on.

"It seems that you also have low [Pain Resistance] if the effect of the wound still lingers. Which begs the question: What were you doing in the forest?"

Then the carriage descended into silence as both of them did not talk. The man was looking quite intently at her. She just hoped he was not thinking of doing anything to her. Right?

"Hmm... Looking at your face you looked like someone from the Western harbor or the Northern part..."

He seemed to look at the confused face of Aqua.

"Well that aside, my name is Noir von Strava. Well what is your's, my fair lady?"

After a little bit of hesitation, she replied her name.

"Aqua."

He nodded as he casually asked.

"So what were you doing in the forest. You'd either be a daring one or an idiot to go to the uncharted parts of the forest."

Aqua decided to tell half-truth. She clutched her head with her hand as if having headache as she spoke.

"I-I don't really know.... I don't remember everything before I came to in the forest here. I don't know where I am, either."

Which was kind of true in a sense that she did not know where she was. She really didn't know anything except she was in the world of Vesperia. Noir just quirked an eye at that, thinking of something which Aqua could not discern. He replied.

"It seems you are not telling a lie but you are probably not saying the truth either. Well, you are right to be wary of others if what you were saying is correct. So, what will you do? You are in a foreign land without much help and I guess you don't have money either."

Aqua nodded. Noir seemed to ponder for a bit before saying.

"As your savior, I just can't simply leave you to fend yourself. I guess I will help you a little bit."

Aqua seemed to be grateful for a bit before hesitation marked her face. Noir chuckled at her face.

"I just can't leave an helpless person, whom I just save, alone. You are new to this place and it is my duty as a Lord to help my people. Since you are in my domain, you are one of my people."

Noir simply said as he closed his eyes. Before she could say anything a shout was heard.

"My Lord, the town is near!"

Possibly one of the guard. He nodded as he looked at Aqua.

"Well, what you can do is become an 'Explorer' to earn money."

" Explorer? "

Aqua was intrigued. Noir nodded as he said.

"Explorer are, in simple term, people who explore. The world of Vesperia is vast as not even the ruler of Duchy knows his territory entirely. So with the 10 Lords of 10 Duchy, they created an organization called "The Expedition" to explore the uncharted regions of the world as well as to battle Monsters that dwell in these uncharted lands."

Aqua nodded, intently listening like a student. It vaguely sounded so similar to 'Adventurer Guild' in those old RPGs. Noir continued on.

"Even though it is funded by the Lords of Duchy, it can be said to be an independent organization that works for the welfare of the public foremost with minimal influence of the Lords. But there are ranks tied to an Explorer's combat Level and accomplishments."

But before they could continue, the carriage stopped. The door opened and the maid Mia told Noir.

"We have arrived to the destination for the guest. In front of the 'Expedition' of the town."

"You know me well, Mia."

Mia just bowed.

"My Lord always sends people here if they don't have anything to do. So it is a given, I have also prepared some remuneration which are just enough to join as an Explorer as well."

She showed a leather pouch on her hand which jingled a bit. Noir nodded before looking at Aqua and smiling kindly that put models to shame in her world.

"It seems our short meeting will have to end. This is the registration place for Explorers. After all if I explained everything then listening to the receptionist would be quite boring. You don't need anything except some money to register."

Aqua looked at the pouch given to her and nodded dumbly before the maid grabbed her hand. Then she proceeded to flip her over and away from the carriage.

'Huh?'

Aqua laid dazed at the ground but she could hear the guards chuckle at the display. Other people around her simply shook their head as if it was common scene. Then the carriage left with the guards in tow.

Aqua stood up blushing in embarrassment. She dusted her clothes a bit but she could hear people whispering.

"It's 5th this time. That little maid sure knows how to deliver people."

"Well, we are blessed to have such a kind Lord who helps people a lot."

"She is there to limit what Lord would spend after all. He cares little for worldly possession."

"He has been making quite a trip? What's going on?"

"Didn't you know? There is an [Ancient Ruin] nearby. An expedition was formed of both Explorer as well as the Army so he is here to check progress."

Aqua quickly looked at the building in front of her and entered it to register as an Explorer. She probably scampered in order to get away from the crowd that seemed to be quite loose-lipped for reasons unknown.

'So that person was a Lord? He was scary....'

Meanwhile inside the carriage, Noir chuckled as the maid narrowed her eyes.

Then, Noir simply asked in exasperation.

"Couldn't you be more gentle? She is a frail girl after all when compared to you."

The maid looked at him in displeasure as she replied.

"You should be careful, my Lord. Intel suggests Assassins prowl the area in the hope that you would take them in like you always do. What would you do if they were dangerous?"

Noir just shook his head.

"Have some faith in me will you? Besides she is not even level 10. Hardly a threat. Despite having such a stunning look, her mannerism on the other hand portrays her as a man. Sitting like a man with legs open, quite not what I had expected."

He seemed to be in thought while the maid hissed muttering something like a 'harlot'.

"Quite strange, such habit is expected of a bold woman but she displays neither the boldness nor the ability to mask her emotions on her face. Hahahaha."

Then, he looked out from the window into the town as he mused.

"Besides, her stats were a lower than what her level suggests meaning she is one of the 'Accursed'....."

The maid stopped her complaining as she seemed to look at Noir while he looked at the sky.

"Mmhmm this trip did come out as fruitful one. I can guess that she seems to be an interesting case."

The maid sighed.

"My Lord, you and your curiousity is going to be the end of me."