It's only been a few days since Ellis took control over the quest. And, if Michael was being honest, there wasn't great feedback on the adventurers having to take orders from someone that they had to look down on in order to talk to. But Ellis was the only person that decided to take responsibility over the quest, even demanding that he would plan out their duties until the guild deems their quest satisfactory enough. Other than that, they couldn't argue against his word or else they would have to deal with Stefan and Mave.
After witnessing what happened in the town's center, nobody was brave enough to test their wits again.
Ellis's plan was simple. It was already clear that they were defending against a possible attack from Falden so nobody could really rest on their own. They would scout out the far reaches of the town, watch through the uncharted, and even take shifts for defenses during the night in case something could sneak past. The adventurers had the convenience to play with their party so nobody was necessarily grouped up with strangers that they didn't like.
This rule, however, was heavily implemented because of a certain person that Ellis was weary of.
The town's residents took some time to get used to the new adventurers just because of the amount of damage they caused before Stefan's party had arrived. They already had a vague image of adventurers so it was already difficult to convince some of them that they were here for a good reason. Local townsmiths, innkeepers, and taverns refused to grant them service because of how much disrespect they saw in the first week of the quest. Fortunately, Ellis had somehow helped their own way to find forgiveness.
Michael didn't know what type of deal he had made with the chief but it must have cost them a lot just to compensate for the amount of terrorism they saw first hand.
There were seven parties, a grand total of nineteen adventurers that were dispatched to Almore. Some adventurers slept outside, some took up space occupying an inn, and some had the comfort of refuge inside another person's home. The adventurers that weren't on duty to scout, they were tasked to help develop the town through laboring needs. This ranges from cattle, protecting shipment, agriculture work, and minor construction.
Obviously, nobody was happy with this but they couldn't argue back with Mave hovering behind them. Michael would imagine their frustration of training years to hone a sword just to scoop manure for the next hour. It wasn't pleasant at all though at least they were gaining some sort of trust from the people of Almore.
The worst situation they encountered were just mana beasts that spilled from the uncharted, aiming to feast on their small town. With the number of adventurers, they had no problem at all. Michael even recalled being amazed at how easy everybody had worked together. It seemed like some of the adventurers knew each other before the quest was issued.
On morning days where they would have free time, adventurers would spend that training with others and even volunteered for more labor. Michael even thought it was an act so they could quarter inside the resident's home but he shouldn't be the one to talk.
His party literally pandered with the chiefs so they could sleep in the most expensive rooms and eat the freshest meals.
But, so far, they haven't encountered anything major lately. Apart from just protecting the town from migrating mana beasts, there weren't any real threats to take note of. Parties would come back empty without any traces of Falden soldiers or bandits that were trying to scope out Almore.
Ellis even assumed this entire quest was a test from the guild, a test to see if they could take on the same duties as a royal guard. Instead of Wilmere having to expend their troops throughout the kingdom, they had the decision to play adventurers with the same goal.
They were starting to treat adventurers like some kind of trained military, and instead of being rewarded in valor, they would be given gold for their efforts. Ellis wasn't against the idea though it only fueled his superstition of the war happening between the two kingdoms.
***
It was in the late evening, Michael was sent on his shift to scout out the uncharted with none other than the one person he feared.
Stefan walked alongside him, away from the trail of Almore and into the steps of the uncharted. It wasn't infested with heavily grown trees and thick bushes but rather it just felt like a normal forest. Ellis assumed any opposition could be conspiring within these areas since they stood in the blind spots of the town and away from their view.
Michael didn't mind walking through the uncharted, especially when he was around someone strong like Stefan. It was just the obvious silence that bothered him the most. Usually, Stefan would never keep his mouth shut and yap about the most random things while holding a bottle in his hand.
But now, ever since their little altercation in the town center, Stefan hasn't spoken more than a few words. Apart from giving Michael simple directions, he didn't even seem to be interested in anything. His face was weary as if he wasn't getting enough sleep. He would even force a bitter smile whenever Michael tried to lighten the mood between them.
It just felt like everything was his fault since this all happened because of what he pulled off at the tavern.
Ellis had paired the two after assigning everyone their shifts for the week. It was like Ellis was trying to force them to make up what happened and learn from their mistakes. But Michael couldn't do that if Stefan seemed like he was out of it.
Michael hated to admit this but he missed whenever Stefan would nudge his head whenever he made a mistake. Instead, he would just remark on him like some elderly teacher and move on like nothing.
Stefan traversed around in the forest, marking the trees with a small colored flag so they could communicate to the previous party taking their route. They would have to watch for mana beast's markings or any unusual activity that wasn't their doing. Other than that, scouting the uncharted was just a stroll away from the town. A quiet walk with the biggest two troublemakers that everyone despised.
"I think we should rest," Michael nervously brought up. "We've been walking for a while."
Stefan leaned against a tree and opened his canteen to drink. They've been walking for two hours and he hasn't even said a word.
Michael even wondered if there was any booze in that canteen. Maybe it was the lack of alcohol making him act so distant? He could be imagining things through this silence between him. He would never guess he would be the one concerned about how Stefan acted.
The uncharted was already quiet. Apart from the rustling winds and scurrying wildlife, mana beasts were a rare encounter whenever they scouted. Michael thought he would have a chance to let loose with Stefan because they were assigned the same shift but he was wrong. He just felt uncomfortable whenever they were together. This didn't even feel like the same Stefan that he initially met or came to understand.
Michael broke apart the cookie as he ate it. Mrs. Hayes had the generosity to supply them with snacks whenever they would head out, that was just the bonus of Ellis's way of talking to the town's chiefs.
Stefan stuck out his hand.
Michael was surprised by the sudden gesture. He gave the other half of the cookie to him.
"Another hour then we finish our round-trip," he chewed the cookie. "Then you can go back inside your room."
Michael didn't know what he meant by that. "Okay."
Stefan glanced back at him.
Michael thought he had done something wrong again.
"I'm not mad at you, kid," he sighed. "Don't be so tense around me, it's embarrassing."
"Sorry."
"Give me the rest of the cookies."
Michael reluctantly handed over the wrapped snacks.
Stefan ate them away. "You're not getting any more."
It was for a second but Michael could have sworn he heard a faint chuckle in his voice. At least it was typical of Stefan to hog over all the sweets instead of sharing them with a child. He was starting to be normal again.
Michael mustered back some courage. "If you're not mad at me, then are you mad at Ellis then? Because of…"
Stefan still munched on the cookies, as if whatever was left was the amount of attention he was willing to pay for Michael's words.
"Ellis did this on purpose, I mean, he paired up me with you like it was some kind of—"
Stefan coughed, over and over, from probably scarfing the cookies too fast. It was like watching a grown dog dry heave their food.
"Umm…"
He beat his chest and loudly cleared his throat.
Michael felt weird watching this entire thing happen. "Are you—"
He handed over the empty wrap, leftover by only little crumbs. Was he trying to prove something by eating the cookies as fast as possible?
Michael stuffed it back inside his pocket as he watched Stefan drink the rest of his water in the canteen. Now he definitely couldn't tell if something was wrong with this man or not.
Stefan gasped for air, smacking his lips like the water had rejuvenated the being inside him.
"Stefan?"
He turned to Michael. "What?"
"Is something wrong?"
He strangely smiled. "Lots of things are wrong with me, kid, you just gotta know which is which."
"I don't know what that means."
"It means—" he groaned. "God, who am I kidding, what am I even doing anymore."
Michael thought he might've gone crazy.
"This stupid quest and this stupid town, we should have never picked this up. I should've—never picked this up."