Meanwhile, at the Hunter Guild located in Forshville City, "Blam," Helen burst into the Guild Master's office carrying two letters. She walked straight toward the massive Rolith, who was standing by the window, bending slightly to look out over the city.
"Guild Master Rolith, I've received replies from the village. One was sent yesterday by the hunter who came here, and the other was just delivered by pigeon. You are not going to like reading the second one," Helen said, placing the letters on the table.
Rolith turned, his huge hand grabbing the two letters on the table. He put on his glasses and started reading the first one. As he read it, his normally intimidating face actually smiled.
"So they managed to defeat the Thunder Wolf. We worried for nothing, then. So, where are they now?" Rolith asked.
"Please read the second letter, Guild Master," Helen replied.
Seeing Helen's pale, downcast face, Rolith quickly read the second letter. Rolith's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open, the smile vanishing from his face. He then turned to look out the window toward the Knights Guild building across the street. After that, he turned back to look at Helen, his face looking like someone who had just watched his dog get run over by a truck.
"Everything Astrid said in this letter is true?" Rolith asked, his voice trembling.
"I've already sent someone to confirm it," Helen replied.
Rolith sat down and re-read the letter, his massive hand rubbing his bald head.
"It says here that the knights from the Grandias Kingdom were the ones in the wrong and attacked first. The villagers defended them," Rolith stated.
"That's right, Guild Master. They will say the knights started the ruckus by injuring the village elder, but there's one problem," Helen countered.
"Yes. Garin and his friends. They became a Rank B party because of his father, a renowned noble in the Grandias Kingdom. This could cause the Kingdom to step in... We need to inform the Knights Guild across the street immediately after you get the report from our scout. Don't let this problem escalate, but if it has to happen, tell all the hunters to be ready. We are clearly defending Marle and her party," Rolith stated firmly.
"Understood, Guild Master. I will immediately inform all hunters internally to prepare and avoid the Grandias Kingdom for now. When my man returns, I'll inform the Knights Guild across the street," Helen replied.
"Okay, do that quickly. As for informing the Knights Guild, I will meet with them myself," Rolith said, taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes.
"Very well, Guild Master, I'll take my leave now," Helen replied.
Helen immediately turned and hurried to the door, then went out and closed the door behind her. Rolith stood up and went back to the side of the window to observe the city, occasionally glancing toward the Knights Guild and the Grandias Kingdom's flag flying atop its building.
"I hope they aren't found by the Grandias Kingdom first, and I hope the Kingdom doesn't target this city... it's time someone taught those noble brats from that kingdom a lesson," Rolith muttered internally, smiling and shaking his head even though his powerful hands were clenched so tightly that all the veins in his arms were visible.
***
Late afternoon turning to evening, "Whoaah," Dash, Shel, and Lilin stood on the huge bridge used to cross the river, stunned as they looked at a hilly village that resembled a small city with large houses, seemingly used as resorts, spread all along the foot of the mountain and climbing upwards. Many lights using magic were visible, making it look like a city's nightlife district. These lights illuminated the signboards on every building, most of which read 'Inn' or 'Restaurant,' but there were also bars, a theater, and equipment shops.
"Hey, why are you guys spacing out? Let's go, we need to buy robes and stay the night. Tomorrow, we hit the guild, get the permits, and head to Golddale," Marle urged, stepping onto the bridge.
"Okay, let's go," Dash replied. "This whole scene reminds me of that eastern country on Earth they call the Land of the Rising Sun... though I've never actually been there myself."
"This is the first time I've seen anything like this... even though it's a village, it looks like a city and nothing like Forshville," Shel added.
"This is all a new sensation for me... maybe," Lilin added, still mesmerized.
"Come on, what are you waiting for," Marle grumbled, turning around.
"Okay, let's go," Dash, Shel, and Lilin replied.
They walked across the bridge, which led directly to the village entrance without any fort or gate. Dash glanced down; below him, a wide, clear river flowed, so transparent he could see strange-looking freshwater fish swimming in the water. After they crossed the bridge, they began walking through the village. Residents of all races they met immediately greeted them, offering their inns or restaurants along the way, which made the four of them slightly uncomfortable. Dash looked at Shel, who was rubbing her arms.
"Are you cold?" Dash asked.
"A little... it's chilly here, I guess," Shel replied.
Dash wrapped an arm around Shel next to him, and Lilin, seeing this, immediately hugged his other arm. Dash could feel in his palms that both Shel and Lilin were trembling slightly from the cold. Then they entered an equipment shop located at the end of the street before a three-way intersection. Once inside, Marle immediately spoke to the shop owner, who nodded his head. The owner excused himself to go into the back for a moment to fetch four furry leather robes for them. Dash looked around the shop shelves, which were full of potion bottles, medicinal herbs, various dimensional bags, and other gear.
Then his eyes drifted to the jewelry rack. He saw many pieces of jewelry, like necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings, all decorated with colorful, glittering stones.
"Oh, those are accessories for using magic. Those gemstones are magic stones mined in Golddale besides gold," Marle said, seeing Dash's interest in the jewelry.
"Oh, I see. They come in different colors?" Dash asked, pointing at the gems.
"Yeah, for example, we use the green color for body protection or for regeneration to heal wounds if you get hurt, something like that," Marle explained.
"Hmmm, why don't you guys wear any?" Dash asked, looking at Shel, Marle, and Lilin.
"I don't understand and I don't care because I can use fire magic," Lilin replied casually.
"Yep, same here. I can use nature magic, so I don't think I need that stuff," Shel said.
"Well... same here, too. Besides, they're expensive," Marle added.
Dash immediately looked at the prices, and Marle was indeed right. Then his eyes landed on five blue-gem rings labeled 'Ring of Protection.' After that, his eyes moved to the price: each ring cost 20 gold coins, which was quite expensive. Dash glanced at Shel, Marle, and Lilin's hands, then looked back at the row of blue rings on the counter. Because he liked the style, which looked like an engagement ring back on Earth, he didn't hesitate. He opened the display case, took the five rings, and walked to the counter, just as the shop owner came out from the back with four furry leather robes.
"I want to buy these," Dash said to the shop owner.
"Oh, Rings of Protection. Alright, all of them?" the shop owner asked.
"Just three," Dash said.
"But if you buy all five, I'll give you a discount of 20 gold, making the total 80 gold. How about it? These are my last ones in stock," the human shop owner countered.
"Hmm... okay," Dash said, immediately pulling out his money pouch and counting out 80 gold coins, which he placed on the counter.
After that, he turned to look to his right and left. Shel, Marle, and Lilin were stunned, staring at him and then at the rings on the counter.
"You... bought that? What for?" Marle asked.
"Yeah, you don't even need protection?" Shel asked.
"And you bought five? Who are they for?" Lilin asked.
Without a word, Dash immediately took Shel's hand and slipped a ring onto her finger. Then he took Marle's hand and put one on her finger, and finally, he took Lilin's hand and did the same. The three girls instantly froze, looking down at the rings on their hands with confusion, though Dash could see they actually liked the design since the band was made of gold. Dash immediately smirked, as if to say, "No matter the world or the race, a woman is still a woman."
"Um... you bought these for me... for us?" Shel asked, confused.
"Yep. Where I come from, a ring is a sign that we're bound and won't ever be separated... you know, 'till death do us part," Dash replied casually. "Is that even the right thing to say about getting engaged or being boyfriends and girlfriends? I don't know, I've never done it before. I didn't even have friends, let alone a girlfriend... ah, screw it," Dash muttered in his head.
The three girls, who were initially confused, immediately looked at each other and then back at their rings while processing Dash's words. When the processing was complete and they understood, all three instantly smiled and jumped to hug Dash simultaneously. Of course, Dash caught them with a wide grin, completely oblivious that the words he'd just used were a wedding vow.