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“So, Lady Saphielle approached you, requesting your assistance in gathering a party for an expedition into The Singularity. And this party is to move out by tomorrow. Did I miss any detail, Lady Iris?”

The Umbrum gave her usual unassuming smile that would terrify even the toughest men as she gently sipped on her tea. “Not a detail missed, Guild Master.”

“And you came to me because?”

Iris fiddled with the handle of the cup. She traced the outline of the cup’s fine craftsmanship. She didn’t take Rosemary for a collector but she couldn’t argue about the old lady’s taste in the finer things. “This cup, it’s very unassuming. Going by the mild stains on this fine cup, you don’t exactly treasure it but you brought it out as the accessory for my accommodation. You know about this cup’s fine craftsmanship. You have a good eye, Guild Master. So, I don’t believe for a second that you aren’t aware of my intentions of being in your presence, at present.”

Rosemary tapped her desk, a symbol glowed on her desk. Four similar symbols in the corners of her room shone in tandem.

“Noise suppression spell. Interesting,” Iris remarked. “But I don’t understand why you need them for such a simple conversation.”

Rosemary leaned forward. “Because, you are correct, Lady Iris. I do know why you’re here. You don’t trust Lady Saphielle, an Elf and a Ruvan. You want us to be the intermediary for her request.”

“Don't be mistaken, Guild Master. I heard Lady Saphielle is a lovely individual. However, she's an Elf and a Ruvan, that would make anyone question her allegiance. Your self-assurance of her character stems from your years of acquaintance with the Elf but I barely know the individual. I can't heed such a huge request from an individual that I'm not personally familiar with.” Iris chewed the words of her last sentence.

“If I become the intermediary for you, it will show that the Guild, a neutral faction, is showing an inclination. How do you think that would look for the Adventurer’s Guild Association?”

“But you did it for Erin, Guild Master. Shouldn’t that count as an inclination?”

“Lady Erinthea is an adventurer. Unlike you, she represents herself and the adventurers, not an organization. Lady Saphielle and you represent a faction. Surely I couldn’t be more clear now of why I’m hesitant. Besides, what kind of scheme do you even think Lady Saphielle is concocting?”

Iris chuckled. “I have been labeled as devious by many and I concur. However, even I feel dwarfed by the Ruvans’ scheme. Edith Rosemary, I may be devious, but you know my agenda. And I don’t deny it. I don’t hide it. But the Ruvans? Honesty will be at the bottom of their priority. I don’t mind rubbing shoulders with those zealous bunch. I don't mind doing business with them too. But Lady Saphielle isn't presenting me a business. She is offering me a request on the behest of my friend or so she claims.”

“It was Lady Erinthea’s request.”

“Or so Lady Saphielle claims,” Iris repeated.

“Lady Saphielle said Lady Erinthea was engaged in other matters. A very personal matter that requires her utmost attention and care. Lady Saphielle is just passing on a mutual friend’s message.”

“If Erin really made this request, such a heavy request, she would be conversing with me about it, face to face. If she was busy, I understand. But now it’s almost an hour after the first glimpse of dawn, I have not heard from her. Even stranger, I can’t find her in town or in the forest bordering Quinteburgh.”

“So, the great Iris of the Eternal Moon was eluded.”

“Yes, I’m impressed too.”

Rosemary returned an unassuming smile of her own. “I know you have eyes and ears at every corner of the city. Despite that, you can’t find Erin’s whereabouts?”

“Her last known whereabouts is the church. So forgive me for being prejudicial towards the Ruvans.”

“Lady Iris, I understand the degree of your influence and power but you are accusing the Ruvans here, the largest faith in the west.”

“I’m not accusing, Guild Master. I’m only implying.”

Before the conversation boiled to its peak, the door was flung open. A disquieted Lyra strode right in without a shred of courtesy. Her eyes foregone the presence of Iris and walked right up to Rosemary’s desk.

“Good morning to you too, Miss Lyra,” Iris muttered.

“Miss Lyra, what’s wrong?” asked the Guild Master.

From her pockets, Lyra produced a small piece of paper onto the desk. “Erin’s gone.”

The paper’s content was only four words; I will be back.

Rosemary took the paper into her hand. Her tired but ever-honed gaze absorbed the few words written. “This is a note from Erin, I presumed?”

“It is,” Lyra answered.

“Her style of handwriting is very expectant of her,” Iris remarked.

“You think something has happened to her?” the Guild Master questioned.

“I woke up and found this. We never leave each other notes. She didn’t wake me up to tell me where she was going. Adding to the fact that Celia’s condition has worsened. Speaking of which, do you know?”

“Lady Saphielle has informed me of such— wait. Are you saying Erin went off The Singularity on her own?”

“She is braved and committed as she is impulsive and stupid,” Iris muttered with an amused expression.

The remark drew Lyra’s glare.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m right. She seems green towards the matters of intimate love. It clouds her mind.”

“Lady Iris, please be quiet. Miss Lyra, are you sure Lady Erinthea has gone off on her own?”

“I am,” she answered. “She took all of her weapons and tools with her. And I asked around before I came to you. I came upon a stable and the owner confirmed my dread. Erin bought a horse, the fastest the stable has. The owner even said she looks extremely prepared.”

“You don’t want to hear this, Miss Lyra but… she’s going to die,” Iris said. “She’s gifted and stronger than her level suggests but she’s not ready for The Singularity.”

“I know, which is why I’m here. I want to stop her and I need your assistance. You’re the viceroy regent of Maven’s Creek. You have the power to send troops out immediately.”

The Guild Master sighed. “That would be difficult, Miss Lyra. With the corrupted nobles and many of the adventurers moving on to a better town, we are not well-manned at present. We won’t be able to maintain order if I send out even just a small number.”

“I can be of assistance, Miss Lyra,” Iris said.

Rosemary cast a perplexed glance. “You were skeptical just before.”

“Clarification, I’m skeptical of the Ruvans. But Miss Lyra here is not a Ruvan and I know her nature, personally and intimately. She only needs to ask and at my service will be at her disposal,” Iris ended her sentence with an amicable smile tinged with her usual grin.

“That’s very charitable for a merchant, Iris,” Lyra pointed out. “And I thought you don’t believe in charity. In fact, you shun them.”

“It’s only charity if there are selfless reasons involved.”

Lyra’s brows twitched. “So it’s not charity… of course you will expect something in return. It’s all just business to you in the end.”

“Quite so, Miss Lyra,” Iris replied. “The reasons for my assistance are personal. I’m sure you are aware of my intimate relationship with your lover. We shared that intimacy too for a single night, lest you forget.”

Before Lyra could raise her hand, Rosemary spoke, “not in my office, Miss Lyra. I will have nothing but words exchanged in my office.”

After a brief moment of clenching her fist, her shoulders slumped and her grip loosened.

“Your lover is a gifted individual in battles and she’s a Fae. It will be a shame to waste such a talent and not to mention the response we’ll receive should her kin discover that we knowingly let Erin venture into her death.”

“You know, I don’t need your reasons. If you have a price, name it. My only concern would be how soon can we embark.”

Iris curled lips upward. “In an hour,” she answered.

Just as the meeting was coming to a conclusion, a man rushed into the room. Much like Lyra, the man foregone any courtesy and stormed right to Rosemary. Lyra recognized the man as one of the Guild staff. Beyond a simple exchange of nods, Lyra didn’t even remember the person existed.

“Ben, what’s wrong?” Rosemary asked.

The man named Ben was out of breath, as if he had rushed all the way here in one breath. He struggled to relay his words. “Our s-scouts just… came back. They were investigating the sighting of some gigantic monster lurking about at the border of the forest. It was spotted by a few adventurers. Our scouts saw it too and they rushed back the moment they did.”

“What did the scouts see?”

Ben swallowed a gulp. His mouth opened and closed as he struggled to get his voice out. Eventually, his determination overcame his trepidation. “It’s not just some gigantic monster,” he said. “It’s the Razor Grizzly. It’s coming towards here, this town.”

While a dire expression painted Rosemary and Lyra’s face, Iris held a calm facade.

“How long before it reaches the town?” Rosemary asked.

“An hour? The Grizzly didn’t seem to be in a rush. It was slowly taking its time striding towards here,” Ben answered.

“Would I be correct that the Grizzly was spotted some time after Azaela and her party left for Green Scar?” Iris asked.

Ben nodded. “It’s around that time, y-yes.”

Iris erupted into a laugh.

“Pardon me, Lady Iris, but do you perhaps find the ordeal funny?” Rosemary threw a sharpened gaze.

“Just after Erin and Azaela left the town, the Razor Grizzly appeared. I don’t think it’s a coincidence. The Necromancer sent its horde to Green Scar. He knows Erin is from Green Scar. He was trying to lure her out but instead, he got the Ruvans.” Iris’ gaze shifted to Lyra. “I don’t know exactly what happened but I’m willing to wager Erin’s abrupt departure has something to do with the Necromancer, am I correct?”

“Yes,” Lyra answered.

“And now, he sends the Grizzly to this town. This is a grudge. If the Guild reports are as they presented themselves to be, Erin has managed to make the Necromancer’s life miserable with her constant interference.”

Rosemary stood from her chair. “I don’t care for what reasons the Grizzly’s presence. I cared for the means to defend this town against it.”

Iris also rose from her seat. “Then I will help with that endeavor. The Grizzly’s Core will suffice as payment for my service.”

“Done,” Rosemary said and left her room with hastened steps along with Ben. The vast array of accompanying footsteps signaled the beginning of a great battle for the town’s survival.

Lyra left shortly after but not without sparing one last glare towards Iris.

“So much work, so little time,” Iris mused to herself in solitary.

****

As much as Lyra was worried about the Grizzly’s attack, Celia was her first and foremost concern. She had left her alone when she discovered Erin’s sudden disappearance. She left the church in a hurry and now, she was heading back in a hurry.

She bolted past the Guild’s lobby, ignoring the attempts of a friendly greeting by the other adventurers. Just as she flung the entrance door open without the slightest reservation, a girl of a small stature ran right into her chest.

“Ah! Sorry! Sorry!” The girl quickly apologized with her head held low.

“It’s alright. I was in the wrong too. I—” Lyra paused when she noticed the girl’s neck-length olive green hair. “Olivia?”

Olivia gazed up. “You! Y-you’re… Lady Erinthea’s lover… right?”

“Yes, I am. Now if you can excuse me, I—”

“Were you not with Lady Erinthea last night?” Olivia asked.

Lyra froze. “Why do you ask that?”

“S-she bought something from me l-last night. It has a very strong smell but I don’t smell it on you. I just thought it’s weird. I know the two of you are always together. Which is why I—”

“Wait, what do you mean Erin bought something from you last night? What did she buy?”

“An… a-aphrodisiac… She said she wanted some new thrills for nights… that’s why she bought them… I assumed.”

Lyra grasped Olivia’s shoulder, shocking the poor girl. “How much did she buy?” Lyra asked, her voice trembling.

“W-what…?”

“How much!?” Lyra shouted.

“A-a lot! A lot. Enough for a few nights…!”

Lyra’s grips loosened on Olivia's shoulders but her expression stuck on her realization. “Erin… you fucking idiot…!”