Free Web NovelChapter 253: Chapter 253 - Bloody
Lena had both hands on the ferry railing and was leaning forward to see it better. "It looks like it takes itself very seriously."
"It’s a sect." Lumi replied, "Very much an official organization. Of course they take themselves seriously."
She let out a catlike grin. "Good."
The ferry docked, and the crew moved through the disembarkation process. The dock at Golden Hall was larger than the one they had departed from, with multiple berths active simultaneously and a steady flow of people moving in both directions.
They moved up the staircase to the Golden Hall one step at a time. Lucy here began to look a bit uncomfortable.
Lena was the first to notice. She gave her a small grin, which caused Lucy to turn away. Seeing that, Lily, who was about to say something, held his breath.
But Eden didn’t. He hadn’t gotten to talk to the new girl, and it felt like a decent opportunity. "What’s wrong?"
"O-oh." Lucy was surprised.
The NPC was talking to her?
Well, that was normal. But with care? She didn’t expect that. The only care she received was... never? Even her master back in Shaden City taught her because she paid. Interesting.
"Nothing." Lucy replied. "Just a bit unused to this."
"I know the feeling." Eden nodded in solidarity. "I was just a farm boy. Now... what exactly is this? Life is so stressful all of a sudden, there’s so much I need to do, and it’s just... I wonder if I can really do this."
"..." Lucy was quiet for a moment. Was she supposed to console an NPC? She was unsure. "Sorry about that."
"You’re fine!" Eden replied. "You didn’t do anything."
"...hah." Lucy let out a small laugh. "You... nevermind."
"Mn?" Eden tilted his head. "Did I do something wrong?"
"Not you." Lucy quickly replied. "Ugh, I feel weird. Talking to you is weird. It’s not your fault. I’m not used to speaking to people like you."
Eden blinked. He thought about her statement. People like... him? But he was just a farm boy. Granted, a hero descendent now, but he certainly didn’t take her to be the type to be intimidated by vague status like that.
So if it wasn’t that, what was so special about him?
He probed to make sure. "It’s not about my ancestor, is it?"
"Your ancestor?" Lucy was unsure what he meant. "Who?"
"I see." Eden came to his own conclusion. She must be sheltered and unused to males. He took a step to the right, away from her. "Sorry for crowding your space. I made you uncomfortable without realizing. Should I leave you be?"
"What?"
"What?"
Lucy blinked. "I’m so confused."
"Sorry!" Eden apologized quickly.
"For what?" Lucy was even more confused. "Look, man. It’s not serious. I’m just not used to direct employment." She gestured towards Lumi. "He’s my boss. I don’t know how to act."
"Oh." Eden thought about it for a moment. After a while, he replied. "Just act like yourself. Or rather, like us, if you want?"
"But." Lucy was sure he didn’t get it. "He’s paying me, you know? You guys are his friends. That’s the difference."
"He’s my master." Eden clarified. "And, he’s all our bosses, you know?"
"All your-" The sentence caught her entirely off guard. "He’s paying you too!?"
A glance back from Lena made her calm down, looking off to the side. "I mean, tell me, please?"
Eden gave a shrug. "I mean, no, but the payment you get... it’s a formality, isn’t it?"
"Huh."
Eden continued. "I mean, if we work together to do something, it makes sense that the rewards get split. What’s he paying you in? A portion of the rewards? Ems? I mean, either way, it’s basically the same, no?"
"..." Lucy was stupified. It was...
He entirely misunderstood. She was getting paid in dollars.
But if she thought about it, it was the same thing? Items had a value in currency, and both Ems and Dollars were currency. She could RMT Ems into Dollars. So it didn’t really matter what she was paid in as long as she was paid.
So really, what was happening?
Was she stupid?
Did she sign a contract that made no sense?
Damn, now her head hurt! She couldn’t make a scene now, however. She’d just have to ask Lumi about it later.
As they moved along the long halls, disciples of the Golden Hall moved up and down it in both directions, identifiable by their uniform robes in deep crimson with gold trim at the collar and cuffs. They ranged in age from what looked like early teens to fully grown adults.
They reached the top of the staircase, and passed two senior disciples who were eyeing them as they walked past. The main courtyard of the complex spread out behind the gate. It was large, open, paved in flat stone with a central path leading toward the primary hall at the far end.
Smaller buildings flanked the courtyard on both sides, their purposes indicated by the activity around them. One had a group of young female disciples practicing formations outside it, moving in coordinated sequences under the direction of an instructor who was correcting stances with a short rod. Another had to be some sort of armory given the equipment racks visible through its open doors.
"It’s a whole thing." Eden said quietly. "Nothing like Elenora. It’s like... I don’t know what it’s like."
"It’s a sect." Lumi said. "A self-contained ecosystem where training is a priority."
Lena was watching the disciples doing formations with genuine attention. "They’re quite good," she said.
Lumi blinked. Lena didn’t know formations. What?
He looked over to her. "What?"
She smiled. "What? Look at them. Cute."
"...cute?" Lumi was confused.
Lena put on a wry grin. "Hey, don’t be mistaken. I don’t like girls."
"T-that’s not..." Lumi shook his head. "That doesn’t even..." He looked back at the disciples one last time before looking back to Lena. "I didn’t think you did."
"Good."
As they continued moving, they found the main hall’s interior was wide and high-ceilinged, and the floors a polished dark wood. Along the walls hung painted scrolls depicting battles and single combat, and beneath them display cases held weapons and artifacts.
There was a faint scent of incense, originating from somewhere near the back of the hall. At the far end, the receptionist’s desk was staffed by a young woman in formal robes who straightened as the group approached.
"Welcome to the Golden Hall," the receptionist said. "How may I assist you?"
"Guild registration." Lumi said. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
She looked at the group a second time, more carefully, assessing them. After a moment, she then produced the relevant form and a printed card from beneath the desk. "The registration fee is two million Ems."
"W-" Lucy almost lost it on the spot.
Two million Ems.
Okay!
Haha, okay!
That was so cool! Yep, two million Ems!
Lumi was about to casually dump that much money here? But, but... that was easily like, forty-thousand dollars, if converted to real currency. What exactly were they doing here. What were they talking about!?
She took a deep breath. Alright, at least that revealed her employers deep pockets. Then she must be in good hands.
Wait, there was still the contract issue. She had to close her eyes and rid her mind of excessive thoughts. It was too much for her right now.
"...?" Lily looked at the strange girl next to him. What was Lucy doing? Was she okay? No wonder Eden had to check up on her earlier.
He had been told Lena was the one that was different mentally from the rest of them. He had witnessed her. Yet, it seemed Lucy had problems of her own.
He lightly gritted his teeth. Damn, he really didn’t want to get involved in any sort of internal politics here. But he was too nice to let her suffer alone. He made a mental note to check up on her later.
Lumi paid without any visible reaction. The receptionist completed her portion and set down her brush. "Please wait a moment, respected visitors. I will call an elder to assist."
"Please," She gave a small bow, and directed them to a side room. "Make yourselves at home here."
The side hall had benches along the walls, a low table with tea, and two more scrolls. Lily poured tea by automatic instinct, and offered cups around. Lena drank hers immediately and looked into the cup.
When Lily got to Lucy and passed her the cup, he made sure to sit next to her. "Mind if I sit here?"
"Huh? Go ahead." Lucy replied idly, staring into her tea.
"..." Lily lightly sipped his tea. "Hm, good tea. Do you enjoy this kind as well, Lucy?"
"I..." She hadn’t even tasted the tea. She took a sip. It was surprisingly sweet, yet bitter. It was strange, but it felt a bit like blood to her. "Bloody..."
