The Seeker Of The Flames

"Ah... Finally!"

Adin stroked his wrists. The handcuffs had caused red marks to become evident on his skin.

"Please excuse us for giving you trouble, sir! But we had to ensure your conditions. We always care about our citizens' state."

"Yeah yeah, there's no problem... So... Can I go now?"

The knight, who had uncuffed him, stood before him.

"Of course! But you first have to repay the cost for what your members have damaged."

"Oh... I see... but ahh... you see... How much would it take?"

"Not much," the knight replied, "just 3 gold coins."

"Hahaha, then that' fine—" Adin suddenly hesitated, realizing the situation. "WAAIT! WHAAAAT? 3 GOLD COINS?"

"Yes, sir... 3-gold-coins."

"Hahaha... hehehe... you should be joking right?"

"No sir," the knight looked in serious stares, "I'm completely serious. Pay 3 golds and you and your members can quit this place right now."

Sweat began flowing all over Adin's face, his expression turning anxious. Checking his pouch, less than 180 bronze coins had remained for him. It'd be equal to less than 2 silver coins.

—Seriously... Just how am I supposed to pay that amount? No... Why should I be the one responsible for those idiots? Ah no... Why is there even a coin system? No... Why did I even choose adventuring alongside humans over Infernal Ten? No... Why are there even humans? No... I'm getting insane... No... No... NO! Damn!

As such thoughts continued occurring to him, a gentle voice from behind brought him out of insanity.

"Uh! Here you are!"

Turning around, he glimpsed a female figure in the hall. She was Liora.

—W-What's she doing here?

The knight beside Adin looked surprised. His eyes bulged immediately as he noticed Liora is stepping toward them.

"I-is that... Is that Celine Seraphina Liora? Why's she here?"

Her footsteps on the ground ceased to be echoed through the hallway, stopping before Adin.

"Hey! Arian! Sorry, I've been late, but now I'm here!"

"I know that Liora, but..." said Adin, "I think I had asked you to join us at the guild. What are you doing here?"

Her response came in a soft, gentle voice. "Why? Isn't that obvious? Because we're comrades!! Do you think it's easy for me to just sit and wait there while hearing you are arrested?"

"I know but—"

"No 'buts'! Stop concerning about the others and try to think about yourself for a moment! Be selfish for once! I asked the guards about what has happened. You're in trouble, right?"

"No, no! I'm not in trouble Liora, not at all! I can manage—"

"You don't have enough coins to pay for the loss, right?"

"Ah..." Adin sighed, "yes, you're right! 3 golds..."

Adin was keeping his head down, avoiding to look at Liora straight in the face.

Meanwhile, she pulled out 3 gold coins from her magical purse and offered it to the knight.

"Alright, here's the fine!"

The knight guard appeared so nervous, shaking while taking the coins. "Eh... Uh... T-Thanks... It's all right now, you can go out with your other members."

Adin sighed the moment he heard that, feeling relieved. He then turned to Liora.

"I cannot express how much I'm grateful for what you've done for me. Now I owe you so much!"

"Stop talking like this! Didn't I tell you? We're comrades now! We should take care of each other!"

"Yes..." he smiled, staring at her with pleased eyes.

"But anyways, 3 gold coins is nothing. Currently, I have more than 10000 golds."

—Heh? Just how much poor I am? Or is it that she's so rich? Seriously, I shouldn't have gone for the lowest rank possible... too troublesome! But it seems Liora is a trustable person. She's absolutely not like those weird humans. The only problem is that I can't have her finding out about my identity. But I can manage that. Yes, I'll manage! All right, here we go!

"Let's call the others and get to the guild!"

"Yes, let's bring them out of here."

He then began walking to their rooms beside Liora, calling Wendy, Freya, and Ena, gathering them all outside of the Investigation Section.

─ ─ ─

A large door on a very high structure led to an endless curvy, wavy staircase, proceeding straight to the city's main roads.

Four women beside a man stood in front of the building.

One of them was clothed in a golden, red royal cloak, staring at the sun's light passionately.

The other one appeared pure white, closing her eyes while lifting her head.

Another one bore bridal gown, stretching her arms and laughing.

The last woman stood beside that single man.

"Yess! I thought it's gonna continue forever!"

"Yeah... sitting on that chair all the time..."

"Don't forget about that white light! It was so annoying!"

Winter's laughs ended as she took a jealous, suspicious look.

"But hey! Who's that girl beside you?"

"Oh, yes it seems I forgot to introduce her to you! She's Liora!" Arian responded, turning to the girl beside her. "Liora, she's Winter. We're going to work together from now on."

"I'm also glad to meet you, Winter!"

"Yeah... pleased to meet you, Liora!"

Liora's eyes were friendly and kind. However, Winter's stares possessed a very sharp sense of bitterness and jealousy.

Some inaudible, unclear m.o.a.ns from Elena could be heard in the air, but no one seemed to give attention to her right then.

Arian went for a false cough to change the sharp, silent mood.

"All right everyone! Now since we're all gathered, let's move to the guild. I have something very important to discuss with you."