Before reaching the Norse community, Agnos and I were originally headed to Troll City to retrieve the last fragnt.
Our itinerary had been as smooth as Mythica would allow when, predictably, my phone buzzed with another video call. Eldrin's image flickered into view, looking as harried as ever.
"Carl, I know you're on your way to Troll City. However, we need you to assist with sothing," he announced, brushing back a strand of his silver hair that had co loose from its neat braid. "You need to stop by the Norse community first. There's another urgent issue that requires your expertise."
"Urgent?" I repeated, deadpan, already bracing myself for whatever absurdity awaited. "And let guess—it's conveniently along the way?"
Eldrin nodded briskly. "Exactly. It won't take long. Their council needs imdiate assistance, and you're in the best position to help."
"Sure," I replied, the sarcasm barely concealed. "Because who else but the underqualified human can handle Mythica's most baffling crises?"
Agnos, lounging lazily on my backpack, smirked. "Don't flatter yourself. It's more about convenience than competence."
Eldrin ignored both of us, as he often did, and rattled off coordinates and details before cutting the call.
That left with no choice but to agree, especially since the Norse community was indeed along the route to Troll City.
With a resigned sigh, I adjusted the map settings, and we set off toward yet another magical headache.
********
The Norse community wasn't what I expected.
Picturesque, yes. Quiet, no.
As Agnos and I strolled into the village, the air was filled with the mournful wail of bagpipes mingled with distant howls—not from wolves, but trolls. It was like soone had combined a funeral procession with a rock concert and turned the volu to max.
"Charming place," I muttered, glancing at Agnos, who was casually flicking his tail and wearing that ever-infuriating sly smile. "Perfect for a relaxing getaway."
Agnos's eyes glinted with mischief. "Oh, Carl, you'll love what's in store. The council's problem is right up your alley."
I sighed, already bracing myself for whatever nonsense awaited.
We reached the community hall, a grand structure carved from stone and adorned with runes that glowed faintly in the dimming sunlight. Inside, the Norse council mbers were waiting for us, their faces a mix of exhaustion and desperation.
The head councilor, a bearded man nad Foulger, rose to greet us. "Mr. Suis. Thank you for coming. We're at our wits' end."
"Happy to help," I replied automatically, though my enthusiasm was about as genuine as Agnos's innocence.
Foulger gestured for us to sit at the long oak table. The other council mbers, a mix of stern warriors and weary scholars, exchanged glances before one of them spoke.
"We've petitioned CCP to include trolls in the conservation habitat program. They're integral to our community—their strength supports our construction efforts, and their presence deters hostile creatures. But their population is dwindling, and dungeon raiders are slaughtering them for sport."
I frowned, trying to process this. "Okay, that's awful, but what's the imdiate problem?"
********
It wasn't every day that a guy like —ard with nothing but a degree in Zoology, questionable luck, and a knack for improvisation—found himself in the middle of a Norse community council hall, discussing troll mating season.
Yet here I was.
The hall was as grand and intimidating as you'd expect, with towering wooden beams carved with intricate Norse designs and a roaring hearth at the center.
Around the long oak table sat the council mbers, their faces etched with exhaustion. Bags under their eyes hinted at many sleepless nights, and their slumped shoulders scread desperation.
Agnos, perched smugly on a carved chair that was clearly too big for him, looked perfectly at ease.
I, on the other hand, was trying to keep a straight face while one of the council mbers explained their predicant.
"Let get this straight," I said, leaning back in my seat. "You want —a powerless, weak human—to help you talk to the trolls and ask them to, what, tone down their mating calls?"
The silence that followed was deafening.
"Yes," one of the council mbers replied, his tone grim.
I glanced around the table, hoping soone would crack a smile, maybe admit this was so elaborate Norse hazing ritual. But no. They were dead serious.
"It's mating season, Mr. Suis," another council mber explained, rubbing his temples. "Every night, we're subjected to…" He paused, searching for the right words. "Sounds that none of us asked for."
"Understatent of the year," another mber muttered.
Let just put this out there—I've handled venomous snakes, survived Munchie's mood swings, and dealt with a kraken's tsunami-inducing dance moves. But nothing, and I an nothing, could've prepared for what I was hearing.
"The noise is keeping everyone awake," another council mber chid in. "Our children are traumatized. And magic? Completely ineffective. They're immune to all spells."
"Fantastic," I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose. "What about relocating the trolls?"
Agnos snorted beside , clearly amused.
"Relocation is impossible," the head councilwoman said firmly. "As we ntioned earlier, our community and the trolls share a symbiotic relationship. Wherever we go, they follow. Besides, their population is already in decline due to dungeon raids."
"Dungeon raids?" I echoed.
"Yes," she replied, her expression darkening. "The Dungeon Raiders Guild sees them as nothing more than nuisances to be exterminated and as training resources. We've petitioned CCP to include trolls in the habitat conservation program, but the guild is vehently opposed." Check latest chapters at novel·fire
My brain was trying to process this mountain of information when Agnos decided to chi in.
"Well," he said, his tone as smooth as silk, "if we're going to help, there's a small matter of compensation."
"Compensation?" the head councilwoman repeated, her brows furrowing.
"Yes," Agnos said, flashing a sly smile. "If we resolve your troll problem, you'll grant us a favor in return."
The council exchanged wary glances.
"What kind of favor?" one of them asked.
"Oh, nothing too extravagant," Agnos replied, waving a paw dismissively. "We'll discuss it after the trolls have quieted down."
I leaned over to him, lowering my voice. "What are you doing?"
"Relax, Carl," he whispered back, his grin widening. "Trust ."
That's what he always said before dragging into so harebrained sche.
"Fine," the head councilwoman said at last. "If you succeed, we'll consider your request."
The eting adjourned, and as we stepped outside into the crisp Norse air, I turned to Agnos. "Care to explain what that was about?"
"Patience, Carl," he said, his tone dripping with mockery. "All will be revealed in due ti."
I sighed. Agnos was as transparent as mud, and I was too tired to argue.
********
Back at my temporary office—a cramped room filled with scrolls, books, and the faint sll of old parchnt—I dived into researching trolls.
Every source I found painted the sa picture: trolls were stubborn, resilient, and respected strength above all else.
One dusty to, The Ways of the Troll, detailed their courtship rituals in excruciating detail. Apparently, their mating calls could travel for miles and were often mistaken for earthquakes.
"Great," I muttered, rubbing my temples. "I'm supposed to convince that to keep it down?"
The more I read, the more ridiculous it sounded. Trolls didn't respond to polite requests or subtle magic. If you wanted them to listen, you had to earn their respect—usually through a fight.
Just when I thought things couldn't get worse, I stumbled upon a section about the "Chief Troll." According to the text, the Chief held authority over the entire group. If I could gain his respect, I might have a shot at solving this ss.
But how does one impress a troll chief? The book was frustratingly vague on that point.
"Fantastic," I muttered, slamming the book shut. "Guess I'll have to figure it out the hard way."
********
The next day, ard with nothing but a vague plan and a growing sense of dread, I t the council to outline my strategy.
"Let get this straight," one of them said after I explained. "You're going to et the Chief Troll… and challenge him?"
"Pretty much," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
The council exchanged nervous glances but eventually agreed. "You have one week," the head councilwoman said. "Good luck, Mr. Suis."
As I left the hall, Agnos trotted beside , looking far too pleased with himself. The council also assigned us a guide to help navigate through troll territory.
"This is going to be fun," he said, his grin practically splitting his face.
"For you, maybe," I shot back. "For ? This is shaping up to be a nightmare."
"Oh, Carl," he said, his voice dripping with mock pity. "Where's your sense of adventure?"
It was buried sowhere under a mountain of regret.
By the ti we reached the trolls' territory, the sun was setting, casting long shadows over the rocky landscape. The air was thick with the sll of earth and moss, and in the distance, I could hear the low rumble of troll calls.
"Well," I said, taking a deep breath. "Here goes nothing."
Agnos smirked and leapt onto my shoulder. "Try not to die, Carl. I'd hate to go through the hassle of training a replacent."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I muttered.
Reviews
All reviews (0)