Did you sense that? Leila asked, turning her head towards Grimmy.
Grimmy nodded. It felt like sothing important shattered, he said and sighed. Before, whenever I was at ho, if a problem cropped up, I always had to solve it. Now, my parents arent even awake and a problem occurred just when I happened to co back. What are the chances of that? Its almost like it waited for to be here before breaking.
What broke? Gloria asked. I dont know why, but I got the shivers just now.
Grimmy shrugged and flapped his wings. He leaned to the side, changing his course. Well fly towards whatever the event was and see what happened. If my suspicions are correct, then well find your grandparents pretty soon.
Leila furrowed her brow. Are you hiding sothing? she asked, leaning in close to whisper into Grimmys ear.
Why would I hide anything? Grimmy asked and raised an eyebrow.
Leila humd. If youre anywhere near as protective of your injured parentsas you were our unhatched egg, then you mustve boobytrapped the place. She narrowed her eyes. Will there be any danger?
Grimmy snorted. Well be fine, he said. Its not dangerous for dragons at all. I only created traps targeting phoenixes because theyre the ones whod want revenge. Imagine if I placed down a trap that targeted dragons and my parents woke up and wandered into it. Or imagine if I forgot about the trap and forgot about it a few centuries later. If I beca the first dragon to die in his own trap, thats what Id be rembered for instead of destroying the southern continent.
Leila nodded. That makes sense, she said. But are you sure your traps are capable of keeping phoenixes away?
Grimmy chuckled. Keep them away? he asked and grinned. Theyre capable of keeping them there forever. Everything there targets phoenixes in one way or another. I even trapped a few humans, placed a few curses on their souls, and told them phoenixes would herald the arrival of their savior. If they or their offspring ever make contact with phoenixes, terrible things will happen.
What kind of terrible things? Ramon asked, his eyes lighting up.
Grimmy chuckled again. Well, phoenixes think theyre better than everyone else. They love being heroes. If they see people trapped by an evil dragon, of course, theyll save them and fly them off the continent. Once the humans or their offspring encounter the mana of phoenixes, the curse will awaken their bloodlust after a period of ti. Enough ti for the phoenix to drop them off and think theres nothing wrong with them, leaving the phoenix reassured enough to head back towards the southern continent.
Isnt that really an? Gloria asked. The phoenix wouldve taken them away even if you didnt curse them.
Grimmy glanced at Gloria. Yes, but while the phoenix is flying back to the southern continent, if it notices sothing went wrong back at ho, itd be force to co back. By cursing the humans, I waste more of the phoenixs ti, making it even safer for your grandparents.
Glorias brow furrowed. Oh, she said. After a short pause, she nodded. Okay.
***
Alice stared at the nearly bald man inside the cell. There was a clear frown on her face, and her shoulders were tense. Beside her, Mr. Skelly was staring at the bald man as well. The skeleton placed his bony hand on Alices shoulder. Perhaps Tafel was busy with sothing, he said and gestured with his free hand. Think of it as her trusting you. She feels comfortable enough to trust you with keeping soone locked up.
I have confidence in Tafels ability to cut down trees, but you dont see dumping hundreds of thousands of logs in front of her ho and telling her to cut them, Alice said, the frown on her face not easing up. She knows Im already stressed from planning a wedding, and she knows I still have a real job, unlike her! Shes so inconsiderate at tis. Ugh!
Dont worry, Mr. Skelly said and took a step to the side, ending up behind Alice. He massaged her shoulders, forcing her muscles to relax. Look at how docile he is. Hes not going to break out; you dont have to personally watch over him. Mr. Skelly glanced at the bald man. Right?
The bald man shook his head. Nope. Im going to wait right here.
See?
Alice shrugged Mr. Skellys hands off of her shoulders. You cant believe him just like that, she said. Didnt you hear what Tafel said? Dont believe a single word that cos out of his mouth.
She also didnt say how long youd have to detain him for, Mr. Skelly said. You can just leave him here. The guards can watch over him.
And let him trick the guards? Alice asked. What if the guards accidentally forget about him, and he dies of dehydration? What if hes strong enough to break out and overpower regular guards? If you want sothing done right, you have to do it yourself.
You also have to realize that its impossible to do everything by yourself, Mr. Skelly said. How about this? Ill watch over him, and you can go back to doing what you have to do. You know I dont have to eat or sleep, and you know Im pretty capable. This mission was practically made for .
Excuse , Guild Master Alice?
Alice turned her head. A guard was standing at the entrance to the prison. Yes? What is it?
Theres been a disturbance in the dwarven kingdom, the guard said. Apparently, hundreds of pale-skinned, human berserkers sohow snuck in and destroyed a city.
Alice furrowed her brow. And what does this have to do with ?
The dwarven kingdom has requested human aid, the guard said. Since the adventurers guild that you manage is the one closest to the kingdom, the other guild masters have agreed to send you to help the dwarves.
What the hell? I didnt agree to this, Alice said. There are dozens of guild masters less busy than . Send them instead!
The guard blinked. But doesnt it make sense to send a berserker to deal with other berserkers?
Who the hell is a berserker!? Alice shouted. Im a guardian! Gar-Dee-En!
R-right, my apologies, the guard said and took a step back. He saluted. Ill relay your words to the secretary right away!
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