Chapter 413 - Celedony Romance (Patreon)

After the first contact, the second contact was easier.

The four were becoming fast friends, even though Alice and Jonah were still prone to snap at each other. The two locals seemed to be competing who could make Mary and Avel have more fun.

They visited shops, attended a puppet show, went horseback riding, and so on. They even had a bout of friendly Pathseeker battle.

All four were Level 3s. Avel pretended to be a Level 3. Being a Level 4 was too conspicuous. Jonah was a Level 3 peak. Alice and Mary was a Level 3 mid.

Viers felt they were being watched. Turned out it was Alice and Jonah’s secret protectors. The bodyguards were Level 4. They didn't get in the way and stayed in the background.

“You’re pretty good,” Jonah said as he wiped his sweat. “Want to come under my house? You’ll be treated amicably.”

“Oh, hush. How dare you say it so casually. But Avel, if you get tired of wandering, the Fioret will always welcome you with open arms.”

“Stop butting in, fragile woman!”

“Shut your vulgar mouth, smartass!”

Mary sat beside Viers as they ignored the two nobles. It was a familiar view at this point. They traded compliments about each other and pointed out the other’s shortcomings. Compared to Alice, Mary was clearly more familiar with combat.

They were at a training facility, kinda like a sports center. They couldn't simply bash each other with Artes on public streets after all. While they waited for the cat and dog to finish their small war, they saw a group of people leaving the training space next door.

The group seemed to be quite angry at some in their ranks. They left two boys behind. The words useless and incompetent had been thrown. The two boys swallowed their tears and then began practicing again despite the frustrations.

“Excuse me,” Mary said to Viers and went to the two boys. They were only Level 0 Pathseekers baby chicks.

Mary started giving them tips and correcting what they did wrong.

What a good samaritan, Viers thought.

Turned out the two boys were brothers. Viers, Alice, and Jonah also joined them. In the end, the six were playing yutang, this world’s popular ball game that was a bit similar to quidditch.

“That was kind of you,” Viers said to Mary before they separated for the day.

“A little kindness here and there goes a long way,” Mary smiled and waved back to the two brothers.

They met again in the afternoon as previously agreed. Viers asked how Alice and Jonah seemed to have so much time on their hands. Turned out it was the holiday season for them.

“You two come to Celedony at a great time. Although, it could be better. I hoped the Fae would come out this year but there have been no signs of them. A pity,” Alice sighed.

“Meeh, I don't like them very much. Once, a Fae made all my shoes disappear. Well, I admit those little critters make pretty lights,” Jonah added.

“So what do we do today?” Alice asked.

“Do any of you know a thing or two about healing forests and restoring trees?” Viers asked.

The event from three years in the elven forest of Liapris scarred the land. The elves lost their foremost Level 5 elder and many more, no thanks to Viers of course. They averted complete annihilation and regained their prosperity one step at a time. Although it had been three years, corruption in the forest remained.

With Croix studying at Sinclair Academy, the position of Viceroy of the Shore had basically fallen to Avel. On paper, he had always been in that budding small town. In reality, he was in Dia’s Biome, completely cut off from the world.

Before he went to seclusion to become Level 4, he delegated the task of governing the town to the original residents of the Shore. Viers basically told them to take care of themself. A very hands-off approach but he was busy yet reluctant to simply throw the town away. Croix’s hard work laid a pretty solid foundation.

It was pretty common for a Pathseeker to be unavailable for a long period of time. Either they were in the midst of training or went to someplace far away or busy doing their own things. Viers just made sure the appointed mayor didn't let the town deteriorate and paid their taxes to the countess in time. As long as those two things were satisfied, the countess wouldn't kick him out from the position of viceroy. It would make him and Croix look bad if it did.

Took a bit of threatening to hammer the point down to the trembling woman.

It went pretty well. The Shore had no major growth spurt like in Croix’s time but no major setbacks either. Viers only had to send his three familiars two times in three years to solve problems that were too big for the town to handle. One to calm an approaching angry typhoon elemental and one to defeat a crocodile monster caused a drought in the area.

Now that Viers had finished leveling up, he wanted to improve things. If he could speed up the recovery of the elven forest from sickness, the revenue of the elven trade goods that were coming to the Shore would increase.

It was not high on his priority list but it was something to do as he enjoyed his vacation.

Alice and Jonah thought hard, and they decided to introduce Viers to a few people who might know a way. Later that day, the four were at a bountiful farm. They watched how the nature spirits worked.

“The yields from the farms are supplying the bulk of what Celedony consumes,” the man who seemed to be the minister of foodstuff said.

“I see,” Viers hummed. “In case of crop sickness, magical or otherwise, how do you handle it?”

The old minister happily explained things to Viers. A little too eager perhaps. The request from both heirs of the Fioret and the Geneb seemed to be quite a big deal.

Spirits of nature were a diverse term. In a way, Dia was one. She also had met other dryads deep in old woods. The city's way of utilizing nature spirits to improve harvest was quite novel. Viers wished to learn how they do it in Celedony, learn how to improve things. Perhaps it was replicable for the Shore and Viridis. Dia’s capability wasn't the question but she also had the mind of a child. She didn't know this yet and Viers had her focus on more important things.

While Viers was busy gathering knowledge, the other three were having fun. Alice and Jonah enjoyed the sight of the farms that they had rarely visited. Jonah showed Alice an earthworm and she shrieked. Meanwhile, Mary was frolicking with the nature spirits; she seemed well-liked by the spirits who take the form of various animals.

Another nice day lived. Fruitful, relaxing, and precious.

***

Over the days, Viers dealt with the small things that were in his to-do lists. It was quite a lot but he did it at his own pace, one step at a time. Today, Viers was having yet another hearty meal at the Glutton Whale.

“Chef, I’ll have the same as him but normal human portion please. And good afternoon.”

Viers gestured to Mary to take the seat. The restaurant had a lot of empty spaces but she took the one in front of Viers.

“Where’s Alice and Jonah?” Viers said after swallowing.

“They want to convey that they are sorry they are unable to visit us today.”

“What happened?”

“Some trouble with the fae.”

“Ah.”

The two then ate in silence.

“A very delicious meal. I’m going to offer them my help. What about you?” Mary asked nicely.

Fae, eh?

“...Might as well. But I warn you, I am currently very disinclined to do strenuous things. If it is too much for me, I’ll back away. I’m on vacation.”

“...Are you injured?” Mary asked.

She had her suspicions. Avel was living and acting like a retired soldier. Sometimes Pathseekers had to bear wounds that took years to heal or even not at all.

Injured? …I suppose I am healing a mental injury with this vacation.

“You can say that. Well then, let's see what the fae wants.”

***

In many stories, after a group of youth finished an adventure, it ended with a celebration. That was once again the case.

In a beautiful fairy glade, the fae and humans were having a party. The air was filled with laughter. Even a fae lord of the Summer Court had visited earlier. He had now gone to another place, conducting talks with both the Fioret and Geleb’s leaders.

Viers was in here too. He was surrounded by pixies of many colors, intelligent animals, and drunk humans. He was impressing the fae with stories. He spoke like an experienced story teller. The fae were rightly impressed and as agreed, they gave Viers fae goods and trinkets.

He had a past with the fae but these fae were not the ones that he fought with at Valkut.

“Thank you, thank you. Hahaha.”

Viers would plant the magical seeds in Viridis and with any luck, created a fairy glade there. If Paina was here, she would definitely be popular.

“Nice stories, Avel.” Mary had two cider tankards on her hands and gave one to Viers. “Thanks for the help.”

“I only help a bit at the end. It’s you who is praiseworthy,” Viers replied.

“This is the home of my good friend. Since I'm freeloading in her home, it is only proper I help out with the house chores, don't you think?”

“Mmm… So, Level 4. Congratulations are in order?” Viers asked.

Mary showed her true cultivation in the earlier debacle against a faerie dragon and won after breaking through mid-fight. He already suspected she was more powerful than she let on.

Viers breakthroughs in a safe environment, but cultivation breakthroughs could also happen in a heated battle.

“Thanks. I just didn't expect it. I...” Mary sighed. “I hope my folks back home won't realize it.”

“Ah.”

Viers replied with a very short answer and didn't dig any deeper. The two didn't say anything to each other, just standing next to each other with the festivities behind them and a beautiful lake in front. At the other bank, there were two silhouettes walking under the mystical moonlight.

“Hey, that’s Alice and Jonah. Want to guess when they’ll start arguing? I say in twenty seconds,” Mary smiled.

Then Viers and Mary saw the two kiss shortly.

“Ah.”

Viers said once again.

“...Ah.”

After processing the shock, Mary also said the same.

The two raised the bottoms of their tankards and drank the sweet cider.

***

Celedony received the fae’s blessing this season as thanks. Until the season turned, the fae would open a market at the human city and bring various other benefits. Alice, Jonah, and Mary contributed greatly. Viers’ timely help at the end gave him plenty of merit too.

Viers was just happy since he got to reap the benefits with almost no effort at all.

Go, opportunist!

The city capitalized on the Fae’s presence by doubling down and creating a festival. Merchants and people hurriedly flocked to Celedony. Viers’ days didn't change all that much. The city only got more lively, which was a good thing.

The change was not on him.

“Sweetie, I have a gift,” Jonah put a shimmering shawl on Alice’s neck.

“Oh honey, you’re so sweet,” Alice gave him a peck on the cheek.

The air was sickeningly sweet and pink around the two of them. Mary and Viers were seemingly forgotten.

“I suppose they are finally being honest about their feelings,” Viers licked his ice cream.

“I-Is that how it is?” Mary didn't realize.

The following week, Celedony became a place of celebration. The streets were decorated, fireworks and fairy lights at night, events and merriment at every corner, Viers and the gang had a great time. Perusing the items from caravans was a good way to spend time and money.

While the celebration was ongoing, a piece of juicy gossip was spreading amongst the locals.

Apparently the heir of Geneb proposed to the heir of Fioret. However, both of their houses disagreed. The two houses had been enemies for the longest time. The bad blood between them was thick. Alice and Jonah were placed under house arrest so they couldn't see each other.

Viers didn't meet with the other three that day.

The next day, there was another shocking news. House Fioret made a declaration that Alice had been betrothed to another. The match was the first son of a count. The marriage date had been set for next week.

From what Viers could see, Jonah and Alice truly loved each other. Their families just got in the way of their love.

Wait a minute… Isn't this a Romeo and Juliet situation? Oh my god, are they going to double suicide!?

With that realization, a heavy dilemma had been dropped upon Viers. What should he do here? Should he intervene or not?

Even the immaculate cooking of the Glutton Whale’s chef was unable to rouse his appetite that day.