Fate Online: Shadow

Chapter 560: Not Being Able To Get Out Of Here Alive

[We're almost reaching the village. We'd probably get there in around an hour or so. There's also a small guild called Orion Guild travelling with us, can you see if they're good enough to receive at least one of the Knight titles? I think they're a little decent for making it this far]

[We'll see. It would be better if we can investigate their identities in real life. Even if the land around here is barren right now, I'm still not giving away those titles easily if I can't have a guarantee on their character. I don't want troublemakers in my land, especially when I'm away]

After thirty minutes had passed since he received that message from Maverick earlier, Shadow had slowly made his way towards the wall ramparts and had been waiting patiently for them.

"My lord, they're here!" one of the militia's standing at the ramparts shouted while pointing towards the direction where the gate is facing.

'He can see that far away? Hmm..maybe I'll try recruiting some instructors when I get back to the mainland to teach my villagers'

Michael turned towards the militiaman and was slightly amazed. He made a mental note to recruit instructors later, possibly retired soldiers who would be willing to migrate to the village and teach the village militia.

"They're finally here"

A little later, Shadow was finally able to make out the silhouettes of people in the distance.

"Shadow!"

Maverick yelled while waving his hand when he spotted Shadow standing on the rampart wall, who also waved back before making his way down the gates to meet them.

Rumble!

The gate slowly opened with a rumbling sound, and Shadow walked out of the village with two militiamen flanking his sides.

Michael smiled at the arrivals, "You guys really took your time coming here"

Maverick scoffed and lightly punched Shadow's right shoulder. "What do you mean we took our time getting here? It only took us almost two days to get here from the day you released that announcement"

"Thanks to the map I provided"

"Ahh that too. It would have taken us a lot longer if we didn't have the map to follow." Maverick looked around him before leaning over to Shadow and whispered, "Anyway, I heard the village had a feast last night and distributed this magical dish that gives permanent increase in attributes. You..do you have any of that left?"

Letting out a chuckle, "How about we continue this talk back at my cabin? And don't forget to bring your new friends with you"

Shadow looked past behind Maverick and looked at those players who had separated themselves from Flame Rose Guild. He locked eyes with Haruka for a moment and gave her nod and smile, before he turned around and left.

Maverick turned around, pointed at Haruka and gestured for her to follow him.

Haruka had been watching them since they arrived and had been anxious. She really wanted to go up and talk to him and engage in a small talk, and just when she finally got the courage to do so, she saw Shadow walking away.

She was about to get disappointed since it would probably be hard to meet him after this. Then she saw Maverick beckoning for her to follow him, and her heart started beating fast.

"Guildmaster, they are calling for you. Hurry!"

"I know. You guys scatter around the village and take as many Quest as possible. Today's matter will decide the fate of our guild"

"Use your charms if you have to! With your pretty face, I doubt there's any men out there that would be able to resist you!"

"Shut up!"

Haruka ignored the chaotic crowd behind her and hurriedly went after Maverick. While walking through the village, apart from the neatly lined up small wooden cabins, nothing noteworthy really caught her attention. If it wasn't for the players constantly moving around the place, then this place would look even more desolate compared to the small villages near her hometown.

'Quite a quaint village'

"Hey! Who are you sister? It's my first time seeing your face. Did you also come from outside Neverwinter?!"

The rustling sound of small feet approached her from the side, and when she looked over, she saw two small children that had already gotten near her and were looking up at her with curious eyes.

It was the siblings, Ant and Mara. The Extrovert and the Introvert.

"Hey big sis, are you listening?!"

When the Ant opened his mouth again, Haruka finally snapped out of it. "Ohhh..yeah. It's my first time coming here. Who are you little ones?"

Haruka kept a considerable distance from the two since she noticed there were three militiamen following behind them and watching her carefully. It's not only them, most of the villagers were also looking at the two newcomers with slight wariness in their eyes as they walked past them.

A huge improvement compared to the days when Shadow and the rest first arrived here.

Compared to her situation, Maverick was receiving a slightly more warm welcome since the players from their guild had been waiting for their arrival. They had been waiting for them along the village path and immediately went to greet him the moment he entered the village.

"I'm Ant! This is my sister, Mara! The future Lord of this realm! Owww! That hurt! What did you do that for?!"

"D-don't lie, or grandfather would scold you again"

"B-but it's true! Big brother told me that I'll become a Lord like him when I grow up!"

When the little kid started boasting, Mara was quick to douse his dream as she pinched his side. Ant hopped in pain and let out a yelp as he glared at his sister.

'From their words, it seems like they are close with Shadow. Is God finally smiling upon us and sent these two angels to help me?!'

Screaming in excitement inside, Haruka tried to maintain a poker face as she suppressed a grin from leaking on her face. She didn't want to suddenly get labeled as a pervert or weirdo when they just arrived here.

Haruka remembered something and quickly took out something from her Inventory and tried to hand it to the two. "Oh my, it's nice to meet you two. I'm Haruka and as a meeting gift from me. I want you two to have this"

The siblings didn't immediately accept the gesture and just stared at the soft looking thing on the woman's hands. "What's that?"

"It's a cheesecake. It's sweet and very delicious. You can share it with your friends if you want. Don't worry, I'm not a bad lady. You can have it"

With the sweet scent tempting their nostrils, Ant finally couldn't hold it in and carefully took the cake from her hands while leaving a comment that immediately unsettled her. "I know. You wouldn't be able to get out of here alive if you turn out to be a bad person"

"What?"