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Chapter 486 Excursion
🕑 Added 2020-05-28 15:16:58 +0000 UTCAuthor's note: Hey all :). New chapter up and more hopefully on Saturday.
Author's note: Hey all :). New chapter up and more hopefully on the weekend.
Let me know what you think.
PDF/EPUB: https://www.patreon.com/posts/32241245
Chapter 486 Excursion
Ilea reached Dawntree in under an hour of flight. Quite the difference between my first time traveling here, she thought and landed a few kilometers away. The distant shape was distinct, carved into the side of the mountain.
She moved her ash armor to her back and switched into a comfortable set of clothes with leather armor on top.
People would ask questions either way but she didnt feel like hiding in the shadows right now. She was here to test her abilities against Taleen Machines. The normal versions would be perfect to level her new class and nobody would miss them.
She remembered adventurers were usually too afraid to approach Taleen dungeons. Considering the traps and machines inside, she didnt fault them for that opinion.
Ilea reached the main road soon after. There were no travelers in sight but what she did see was a squad of armored people sitting around a campfire.
One of them was the lookout, his eyes looking straight at her but it seemed he was unsure if she was there.
Eyes of Ash, she thought with a smile, watching the man squint against the sunlight.
A few minutes later he did spot her and informed the others.
Ilea had already assessed them when they were prepared and ready for the unknown woman approaching them.
Guards or low level soldiers, judging by their gear and the apprehensive look on their faces. Only two of the five were even wearing helmets.
Who goes there!? one of them shouted.
Ilea wasnt sure he was the leader, two of the others looking at him with slight annoyance. Their armor didnt give her more information about the hierarchy either.
Adventurer! she shouted back and summoned the Emerald Adventurer badge she had gotten.
Dawntree is off limits, one of them said as he watched her approach.
Ilea stopped a dozen meters away and held up the badge, the thing shimmering in a dull green.
Thats emerald shes above two hundred? one of them asked in a whisper, looking at another.
She couldnt identify them yet but it was clear they werent.
Dawntree is the only city in the west which still has a guild. Are you telling me I traveled for two weeks just to turn back? Ilea said.
They seemed unsure.
She stepped closer, knowing now that only one of them was above even level one hundred. Quite a pitiful roadblock. If that was what it was. Maybe they were preying on travelers.
What happened in Dawntree to make it off limits? Did the Elves finally take it? she asked with a smile. They would be an interesting foe to test with too.
The nobles of Dawntree are no more. Ziva has led us to freed- one of them said, interrupted by an elbow to his side. He looked young, excited.
The man who had hit him obviously didnt trust her. Youre a healer.
I am, Ilea said.
The other men seemed to understand the relevance.
Ah, I see. Im unaffiliated with the orders. Most of all the Corinth, if youre worried about that.
How are we to believe you? the apparent leader said. A man in his fifties, calm and collected even now.
Ilea thought about it. She could show her Shadow badge, or maybe show off her healing. Something far simpler came to her mind. Would a Corinth healer dress like this? she asked, motioning to her general self.
A generally approving murmur spread through the group.
A spy might, one of them suggested.
You havent met them. They would rather kill themselves than dress like adventurers, the leader said and nodded. You may pass, he nodded.
Ilea grinned as she walked past them. That smells nice. May I have a bowl?
Food is scarce, buy your own, adventurer, one of them said.
Ilea nodded and summoned an empty bowl. How about one silver? she said and summoned the piece.
The leader opened his eyes wide. Of course. Help yourself, he said.
Ilea did. A simple stew with potatoes and meat. Well cooked and seasoned. One of them should probably think about getting a cook class instead. Looking at them maybe one of them actually Was a cook before.
Thank you, she said, infusing her voice with Monster Hunter as she tasted the stew.
She smiled at the frozen men, apprehension turning to fear in their eyes. Very tasty, she added and continued onward to Dawntree.
We should warn the city! one of them whispered loudly after the effect had worn off.
Are you crazy, leave her be, another one said.
A traveling healer shes alone too. Do you think thats her? From the songs? one of them suggested.
A fist hit his head. You idiot, Lilith has black wings. Plus shes at least two meters tall. This one looked pretty normal.
We leave her be. She didnt seem out for trouble, the leader said and turned towards the food. Now eat. Its going to be a long day.
Ilea saluted his wisdom. Either way, she would have only scared them a little. Maybe some Displacement. They were just doing their jobs and she had met far worse guards.
The gates of the city were closed, people moving far above on the wall.
Who goes there!? a female voice called out.
They always have to scream like that when somebody arrives?
Adventurer! she shouted and lifted her badge.
Open the gate! the woman shouted.
Ilea was welcomed by an armored team of ten soldiers, each above one hundred with a few going as high as one fifty.
What do you seek in Dawntree?
She showed him the badge again. The guild still operates? Or did you burn it down too?
One of them took a step forward, lifting a spear to her chest. Careful now. Healers arent welcome here.
Youre the one who needs to be careful, Ilea said and walked towards him, the blade of his spear pushing into her leather armor.
The guild still operates, the leader said. Leave her be.
Sir, the man in front of her said and removed his weapon.
Apologies for the treatment, adventurer. Weve had a recent change in leadership. The guild should not be impacted by this, nor should the availability of jobs. I must however know if you are associated with a healing order. Few high level independent healers roam these parts, he said.
Im not affiliated with a healing order, she said.
I see. Then you are free to enter the city. You are aware of the rules? he asked.
I am, Ilea lied, not about to listen to the local list of laws.
Very well. Do have a fruitful stay, he said and nodded to her, stepping aside.
No toll either. They must be eager to get more muscle.
She glanced at the guard who had confronted her before stepping through the thin hallway inside of the wall, coming out on the other side to the familiar sight of the mountainous town sprawling downwards.
I wonder if it was humans who built this, she thought and nodded to a nearby soldier.
Wheres the adventurer guild? she asked.
The woman pointed her in a direction, adding a few explanations.
It seemed like a busy day, plenty of people rushing through the streets. The sounds of workmanship reached her throughout the whole walk. Some buildings lay half destroyed, walls caved in and roofs burnt while others looked untouched entirely.
The palaces and mansions she assumed had been owned by the nobles of the city had been hit the worst. Towers and whole sections entirely destroyed.
She appreciated her Eyes of Ash, allowing her to take in the view with an entirely different level of detail. Even from a distance.
Ilea did note that she got weird looks from time to time but her high level seemed to dissuade any aggression towards her.
The guild looked untouched, obvious adventurers guarding the large building against whoever might cause trouble.
Ilea had her badge ready and flashed it to one of them, the man nodding her past.
Stone and wood had been used in the construction of the guild, the two story building spanning a good thirty meters in all directions. The roof was tiled and angled downwards on each side, the style reminding her of something one would see in a European mountain village.
It looked quite contrary to the surrounding houses, more built for efficient use of space and obviously trying to save on materials.
No wonder they can pay adventurers for protection, she thought and nodded to the man in armor, entering the building.
A large hall with a few counters welcomed her, lit by both magical and oil lamps. The busiest employee inside was the barkeeper, the large man filling up mugs for the various groups of people occupying the stools and tables spread throughout.
She got a few glances but most people dismissed her, unable to identify her from the distance and unimpressed by her gear.
Ilea quickly glanced over the noticeboard, the thing packed with fliers. Most were related to rebuilding, repairs, and security details. Both for obviously wealthy employers or shops.
She hadnt encountered obvious unrest or crime on her way here but it seemed people were scared. Or it was much worse in the past weeks, she thought and decided to ask one of the two clerks instead of reading through the whole thing.
Only three people were waiting, their requests quickly dealt with.
More people checked her out when she put the emerald badge onto the counter, whispers of healer spreading through the hall.
I havent seen you in Dawntree. Are you new? the clerk asked. A young woman with long black hair going down her back, wearing light armor.
Prepared for battle it seems, Ilea thought as she identified the woman.
[Mage lvl 120]
I just arrived, yes. Before you ask, no, Im not affiliated with a healing order, she said.
The woman smiled. I imagine youre getting that a lot. The Corinth Order wasnt exactly happy about the new change in government.
Was the guild? Ilea asked.
Happy about the change? The Adventurer guild provides its services no matter the local government, the woman said and left it at that.
Mhm , Im looking for a job, Ilea said.
Plenty available, the woman said and smiled, motioning a hand to the notice board.
Anything related to the Taleen dungeon previously in the Forkspear territory? she asked.
That location isnt public knowledge, the woman said in a whisper, leaning in slightly.
It should be now. I would assume the nobles arent around anymore, Ilea said.
The woman glanced at the occupants and back to her. Information retains its value.
Ilea rolled her eyes and summoned a piece of silver.
A storage item and such a high level. You are an interesting individual, the woman said and took the coin.
I hear a missing Forkspear daughter has returned, joining the rebellion and even fighting her own family. What was her name again? the woman said, looking at Ilea with innocent eyes.
Look, I dont really care. Any jobs related to the dungeon or not? Anything Taleen related, Ilea asked.
The clerk sighed. Very well. There are a few jobs. Mostly about finding missing people from the expedition that went down there a few years past. And missing people who took those jobs before and didnt come back.
I believe I remember a few jobs requesting materials and any writings or artifacts from the Taleen, let me see, she said and started looking through a filing cabinet below the counter.
More and more folders were put up on the counter. Ah yes this one was interesting too. A living Taleen Guardian. If they are alive at all. Though I do think the noble yes, shes dead. she proceeded to stamp the file and place it into another cabinet.
Dont they already pay to put up the job? Ilea asked.
And parts of the reward money too, depending on how trustworthy they are. Yes, this rebellion was quite profitable for the guild, though the economic damage it did to the city itself will far outweigh the small infusion of gold, she explained.
Especially because nobles are trustworthy employers, meaning there was little gold to pocket in the first place, Ilea thought. She had an idea who the Forkspear daughter was but didnt feel like investigating. For now.
At least now people wont bother me or Claire about her anymore. Not that theyd have the resources to challenge the Head Administrator of Ravenhall.
Ill take everything that is still active, Ilea said.
These seven. Should I have them copied for you? Would be one copper each, the woman said.
Ilea summoned her notebook and quickly wrote down some of the info, who it was for and what they wanted. No, its fine.
She would take out any corpses she found anyway, if only as a courtesy to the expedition she had worked with back on her first visit.
Is that him? she asked herself. Jeremy Creek, requests for both bodies and writing. That the paladin and earth mage who teaches at the college? she asked.
The woman checked the file and nodded. Yes. The college sided with the rebellion so I would assume hes still alive.
What if he isnt? she asked and continued taking notes.
Then you wont receive the part of the reward he didnt already leave with us, the clerk explained. Though with your demeanor, level, and storage item, I doubt youre here for gold.
Who knows? Ilea asked and stored her notebook. See you later, she added and turned, leaving the guild with a few sets of eyes on her.
The walk down to the Root was uneventful, Ilea occasionally checking out mages repairing or adding to existing structures.
Compared to the usually quite boring stone mages she had met, the application it had with structures made her respect that school of magic much more. Where one needed to be efficient when battling monsters, in architecture they could take their time.
Maybe I should pick up ashen building. Its probably much more durable than whatever most houses are build with anyway.
She reached the open field right in front of the tunnels leading into the mountain, turning around and briefly looking over the city.
It looked like the people were mostly content with whoever the new ruler was. Ziva, was it?
Now who are you? Ilea thought and looked straight at the man currently watching her. He stood about a hundred and fifty meters away, their eyes locking.
A hand moved through his black hair as he smiled. He winked and vanished.
Should I run now, or find and kill him? Ilea thought. She saw something appear in her sphere and turned her head towards the apparition.
A much more subdued change appeared behind her. Nothing she would miss after her bouts with Eve.
She turned there instead, ignoring the illusion of the man now standing behind her. Who are you? she asked.
His camouflage dissipated as he bowed. Impressive. Most impressive. Apologies for the display, Lady Lilith. I could not resist, despite knowing of your prowess.
He was clad in light armor, the pieces connecting seamlessly, some parts covered with fine fabric. Not a single part looked damaged or in fact used at all. Everything was colored in the darkest raven black. He smiled at her, showing perfectly white teeth.
[Mage lvl 214]
To answer your question, he said and straightened. My name is Levi Walken, a friend, I hope, and an associate to both the man called Sulivhaan and a certain head Administrator.
And how exactly does that involve me? Ilea asked and turned towards the tunnels, starting to walk.
The man stepped to her side, keeping a respectful distance. The rebellion was a success and already your influence here is growing. The funds and resources transferred from Ravenhall will make the difference here between complete and utter anarchy and the beginning of a hope carried by the leaders of Dawntree.
I was informed that these resources came from both Ravenhall itself and a major benefactor by the name of Lilith. I was quite surprised when in fact it turned out that I had met her before, fought by her side even.
Ilea stopped walking, looking at him with a questioning glance.
Indeed. The fields of Ravenhall, opposing the horde of demons summoned to this realm by none other but our own. It is the only logical conclusion. Nobody else could have managed such under the nose of the Elders, were it not an Elder himself.
Does he want me to tell him who did it? Ilea wasnt sure if every Shadow knew about Adam. She had assumed word would have traveled. At least in their own ranks.
But I digress. It is no surprise as such that the one who orchestrated this marvelous maneuver of usurping one of the last remaining independent cities of the west to show herself, finally, at the very center of deceit. The one to end ceaseless corruption and abuse of power, using not her very own strength of magic but instead the will of the people!
Ilea crossed her arms. Can you pipe down a little? she asked, seeing a few people who turned their way. I dont know who the fuck youre talking about. Im just here to settle an old score, and level some skills.
He squinted his eyes, a spark going through his deep orange irises.
Levi rubbed his hands together and rejoiced. Of course! Not a quest for geographic domination but a personal feud unanswered for centuries, nigh millennia! Planning that would drive the weak minded mad!
Ilea was about to vanish when she saw another character appear on the scene.
Another one, she sighed and summoned herself a mug of ale.
This the one? a gravely voice asked from behind the black helmet.
Indeed you have found the one behind it all, the mastermind. This is no other than Lilith herself, the one wielding ash and death, Levi said in a whisper, leaves appearing out of thin air before they flew past as if there were strong winds present.
Oh my fuck. I really dont want to be part of this, Ilea said and teleported deep into the tunnel, repeating the spells a few times until she passed the lightly guarded wall to the Root. Nobody even noticed her when she appeared behind an inn clad in ash armor.
Comments
Emma Carlin
Please let her visit the lightning bar maid that she had an *electrifying* night with! ;)
Levi and friend remind me of the two from the road to el Dorado cartoon. I wish I could insert the meme here for reference.
fbt
yup. Arguing with crazy is futile. Run Luke! ^h^h^h Ilea! :)
Venalitor
I'm totally with Ilea's decision to ditch those two loonie assholes at the end there. Fucking creepers.
Playful
Just caught up and subscribed. I loved this chapter just like most the others! Keep up the good work!
Golden lily
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter. Glad I'm not the only one that immediately thought "Waitress." Glad we all have our priorities straight.
Kevin Mendoza
Apparently we need to also read the dawntree side story to fully understand the. References.
Yaksher
I believe they showed up but mostly in passing.
I recall an earlier character wondering if she was hundreds(?) of years old. The author has included several, similar observations. So yes, you are absolute correct in this regard.
PloofDoodle
That wasn't satisfying at all, felt more like a part 1 of x than a stand alone installment.
Johannes Sauer
She is around 26 right? Don't think anyone would believe her though. That would be to hard for their ego to stumach.
Johannes Sauer
Don't. I think its all good. Ilea has explored maybe 5% of the planet and 0% of the multiverse. Don't think rediculous asspulls are nessesary. She will find her oponents.
Erriballon
No this story is amazing
Zir
imagine him taking fresh leaves out of a storage item and using wind magic to blow them around dramatically lol
Blackmoon11
No that was Aron, they met during the elf attack on riverwatch, the guy shes talking about she met at the taleen dungeon after splitting up with Edwin and co. He was one of the few survivors of the praetorian attack. They both work at college , so I guess the confusion is understandable
The 49th Khan
That guy from the college. Wasn't he a bard and earth mage, not a Paladin?
Michael C
Now THAT I would read. But really I hate how stories build up this super powerful character, set in motion world changing events, invest us in the sentinel mission and then stop the story. Would love to see that play out. Would love to see her get trapped by a healing order and have her powers limited by some esoteric power. Maybe she is capped at level 200. Maybe it turns out there are dragons who see themselves as druids and maintain balance by killing overly powerful sentient beings. Maybe dragons have a humanoid form and she falls in love with a female one and has to save it.
Flames
Yo please tell me you based Levi Walken off of Onyx from the YouTube channel BowserVids. Otherwise known as the weird Arby's guy on YouTube that makes those fake news stories where he edits himself in. Hilarious nod to him if it's true.
Adam Roundfield
Gotta tie up some loose ends before she finds out Earth is currently having a system apocalypse and rushes off to help.
Michael C
I am torn. I love the updates quickly answering questions. I live the progression. But I worry that the writing is being tuned to us web serial readers who get a small fix each week. I tried to clear my mind and reread the last 20 chapter's like a book. Its seems rushed. When you compare the length of the Tremer Dungeon (Knights) arc...this recent stuff is flying by. I have seen successful stories with a long arc and then a montage of quick scenes to wrap up some threads, slice of life, world build etc.. Then we setle into the next arc. There is still so much more to this story. The author can make a career out of this. I just hope he is not rushing to tie it off abd start on another project. I know this was my first patreon to an author. I joined because I got hooked and invested in Ilea. Really hoping this doesnt die off and he pivots to a cultivation novel or something.
Michael C
You mean the sparky lightning waitress? I wonder if Ilea still has her panties? I bet the waitress has Ilea's.. Hmmm. No sex related abilities? Water? Check. Blood? Check. Intimate Fluids? Hmmmm..
Anon_Anon
Did these two Shadows show up in the side story or are they new characters?
Oh my dog we are super close to the waitress! I've been waiting for this for a very long time
Alsia
Thank you for the chapter :) It was a wonderful addition to the world-building of the novel. I'm excited to see how it all turns out. I'm curious to see more about those new characters and what their motives are. I feel like they're going to try to use Ilea for something, only for her to "nope, fuck off, i don't wanna". I love the way she just ran away from the potential problem so she could go kill things in the dungeon without getting caught up in whatever that was. That last paragraph was gold.
Deinos
I get cliff vibes
Chad Hagner
The dramatic reveal at the end! I can't! Summoned leaves blown in the wind!
M. Gunnarsson
Ha ha ha.. it actually makes sense for there to be conspiracy theories in Dawntree. Lilith makes her first appearance after being hired by Alice (she probably said as much to the expedition members at least). After that, the expedition she "infiltrated" got wiped, cutting Dawntrees fighting power/adventurer force by a possibly dramatic level, just as the city has begun to destabilize politically and the elven attacks begin. Then both Lilith and Alice disappears from the city, Alice's brother hire people to hunt them both down, and then Alice joins the rebellion against her family, using Liliths fighting style. Assuming Alice now has a position of political power, and Claire sent in Liliths money and resources to take a crack at the asshole who had her frail old mom hunted down by hired adventurers, it's actually not a bad conspiracy... and now, just as the healing order is down and Alice is possibly installed as a backbone in Dawntree politics, her old accomplice returns to the crime scene.. the same accomplice who rose to power in Ravenhall after the demon invasion, lmao Ah, just wait until he finds out about her "order"
Seb
lol that would be pretty funny
M. Gunnarsson
He seems to be a conspiracy theorist..
sharkattack
I'm getting chuuni vibes from Levi. Moar!
Chase Clawson
xD that ending was excellent, showing off her power by escaping annoying people! Truly, the best way to flex on them. Just leave them behind!
Phaeth
Lilith ? never met her, I'm Lithli wielder of flame and life not ash and death. *Bursts into flame* Now fuck off.
Michael C
Wait. Was this guy for or against Ilea? Seemed like he was calling her the villian?
Arnon Parenti
Leave Lilith alone! She didn't do anything to you... yet.
Michael scott
Thanks for the chapter.
Michael scott
The first guys name was Walken. He did seem to be an annoying little shit didn't he. I'd give even odds that he makes an ass of himself and Ilea slaps some teeth out the next time she sees him.
Ziggy
I don't recall. That sounds right. But also she seemed the opposite of political so that'd be odd.
I Dewa Bagus
I forgot the name, is it white lilly or sometjing
Adam Roundfield
Bards... Bards everywhere...
Hayden Pech
Thanks for the chapter!
Jack Trowell
groupies ? Lilith fan club ?
Somerito
I think ziva is that blind mercenary working for redleaf who got teleported away just like kyrgian
MountainFox
After the dungeon debacle Ilea left. The Forkspears in an epic misunderstanding assumed Ilea to have escaped with Alice Forkspear. In the subsequent side chapters Alice sides with the rebellion to wipe the nobles out. Claire the Head Administrator, an unintended victim of the Forkspears search for Alice, pulled resources from Ravenhall and Ilea's personal wealth to start an economic takeover of Dawntree. Ilea being Ilea neither knows nor cares about the specifics.
Ziggy
Lol did... did he conjure leaves to blow away dramatically?
Osprey36
I had some weird arrogant young mast vibes from these guys, like not quite there but still way too cocky and acting a little like a D-list villain at the same time. The first guy kinda reminded me of the riddler with how he rambled on
Satya Prateek
Can someone remind me what happened in dawntree before?
Svensonsen
😂😂Same
Alexander Dupree
LOL she just bails.
Timothy Alexander
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Morzul
Thank you for the chapter
Lockwood
Thx for the chap!
thanks fam, this makes the exam period that i've thoroughly fucked through procrastination that much easier to bear <3
Sebastian Prue
Wanted to check and see if I missed something and low and behold there is a chapter waiting for me from a second ago!
