Chapter 66: Settling In and New Beginnings
The morning sun filtered through the curtains of their newly acquired home, casting warm golden light across the wooden floors. Lyra stretched and sat up in bed, taking a moment to savor the comfort of a real home—a far cry from the inns, makeshift camps, and dungeon floors they had slept on in the past. The scent of freshly brewed tea and the faint sound of footsteps downstairs signaled that Ella was already awake, as expected.
Lyra glanced down at Mizu, who was curled up at the foot of her bed in her white fox form. Her small body rose and fell with gentle breaths, clearly still in deep slumber. Lyra smiled and carefully slipped out of bed, mindful not to wake her.
After a quick wash and change, she made her way downstairs, where Ella was setting the table with tea and freshly baked bread from the market. Yuki, unsurprisingly, was still asleep, sprawled across her bed in a mess of tangled blankets.
"Good morning," Lyra greeted as she entered the kitchen.
Ella nodded in acknowledgment. "Morning. I figured we could have a proper breakfast before we start planning our next steps."
Lyra took a seat, inhaling the aroma of the tea. "It still feels surreal, having a place of our own," she mused.
Ella offered a small smile. "It does. But we’ve earned it."
Just as they were about to start eating, loud footsteps thundered down the stairs. A disheveled-looking Yuki appeared, hair sticking out in every direction. She plopped down at the table, groaning.
"Why does the sun have to be so bright?" Yuki whined, rubbing her eyes.
Ella smirked. "Maybe if you didn’t stay up so late messing with your weapons collection, you wouldn’t be so tired."
Yuki huffed but didn’t argue, instead reaching for a piece of bread and taking a big bite.
Mizu finally made her way downstairs, stretching as she leaped onto the table in her fox form. "Good morning, mortals," she teased.
Yuki flicked a crumb at her. "You slept the most out of all of us, so don’t act superior."
Mizu merely flicked her tail and settled comfortably on Lyra’s lap.
Planning Their Next Steps
As they ate, they discussed their plans.
"So, what now?" Yuki asked, biting into another piece of bread.
Lyra took a sip of her tea. "We should probably head to the Adventurers' Guild and check for any new quests. If we’re going to settle here, we’ll need a steady source of income."
Ella nodded. "That’s a good idea. We should also take some time to explore more of the capital—find out where the best shops, blacksmiths, and magic vendors are."
Yuki leaned back in her chair. "And maybe some good sparring grounds? I need to keep my skills sharp."
Lyra chuckled. "Of course. And I wouldn’t mind visiting the magic archives if there’s one in the city."
Mizu flicked her ears. "I think you should also get proper furniture. Your room is still half-empty, Lyra."
Lyra sighed. "I’ll get to it eventually."
With their plans set, they finished their meal and gathered their gear before heading out.
The Adventurers' Guild
The city was alive with activity, merchants calling out their wares, knights patrolling the streets, and citizens bustling about their daily routines. The group made their way through the busy roads until they reached the familiar doors of the Adventurers' Guild.
As they stepped inside, the guild hall was as lively as ever. Adventurers gathered in groups, some exchanging tales of their latest quests while others haggled over equipment trades. The air was filled with the scent of ale and parchment, and the steady hum of conversation filled the spacious hall.
The receptionist from before greeted them with a warm smile. "Ah, welcome back! I see you’ve been settling into the capital well."
Lyra returned the smile. "We have. We were hoping to take on another quest today."
The receptionist nodded and gestured toward the mission board. "Plenty to choose from. Though, given your recent achievements, you might be interested in some of the higher-tier quests."
The group walked over to the board, scanning the various requests. There were the usual monster exterminations, escort missions, and gathering quests, but one in particular caught their attention.
Quest: Investigate the Ancient Ruins of Valeria
Reward: 1500 Silver + Any artifacts recovered
Details: Reports of strange magical activity have surfaced regarding the long-abandoned ruins of Valeria. The guild seeks skilled adventurers to explore and report back on their findings. Warning: Potential magical hazards.
Yuki grinned. "Now this sounds like an adventure."
Ella crossed her arms. "It does. And if there's magical activity, it could be connected to the darkness we encountered before."
Lyra’s eyes gleamed with interest. "I’d like to study the ruins if they hold any ancient magical knowledge."
Mizu flicked her tail. "As long as it’s not another creepy dungeon filled with undead, I’m in."
Lyra took the quest notice and brought it to the front desk. The receptionist looked over the request and nodded. "A solid choice. Do be careful—the ruins are known to shift due to residual magic. Many adventurers have gotten lost within."
"Noted," Ella said.
The receptionist stamped the quest approval and handed it back to them. "Good luck out there."
Preparation for the Journey
Before setting off, the group decided to gather supplies.
They visited a well-known blacksmith to check on their weapons and armor. The blacksmith, a burly man with a thick beard, inspected their gear with a keen eye. "Solid craftsmanship, but I can reinforce them with stronger enchantments if you’ve got the coin."
Lyra considered it. "How much for reinforcement?"
"Depends on the type. Elemental enchantments cost more, but they’re worth it if you’re facing magical creatures."
After some discussion, they had their weapons enhanced with minor elemental affinities—Yuki’s sword received a slight fire enchantment, Ella’s spear was reinforced with wind magic for swifter strikes, and Lyra’s staff was improved for better mana efficiency.
With their weapons upgraded, they moved on to stocking up on potions, rations, and camping gear. Given that the ruins were a day’s journey away, they made sure to prepare for an overnight stay.
By midday, they were fully prepared and ready to embark on their next adventure.
Setting Off
As they left the capital’s gates, the road stretched ahead, leading them toward the distant ruins. The air was crisp, and the landscape gradually shifted from bustling city surroundings to quiet, open plains.
Yuki stretched her arms. "Ah, I missed being out in the wild. Cities are nice, but this is where I feel most alive."
Ella smirked. "Just don’t get too comfortable. The ruins have a reputation for being dangerous."
Lyra adjusted her satchel, glancing ahead with anticipation. "Something tells me we’re about to uncover something big."
Mizu trotted beside them, tail swaying. "Let’s just hope it’s treasure and not more ancient curses."
With laughter and excitement in their hearts, the group continued down the path, ready to face whatever awaited them in the ruins of Valeria.
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