Nula was shocked, to say the least, the next time they were in her office. The last thing she expected to see was a genie, and something had clearly happened to Ardonis given his new power and the unhidden divinity about him. After she took in their sheepish smiles she listened to their explanation of what happened.
“I see… that’s unfortunate, but I suppose nothing can be done if you have no control over the forest. Still… breaking a genie free, and advancing in the process is quite a boon for you.”
“Unfortunately to avoid certain eyes, we are going to lie low for a bit. And this place is far too close to where those eyes are on. This is as much of a report as it is a farewell,” Ardonis said.
Nula nodded, “I understand, well the two of you reached your goal, and although it was a different outcome than anyone expected, I’ll consider it a success. Nothing we can do if it was us who had the wrong idea. However, I think it would be fine to give you this,” she said flicking a token over to them.
Ardonis caught it and looked it over, it was a purplish blue coin nearly the size of his fist with an insignia of a witch’s hat and staff. “It is a token of trust. You can show it to any guild branch to talk with the guildmaster immediately and also take missions above your rank. Use it wisely, as it also reflects back on me, the one who gave it to you. Not every guildmaster can give these out.”
“So they hold special meaning then,” Lucy said as she looked at the coin from the side.
“I can also feel a good amount of magical power within it,” Viana said.
“Yes, it is bound to the one it was given to. Every branch has someone who can see such things. This way no one can steal one and use it. In fact, if someone is foolish enough to try and use it after stealing it, they’ll be dealt with accordingly. After all, they did just walk into a den of wolves.”
“I assume based on context that the guildmaster that hands these out can choose who to give them to regardless of rank. As in, it’s purely your decision and there are no official guild rules about it,” Ardonis said.
She nodded, “Correct. As long as it is someone I deem worthy, I can hand them out to anyone I want. And this includes divine beings that want to be adventurers. Don’t look so shocked, I knew the moment I laid eyes on you. You aren’t the first people aligned with the divine I have met. Dryads and Nel are also divine beings you know. I can’t place exactly what species you are, but knowing you are divinity is enough to sate my curiosity.”
“Before you go, there is one more question I would like to ask,” Nula said. “Miss Viana, since you are joining these two, would you like to become an official adventurer yourself? If you don’t want to be an official member, there is a way to say you are their familiar. That is if you aren’t against wearing a choker, either is perfectly fine.”
She shrugged, “I suppose they summoned me if we want to get technical about things…” she trailed off while looking over at Ardonis, a mischievous smile crossing her lips. “Let’s go with the choker so my ‘master’ here can show off his great summon.”
“Please don’t cause trouble like that. I don’t know how this place, or where we’re going views slavery but it would look far more like that than anything else,” he deadpanned. “Especially since there is no real way other than words to say you are my familiar. When not even that much is true to begin with.”
Her smile softened and turned more genuine, “Joking aside, I have no problem being considered your familiar, or even slave if that is how others view it. You did something no one else ever has. And I’ll gladly call you “Master” as well.”
He sighed, “Fine, suit yourself, do what you want, as long as it doesn’t cause us too much trouble.”
Nula smiled, “It seems she already has you wrapped around her finger.”
He shrugged, “I just don’t see a real reason to deny her if she genuinely wants to do it that badly. I’m not the type to care too much about what others think anyway. Besides, aren’t collars also a type of fashion in some places? We could just say that’s how she likes it.”
Lucy was holding herself in place, but jest or not, she was happy that Viana was seeing the greatness of her fiancé. She also felt deep down that the genie would make a perfect fit for the harem, all that was left was to bide her time and create situations where the two would be alone to form a connection.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
A few minutes later, the choker with the same rank emblem was ready and Ardonis placed it around Viana’s pretty neck. He was surprised at how well the dark blue suited her bluish-pink skin. It looked better on her than he thought it would. “It really suits you,” he said with a smile, Lucy nodded along in full agreement.
She smiled back at his compliment, “Thank you, it feels just fine and comfortable too. I could easily forget it’s there if I don’t think about it.”
Nula nodded her head, “There are many different types of familiars, whereas there aren’t any actual humanoid ones like you, we have had similar. Though I’m only speaking from personal experience, I’m sure a person or two out there have humanoid familiars. This world is a vast place, after all, there are many types of people and beings within it.”
The sun was high in the sky when the three left the adventurer’s guild. After getting their reward from Nuwa of course, which was one hundred gold. After porting it into his ring they left the town. It was about time that they got moving now that Ardonis was a bit more mentally recovered. It wasn’t too much trouble for them as they took off at a run. Nula had given them directions to the nearest port town to catch a ship to the other continent. Where Ardonis had hoped to make contact with Eradis, even if his suspicions about the goddess were all but confirmed by now.
Normally it was a three-day trip by horse to get to the port town that was to the north. However, being as powerful as they were, they could outpace any horse without even trying. It only took them about a day to reach the port town. It was early morning when they arrived. Ardonis took the lead as they made their way into the town. It wasn’t anything too big, a bit smaller than the last one. There weren’t many people up at the early hour, but there were still enough going from place to place. Getting a good start on the day.
“Excuse me, sir,” Ardonis said to what appeared to be a dwarf with a full head of hair and a long beard.
“Yes?” he asked, turning to them.
“We just arrived in town and are looking for the port, would you mind giving us directions?”
“Take the street to the left, go straight for three blocks, then make a right turn. Ye should be able to figure it out from there. It isn’t anything too difficult to spot.”
“Thank you,” Lucy called after him. All that was left for them was to find a captain who would be willing to take them to the other continent.
The docks were busy even at the early hour, people were rushing to and from the ships. Some offloading heavy cargo, others sharing a laugh as they made their way into town and most likely to a pub. A few even appeared to be adventurers coming ashore after their own journey. There were a good number doing maintenance and checks of the ships. Whether it was on deck, or making sure the ropes to the dock were secure.
Ardonis began walking toward one of the ships and the other two followed behind him. “Excuse me,” he called to one of the workers holding a pen and paper. “Is the captain on board his ship at the moment?”
“He should be yes, I assume you are looking for transport somewhere?” the woman asked. She was over a foot taller than all three of them with pinkish-orange skin and large sharp ears. She had an ageless beauty to her, as elves tended to have.
He nodded, “Yes, to the other main continent and to make our way to the kingdom of Clarn.”
“Unfortunately Captain O’Near is not traveling that way, however, Captain Lunish has a few deliveries and business to take care of there. If you would like, I could introduce you to him.”
“That would be great, thank you.”
She nodded and led the three toward the center of the dock where a good-sized cargo ship was docked. “It seems we are in luck today,” she said as she spotted a large man with a large captain’s hat and leather gear stepping off of the plank. A sword was strapped to his side and though he had a smile, there was a clear message of “don’t cross the line” in his eyes.
“Captain Lunish, do you have a moment?” their guide called out, the rest in tow.
He stopped and turned to them, “Nabs, I hope there isn’t some kind of problem this time around?” he asked with a raised brow.
She shook her head, “Not this time sir, just a few potential passengers if you are willing. Your next destination is Clarn correct?”
He gave the three a once over before returning his attention to Nabs with a nod, “That’s right. These three are looking for transport over to there, aye?”
“Yes sir,” Ardonis said, stepping forward. “We’re adventurers looking for a new one on the other side. We’ll pay of course.”
“Forty gold for the lot of ya and not a gold less. We are a secure merchant ship and only sometimes take on passengers.”
Ardonis shrugged, “That seems reasonable.”
“We leave on the morrow at dawn, it’s a long journey and I’d like to get a head start. Be there by then with the payment or get left behind.”
“Thank you, Captain,” Ardonis said with a light bow. “We’ll be sure to be here.”
At some point during the discussion, the elf, Nabs had slipped away. With transport secured, all that was left for them to do was wait a day. They decided to head to the market first, which was located around the center of the town, to get some breakfast.
