Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend-Chapter 70: Hero In The East

Raegar and Camilla were walking through the hospital, the vampire woman suddenly asked with a raised eyebrow. ’’Special ability? Mind telling me about it?’’

He chuckled before answering with a cheeky smile while stepping outside and feeling the cold air brush against his skin. ’’Maybe I can tell you when we meet again, I have a feeling we’ll be meeting each other.’’

The young woman let out a soft, teasing giggle, leaning in close until her breath brushed his ear. ’’Try to stay alive until then, hmm?’’ she whispered, her voice dripping with seduction. ’’If you manage it, I might just let you take me on a date… to catch up properly.’’

A shiver raced down his spine as her exotic accent curled around her words, leaving his cheeks flushed with heat. He was about to reply but she darted off to catch up with Vlad, but not before tossing him a dazzling smile that lingered like a promise.

’Doesn’t seem like my new scar puts her off?’ he thought.

Raegar chuckled and started making his way to the northern gate to travel back to Bloodfang Forest. While he did this, Vlad and Camilla were sitting in a carriage, prompting the older man to tease. ’’Didn’t know you fancied the Blackwood boy daughter.’’

’’I find him interesting father,’’ she admitted, watching the white-haired young man walk north. ’’He may be fifteen but there’s something about him that no other person his age has.’’

While Vlad teased Camilla, Raeger exited Ravensguard City and started walking north while drinking health potions to relieve some of the ache plaguing his body. After trekking for a few hours, he grew tired and could only spot a Rest Stop in the distance.

’Is this like the random inn in the middle of nowhere trope?’ he mused while approaching the group of buildings. ’This better not be a hills have eyes situation.’

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Raegar noticed it was a market with several shops serving all kinds of food. Merchants and travelers were shopping, but a distinct smell caught his attention, forcing him to follow the aroma until he arrived at a stall.

It was selling all kinds of noodles, which smelled delicious, and an old man stood behind the counter with a friendly smile. ’’What can I do for you young warrior? Maybe some of my Duck Bang Noodles will give you a good ol’ kick,’’ he suddenly spoke in a cheery voice.

He approached the stall and sat down while lowering his hood. ’’Give me the largest portion. Do you sell drinks? I’m bored with water, it’s the only thing I’ve had in a while.’’

The old man chuckled as he took out a dark bottle and spoke. ’’This is Sake, a creation of the Sword Hero in the east.’’

Raegar’s eyes widened in shock. ’’Hero in the east? Who’s that?’’ he asked while taking the offered bottle.

’’Yes. An empire on the far east continent summoned a group of people a year ago who aided them in their time of need,’’ the stall owner revealed. ’’Now the Sword Hero creates stuff and has become a rich business woman.’’

’’I’m guessing ships come to Ravenguard City to trade with Kaldorra and the merchants spread the rumors? Also, how much for the meal?’’ he asked.

The older man chuckled before nodding in agreement before answering. ’’Twenty silver young man.’’

Raegar slid the coins across the counter, his eyes drifting to the bustle of the Rest Stop as more merchants trickled in, their voices mingling. Nytherian guards stood watch, their armored silhouettes stark against the weathered walls.

Ten minutes later, a steaming bowl and a bottle of sake landed before him with a soft thud. ’’Here ya go, boy,’’ the old man grunted, a faint grin tugging at his grizzled face. ’’Enjoy the meal.’’

He gave a nod and turned to his food, digging in as the sky outside darkened. The weather took a sharp turn, wind howling and rain slashing against the Rest Stop’s walls. He tucked the Sake in his magic bag before finishing his food.

Raegar covered himself with his cloak before leaving after saying goodbye to the stall owner. He stepped onto the Kingways and started heading north as the rain battered the world around him.

Wind howled as thunder boomed overhead. ’This is getting worse, I hate winter!’ he complained to himself.

This continued for hours and Raegar was now soaking wet, he spotted a rundown homestead in the distance and headed toward it to get out of the storm. When he stepped inside, the rain stopped.

’’Finally,’’ he muttered while scanning the abandoned house and noticed it must have been empty for years as cobwebs covered everything.

Raegar went around cleaning a spot for him before starting a fire to dry off, prompting him to sigh in relief. Hours later, he felt better and quickly cooked some monster meat as he set up his tent.

After he ate and was resting inside the warm hideaway, he pulled out his magic map and realized Bloodfang Forest was still days away. ’Why do I have to travel through a forest to get there?’ he pondered in annoyance.

Following that, he crawled under the sheets and soon fell asleep thanks to the hot air. The next morning he woke up to the cold air trying to invade the tent, but he raised his hand and summoned some fire Aether.

The magic instantly heated the area and beat back the winter air. He stuck his head out and noticed the storm was in full force as the rain got even worse, which carried on for days, forcing him to stay inside.

By the time it stopped, Raegar was getting bored and decided to continue even though a mist descended on Kaldorra. While walking, he noticed a column of soldiers marching north looking determined.

’Looks like they’re going to help Dawnfire Empire,’ he mused. ’I wonder if I’m going to have to attack some enemy soldiers.’

Raegar continued for days until he arrived outside the southern part of Bloodfang Forest and sighed in relief when he stepped into the Green Hell. When he started traveling across the branches he felt at home.

Without waiting he pressed on with his hunt toward Dreadshade City to check if Tarrin and the others had survived the Rank D Dungeon. As he traveled, he took down Tier One and Two monsters, dispatching them with ease.

He gathered loot to sell, each kill a small profit, each step bringing him closer to his destination. By the time he reached the Dreadshade Bridge that was fortified even more than before.

’’Are they being attacked by those kingdoms?’’ he mumbled while stepping out of the treeline.

Merchants and adventurers turned to him with weird expressions but he ignored them and approached the bridge gates where the Nytherian soldiers blew a whistle forcing everything to come to a standstill.

Raegar sighed in frustration as Cauis stepped out of the human-sized door with a big smile. ’’Boy! You’re back already, get in here now,’’ he said while ushering him through the fortification, which earned him dirty looks from the other people.

’’Yes I’m back,’’ he answered the vampire before asking. ’’Did Tarrin and the others survive?’’

The older man nodded. ’’Yes they did. I believe they’re staying in Dreadshade in case the Korrveth Kingdom attacks. Their scouts have been spotted outside the city and the kingdom sent an army to defend us,’’ he revealed.

When Raegar heard this, causing him to ask. ’’So there’s enemy camps out there?’’

’’No boy! Don’t you dare attack them!’’ Cauis instantly knew where he was going with the questions. ’’They aren’t Tier One or Two monsters! The common soldiers are a Tier Two warriors with experience.’’

’’More than a Tier Four Devil Lord?’’ Raegar retorted with a smirk. ’’I won’t go out of my way to attack them but there’s plenty of beasts I can lure into running amok.’’

The vampire man stopped walking before laughing. ’’You cease to amaze me boy, the city sees you as their savior for defeating the devils, but if you deal with the demons, I think City Lord Donovon will offer his daughter as a reward.’’

Raegar started laughing while shaking his head. ’’No thank you. There’s someone I already like and prefer not to be in an arranged marriage, it doesn’t sit well with me,’’ he answered.

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The two of them continued walking toward the city gate as Cauis nodded in agreement before offering a different perspective. ’’Not if your grandfather forces you too? What would you do then?’’

’’Leave the family and take Yuki with me,’’ he answered the older man instantly.

’’I respect that,’’ Cauis replied as they arrived at the entrance.

Raegar noticed even more soldiers on the walls with dozens of war machines. ’Will the demons attack the city? They would be stupid if so,’ he thought while looking at the defences.

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