Retre

Gabriel kept true to his promise, arriving in Retre the following day late in the evening after a long ride across the newly constructed rails that ran across the country. From the nearest station, there was still a two hours car ride before getting to their destination.

However, what had once been a quaint town with rustic charms and lively inhabitants had transformed into desolate ruins. On the outskirts were still some recognizable structures.

Paladin Sareena, who was in charge of the northern territories met them outside a run-down little inn that was left half-standing by the side of the road. Wood was left splintered and a giant hole gaped through the west wall from the wake of an earthquake.

Anita looked around nervously, lips downturned.

"Look Princess, at least there's a roof, what more can you ask for?" Paladin Roswell greeted them with a smile that flashed her full set of teeth with hands set upon the curve of her hips.

Anita laughed awkwardly as she pulled her cloak around her figure tighter, "How very considerate of you, Paladin."

Sareena shrugged, "Half my men are camped out in the fields. I really meant it when I said this is the best I have to offer so try not to complain."

"I didn't even say anything…" The words were left stuck on the tip of Anita's tongue but she only continued to force out an unnatural laugh.

Finally, the Paladin turned her attention to Gabriel and appraised him with a sweeping gaze. "You must be High Paladin Gabriel. You're really a lot younger than I imagined. And a pretty boy."

Gabriel hid his impatience with a still mask. "Paladin Sareena," was all he offered as a way of greeting. "I assure you that my age will not discount my ability, just as I'm certain the quality of your Resonance Core does not affect yours."

Her expression immediately goes cold, mouth straightening into a tight line, "Well, aren't you shrewd?" Paladin Sareena was famous among the knights for her promotion to Paladin despite the poor quality of her core. It was often rumored that she only managed the feat through favors and blackmail.

It was Gabriel's turn to shrug, "Perhaps, but I didn't come here for banter."

"You call that banter huh?" Sareena crossed her arms across her chest, her tone questioning "That bad attitude's going to get you one day if it hasn't already."

Silence stretched for a moment and Anita bounced on her heels, perhaps readying herself to jump between the two paladins if need be. Luckily, the glare in Sareena's eyes eased, "Have it your way, I suppose." She sighed, "Ain't really much I could do to stop you."

She lead them to what used to be a bar counter. Broken glass crunched below their steps, drawing a surprised yelp out of Anita's mouth. "Careful there, Princess." There were piles of folders and papers. Picking up the one sitting atop the stack, Sareena handed it over.

"That's what we got from looking this place over up and down. You'll find everything you need in there and if you had waited patiently in Edenea, the information would have reached you in a few days' time tops. But whatever, you're here so feel free to take a look. It's too dark to be poking around the place now but I'll send you the demon specialist to guide you around-"

Gabriel cut her off, "The demon specialist?"

"Yeah, a researcher from Xillandra. He helped us out figure a lot of this shit out. Honestly, you can just read about it in the report, like I said but, hey. Do things your way, High Paladin."

Before Gabriel could usher the conversation onward, Anita cut in, "Aren't you from Xillandra, sir?"

Sareena was taken aback, "Is that so? Pardon me but you certainly don't look it."

Of course he didn't. Xillandra was a city located in northern Adros, built around a towering cathedral surrounded by tall mountaintops adorned with rushing waterfalls. It was a holy city, filled with powerful priests that did everything they could to hide the evidence of a struggling lower class that festered through the streets. Gabriel donned neither the appearance of a holy man nor a street rat.

At least, that was the Xillandra that Gabriel knew, but it had been years since he visited and last he heard, the guilds had grown exponentially in influence there. While he could hardly imagine Xillandra being a center of commerce, from the rumors he'd heard, that was what it had become.

"I left Xillandra a long time ago." He stated dismissively before redirecting the topic, "If the investigation report is complete, then what are you still doing here in Retre?"

"You should know, High Paladin. There is still a surplus of demons wandering around. Retre's a little off the radar and far from any major cities but I still can't have these beasts scouring around as they please. We've already dealt with two Voracious Eaters but if findings are on the mark, then there should still be another one creeping around. If you're to be poking your head around tomorrow then I suggest taking some precautions."

Gabriel nodded, "Duly noted."

"Then…If you need anything else just get my men to call for me." The floorboards creaked as Sareena took her leave. Gabriel knew he wouldn't be calling for her anytime soon. Scooping up the relevant files, he called after Anita to retire for the night.

Their allotted rooms were located behind the bar, probably once used by the owners of the establishment. The rooms upstairs were in too poor a state for use. "Aren't you going to look over the files, sir?" Anita yawned, following close behind her boss.

Stopping at two adjacent doors Gabriel explained, "The way Paladin Sareena raves about these reports has me to believe that they really just wanted to close the case despite not knowing at all what is going on. Whatever the truth, it matters little because we'll have a look for ourselves tomorrow."

"I suppose that's true." Anita had her head slightly tilted, "We won't really know until then. I suppose I'll see you bright and early sir!"

"Yes, don't be late. I expect you at six in the morning sharp."

"Gotcha!" She chuckled before finally disappearing behind the rickety wooden door.

The small dusty room wasn't as barren as Gabriel had expected. Cheap decorations hung from the wall, a drawer left ajar with notebooks and even a bottle of cheap perfume. There was even a small picture frame of a young man and woman smiling from behind the glass.

Even for Gabriel, the scene was undoubtedly unnerving. But no matter. Pushing the picture frame face down on the desk, Gabriel sat upon the hard creaking mattress and focused his attention on the reports in his hand. Sleep was a difficult affair, so he might as well try to make use of his time. His eyes scanned through lines of boring information until sleep stole away his consciousness.