Chapter 7 - Simple Request

Arc pondered for a while, testing out various swords with a few practice swings. Some, like the claymore and longsword, were far too heavy for him to wield effectively, so he crossed those off the list. Next, he tried a scimitar, intrigued by its curved design, but it didn't quite suit his preference or style. He then noticed an unusual sword with a tip curved like a hook. 'Looks like this could do a lot of damage' he thought, 'but it might get stuck in an orc's tough skin.' With a shake of his head, he placed it back on the rack and continued exploring.

After trying out every option, Arc still hadn't made a decision. None of the swords felt anything like the wooden katana he had practiced under Sakaguchi's guidance. Frustrated and ready to pick any weapon just to get it over with, something caught his eye—a faint glint from the far corner of the armory.

Curious, he walked over to investigate. What he found piqued his curiosity.

It was a sword with a slightly curved, single-edged blade that gleamed in the dim light. The spine was thick and sturdy near the hilt, tapering gracefully to a razor-sharp tip. The brass guard curved elegantly to protect the hand, and the leather-wrapped grip seemed perfectly crafted for a firm hold. The weapon exuded a sense of lethality and refinement, a perfect blend of practicality and artistry.

Arc picked up the sword from the ground, testing its balance with a few practice swings. 'The balance is perfect, and the handle feels comfortable. This is the one' he thought confidently. After a brief search, he found the matching scabbard and attached it to his belt. Feeling satisfied with his choice, Arc left the armory.

He made his way back to Knight Captain Erin's quarters, expecting to find Sakaguchi there. However, the room was empty, with no sign of either Erin or his master.

'Where could they have gone?' Arc wondered, just as a familiar guard approached him. Recognizing him as the same guard who had earlier escorted him to Captain Erin's quarters, Arc was about to ask when the guard preempted him.

"Looking for Captain Erin, eh?" the guard asked with a knowing smirk. "They went to a field a bit away from the manor. It's the captain's personal spot for practicing swordsmanship. If I had to guess, they're probably sparring."

Arc was about to head off in search of the field when the guard placed a firm hand on his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. "Sorry, kid, but the captain left strict orders that no one is to interrupt them" the guard said firmly.

Seeing Arc's frustration, the guard softened his tone "And if I may add a personal request, don't interfere. Seeing the captain joyful is a rare thing these days with all the chaos caused by the Orc skirmishes. If sparring with your friend helps ease his mind, then as one of his soldiers—and a friend—I think it's my duty to let him have this moment, don't you?".

'Well… I guess he sounds sincere' Arc thought before responding, "Sure, it's the least I can do."

The guard's expression softened into a warm smile. "Thank you, Kid. I really appreciate it. By the way, I haven't introduced myself yet, my name is Edward," he said, extending his hand. Arc then shook Edward's hand.

As they released their grip, Arc glanced around, realizing that the trip to Ravenrock would likely be delayed even further. He let out a small sigh, knowing there was nothing to be done for now. "Might as well check out the shops" he thought, redirecting his attention to the bustling market area.

With that, he bid farewell to the guard and made his way toward the bustling trading area of the manor, curious to see what it had to offer.

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'It's all just wine!' Arc thought, noticing how wine bottles were displayed everywhere in the shop. 'Not that I have any money to spend anyway.'

Just as he was about to leave, he felt a tug on his cloak.

"umm.. excuse me, you're a warrior, aren't you?" a voice called out. Arc turned to see the person who stopped him. A young woman with short, silver curly hair and striking green eyes stood before him. She wore a deep green tunic decorated with intricate golden embroidery along the cuffs and hem, paired with snug black trousers tucked into worn brown boots. Over her shoulder hung a leather satchel lined with pockets, its brass clasps fastening the bag, the faint smell of dried herbs.

"Uh, umm, I'm just an apprentice, not a wa-" Arc started to say, but the girl quickly cut him off.

"That's good enough!" she said with a smile. "I'm Serene, nice to meet you!"

"I'm Arc" he replied, still slightly confused, before asking, "So, what do you want from me?"

Serene grinned. "I need you to accompany me to a nearby field. I'm out of a certain herb I need for a potion, and I need it as soon as possible. But with the orc attacks going on in the region, the other warriors won't risk it. So, I'm asking for your help. Don't worry about payment—I'll give you three silver coins for your trouble."

Arc thought it over for a moment. He knew his current skills weren't enough to take down an orc, but the offer of three silver coins was hard to ignore. 'Three silver coins… that's enough to buy a decent chestplate' he mused. His current leather armor, which Sakaguchi had lent him, was in tatters and would barely protect him against even the smallest of threats. Arc knew that getting better armor would improve his chances of surviving any future encounters.

'It's a decent offer' Arc decided, his resolve firming up. He looked at Serene and said, "Sure, I'll accompany you. However, I need to take care of something first before we head out."

Serene smiled broadly, her green eyes gleaming with gratitude. "Great! I'll wait here for you to finish your business."

Arc quickly made his way back to Captain Erin's quarters, where he found Edward standing guard.

"Sir Edward!" Arc called out.

"Arc, what seems to be the problem?" Edward replied, noticing the urgency in Arc's voice.

"Can I have a piece of paper? I need to write something" Arc requested.

Without hesitation, Edward went into a nearby room, retrieving a sheet of paper, a quill, and ink, handing them over to Arc.

Arc wasted no time, swiftly writing a brief note before handing it back to Edward. "Please give this to Captain Erin as soon as he arrives," Arc said, his tone firm.

Edward, still slightly puzzled, took the note and nodded. "Umm.. Sure" Though confused, he respected Arc's request and stood by, ready to follow through once Captain Erin returned. Arc gave him a brief nod before turning to leave, satisfied that his task was complete.