"I thank you for escorting me on such a long journey." The merchant said.
The journey had taken about two months from where I met the group, three if you counted my journey from Kenith.
The City of Sailors, Orneo, was as beautiful as it was advertised. A port so large that you could fit two small castles in it and a smell of freedom when taking in the ocean breeze.
It was liberating. I had finally made the first step in my journey.
"We can escort you to the Adventurer's Administration building, Esther." Hektore offered. "We usually visit it often anyways. Orneo is one of our go to towns."
I was going to respond but the sound of splashing water and something flying through the air interrupted our conversation. A giant figure flew in between Hektore and I while various sailors around us chuckled or shook their heads in disbelief.
'Uh, wha…'
I gazed into Hektore's eyes and he, into mine. We were both confused. Turning towards the slumped body of a young woman, Hektore and I stared at each other, back to the young woman, then back to each other.
"I need to be careful with those Fuecht crystals." The young woman muttered to herself while shaking off the excess water from her hair.
Her sea-green hair shook widely before frizzling with strands wildly hanging around her face. She opened her bright orange eye while scowling at, I assumed, her hair. She stood to her feet, almost tripping, and picked up a broken cyan crystal before placing it in her pocket.
"You, uh, you okay?" I asked while Hektore picked up her bag which was on the ground a few paces away from her.
She examined each and every member of the party with her hands on her hips. Her gaze came back to me and she snorted. The young woman struck a pose with her finger pointing towards the sky and her other hand on her hips that somehow looked normal paired with her smirk,
"Listen well, peons! I am Elmie Tethys, the harshest pirate to grace this world." She roared. "I see potential in you all—well, not you blondie. Join my crew!"
I could hear the others giggling while I struggled to hold back my annoyance. Another woman I want to hit. I don't like this pattern.
"What do you mean, "well, except you blondie", huh?" I asked, mocking her voice when repeating what she said.
"You're pretty weak, I'm just saying."
"You wanna go, bitch?!"
I was held back by Klina and Fidelia as the aquatic haired whore laughed. I kept trying to get out of their grip but Hektore interrupted before the quarrel could escalate.
"Sorry, we have our own goals that don't involve crime." He said. "I also dislike people who insult my protégé."
Elmie frowned at him, then looked at me, before huffing angrily and walking away.
"Yeah, that right, bitch! Walk away!" I shouted.
She responded to my provocation with the bird. We watched until she vanished from our line of sight.
"She was… err…" Hektore tries to find the word.
"A bitch." I supply.
"Annoying?" Fionna asks.
"I think the word he's looking for is eccentric." Klina says, leaving no room for input.
Fidelia is the one to ultimately remind us of our destination. We make our way into the Adventurer's Administration, with me admiring the architecture. It was a strange design with pillars that held up the entrance and marble for walls. I didn't dislike the design but it was very unique.
We didn't even get to make it to the desk before Hektore was accosted by a woman in a suit. I followed behind since I didn't know what I would do without their help. The lady directed everyone into an office before closing the door.
She let out a relieved sigh, looking as if all the stress she had been feeling would disappear after this.
"Hektore, I'm cashing in that favour you owe me." She said, no, ordered. "I'm going to cut to the chase, I knew you'd be coming. I need your help. There have been ships sinking lately."
Hektore's entire demeanor changed following that. He looked ready to go to war, almost like a soldier.
'Wait, he's a knight, of course he'd look similar to a soldier.'
I wondered what Hektore had done to owe a favor to this lady who seemed important, but didn't question it. I focused my attention back on the woman who I was assuming to be the Executive of this branch.
"A local infant Sovereign has been going rogue with no clues as to why, I need your team to scare it away or kill it."
A fucking Sovereign. It was at this moment I decided to make myself known. I was not about to fight a damn Sovereign. Especially not a Sea Sovereign. Infant or not.
"Hey, yeah, I'm a complete weakling! I think I shouldn-"
"Alright we'll handle it, Sara." Hektore interrupted me.
Was the bastard smiling at me? He knows there's no way I could handle it but he was still bringing me along. I thought I had understood his insanity over the course of two months. I was wrong.
"Let's go, team!" He said excitedly while dragging me out of the office.
I watched as the executive, Sara, handed Klina the quest form before the door shut behind her. I detached Hektore from my arm and stared at him in disbelief.
"Hektore, my bastard of a mentor, no." I begged.
"Yes."
"No."
"Fine, no."
"Fine, yes." I shot back. My eyes widened in shock. "Wait, wait!"
Hektore cackled as he dragged me away. I gazed into Klina's eye believing she would save me. She didn't. She blew me a kiss and turned the other way.
'I think I want a refund on the relationships I've made.'
It took me a moment to realize that I had been dragged into the port before I tried punching Hektore. It hurt terribly but it felt incredibly good to do. The idiot knight was still smiling at me while we waited for the others to catch up.
I felt a hand land on my shoulder. Turning to Hektore, I noticed the mischief in his smile was gone. It was calm yet stern. I felt safe. I felt like I could trust him.
"I want you to try fighting it, I promise that if it gets too difficult, I'll step in."
I wanted to deny it. I wanted him to laugh and say he was just joking. But…
'Why does he have so much faith in me?'
I nodded my head in acceptance before sitting on one of the posts while we waited for the others to make it to the meeting spot.
If I remembered correctly, they were all stocking up on supplies due to their low stock. Klina mentioned something about having to reach out to her head priestess. Fionna didn't bother giving a reply. Finally, Fidelia hadn't been as outspoken lately, I think she was going to recharge her energy.
"I hope you know I still think you're a bastard." I said.
Hektore hummed in confirmation before laughing. I wanted to punch his face but it would only hurt me. This guy was supposed to be an adult and he couldn't help his childish antics.
"I think I lost that projection crystal you gave me on the trip.." I lied.
"It's fine!" He replied.
"Why won't you get angry?!
He merely chuckled. This was something he and I got into often. It started a month ago. I would try to piss him off and he would just laugh it off. I don't understand how he could do it so well. He claimed that he was a master at making others mad. I believed it the second he said it.
The others finally arrived after an hour. Klina seemed happier, Fionna looked pissed, and Fidelia, happier. I noticed that the other two party members who I rarely talked to weren't covered in armor. Hektore's entire party is women, huh. Interesting…
"Wait. You guys weren't, well, guys?" I asked,
The Dark Knight who now lacked a helmet chuckled while brushing some of her black hair behind her pointy ears. Her tan skin made me question how it was possible when she was always in such dark armor. I hadn't talked to her or her other companion who was only an inch shorter than her ever.
I had assumed they disliked me.
"Victoria is shy. Iris actually can't talk." Hektore said while pointing towards the other woman with pointy ears.
I could see a slash mark on her throat due to how pale her skin was. Her yellow eyes seemed high spirited with such a spark that I couldn't bear to look at without having to cover my eyes. She had dirty blonde hair that went to her neck while her outfit covered her entire body. It was a huge baggy cloak.
I gave Hektore a dirty look but I didn't get the chance to question why his entire party was full of women. The ship that would escort us had arrived.
I got on before I could regret making such a choice.