The village was located at a short distance away from the borderline between the Starborne Empire and the Drewrath Continent. A few groups of people settled here years ago and developed into a village. Later on, the Adventure's Guild set up a branch of their own here.
Duskmear was the name of the village, and along with the Adventure's Guild branch located here, the Starborne Empire had set up a barracks a little further ahead from the village towards the edge of the empire.
The village would be used as a supple point from the capital city while the few guards are assigned to protect the village.
Ericka strolled around the peaceful village while greeting a few familiar faces along the way, "Morning, Mina, awake so early? Don't tell me you're going to confess to your dear knight in shining armor today. Pfft, I would like to see that happening."
Greeting a brown-haired girl who was cleaning up her flower shop to get her business ready and up and running, she just teased her, and the brown-haired girl's face turned slightly red hearing those words, while she glared back at Ericka.
"Oh, shut up, Ericka. That guy is just an idiot, and I won't be the one to confess first," Mina huffed, crossing her arms, still glaring back.
Ericka's mouth twitched at the little reaction of hers; she knew Mina didn't mean it, and she shrugged it off, continuing her walk towards the adventure guild.
"Oh, Ericka, good morning hope you're having a good day."
"You too, old man; don't try to drink too much, just like last time," she reminded the old man who greeted her.
After taking her time, about an hour or so later, she arrived at the entrance of the adventure's guild.
Switching to her poker face, she entered through the door, scanning everyone present in the hall.
Ericka noticed the firelight flickered across the rough, uneven walls of Duskmear's branch hall, casting shadows that danced like restless spirits.
The sun's light flew through the open windows, casting a warm glow across the hall.
There were already people here in the early morning, preparing for their respective quests; a few others were just relaxing at the guild's tables, likely waiting for their party members.
When the door opened, everyone glanced briefly at who had arrived before they focused back on their task.
They knew who she was, and no one wanted to cause trouble, just like a certain B-rank adventurer who got his limbs broken a few months ago.
She crossed the hall walking towards the reception. She nodded to the male staff as he led the way to the upper floor where their branch master's office was.
Ericka didn't wait for the man ahead of her to knock before she barged straight into the room.
At the end of the room sat a man who looked no older than forty with few wrinkles on his face and short brown curly hair. With his almond-colored eyes, he didn't need to lift his head to see who was pretentious enough to barge into his office.
"Is it done?" The man didn't continue to look through the documents on his desk, questioning the guest who had just entered his office.
"Well, duh, of course it's done."
"I see, good job, Ericka, and that concludes the favor you owe me."
Ericka squinted her eyes at him, waiting for a while as she was expecting him to say something more.
Ludwin sensed her intense stare. The man paused, looking at the papers as he glanced at Ericka, who was still standing there glaring at him.
"So, do you need anything? He stared back at her, confused.
"Don't I deserve an apology, Branch Master Ludwin? You called in that favor, which dragged me back here right when I needed to visit Grace and her family. They were in danger, Ludwin! She clenched her fists as her mana was flaring a little. She knew it wasn't entirely his fault, but call it a little selfishness of hers.
Slouching back on his chair, Ludwin rubbed his eyes, clearly trying to think of the right words. It was a mere coincidence when he called her and requested her help and had to use his favor. He hadn't the slightest clue the Nightryn family was going through such tragedy, as he was busy exterminating the monsters that managed to cross over from the other side to this side.
Letting out a sigh, he stood from the seat and bowed his head towards Ericka, his eyes a little red, and spoke apologetically, "Ericka, I am truly sorry, even though it was really a coincidence that a large amount of monsters of fallen and primal rank had managed to break through the empire's border. But that doesn't mean I am not at fault."
Ericka stood there a little shocked but didn't break her poker face as she listened to his apology; she could see that his eyes expressed genuine guilt. Taking a deep breath, she calmed her emotions.
She exhaled, her fists loosening.
"What's done is done; for now I forgive you, but that doesn't mean I'm still not salty about her low but sharp voice sounded, and she let her mana recede into her core.
Ludwin slouched back into his chair, nodding towards her as his face was filled with guilt. His voice little wavering, he spoke, "Consider this as I owe you one; you can ask me for anything within my capabilities, and I will fulfill it."
She snorted at his so-called favor and turned around to leave the room, murmuring a few words: "There's nothing you can do to help me."
Ludwin's mouth twitched as he heard the words despite her voice being very low. Shaking his head, he focused back on his work, still feeling a little guilty about the matter.
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Ericka was on her way back to her room at an inn on the other side of the village she had booked for the past few months.
She was still feeling a little emotional from the talk earlier, smiling at people she passed and nodding to their greetings.
'Now that's done, I will rest for a while and head back to the stellar city later today in the evening.'
'Lemon told her to stop by the gang's base for a while, and tomorrow I can finally see little Nox,' she sent a message to the head butler, Brad, on her watch.
For the past few days she had been wandering through the forest and hadn't had the time to contact Brad yet.
Having reached the inn, she entered and waved towards the inn owner, who was a middle-aged woman who was mother to two twins.
She instantly saw two kids rushing towards her, opening their hands wide open.
"Sister Ericka!" "Sister Ericka!" Two little shadows jumped towards her, her hands already out catching them.
Looking at the two girls who had long, light blue hair and sapphire-like eyes shining as they stared at her, she hugged them; they radiated too much cuteness for her to handle.
The middle-aged woman's warm voice was smooth and comforting as she approached Ericka and the twin girls, Maren and Aqua. Her face, etched with a few soft wrinkles, still carried the striking beauty of her youth, her blue eyes sparkling with a gentle glow.
"Girls, give her some space," she added, her tone now lightly serious, with a hint of fondness for the twins.
She placed a hand on Aqua's shoulder, her gaze shifting to Ericka with a warm smile. "Glad to see you safe; the food's ready."
Ericka's shoulders relaxed slightly, letting the twins down. "Thanks, Liora,"
She walked towards the empty table, ran back to help their mother bring the meal to the table, and both of them were a year younger than Noctis, and she enjoyed their company for the months.
Now she felt reluctant to leave them, but no matter what, she had to return.
Aqua and Maren, carrying a few dishes, walked towards her and placed them on the table while sliding to her opposite side.
Liora sighed, seeing the kids not leaving Ericka. As if feeling a stare, Maren turned around to glance at her mother and pouted as she crossed her arms.
"Mom, we just wanted to hear about the monsters!" A crisp and eager voice sounded from her, along with Aqua nodding her head, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Ericka chuckled as her voice sounded before their mother could speak, "It's fine, Liora. Let them be."
The girls did a little cheer to themselves and giggled as Ericka talked about her encounter with different monsters while she was out hunting for them.
For nearly two hours, Ericka kept them captivated, her tone shifting from enthusiastic when describing a daring escape to serious when recounting a close call. The plates had been cleared an hour ago.
Having concluded her story, she sat there for a few seconds thinking of the right words to inform them of her departure later today.
Ericka turned her head toward Liora, her voice coarse with the weight of her words. "Liora, I-I will be leaving later today."
Liora's expression faltered for a moment as her smile fading. she nodded, having understood her words.
She leaned forward. "I had already expected it to happen but didn't know it would happen so soon."