Time to return to the village

While Ryul and Shalia are having their bath, Merlara and I grab some food out of the backpacks. We notice there’s a bit less in there. Probably Ryul and Shalia who had a meal while waiting for us. It takes a good while but eventually Ryul and Shalia come back all clean and refreshed. Well, Merlara and I also took our time. Shalia did bring the water dispensing orb from the bathhouse with her. She wants to try and see if she can make a staff for it. I can see where she’s coming from. Ryul and I have found enchanted weapons here, and Merlara has a mysterious book. Shalia should have something as well.

Then we start our journey all the way back to the surface. First to the 5th level and then we make our way to the exit Shalia had closed off. She uses her magic to open the way again and we keep going up. When we are about to head from the 4th to the 3rd level we see the exit unblock itself. We ready our weapons, but it turns out it are the local adventurers coming down to search for us.

“Oh, there you are.” The old mage calls out as he finished clearing the obstacle with his earth magic. “You guys were gone the whole day. It’s getting dark outside.”

I first explain to them that we faced some stiff opposition, especially at the end. But that after we cleared the 5th level, we discovered a secret hideout and might have found the source of the elementals.

“Imris’ shit. There was a secret cave generating elementals this whole time?” One of the other adventurers says. “I don’t believe it. You got to show us.”

And so, we turn around and head back down to the secret cave with the buildings in it. The other adventurers were stunned. Except for the old mage who smiled and said, “I told you. I said there’s a reason why them elementals did it and here you go. I was right all along.” To every one of his friends.

After they saw enough, we finally go back up to the surface. When we return to the owner of the mine, he again invites us to his mansion. There we explain to him our entire adventure. The 5 levels of the mine are generally things he has already heard before, so we go over that pretty quickly. Just like everyone else so far, he was quite interested to hear about that underground shelter.

“Imagine that. A cave full of buildings. Right underneath our noses all this time.” The wealthy man says. “How old did you say the buildings look?”

“At least several centuries.” Shalia answers.

“Centuries, you say.” The mine owner replies. “So it could be Zrephian?”

“We have not found any evidence to suggest that.” Merlara tells him.

But the guy ignores her and says, “A Zrephian hideout. In my mine. Imagine what kind of secrets are hidden down there. Would you four be so kind as to stick around an extra day so you could escort me to the site?”

I was about to agree with his request, but I get cut off by Merlara.

“First we will require payment for completion of our quest.” She says. “We were contracted to clear the mine from all elementals, which we did. On top of that, we did the extra work of discovering the source of the elemental incursions and were promised to get paid for that as well. Us accompanying you into the hidden estate is a new quest and we shall only accept new quests after the current completed quest has been paid for.”

Wow. By the tone she is using, I’d expect that she has experience with someone trying to weasel out of paying for a quest before. Or maybe her mentor experienced that and told her about it. At any rate, it would be a good idea to get paid.

“Indeed. You have certainly earned the 60 silver.” The mine owner says. “But what if you are wrong about the source of elemental aggression? What if a month after you leave they come back again?”

“Then you can write a letter to Aelbrecht and he will first reimburse you the 2 gold coins himself, then he will extract that money from us and the score will be settled.” Merlara explains.

“Well, if I have my assurance that the bonus reward only goes to those people who actually solve my elemental problem forever, then I guess it is fine.”

The man invites us have another feast with him. Which is very kind, but I am hesitant to attend. I mean, I am naked under my armor. It is already uncomfortable with my skin pressing against the cold metal. My nipples definitely have the worst of it. To first traverse the mine from bottom to top like this and then also spend the whole evening. I would love to just take my armor off, but then I can’t attend any meals any more.

Fortunately, Merlara has an idea. She asks me to follow her to her room. There she has us both take off our armors. When I am nude and she is in her clothes, I watch her take her clothes off. Then she gives those to me and says, “You wear these tonight.”

I look at them and ask, “Then what will you be wearing?”

“I already always wear my armor.” She says. “I’ll be wearing that.”

“But your armor will chafe. Won’t it?”

“I at least did not just spend traversing a mine in just my armor. I’ll be fine.”

Well, if she’s fine with it, I guess I might as well do it. I also got the bonus of seeing her beautiful body again. She even lets me borrow her underwear, all black of course.

When we get back, our quest giver has brought out his money. He has placed 12 piles of five silver coins on the table, separated into pairs. That’s the 60 silver for the main quest. Then he also places two golden coins next to them. Merlara accepts the reward and tells it is a little hard to divide the reward now, due to there being only 2 golden coins and 4 people to divide it between. So she suggests to hold on to it until after she has sold our other loot to the crafters and alchemist guild. We all agree to that and then we enjoy the evening’s festivities.

I must say, it feels a little awkward walking with some other woman’s clothes and underwear hugging my body. The entire evening, I just can’t take my mind away from me being in Merlara’s clothes. I both like it and feel tense about it at the same time. I do notice Merlara leaving the party early. I guess it could be because she’s nude under her armor now. Or maybe it’s because she has to show her face to everyone while she’s eating. After hearing her story, it could be either of the two. I guess parties like these are just too uncomfortable for her.

During the feast, we negotiate with the mine owner about escorting him to the hidden cave tomorrow. Merlara does not ask for a monetary payment because, well, we are not expected to do any fighting. She does ask for us to be compensated with food and drinks for our return to Riledo. That is actually quite smart. Now at least we won’t have to buy that ourselves.

The next morning, I get woken up by Merlara. She tells me to dress in her clothes and follow her into the village. Once there, she takes me to a clothing store. Together we pick out some new lingerie for me, as well as new clothes. It is weird trying out clothes with an armored woman waiting for me outside the changing room. Even more so knowing that I came her with her clothes and underneath that armor she is all nude. But hey, it was my fault jumping into that fire elemental to begin with.

With my new clothes in a bag we head back to the mansion, I give Merlara her clothes back, put my new clothes on and then my armor over them. Awesome.

Shortly after lunch, the four of us escort the rich mine owner all the way to the hidden estate. We are followed by a large collection of miners. All people eager to start working again. When we get to the secret cave, the rich guy is quite impressed with what he sees. Especially the glowing orb in the ceiling.

“So that’s the thing that’s been drawing elementals here all this time?” He asks.

“That is our assumption.” I say. “Elementals are magical creatures so it seems plausible for them to be drawn to large stores of mana.”

“I see. Yeah, I guess you’re right.” He replies. “So if we want to stop the elementals from coming back, we need to get this thing out?”

“I’m not sure that’s the right thing to do.” Merlara interjects. “None of us have worked with something like that before, so if we take it out the wrong way, it might actually explode. If we do succeed, this place will lose its light source and will need to be illuminated with torches. I feel it would be best to have Aelbrecht come here for his expertise. After all, he is Riledo’s foremost expert on Zrephia. If this place truly is a Zrephian creation, he will know and what to do about the orb.”

When heading back up to the surface, we see the miners all hard at work with their pickaxes. It makes me happy that I helped these people get their jobs back.

Since by now we have lost too much time to travel far, we decide to spend the rest of the day here. We make our preparations to leave the next day. Then, in the late afternoon, we have a little show for the villagers. Shalia shows off some of her magic, same with me and Merlara. Then we do friendly 1 versus 1 sparring matches between us and the local adventurers.

We enjoy one more meal with the wealthy mine owner. Like usual, Merlara quickly finishes her food and leaves. About half an hour after she left, the deserts come in. I quickly grab one and it tastes delicious. Too bad Merlara misses out on this. Then I get an idea. Why don’t I bring one of these to her room. I grab one and start leaving the dining room. But as I leave, the mine owner walks up to me.

“What’s wrong, kitty? Feeling tired already?” He asks.

“That’s not it. I’m just …” I say, but he interrupts me and starts talking in a hushed voice.

“Hey, do you know what this is?” He asks and takes something from his pocket.

In his hand I see a small glass vial with in it a pink liquid.

“Can’t say. I’ve never seen any pink fluids like this.” I tell him.

“It’s a perfume.” He says. “Smells like rozes. I would like you to have this. An extra reward, since you’re the one who took down the largest of the Elementals.”

“Thank you, sir.” I say and gracefully accept the vial.

“Be sure to take it to your room and smell it tonight. If you don’t like how it smells, I can get you a different one before you leave for Riledo again.”

“Ok, I’ll make sure to do that.” I say with a smile and then I head for the rooms.

How nice of him to throw in an extra reward like that. But I should also still bring this desert to Merlara. Which should I do first?