PLANS AND PHLEG - THE CAPITAL - AKI POV

After several uneventful days of travel, they finally arrive at the capital. The transition from the dense forest to open fields occurred a day after they left Landale's influence. As they journeyed onwards, the solitary wilderness gave way to a vibrant expanse of farmlands. The scenery transformed from towering trees to endless fields of crops, where diligent farmers toiled under the sun, their hands nurturing the fertile earth.

The road was no longer theirs alone, for it became a thoroughfare for both travelers and locals. Farmers diligently tended to their crops, bending under the weight of their labor. The rhythmic sounds of plowing and the aroma of freshly turned soil filled the air.

Throughout the day, they encountered frequent patrols of well-armed guards. These vigilant sentinels maintained order on the road, their presence a constant reminder of the capital's authority. The guards passed by like clockwork, their armor gleaming in the sunlight as they moved with the purpose of safeguarding the kingdom's interests.

The landscape had transformed from the quiet isolation of the forest to the bustling activity of the open countryside, signaling their approach to the capital, Phleg.

Azzle's face lights up with joy as they finally arrive, while Aki and Yumi have maintained a sense of quietude throughout the journey. Azzle is hopeful that their arrival in the capital will rekindle some happiness in his companions, who seems to have been pondering Landale's actions and words. Azzle, never a fan of Landale, recalls that the only time Landale uttered his name was when making threats on his life. Nevertheless, Azzle does his best to empathize with his new companions.

Their destination, the Garrison Inn, lies just on the outskirts of the capital. Along the way, they stumble upon a bustling scene teeming with adventurers from various races and backgrounds. Giants, half-orcs, tieflings, dwarves, and even a few goblins fill the area, engaged in lively conversations and proudly displaying their spoils of adventure.

Azzle can't help but notice the goblins and the diverse array of clothing they are wearing, which makes him glance down at his own worn rags, a silent source of embarrassment.

Aki observes Azzle's discomfort and offers him an assuring smile. "We'll get you some proper clothes," he says, gesturing to the dark ritual sword at his side and the satchel containing the amulet.

"Are we selling those then?" Yumi asks.

"We have to sell the amulet," Aki replies. "I've used it, and I might get tempted into using it more. As for the sword, we'll ask around to see if we can keep it."

Their journey continues until they arrive at the impressive Garrison Inn, an eight-story structure that dominates the area. The inn boasts a straightforward rectangular design and is surrounded by a sprawling garden filled with adventurers. Adorning the building's facade is the city's emblem: a horned tiefling with angelic wings, symbolizing the capital's ambitions as a hub for those seeking glory and fortune.

"That's quite a grand building for mere recruitment," Yumi comments in a hushed tone.

"It also serves as the adventurer's guild," Aki explains. "They recruit for the military, offer jobs, and rent rooms to adventurers. However, we won't be using the latter services; we're taking the military route."

Upon entering the building, they find themselves in a vast hall adorned with sculptures and paintings of celebrated heroes. It's an intimidating sight, with massive statues and paintings that seem to scrutinize them as they make their way to the reception desk at the other end.

Azzle and Yumi gaze at the artworks in awe, and Yumi even stops to admire a sculpture of a woman wielding a double-sided axe. Azzle can't help but feel a twinge of disappointment when he doesn't spot any goblin statues. Perhaps they'll create one in his honor when he releases the Book of Alliterations.

Aki, on the other hand, makes a beeline for the reception desk, where a red-haired woman is deeply engrossed in an animated conversation with an evidently annoyed dark-haired receptionist.

"We've received reports that you intimidated the owner of that room, ma'am," the receptionist says sternly. "We cannot allow-"

"What's goin' on?" the red-headed tiefling chimes in. "This here room's free and clear! Just hand it over to me!"

"Ma'am, we can't just have anyo-"

"Ugh!" the tiefling exclaims in frustration, then turns her attention to see Aki standing there. Her eyes widen, and she abruptly freezes. "Fine!" she concedes and walks away, making an obvious effort to hide her face.

Aki furrows his eyebrows, sensing familiarity. Yumi and Azzle arrive next to him. "That girl... she seems familiar," Yumi says thoughtfully.

"Smells familiar too," Azzle adds, sniffing in her direction.

The receptionist massages her temples before addressing them with a strained smile. "Welcome! Welcome to the Garrison Inn! I'm Kyla, the receptionist of this fine establishment."

"So... You must be Aki, Yumi, and Azzle, I presume?" Kyla asks, casting a curious look around. "But where is...?"

"Not with us," Aki replies curtly. "We actually have some urgent matters to report..."

"You've lost a companion?" Kyla interjects.

Aki contemplates for a moment, "Yeah, I guess we did."

"That's... unfortunate," she says, glancing down at her desk and writing something on a piece of parchment.

Continuing to write on her parchment, Kyla speaks in a business-like tone, "Of course, Sir Great Joy has already informed us of your accomplishments. That alone would grant you an officer rank in the military, but since you were the fifth group of your batch to make it here and you've lost a companion..."

She looks up at them and smiles sadly. All three of them quickly understand what she meant - they are going to lose points.

"But Landale was a traitorous taint!" Azzle blurts out, fear in his voice, worried that he might not be able to join Aki and Yumi's party.

"Yes, yes," Kyla acknowledges dismissively. "But-" Suddenly, she looks away and tilts her head, as if listening intently. Aki frowns and strains his ears, but he hears nothing. Kyla then mutters, "Yes, my lord. Who am I speaking with? Ah! Lord Manterd! Yes, I shall inform him soon."

"She's in a Telepathic Bond with someone," Aki thinks.

She then looks up at them. "Aki, please head to the second floor. Lord Manterd, a vassal of the Great Knight Tytos, wants to see you. The rest of you, please wait here."

"Why?" Aki asks, puzzled by the sudden request.

Kyla simply smiles at him, "He did not grace me with that information. Please just go to him. I assure you, these lords do not like to be kept waiting by new adventurers."

Then a thought occurs to her, and she suddenly adds, "Oh! Before you go..." and hands him a piece of paper. "Please write your names here to make it official."

Aki takes it and ponders for a moment. Yumi gently taps him on the shoulder, a knowing look passing between them. They exchange grins, and Aki hands the paper to Yumi before making his way toward the stairs. "Azzle, why don't you jot our names down?" Yumi suggests.

Azzle accepts the paper with a puzzled expression. "When you pen down your name, you're officially part of our crew," Yumi clarifies.

Before ascending the stairs, Aki looks back at Azzle, who seems to start bawling, crying tears of joy. The piece of paper gets soaked with his tears, and Yumi apologetically asks Kyla for a replacement.

---

Aki ascends the stairs to the second floor, trying not to get his hopes up too much. He can't help but think that perhaps Great Joy has spread the word about their heroic feat in destroying the temple. Maybe this meeting will help them achieve the highest rank they've been aiming for.

As he strolls through the hallway, Aki can't help but notice other adventurers chatting and lounging around. He gracefully maneuvers through the crowd, not wanting to disrupt their conversations. But it dawns on him that the receptionist forgot to mention the room number, leaving him a bit lost. He waits for a moment, hoping someone will come to guide him.

Just as Aki starts considering going back to ask for directions, a door behind him creaks open. A commanding voice calls out, "Come in!"

Aki turns and peeks inside room, a sense of uncertainty enveloping him. Inside, he finds Sir Souley "Great" Joy, whose enormous frame nearly engulfs the chair he's seated in.

"Apologies, I was summoned by Lord Manterd," Aki begins to explain, moving to close the door.

But before Aki can shut it entirely, Sir Souley waves him in. "Come in, I said. First lesson, Aki - never use your real name in secret meetings."

Aki raises an eyebrow, takes a seat, and surveys the room. Sir Souley, clad in attire similar to their initial encounter, now sports a lit cigar and glasses. He remains engrossed in a piece of parchment, gesturing for Aki to sit without looking up.

Aki obeys but maintains a nonchalant facade. Although he's burning with curiosity about the purpose of this clandestine meeting, he guards his emotions. After all, he hardly knows Sir Souley, and discretion is his best ally.

Sir Souley glances up from the parchment and recites its contents. "His spells are far too potent for someone of his level; he excels in swordsmanship and mystical arts, graduating with the highest honors in both. He's determined to join the war, a loner who rarely interacts with anyone except for one friend..."

He pauses, locking eyes with Aki. "If we didn't know better, the Academy's dossier on you could convince anyone in the council that you're the spy, not poor old Landale."

Aki remains silent as Sir Souley studies his face.

"No defense?" Sir Souley inquires, raising his brows.

Frowning slightly, Aki shakes his head. "Baseless accusations require no defense. I apprehended Landale. If I were the mole, there would have been no need for me to do so; we would have collaborated."

Sir Souley chuckles, a bit less thunderously than before. But to Aki, it sounds like a genuine laugh.

"When you're involved in politics, silence often invites further speculation. Whether that's advantageous or detrimental depends on the situation. That's your second lesson, Aki."

Sir Souley grins broadly, taking a deep drag from his cigar and exhaling a plume of smoke. He continues, "But your best defense was in what you said. A true spy from the southern kingdom would have known they were alone."

"Now, tell me, how did you discover that Landale was the spy?" Sir Souley inquires.

"Through mere circumstances..." Aki replies, shrugging. "But the most crucial revelation occurred when I entered his dream and..."

Sir Souley's face lights up, and he grins joyfully. "I see! You've witnessed the dream that all spies have."

Tilting his head, Aki ponders what that means, then whispers, "So, I was right; it was brainwashing..."

"It's more than just brainwashing," Sir Souley explains. "Compared to what the Southern Kingdom did to these spies, brainwashing can be easily undone. From a young age, they were subjected to a brutal regimen akin to that of soldiers. Occasionally, they were allowed to see a person, and that person poured all the love and care the child never received. That individual becomes the sole source of their unwavering loyalty. It's a simple yet effective trick. The only true enchantment is that they dream of their mission whenever their resolve wavers."

Aki ponders for a moment. "So Landale wasn't actually the son of a queen?"

Sir Souley gazes at him, remaining silent, prompting Aki to continue.

"I saw a crown, and she was surrounded by advisors. But it was only when Landale looked back at the door that I realized we were in a palace hall. It was most curious when Landale didn't recognize the crown."

"What did the queen look like?"

Aki considers. "She was stunning, unnaturally so. Perhaps it was because it was only a dream, but she seemed to change. When I first looked at her, she had blonde hair. However, it turned black when Landale approached her."

Sir Souley grins. "That's her, the Warrior King, Fierna."

"The Warrior King is a woman?" Aki asks.

Sir Souley shrugs. "Who's to say? That appears to be her preferred guise. Whether Landale is her child or not is inconsequential. All the spies perceive her as their mother or father. Of course, the spies never know the true identity of their beloved. If they believe they're the offspring of the Warrior King, they'd be less effective as spies."

"Did you kill Landale?"

Opting for honesty, Aki shakes his head. "I couldn't. I felt sorry for him."

Sir Souley takes another long drag from his cigar, exhaling a cloud of smoke. He gazes at Aki and grins. "Perfect," Great Joy says.

He rises from his chair, and it doesn't creak this time. It's then that Aki notices a stark change in Sir Souley. He isn't perspiring, his movements are quick and decisive, and his expression reveals shrewdness. Attempting to deceive this man seems like a futile endeavor.

Sir Souley moves toward the window, watching adventurers peddle their wares. He strategically places his substantial frame to cast a shadow over the room and shield it from the sun.

"What is your goal, Aki?" Sir Souley asks.

"To defeat the Warrior King," Aki replies without hesitation.

"And you aim to achieve that by joining the military?"

"Yes, sir," Aki nods.

"Well, you won't," Sir Souley declares. "At least, not yet."

A surge of indignation rises within Aki, but he manages to conceal it. "Why not?"

"Because I need you to become adventurers," Sir Souley states simply. "The army occasionally hires adventurers. I need someone who can identify the moles within the army. These spies are highly trained, much like Landale, but they possess years of experience. They consistently root out my agents. But as adventurers... you might stand a chance."

Sir Souley turns toward Aki, allowing a sliver of sunlight to filter into the room. "What's in it for you? A perfect training ground to sharpen your skills. This war has raged for a thousand years. Brawn alone won't win the battle against the Warrior King. It requires cunning."

He approaches Aki, hands behind his back, and leans in, their closest encounter yet. Once again, Sir Souley appears to be peering into Aki's soul. Maintaining an inscrutable expression takes all of Aki's focus.

"During your journey, gather companions whom you can trust with your life. You already have two downstairs who are willing to follow your lead. Five more may be enough. After you expose the spies and bring them to justice, and after forming a squad, you will work directly under me in the military, bypassing all ranks. Trust me, this is the quickest path to your goal."

Sir Souley's hand reaches out, and Aki winces slightly, as the hand is so massive it could cover his entire head. But the hand merely grasps Aki's shoulder. "You might have learned this with Landale but here is the third and final lesson today, Aki: Sometimes, there are no choices. One way or another, you'll have to make do when the die is cast."

---

Aki firmly closes the door, but even before it's latched completely, he sees that Sir Souley has mysteriously vanished, teleported to a place only the gods know.

As the door clicks shut, Aki takes a moment to collect himself. His trembling hands betray a rare vulnerability that even facing manticores didn't evoke. The encounter with Great Joy has undoubtedly been the most nerve-wracking experience of his life. Aki has never been afraid of ****, but Great Joy's overwhelming presence, unwavering self-assurance, and sheer power terrify him. In his estimation, that man might be worth a thousand soldiers.

With a heavy sigh, Aki lowers his hands and turns his attention to the door.

"Room 225 - Available."

It's clear that this really was a clandestine meeting, and Aki is convinced that he's the only one aware of Great Joy's presence in the building today.

Aki shifts his gaze back to the stairs leading to the first floor, takes a deep breath, and shakes his head. He has reluctantly accepted Sir Souley's proposition, believing he has no other viable option. Though Great Joy never explicitly stated it, Aki is certain that refusing the offer would hinder their advancement through the ranks.

Leaning against the door, he closes his eyes and massages his temples. Sir Souley may be right that this is the quickest path to their goal, but he can't bring himself to tell Yumi that their plans have changed. Sir Souley warned against revealing anything about their meeting to anyone. "Fewer mistakes if only you know," Sir Souley emphasized.

"Yet another secret to keep from Yumi." Aki has already concealed so much from her, and it's only been a week since they left the Academy. The pile of secrets is growing, and Aki winces at the thought of how eagerly Yumi had anticipated joining the military.

"Hey, Aki!" a familiar voice interrupts his thoughts.

Aki quickly composes himself and turns his attention to Yumi and Azzle who are making their way over. With a spirited wave, Yumi displays a key for Aki to see. As they draw nearer, Azzle snatches the key and practically shoves Aki aside in his eagerness to slot it into the door.

"What's going on?" Aki asks, managing a slight smile.

"Lord Manturd, or whatever his name is, has rewarded us with this room for a job well done!" Yumi exclaims, grinning broadly.

"Oh," Aki simply replies.

Azzle finally manages to open the door and enters the room, his eyes wide with awe as he takes in the details.

"We have our own bathroom! A table for brainstorming alliterations! But only one bed!?" Azzle exclaims indignantly. He sniffs the air and adds, "And someone smoked in here recently! I'm off to complain to the receptionist!"

Azzle starts to dash outside, but Yumi stops him with a hand, causing him to lose his breath and almost fall backwards, he regard her reproachfully. Once again, Yumi forgets how strong she is.

"First, let's write our names on the parchment," Yumi instructs sternly. "Don't ruin it! This the fourth one she's given us."

Yumi heads inside, pushing Azzle towards the table and chair. She gazes around, "Only one bed, huh?" she says grinning and giving Aki a pointed look. Aki looks away, pursing his lips.

She points Azzle towards the table and sits on the bed. "It's a very nice room - a pity we won't keep it, though... With us going the military route and all," she says.

Aki takes a deep breath and slowly approaches the bed, sitting down next to Yumi. Sensing something is amiss, she gazes at him with raised eyebrows.

He can't bring himself to look at Yumi, but he knows he must tell her now. "We won't be joining the military, Yumi. We're going to become adventurers from now on."

"Oh... And why is that?" Yumi asks, her tone tinged with sadness as she looks down at the carpet.

"I can't tell you," Aki replies, shifting his gaze to meet hers. "Can you trust in me that this is the best course of action for us?"

"Another secret, huh?" Yumi sighs. "Just how many secrets are we keeping now, Aki?"

Aki's heart feels heavy. He would have preferred if she were angry, but her calm sadness tugs at him deeply. All Aki can do is look away in shame.

Yumi's hand reaches his face and gently turns it so they meet eye to eye, "Let's reduce the number then. Here's one secret I can share," Yumi whispers. "I love you with all my heart. Where you go, I'll go. I made that promise when we were kids, and I intend to keep it. Tell me to jump, and I'll ask how high. Ask me to jump into lava, and I'll swan dive right in."

Aki grins at her. "Unfortunately, my love for you is no secret," he replies. "Everything I do, it's for you, as always."

They lean in for a kiss, and Aki immediately feels better. For at least that moment, he has forgotten about Great Joy, his secret mission, Landale, and how long it will take to achieve their goals.

A whooping voice comes out of Azzle, and Aki and Yumi separate reluctantly. Azzle stands up, heads over to them, and hands them the parchment. Eyebrows raised, Aki takes it and reads the contents.

"We need a name for our group, too," Aki says, handing it back to Azzle and pointing to the top of the parchment. "You come up with something good for us, Azzle."

Azzle contemplates for a moment, pacing around the room and muttering alliterative names. Yumi and Aki watch him with amused expressions.

"Damned Destroyers! No... Masked Madmen! No! We don't wear masks!"

Yumi leans in to Aki and whispers, "Is it just me, or is he saying we are mad?"

Aki shrugs, grinning, "Maybe we are."

"I know!" Azzle snaps his fingers, "That's perfect! I'm writing it down, boss!" Azzle declares, heading back to the table.

Aki and Yumi gaze at each other. While Aki did tell Azzle to come up with a name, they wouldn't put it past Azzle to make a silly one. They stand up and join Azzle, who is now cackling devilishly.

"Azzle," Aki says, after reading what Azzle wrote. Azzle gazes up at Aki, "That's a good name. But how about adding this to it?"

"Three words for a party name?" Azzle protests, but he still hands Aki the pen. After Aki writes down a word, Azzle gazes at the parchment, frozen, and drops his pen in apparent astonishment. "You can do this?" he asks uncertainly, gazing up at Aki.

Aki nods, grinning broadly.

Tears streaming down his face, Azzle stands up and holds the parchment high, screaming, "Three-word alliterations!"

On the parchment, it now reads:

Party name: Mighty Merry Miscreants
Leader: Aki
Members: Yumi
"Alliterative" Azzle

*Author's note - You made it to the end of the arc! Thank you so much for reading!

Now, to the news.... I'm still outlining the next LONG arc so, for the moment, I'll be writing "What if?" and short arc chapters!

I already posted a poll in my patreon and the winner (it wasn't even close to be honest) was a "what if?" scenario where a much crueler and sluttier Yumi chooses to go east in the beginning.

https://www.patreon.com/kzelleaira*