Salvos

Willy floated through the streets of Alyras. There were crowds gathered— a celebration was being held. Or… no. Not a celebration. It was a parade. A delegation of men and women from the rest of the Helbir League had arrived today for the big meeting in three days’ time. Everyone from their mothers to their grandfathers were running out of their homes to catch sight of the foreigners.

There were [Priests] from Zaetya. [War Elephants] from Dolonia. They waved at the Odinian [Chariot Riders], and cheered when the soldiers from Samurion banged their shields together. Some waited in the afternoon sun, hoping to see the famed Elite Ranked adventurer everyone had been talking about, but Willy was almost certain they missed him.

Either way, the [Will O’ Wisp] didn’t care for any of it. He’d grown up here, in the Helbir Plains, and he knew exactly how this went. Sure, back when he was around, half these countries didn’t exist. In fact, many of the city states of the Helbir Plains that had been around during his time were now gone. Syberma, Timira, Adash— so many of them, gone. Lost to time.

But he wasn’t troubled by it. He had never been fond of these cities or countries. Sure, Zaetya was still around, but he didn’t think they’d be gone. After all, they housed the zealots of the Den of Souls. The fact that they were here annoyed him quite a bit.

Although… it wasn’t like just being in the Helbir Plains didn’t annoy him.

“Honored Spirit! Honored Spirit!”

A few passersby in the street below called out to the Grand Spirit of Diligence. He just snorted, ignoring them entirely. They likely wanted him to give them his blessing so they could get married or offer them wisdom which he didn’t have. First of all, just because he was a Spirit didn’t mean his words had some special powers. But it was tradition, so people did it anyway.

And he didn’t care for it. He had come here only because he was following Salvos around. But Salvos was busy. So busy. Just as she returned from leaving him alone in this city, she was scooped up by Helena Warshade and thrown into a meeting he wasn’t allowed in.

Seriously, it was starting to grate him a little bit. Willy had little care for Humans. He was fascinated by Salvos and Salvos alone, yet she was always leaving him behind. He had no face, but if he had one, he’d be pouting right now.

His thoughts were unclipped and cogent unlike his usual speech. Speaking was hard as a ball of fire, and while he could occasionally use full sentences, he’d prefer explaining things as quickly as possible and avoid long-form conversations. If I have no purpose here in the Mortal Realm, then why stay?

It was something he’d have to think about. For now, he was going to remain. Observe. See how things unfold. He flew back to the palace of Alyras, watching from afar as Salvos exited to a garden foyer. Perhaps I should return to the Spirit Plane…

If she has no need for me— if I have no purpose here in the Mortal Realm- then… why stay?

It was a simple question. A rhetorical question. One he already knew the answer to. Now, he just see if his presence here had purpose. He followed after Salvos, not involving himself unless it was necessary.

I left the Elites behind to discuss the ramifications of the Apocalypse. They could choose to believe me. Or they could choose not to believe me. It didn’t really matter. I didn’t have much of a vested interest in convincing them about it.

There was a reason why I’d been so reticent on sharing what I knew about the end of the world and the corruption to others. It would always devolve into a huge problem that involved politics and arguments and a bunch of other things I couldn’t care about. Maybe if they all just accepted it easily, asking a few questions before going about to do whatever they wanted to do with that information, I’d be more than happy to oblige each time

But, of course, that wasn’t how it worked.

I glanced back once. The door closed behind me as I strode down the hallway before turning a corner. Helena Warshade hadn’t said anything since I left, while Orgaf, Lofus, and Alder were locked in what was going to be a long discussion. The Archmage was likely going to inundate me with even more questions in the future, but for now she was going to leave me alone.

“Salvos!”

I found Saffron waiting for me at the palatial garden not long after. The pink-haired noble got to her feet and faced me with a curious look.

“How’d it go?”

“It went amazingly boring!”

I gave her a thumbs-up with a grin. She rolled her eyes.

“What’d you guys even discuss? It has to be important if Archmage Warshade is involved.”

“Oh, nothing. Just something related to those Wyverns that attacked Catark.”

I waved a hand dismissively. Technically, that wasn’t a lie. The corruption was related to the Wyverns that attacked Catark. It just wasn’t the whole truth, and I wasn’t interested in explaining the whole situation about the end of the world again to someone else.

Whether or not Helena Warshade spread this information wasn’t up to me. It was the same as Daniel revealing that he was a [Hero]. He wasn’t going to go out of his way to tell the whole world about it, but he wasn’t actively hiding it from others either.

“Anyway, did you need something, Saffron? You said you wanted to speak with me.”

The Vampire girl nodded.

“I do, actually. Well, it’s not really that important. Zin just said she needed you for something.”

“She does?”

I cocked my head, curious. Zin Norwood was one of the Vampires I had met when I was helping Saffron out with her politicking. She was the former Matriarch of the Norwood Family— one of the Greater Vampire Families. I remembered her being a relatively high-leveled [Druid]. Level 134 or 135.

“I wonder what she needs from me?”

I asked aloud. Saffron shrugged.

“Who knows. Apparently it was something important, though. Something which… you gave to her? I’m not too clear on the details either.”

“Huh. Well, I hope it’s interesting!”

—--

“Huh. This is not interesting.”

I stared at what Zin Norwood was showing me. The [Druid] stood next to Saffron with her arms crossed. I turned back to a pair of glowing figures standing in the corner of the tent. They lay there lazily, waving at me as I frowned.

“What are you— why are you…?

I sighed as my clones shrugged at the same time. I turned to the three Wyvern eggs nestled under a blanket of straw and wool before looking back at Zin.

“And they just… showed up and dumped the Wyvern eggs on you?”

“They did. No explanation. Nothing.”

Zin sighed, massaging her temples. I tried to work my jaw. I looked back at my clones and spoke in a reprimanding voice.

“You guys were supposed to find Edithe’s friend! Uh, that [Beastmaster]... what’s his name?”

I tilted my head back as I placed a hand on my chin in thought. One of my clones raised an arm, and I snapped my fingers.

“That’s right— Ismail Zuland! You were supposed to find him! Why are you here instead?”

The other clone scowled and pointed accusingly at me. Zin and Saffron both watched blankly as I drew back defensively.

“What? How is it my fault?”

Zin turned to the pink-haired Vampire.

“Does she normally do this?”

“I’ve learned not to question whatever she does.”

“Fair.”

I ignored their conversation, my full attention on my clones. They both got to their feet, silently harrumphing. I scratched the back of my head apologetically.

“That’s… I guess you’re right. I’m sorry, I completely forgot you guys couldn’t talk!”

Apparently, they went to the adventurers camp, but couldn’t find this Ismail Zuland since no one understood them. I didn’t even know what he looked like. So, they improvised and found Zin Norwood instead since I at least knew what the [Druid] looked like. Fortunately, Zin knew what to do and created a pseudo-nest for the Wyvern eggs.

“I’m glad you… three resolved that dispute.”

Zin stepped forward, drawing my attention.

“But we have another bigger issue here.”

“What big issue?”

I blinked at her innocently. Saffron just sighed behind the [Druid]. My Vampire companion strode forward and gestured at the Wyvern eggs.

“What do we do about these, Salvos? They’ll hatch to become Wyverns. Monsters. How are we supposed to take care of them?”

“Um…”

I hesitated. I definitely didn’t think this through. That Wyvern was hurt and sad and dying. I felt bad, and I remembered the Mistress of Remnants’ words. So, I hastily agreed to take care of the Wyvern eggs. But… what now?

“Well, we’ll figure it out, right? It’s not like they’ll hatch now. We have plenty of time to—”

“Actually, we don’t have a lot of time.”

Zin spoke over me, strutting up to the eggs.

“These Wyverns are likely to hatch by sundown, Salvos.”

I stared at her, blinking a few times. I felt my shoulders sag.

“Oh.”