107 Chapter 35 - Institution (1/2)
\”You won't reconsider? The Raid team has proven powerful, I liked fighting with you all too. Together we could prove a real threat to those who have taken Tenko prisoner,\” and without Ellie by Kenji's side, he would feel less haunted by what he had done. At least if he could continue to guide her, the deaths of those adventurers would have some small purpose, and Kenji could hope to find inner peace from their torment of him.
Slowly, Ellie shook her head.
\”You are strong,\” she said simply. \”You defeated the floor boss single-handedly, and Grand Master, we frankly feel as if you could have completed the entire dungeon faster by yourself than in a Raid team at all.\”
Ellie's feet shifted, and she peered up at Dwargon who in turn gave her a thumbs up, then removed his helmet. Gone was the lush brown beard, now drenched in matted grey, matched with eyes surrounded in wrinkles far beyond the dwarves years.
But that smile spoke of hope.
\”We want to stay behind. To help the younger adventurers train in the Rose Gate, and to grow strong. Strong enough we can stand beside you on our own two feet, strong enough that we can be proud to fight beside you against the evils of this world.\”
Kenji peered at the Sundrakes and Bloodhorns, equally determined with a fire in their eyes.
\”Then let it be so. Ellie, I put you in charge of the Hero Guild while we are away,\” Kenji turned to leave but the sudden outcry forced him to pause.
\”M-me? The leader - how - why?\” Ellie said in a sudden state of panic.
\”Because Almanac, Hoger and Violet are all coming with me. The Sun Elf Queen too, Arwen, anyone of sufficient power is coming and plenty of the regular adventurers too. We bringing a lot of firepowers, which made me worried about who to leave behind to see things continue here. It puts my heart at ease to know someone as trustworthy as our very own Raid team will be watching the Hero Guild's back. If you have any questions, Violet will be leaving behind several of her attendants, they can help you through the day to day.\”
Waving Kenji got going, there was too much to do, and not enough time to do it.
\”Ok! Everything will be great here while you're away - no, I didn't mean it like that! I just mean we will take really good care of everything!\” Ellie bowed, raised her head, blushed, and bowed again.
Kenji nodded and entered the hallway beyond, to descend to the streets of Tariak. From there he took an old back road to a shabby stone wall that wrapt around an old creaking mansion. A noble's estate once, yet the occupier had died in the siege, and now the lovely estate had fallen towards a secret purpose.
Arriving at a little gate, Kenji nocked twice. Paused. Knocked twice more, then slapped the wall.
\”Who is it?\” hissed a familiar tone.
\”It's Kenji, Scales. Password is 'Potions before the boss fight means trouble ahead'.\”
The drawbar was pulled free from the other side, and the door swung open. Striding passed the snake woman, Kenji searched the quart yard around the mansion to find several of the Headless Hunter Rogues prowling the grounds from the shadows.
\”Good, stay on alert. What we do here is too important,\” Kenji muttered and strode on into the main building. Inside where yet more rogues, many sharpening their skills while others preferred to sharpen weapons.
\”Password,\” a voice growled, claws appearing at Kenji's throat.
\”I didn't see you come this time Kragg, well done,\” Kenji whispered. \”The Golden Moon can only be used once per day, and Tenko used it to protect the Children.\”
The claws retracted, and Kragg stepped back into the darkroom he had come from.
\”Have you been able to teach others how to hide like that?\” Kenji asked of the darkness. Twin yellow orbs winked into life, a deep growl rumbling along with them.
\”Some. Humans are not as foolish as I thought, while my pack has learned much in turn.\”
Peering at the rogues that threw knives, sharpened daggers, and fought Kenji wondered aloud.
\”Are any of them werewolves then?\”