HERA
After 4 hours of running I finally returned to Braven at around Sunset
Carrying Jesse who was wrapped in my Blanket I arrived at the city gate
The Gate guard recognizing me says "Miss Hera you've returned!"
"Yes, but I'm in a bit of a hurry so could you" I motion towards the Gate
"Ah, of course. OPEN THE GATE, THE HERO OF BRAVEN HAS RETURNED!"
Soon the massive gate made of Steel is opened, allowing you to walk inside
Usually when I return to Braven, I am overwhelmed with citizens each vying for their Hero's attention
Luckily it's a bit late and most people are already in doors
I move towards the Guildhall, doing my best not to draw attention to myself for once
"Your already turning into quite the inconvenience Child" I mutter
As I enter the empty Guildhall
The receptionist spots me
"Ah! Hera Your finally back."
"Yes"
"Good the Guildmaster was starting to get worried"
"Is Mary here now?"
"Ah no, Sorry. You just missed her. Is it important?"
"….No, I'll speak to her tomorrow. Is my room ok?"
"It's just like you left it"
"Good. Say do we have any Goat milk?"
"Um…. I think so, why?"
"No reason, just thirsty"
Ignoring the weird looks Sara was giving me I walked towards the kitchen
Receptionist: "Why is she carrying such a big Blanket in her arms like that? Always such a oddity."
——————————-
As I successfully completed the arduous task of acquiring the Goats milk as well as a spoon
I make my way towards the Guildhalls basement, so I may reach my quarters
Entering the Small room containing only a Bed with a chest at its end, and a pile of extra swords
I Removed my Weapons, torn Gambeson, ruined boots, and my satchel and threw them aside
I then unwrapped little Jesse and tossed the blanket aside as well
Sitting on my bed, I began to feed the child the Goat milk using the spoon
I would think I'd hate having to perform such boring actions, but the expression the child made after every spoonful brought a smile to my face
(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)
"Thank goodness, I was worried about what to feed you. I'm glad this works."
After I finished feeding little Jesse, I fell asleep with him in my arms
———————————
THE NEXT DAY
Awakening to little Jesse pulling my finger brought a slight smile to my face
As I put him down and got dressed for the day I suddenly frowned
"It seems like I'll have to leave you a lone for a few hours" I said regretfully (｡•́︿•̀｡)
It was not something I wanted to do, but I realized I probably shouldn't stay with him in the city….unless I want to be branded a demon worshipper
And because of that I needed to start making preparations
"Didn't Willa die a few months ago? Xeon would probably sell her Cabin to me if I asked" I say to myself
But first to meet with Mary
Knocking on the Guildmasters office
A voice tells me to come in
As I enter I see Mary Thomson the 7th Stage wind Mage and her long Brown hair, Bright brown eyes, and objectively beautiful face
"Your back! Did you find it?" Mary says in a excited voice
"Yes I found the ruin, It was full of Death Knights" you complain
"I se-….wait how did you know it was full of Death Knight's" Mary Questions
"Because I went in, obviously" I state
"Why? It was supposed to be a Reconnaissance mission! What if you got hurt? Did you get hurt? Is that why it took so long?!" Mary started to fuss
"No I'm fine, and it took so long because that map they provided was fucking terrible, I wasted so much time just trying to find the damn thing. And anyways how would I have gotten hurt in the first place? You know how strong I am"
"And stupid" Mary Whispers
"What was that" I reply
"Nothing, anyway did you find anything besides the Death Knights" Mary questions
"Not really, besides some Gargoyles and a book written in the Demonic Language" I respond
"What! Hand it over!" Mary shouts
I pull the book out of my Satchel and hand it over
Mary immediately opens it and begins to look through it
"Ugh….Mm" Mary groans as her face turns grim
It must be serious if she's making that face
"What does it say" I ask wearily
Mary sets the book down, her face now calm
"I don't know, I can't read Demonic" she replies shamelessly
This Bit- and she calls me stupid (¬_¬)
"Then what's with all the groaning" I ask slightly annoyed
"How can I not groan? This book is at least 5000 years old, a relic from the Mythical age when Angel and Demons still roamed Donum! Who knows what it contains, not being able to read such a treasure is unbearable!" Mary says passionately
I chuckle and say "If the church finds out about your desires, they'd burn you at the stake"
Mary grins and says "Luckily they won't, besides the church is half rotten anyways. I bet if I "gifted" Bishop Isaac some gold he'd give me a Indulgence"
"HaHaHaHa don't say that, besides Bishop Isaac is going to lose his Dioceses any day now" ꉂ (≧ヮ≦)
Mary let's out a small laugh of her own
"Anyways here's the reward from the church" Mary says as she pulls out a small pouch full of gold coins
"Why don't you keep it, instead how about you let me "borrow" that book about demons and their traits"
Mary gives me a Vicious glare and says "Oh no I am not giving you another book to destroy just because you're bored!"
I sigh and say "That was one time! And we both know I didn't mean to destroy it…. I just forgot it outside. It's not my fault it rained the next day."
Mary glares harder at your self-justification before sighing and replying "What do you want it for anyways?"
"To read it, Obviously"
Mary freezes, she stares at you as if you said something incomprehensible, she is so shocked she drops the money pouch and doesn't even notice
"You…..You want to read a book? Even the book you destroyed you were just borrowing it for a friend. A-Are you serious?" Mary says still slightly shocked
Gazing at her blankly I ask "Just what image do you have of me exactly?" (≖_≖)
"A brainless brute, bursting with overconfidence and lacking in wisdom" Mary replies immediately with a completely serious face
I'm a bit ashamed to admit but I audibly gasped at her revelation
"I-I am not overconfident, I killed a Dragon!"
Mary looks at me blankly "I know I was there. And we both know you only won because the Ancient Artifact you borrowed from Xeon, Irrita-"
"Ababbaba Shush" I say as I block Mary's mouth
Backing away and slightly blushing I defend myself "It doesn't matter if I used a decent sword, I still killed a dragon"
"Yes yes whatever you say" Mary says mockingly
"Ugh, can I borrow the book or not?"
"Fine fine, I'm still a bit surprised you actually want to read a book, almost as surprised as when I learned you could read"
(｡•̀ ⤙ •́ ｡ꐦ) I'd be justified if I punched her right?
Mary soon handed me the book and asked "What are you going to do now?"
"Probably go see Xeon"
"Xeon? Why?"
"I want to ask about buying Willa's Cabin"
"What? You want to move out of the Guildhall? Why?" Mary asked her voice laced with disappointment
"I just need more space"
"….. I see"
"Also I'm going to stop adventuring for a while, maybe a few years"
"What?! Why?! You love adventuring don't you?!"
I put a finger on my chin, thinking of a excuse before saying "Maternity leave I guess? Anyways Gotta run, bye!"
MARY: "Wha Wha What" (╥﹏╥)