The streets of Westmont were slowly returning to their usual quiet state as Damien and Arielle worked diligently to finish cleaning up after the previous night’s celebration.
Even though they’d just seen the Town’s Lord, they didn’t dwell on the topic much and instead chose to work toward cleaning the streets. Only then would the others be able to resume reconstruction works in town after all.
The townsfolk had already cleared most of the streets, but there were still patches here and there that needed attention. Damien didn’t mind the work—it gave him something to focus on.
Arielle hummed softly as she swept debris into a pile, her energy seemingly returning to her after the previous night’s celebration.
Damien, on the other hand, moved with a active pace, more interested in completing the task efficiently than with any enthusiasm.
Just as the last bits of trash were being collected, a man in a simple yet elegant outfit approached them. He had short brown hair, a lean frame, and an easygoing smile that seemed to disarm any tension around him.
“Excuse me,” he said, his tone polite but firm. “You two must Damien and Arielle, correct?”
Damien turned to him, giving him a once-over before responding. “Who’s asking?”
The man bowed slightly. “I’m Tarel, an aide to the Town Lord. He has requested a word with both of you, if you wouldn’t mind.”
Arielle tilted her head, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “The Town Lord?”
“Didn’t he just pass by like an hour ago?” Damien asked Arielle with one brow raised.
“Yes, he did. Which is why I’m curious too.” Arielle nodded as she replied to Damien before turning to the man named Tarel. “Did we do something wrong?”
Tarel chuckled. “Not at all. He merely wishes to thank you personally for your efforts in protecting Westmont. I believe he also has a proposition for you both.”
Damien exchanged a glance with Arielle before shrugging. “Fine. But we’re not done here yet.”
Arielle nodded in agreement. “The cleanup comes first.”
Tarel’s smile widened. “Understandable. It’s not urgent. I’ll wait until you’re ready.”
To their surprise, Tarel didn’t just stand around. He grabbed a broom from a nearby corner and joined in the effort, sweeping alongside them. “The faster we finish, the sooner you can meet with the Town Lord,” he said, his voice light.
Damien raised an eyebrow at the unexpected gesture but didn’t comment.
Meanwhile, Axiom and his group had regrouped near the edge of the cleanup site. Unlike Damien and Arielle, they’d been relatively quiet during the morning, moving with an air of urgency that hadn’t gone unnoticed.
When Damien and Arielle joined them for a quick chat, Axiom cleared his throat, catching everyone’s attention.
“Damien, Arielle,” Axiom began, his tone unusually formal, “it’s been a pleasure traveling and fighting alongside you. But my crew and I have somewhere we need to be.”
Arielle blinked in surprise. “Leaving already?”
Axiom nodded. “We’ve overstayed as it is. We’re on a mission, and our client is expecting results. If we delay any further, we might fail to deliver what was requested of us.”
“What are you looking for?” Damien asked, his voice neutral.
“A rare wild plant known as the Slumbering Tulip that grows in the dense forests west of here,” Axiom explained. “It’s not easy to find, and the window for harvesting it is small. We can’t afford to waste any more time.”
Vel added, “If it weren’t for the celebration, we’d have left last night. But we couldn’t just walk away without saying goodbye.”
Jallen, ever the quiet observer, gave Damien a half-smile. “It’s been interesting, to say the least.”
Damien gave a curt nod. “Good luck with your mission. Try not to get yourselves killed.”
“Especially you.” Damien said, pointing at Jallen.
“Why me?” Jallen asked, slightly confused by Damien’s words.
“You know why. Mana beasts would do anything but leave you alive if given the chance.” Damien answered with a shrug. Damien had experienced it first hand with his own mana beasts but since he had total control of his mana beasts, they didn’t move against Jallen.
Jallen smiled weakly and nodded. “Fine, fine. I’ll be careful.”
Arielle smiled warmly. “Safe travels. Maybe we’ll cross paths again.”
The group of six gathered their belongings and made their way toward the town gate, with Damien, Arielle, and Tarel walking with them to see them off.
The farewell wasn’t emotional, but it carried a sense of mutual respect. They’d fought together, celebrated together, and now it was time to part ways.
As the gates swung open, Axiom turned one last time. “Take care of yourselves. And Damien… keep that slime of yours in check. It’s terrifying.”
A small chuckle escaped Damien as he waved them off. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
The group disappeared beyond the gates, their figures fading into the horizon.
Once Axiom and his crew were out of sight, Damien turned to Tarel. “Alright, they’re gone. Now, about this Town Lord of yours…?”
Tarel gestured toward the heart of the town. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to his residence. He’s been eagerly awaiting your arrival.”
Arielle tilted her head curiously. “What exactly does he want to talk about?”
Tarel’s smile turned mysterious. “I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise.”
Damien sighed, motioning for Tarel to lead the way. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”
With Tarel guiding them, Damien and Arielle began their trek toward the Town Lord’s residence, their footsteps echoing faintly against the cobblestone streets.
~~~~~
Damien and Arielle arrived at the Town Lord’s residence just as the sun hung lazily in the sky. The building before them was a perfect reflection of its owner—simple yet commanding respect.
With its clean architecture, sturdy walls, and well-tended gardens, it wasn’t a palace, but it was certainly fitting for someone of the Lord’s stature. It was surprising to Damien when he found out that it had been untouched by the recent destructive battle but it also made sense considering the place was far away from the town’s heart where the main battle took place.
Tarel led them through the gates, where a pair of guards stood at attention, and into the main hall. The inside of the residence mirrored the outside—modest but refined.
The walls were adorned with a few pieces of art, and the furniture, though not extravagant, was clearly crafted with care and skill.
The Town Lord himself stood at the end of the hall, waiting for them with a welcoming smile. His outfit, while not overly luxurious, carried subtle details that conveyed his rank.
“Ah, Damien. Arielle. Welcome,” he greeted warmly, stepping forward to shake both their hands. “I trust your walk here wasn’t too tiresome?”
Damien nodded curtly. “It was fine.”
Arielle smiled politely. “Your aide, Tarel, kept us company. He was very helpful.”
The Lord inclined his head toward Tarel, who gave a respectful bow before stepping aside.
“Come,” the Town Lord said, gesturing to a nearby seating area. “Let’s sit and talk properly. You’ve both done so much for this town, and it’s time we officially acknowledge it.”
Damien and Arielle followed him to a set of comfortable chairs arranged around a low wooden table. The Lord took his seat opposite them, his movements deliberate and calm.
Once everyone was seated, the Lord leaned forward slightly, clasping his hands together. “First and foremost, Damien, let me thank you once again for what you did for Westmont. I know we spoke briefly earlier, but I felt it was only right to do so in a proper setting.”
Damien gave a dismissive wave. “You’ve already thanked me. No need to keep repeating it.”
The Lord chuckled. “True, but gratitude is something that should never be spared, don’t you think?”
Arielle smiled at his words, but Damien remained expressionless, eager to move on.
Sensing this, the Lord shifted the conversation. “I must admit, Damien, you’ve become something of an enigma to us. A mercenary capable of single-handedly fending off demons of such strength… it’s remarkable. It raises questions, of course.”
Damien raised an eyebrow. “Questions?”
The Lord nodded. “Purely out of curiosity, of course. What brought you to Westmont in the first place? And how long do you intend to stay?”
The straightforwardness of the questions made Damien uneasy. He shifted in his seat, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. “Why do you want to know?”
The Lord held up his hands in a placating gesture. “Forgive me if I’m overstepping. I assure you, my intentions are entirely positive. It’s just… a talent like yours is rare. I was wondering if you’d consider making Westmont your home, even temporarily.”
Arielle frowned slightly, sensing Damien’s growing discomfort. She decided to intervene. “Why the sudden interest, my Lord?” she asked, her tone calm but firm.
The Lord turned to her, his expression softening. “Arielle, you’ve been a part of this town for some time now. You understand how important it is for us to have capable protectors, especially now with the threat of demons looming larger than ever. Damien’s presence here has been a blessing. I simply wish to reward him appropriately.”
“Reward him?” Arielle echoed, raising an eyebrow.
The Lord nodded. “I’d like to offer him a position in the town. Something befitting his skills and contributions. But to do that, I need to understand him better. His past, his goals, his reasons for being here.”
Damien’s gaze hardened. “I’m not interested in a position.”
The Lord blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting such a blunt rejection. “You haven’t even heard what the position entails.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Damien said firmly. “I have my reasons for being here, but they’re personal. I don’t plan to stay in Westmont for long.”
The room fell silent for a moment, the tension palpable. The Lord looked as though he wanted to press further, but Arielle stepped in before he could.
“My Lord,” she began, her voice measured, “if Damien has made up his mind, I think it’s best to respect his wishes. Besides, even if he does leave, any title or reward you bestow on him will still carry weight. It would be a gesture of gratitude, not an obligation.”
The Lord’s eyes flicked between Arielle and Damien before he let out a resigned sigh. “You’re right, of course. I don’t mean to pressure you, Damien. Forgive me if I’ve made you uncomfortable.”
Damien gave a small nod but said nothing.
The conversation shifted to lighter topics, with the Lord asking about the reconstruction efforts in the town and Arielle providing updates. Damien remained mostly silent, his thoughts elsewhere.
Finally, the Lord rose from his seat, signaling the end of the meeting. “Thank you both for your time. Damien, whatever your plans may be, know that you’ll always have a place here in Westmont. And if you do change your mind, you know where to find me.”
Damien stood and shook the Lord’s hand. “Appreciate it.”
As they left the residence, Arielle glanced at Damien, a teasing smile on her lips. “You didn’t have to be so cold, you know.”
Damien shrugged. “I’m not staying. No point in pretending otherwise.”
Arielle chuckled. “Fair enough. But you have to admit, it’s nice to be appreciated.”
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Author’s Note:
Enjoy new stories from My Virtual Library Empire
What do you guys think about longer chapters? Let me know what you think about it.
If you all like it, I’ll do more of it and if you don’t, we’ll resume the usual short chapters.
Expecting your replies. Thank you all.