The Winners

“Report.”

“Yes Ma’am!”

In the office of the adventurers guild, the guild master met with their receptionist.

“The guards of the central gate all perished in the attack, numbering 35. The North-west had 15 deaths and 20 injured, the South-east 13 dead and 22 injured. Many are heavily injured and could lead to death.

“Hm… Go on.” The woman with half black and half white hair said, placing her chin on her hands.

“Hah…” The receptionist continued with a pained expression. “All things considered, the civilian deaths are far less than they should be… Still, 53 civilians were killed. On top of that, many are injured, 127 to be exact.

“On top of that, the city is now down two priestess garbs, and still very low on gold… Many of the shop fronts are also destroyed.”

The guild master scratches her head, her thoughts unknown. A difficult expression spreading on her face.

“Also…” The receptionist's face turned darker, a sad expression taking over. “Ms and Mr Pottinger have passed away…”

“What?! Did the monsters get them?” The Pottinger couple had been the foremost apothecaries in Lyscynal, most children of the past two generations had grown up being treated by them.

“No… It seems they passed peacefully before the incident…”

“I… See…” The guild master placed her hands over her eyes, hiding her expression. “Continue.”

“Not including the Pottingers, the casualties number 285, 116 of those being deaths. On top of that, the adventures we sent have not been heard from in weeks… I worry the worst has happened…”

“And Anzo hasn’t returned…”

The two women fell into silence.

“Its strange…” The guild master said suddenly. “Why did they only stick to the three main streets?”

“Huh? You’re right! The only other path the monsters went was towards the train station…”

“How’s the damage there?”

“Minimal, a good samaritan stepped in and protected it.”

“Who?”

“The civilians said it was a rough looking guy, smelled of tobacco and had been trying to purchase a ticket to genoscere.”

“Huh..?” Setting the samaritan aside, the master set her thoughts back to the strange behaviours of the monsters. “Why wouldn’t they rampage like monsters usually would? They march towards the square as if searching for something…

“What about the man, the Dracofolk?”

“He was taken by Mr. Ramorski, he felt since the knights failed to secure him, it would be best to take him to Delphoscere for questioning.”

“He-? Haah, it's true, it's best to be interrogated there… They will come across the answer at least…”

The two once again fell into silence.

“The train should be leaving about now, right?”

“Yes… I hope those kids made it on…”

♕♛♕♛♕♛♕

A dozen or so minutes earlier.

The five prospective students gathered in the square.

Hiiro Hajime, dressed in a white robe which had burn marks. His dark hair contrasted with his attire.

Eris Tinea, dressed in a similar outfit, tiredly stood next to him.

Helia Baldr, with caramel skin and dressed in the outfit of Saionia, looks over the group.

Nina Il Manako, her long ears sticking out of her disheveled silver hair looked glum.

Neia Samsa, looking disinterestedly at the others, thought of things unknown.

The group gathered together.

“We still need one more!” Helia said. “I doubt we will find any with the aftermath, our best bet is to see if my da- Father was able to buy one.”

The rest of the group agreed, the group proceeding towards the train station down main street.

“What about Nerissa?” Hiiro asked.

“She’ll find her own way there, I'm sure.”

The group continued up the street, passing broken shop fronts and carts.

Groups of people searched through the rubble, seeking anything to salvage.

“Maybe we should help…” Hiiro wondered.

“No, we can’t. The church will send help to clean up soon, our job is to continue forward.” Eris explained to him.

At the back of the group, Neia and Manako walked.

“You okay?” Neia asked, her eyes growing softer.

“Y-yeah…” Manako replied, her face looking melancholic.

“The shop, where that old lady was, is untouched.” Neia said, their eyes facing forward.

“Yeah? That's good!” Manako’s face lightened slightly.

The group continued on, making it to the train station.

“Wha!?” Hiiro immediately yelled.

In front of the train station is a pile of monster corpses, as tall as a three story building.

“Who?!”

“Just ignore it!” Helia said, seeming unsurprised.

“Don’t tell me?!”

Ignoring Hiiro’s outburst, the group continued, surprise evident on their faces.

The inside of the train station looked similar to a convenience store, which Hiiro remembered. However, instead of drywall, the walls were made of wood.

The smell of fresh pastries and other dishes wafted to their noses as they passed through the department store in the front of the station.

Towards the back, a counter stood with a beautiful woman behind it. Wearing a black suit, the outfit of the train system, the woman smiles longingly at the man standing opposite her.

The man had a rough appearance. As the group approached, the smell of tobacco attacked their nostrils.

“Da- Father!” Helia calls out.

“Ah. Glad you're okay.” He says. “You aren’t hurt, are you?”

“No, I'm okay… Any luck?”

“I'm sorry…”

“Are you all looking for tickets to Delphoscere?” The lady behind the counter asked.

“Yes.”

“Im sorry, none of the passengers want to get off here, im sure you can imagine why.”

“I see…”

A gloomy atmosphere overtook the group.

“And why are you commoners steeped in such tristitia?” A voice called out to them.

Turning towards the entrance, Nerissa Orlaith appeared. In an elegant blue and black dress, she stood confidently with a smirk.

“You all seem to find yourselves in a predicament.” She walked towards them confidently, and took out two slim pieces of paper.

“Here, mineself has obtained two tickets. Use them as you like!” The girl stood confidently.

“You?! Thank you!” Helia bowed deeply. “I thought you said you wouldn’t get any others?”

“I said nothing of the sort.”

“You did, for sure!” Eris began, anger taking over the shock and excitement.

Heeerk Heeerk

The loud noise of the train whistle succeeded in the impending fight.

“We need to go!” Helia said, turning toward the platforms.

The group followed, traversing the wooden stairway and catwalks and ending up at the furthest platform, the sign above reading Delphoscere.

The group, after a long and arduous day, boarded the train.