My Fate System

Saint Maria poured tea for him. Of course, the other generals would call him a traitor if they learned of this. However, in that instance, Nikolai didn't want to think of Lilith and her minions.

He needed to calm down.

Or rather... he had more important worries. Yet, true to her name, the saint made all of his fears vanish like mist. Her smile, fragrance, and aura all radiated contagious peacefulness.

"It seems you have calmed down," Saint Maria pushed the teacup toward him. "I would love to credit myself for that, but I can't deny how calming this garden is."

The princess said in a self-mocking manner, and it was only then that Nikolai noticed the surrounding scenery. They were sitting on the opposite sides of a table, which had been placed in a giant garden full of dark pink trees and flowers of subtle color.

"The reason you called me to your study is because of the ritual, right?" Nikolai couldn't say that she had the right to credit herself, so he changed the subject. Her eyes turned wide, and she sighed.

"You are fearsome," there was a hint of envy, which she had shown in the previous timeline. "You are correct. I want you to visit the ritual ground and learn what you can about it. Your report could help me appear less... clueless?"

"You don't appear as clueless," Nikolai said, which surprised him and her equally. "Ahem," he coughed, almost embarrassed for trying to reassure her. "My father always said that as long as you don't talk, people would assume you have something to say."

"What if nobles of the Bestial Kingdom asked me?" Maria asked with a not-so-convinced expression.

"At that time, you can answer them, and the impact would be greater. They will leave with an impression that the princess didn't rehearse her words but carried real knowledge about the kingdom."

"I'm glad to have you as a retainer," Saint Maria smiled with relief, her shoulders dropping slightly. "I understand. I'll do as you asked. However, I still need you to go there."

"Your wishes are my commands," Nikolai smiled and bowed. "However, I want to understand the people's image of the ritual first, before hearing from those who oversee it."

"You can take your time going around the city, then," Saint Maria sipped on her tea, and Nikolai mirrored her actions. After placing her cup down, she took out the royal badge like the timeline before. "This is proof that you are my retainer. Carry it with pride, Lyle."

"I will," Nikolai received it with a smile. Then, he tried to pick his words carefully. "I never had a friend before. Ever since my father died, I started going from one city to the other. I know that we are far from being friends, but you can always count on me with your worries as your retainer."

"Ah," Maria was confused before realization dawned on her. "You've seen that I was worried when you came into the study," she had a grateful smile. "There is nothing, just a letter from my older brother."

"If you ever need me, then I will be by your side," Nikolai stood up to leave with those words. "If you would excuse me now. I have a report to write."

"You may leave," the princess said with an expression that was hard to read. However, Nikolai knew that he was closer to her now, and it was enough for a start.

***

This time, he avoided the old driver as if he carried the plague. In some sense, Master Edward was indeed a plague. Nikolai left through the side gate, riding one of the carriages that resupplied the mansion.

Soon, he found himself in the city's busy street, with vendors surrounding him from every direction. Naturally, his attire drew attention, but it worked to give him the authority he wanted.

A human in this city wasn't a rare sight, but it was indeed unusual. The beastmen looked at him with both wariness and hostility, even though the majority ignored his presence.

There were other human travelers, but all of them looked like hardship-chiseled adventurers. They carried giant swords on their back or wore a skull over their head. It was both a sign of pride and a warning.

Nikolai didn't lie when he said he wanted to ask the locals about the ritual. Understanding the ritual also means that he would understand what the vision entitles. This time, he needs to make sure that he would be the only one to go into the vision.

If you want to receive an honest opinion about something, you need to ask the fearless. There were two types of fearless people: those with strength and those with nothing to lose.

That's why the first stop would be the adventurer's union.

Nikolai walked out of the market into the street, where tall buildings stood on each side. There was no need to ask for directions because the building was usually...

'There it is,' Nikolai looked at the tall building in the distance. Even though the union wasn't exactly at its peak, it was still a proud entity in every country.

Of course, there was a difference in leadership depending on the country. However, there were dealings between the unions to make sure adventurers had their needs met.

The beastmen avoided him as if he stunk because they knew that human nobles and their followers were in this city. Nikolai reached the door, but he found it closed. Finally, after three knocks, a window opened in the door.

"Who are you?"

"A retainer," Nikolai showed his badge to the pair of eyes, and it examined the badge before closing the window. Then, the door was opened.

Nikolai walked in, past the short man on the stool who opened the door. The adventurers inside all turned toward him, stared him down, dissected him with their eyes, and turned away in the end.

It seems there wouldn't be the cliche rejection of the outsider, and Nikolai felt a little disappointed. Maybe they learned that he was a retainer of the royal family and decided to stay away from him.

"Hello," Nikolai walked toward the counter, where sat a tall woman with her hair covering both of her eyes before diverging at her nose.

"How may I help you?" her rabbit ears danced at his question, and Nikolai realized she must be blind.

"I want to learn more about the Vyxas Ritual. Do you know where I can find a historian or a suitable adventurer to give me a tour?"

"Ah, I have a great fit for this job. Would you like to start a commission with our guild? Their minimum fee is two high-grade ores."

"A commission?" Nikolai never considered it. If he did indeed hire an adventurer, he would receive a more detailed report about this ritual. "That would be ideal, but the fee is quite high."

A high-grade ore piece was almost equal to one gold Rosian coin. Thus, the fee was two gold coins, which was an insane rate even for adventurers of another country.

"I agree," to his surprise, the rabbit woman agreed. "However, this adventurer is quite special because she only takes commissions which are related to archeology and the ancient gods. Her fees are high, but her expertise is genuine."

'Ancient gods?' Nikolai was intrigued. 'I might find something about Val or the other gods.'

Everyone might think that this person's knowledge is useless at the current moment. However, when the gods make their debut, their knowledge will be priceless.

"I understand. Please initiate the commission. Here are the two gold coins," Nikolai said as the two coins appeared in his glove, and he handed them over.

"Welcome to the Adventurer's Union of Fera," the rabbit woman said with a smile. Fera was the official name for the Bestial Kingdom, but it was rarely used in the Rosian Kingdom. "Please take a seat as I summon the adventurer here. She should arrive in half an hour."

Nikolai nodded and walked toward an empty table. As he sat down, he felt as he blended into the background. The noise of the adventurer's fights and laughs drowned him, and he found himself to be at peace.

The minutes slipped past his perception as Nikolai took out a coin for him to play with it. Adventurers and people who came for their commissions filled the union, and Nikolai watched the crowd from afar. Unfortunately, his habitual observation of people was cut short this time by the arrival of the woman he hired.

"Evening," a voice said from behind him as the woman pulled the chair and sat down.

"It is still morning," Nikolai answered as he placed his coin away and turned toward the adventurer. "I heard you know a lot about gods?"

"I know what they want everyone to know: their heroism," the adventurer said, and Nikolai managed to get a better look at her..  "And I know what they want no one to know: their villainy."