❝𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐄❞

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙬𝙤

chapter two: “an unusual commission.”

—

     “BRIAR VALLEY?”

LUMINE REPEATED, confused about her commission for today. The caretaker and general of the Land of Thorns commissioned the Adventurer's guild to bring him a sack of meat, fruits, and vegetables in exchange for a large amount of mora. There's a problem somehow: the Land of Thorns never existed ever since the war of Khaenri'ah as if they erased themselves in history...

     "Yes, Traveler. We have sent the best investigators to find the valley, but unfortunately, we couldn't find it and I'm afraid we're reaching the deadline of their commission." Katheryne told her, giving her the said goods in the process. "I entrust this commission to you."

     "What is Briar Valley?" She asked.

     "It's an ancient village where the Flame Archon ruled over, but she died 500 years ago. We're bewildered that the village still exists until this day," the commissioner remarked. "We believe that the one ruling the kingdom is the Archon's heiress, the Princess of Thorns. Her name differs in every history book: Malleus, drakania, heiress of the Draconia family, etc."

     "Is she an Archon, too?"

     "I believe she is. Based on the history books, her powers were unparalleled. I'm not sure if it's true since if she's a formidable goddess, why didn't she fight for a seat as an official Archon?" Katheryne questioned, doubting the goddess. "It is said she's dubbed as the Thorn Archon."

Lumine was glad to hear she was an Archon but suddenly grew worried because she doesn't know where Briar Valley is. Deciding to return to her the temporary home to talk to her nosy, but reliable companion...

     "OH, BRIAR VALLEY! IT'S A PART OF THE LAND OF THORNS BACK IN THE ANCIENT TIME!" Paimon exclaimed, amazed when she heard the commission. "Their Archons were pretty interesting and I'm kinda sad they don't exist anymore... Well, maybe they're just hiding because it's said they erased themselves in history. Their Princess, the Thorn Archon, is known to be someone intimidating."

     "So you do know her?" The blonde-haired woman crossed her arms, staring at her sweating companion. "Also if we finished this commission, we'll receive 50k mora from the one who commissioned this. It's like hitting two birds with one stone, right?"

     "The thing is, I'm not sure if it still exists. The Land of Thorns, I mean," the white-haired child hesitated. "What would we lose—"

     "The 50k mora."

     "OKAY, LET'S GO FIND THE VALLEY OF THORNS!"

—

Katheryne told them about the Valley of Thorns is located within the depths of the Whispering Woods, which confused the investigators because they didn't see any sign of the ancient kingdom. Lumine and Paimon entered the forest, trying to find any clues related to the Kingdom...