LAUDNA

2. Welcome to Rosemore

The deafening sound of the bell, accompanied by the endless parallel conversations of people, created the perfect atmosphere to define the capital of Drioran, Rosemore. It is a city shaped "where the rays of the sun illuminate," protected by mountains that surround a good part of it. It is known for its annual tournament, held in the grand Nimbus Arena located in front of the palace.

Although she didn't grow up in the most elegant districts, Erika always enjoyed living in this place. However, over the years, her opinion started to change due to situations like the current one. She only wanted to go to the next block, but due to the hour, she was swallowed up by the crowds. The cat didn't cooperate, but with the gaps along the way, she could finally see the guild building.

Erika opens the door and returns to the prosperous headquarters where she works. The strong sunlight illuminates the stone-patterned floor, depicting the emblem of her country, a crimson lion. Passing by the mission board, Erika tears off the poster of the one she had just completed.

Another poster catches her attention. Not just one, but several of the same, depicting a figure with a mask covering even most of its face, labeled as "wanted." What made Erika's eyes sparkle were the numbers defining the reward amount if the person was captured and delivered. It certainly piqued her interest, but before she could take a closer look at it, hurried and clumsy footsteps approached her.

- You brought Francis back!- Erika looks down and notices the same silhouette of the girl with braided brown hair who was searching for the cat earlier, speaking with a trembling voice.

- The very same, safe and sound. - Erika lets out a tired laugh, which quickly turns into a smirk as the cat instantly wriggles out of her arms and begins to meow and circle around the girl.

- In the future, keep him in the city. It's extremely difficult to search outside the gates!

- It won't happen again! - It must have been complicated... Did something happen to you? - The girl asked, stroking her now docile kitten, while looking at the clothes and some scratches on Erika.

Erika didn't know what to say. She just opened her mouth, without uttering a sound, as the girl waited for a response, staring with big round eyes.

Before anything could be said, the bell announcing the passing hour echoes through the place, hurrying the girl once again.

- I have to go... Thank you so much for finding him! - The girl said, making a quick reference and hastily heading towards the exit of the establishment.

Both bid farewell as Erika watches the girl, whose name she didn't even know, run to the exit and vanish outside. She hears someone calling her name.

Approaching the counter, Erika recognizes the voice of the receptionist who usually assists her, holding a small bag in her hands.

- Miss Volkmenn! Thank you for your service, once again. Here's the reward for the mission you... -She stops talking when she notices Erika's slightly injured appearance, while Erika grabs the bag and realizes she received a small amount of copper coins. Her frustrated expression said it all.

- I'm aware it's not much. But we can't offer high rewards if the difficulty doesn't...

- Then give me something challenging! It's not my fault that I only receive things anyone could do. You barely have anything to offer that would pay any of us properly! - Erika slammed her hands on the counter while tucking the bag into her pockets. But she soon realizes that she crossed the line when she sees the frightened expression on the woman in front of her.

Silence fills the place for a minute. Finding that cat was much more laborious than anyone would think by looking at that task, but Erika couldn't tell her that.

- I expressed myself poorly, my apologies. - Erika shrinks her posture and lets out a heavy sigh, then looks back and remembers the poster of the wanted person with an excellent reward.

- ... What's the story with that wanted person over there?

- You know, none of us got many details. I think it's evident from the vague portrait. People have been claiming that someone with a similar appearance has been causing trouble since the beginning of the week. Sellers, tourists, and residents walking the busiest streets have been complaining about stolen wallets and merchandise that he took without paying. But every day, he wears a different rag! And he never shows his face, not to mention how fast he is. That has prevented anyone from trying to find him.

- If they're resorting to us, the Vanguard must be having problems.

Any chance she thought she had of finding someone like that went down the drain at that moment. If even the Rosemore Vanguard, which is fully focused on serving the people and protecting the cities with its countless members, couldn't find such a guy, why would she?

- Would you like to accompany me to the infirmary so they can treat your wounds? - Erika's thoughts are cut in half by the receptionist's voice once again.

- Thank you.

--

The rest of what happened there didn't seem worthy of Erika's attention. She was too frustrated with herself and unsure if she really deserved something better than what she already had. What should she do? She was always taught that following her heart was the right choice, but nothing left in her hands to resolve seemed effective. Was it bad luck? Lack of effort?

- It's all right, Miss Volkmenn. Although they were minor injuries, we ask that you take more care next time to avoid mishaps. - The healer who had attended to Erika taps her shoulders and leaves the infirmary room, filled with drawers and a few beds with white curtains.

The open window releases a strong breeze that sways the curtains, revealing Erika with her bandaged wrists and knees, wearing an enigmatic expression. She didn't know what to do now, but she knew her stomach was growling. And she knew a place that could satisfy her hunger and her uncertainty at that moment.