Legacy: A Hero Has Come

Book 1: Chapter 5

Roland stared at the massive building in front of him. He had heard it was big, but even that was an exaggeration, by his estimate. The only time Roland turned away was when the young man glanced at the passerby's, going about their day while tending to the shops and markets in the district. He noticed the solid walls and columns, all of them constructed from white marble bricks, which would have made up the whole area if not for the tall, slender trees and shrubberies sticking out of the square-shaped holes. Roland turned his attention to the sign overhead. Adventurer's Guild hovered above and was written boldly in gold as Roland remembered the stories he heard as a child.

Initially starting as a small mercenary guild, it was a place hired by merchants and lords to protect their assets. In the Kingdom of Aestraia, where the main export was iron and wood, it was a profitable occupation if one had the right qualifications. If caravans needed protection, they sought out adventurers and pay them handsomely, but they were still treated harshly by the other guilds, considering them brutes absent of loyalty and honor.

However, according to legends, the Adventurer's Guild did not receive any proper recognition until the war against the Eldritch King. When the hero Leo of Telos (Whose statue stood in the city's square) recruited these mercenaries, and also allied with many kingdoms and races, to defeat such a significant evil, hundreds of years ago. Since then, many people throughout the lands have come to the guild. They register to become adventurers in hopes of making a name for themselves. As he gripped the leather strap of his sheath, Roland was determined to do the same.

"Well, it's now or never," he said to himself, confidently, though his body acted the complete opposite.

He froze, feeling nostalgia overtaking his senses as his legs remained still. He had waited for this very moment, but his nerves staggering made it difficult for him to take another step. Without Josephine to give him confidence, Roland had to provide himself with the push he needed.

Come on, Roland. This is what you have always wanted. Just shake off all of your inhibitions and keep moving forward. He pursed his lips. Roland found the strength he needed and was ready to head inside.

He climbed up the steps and passed through the large red doors. After entering the big hall, and roaming through the red carpet, he became shocked by the crowd of rowdy adventurers gathering inside despite how late it was in the evening. It should have been nothing much of a surprise for the young man since the building consisted of a large hotel and a bar on the first floor, and a government office on the second floor. to be more precise, it was like three buildings merged into one. Thus, the incredibly lively atmosphere was nothing short of ordinary, but to Roland, it was like witnessing a festive party taking place before his eyes.

Sauntering over to the center, Roland examined the room around him with his brows narrowed. He was amazed to see a diverse range of people standing in the same place and socializing courteously with one another. Roland saw some humans wearing chainmail, some wearing robes and carrying staves, and others bound in leather and carrying daggers. Other than humans, he spotted some beastfolk and dwarves a little further away.

Roland squeezed through the gaps within the crowd, and he walked towards the receiving area. In front of him, a long queue formed at the front desk. His shoulders slumped and groaned as the line moved slowly. People had come to take up quests, make reports, or even make a request, which Roland assumed would be an easy process. Sadly, that wasn't the case.

To pass the time, Roland eavesdropped on the people behind him, listening to hearing the contents of their conversations discreetly at such a close-range.

"So? How was taking care of those orc raids in the frontier lands?"

"It did not go as well as I thought. With the battles taking place, the orcs have grown desperate in finding food. Because of that, I couldn't as much as I signed up for."