Chapter 17: Enter SimpleMMO World: Chapter 16
Short recap - After arriving at Elicia city, Khelgarr was offered 60 Gold coins in exchange for a friendly match with Hanz. The match was decided to be held in a week's time. For theri first day in the city, they decided to split into two teams to explore the city and gather as much information as they can about this world. Their goal is to test whether gold coins from SimpleMMO are usable in this world and gather information about Folen the Healer. Unfortunately, Khelgarr's team encounters a noble man harassing a little girl who is trying to sell a flower. Khelgarr became enraged when he saw it and dragged the noble man to his house to teach him a lesson. After a negotiation, Khelgarr let the nobleman go after his father begged Khelgarr on his knees to forgive his son. Meanwhile, Azlanc, Mcgreed and III went to the slum area hoping that they could get useful information.
" According to Cleidious, there is someone in this slum area that trades information. So we just need to find that person. Maybe he knows something about Folen the Healer." I inform the Mcgreed and III Cledious' message.
" Great, then let's ask someone where we can find this person." Said III while approaching a thin man resting his back on a wall. The man looks tired and ill.
" Excuse me, do you know where we can find someone who trades information?" III asked the man.
" I know where it is. But what do I get in exchange for that?" The man asked for something in return.
" I will give you 5 pieces of bread in exchange for that information." I offer the man bread in exchange for the information. The reason why I only offer him bread is not because that information is not valuable but because from the looks of it, the location of the person we are searching for is well-known. Thus, it's valuable information to us but not for them. If he rejects, we can just ask someone else. Plus, we only have gold coins, it'll be suspicious if we use gold coins just for the whereabouts of someone that most people know.
" Fine. If you follow that street, you'll find an old church at the end of the road. The sister there will trade any information if you can offer the church something in return." The man pointed out to us the street that we should follow. I give five pieces of bread as promised.
" Oh yeah, just in case. Do you know anything about Folen the Healer?" I asked the man if he knew anything about it. But as expected, he never even heard about it.
We walked through the street, after almost an hour walking, we reached the old and run down church. There are children working on the field and attending the livestock. Most likely they're orphans that the church is taking care of.
" Is there something you need?" One of the orphans asked us as we're standing in front of the church.
" We want to talk to Sister. Is she here?" I asked the child.
" Hmm. What do you want to talk about with Sister?" The child looked at us with suspicious eyes.
" We just want to ask if she has some information that we need. That's all." Mcgreed assures the child that we're not a threat.
" I see, so you want to trade information with Sister. Follow me." The boy then guided us inside the church. " The one who wants to trade information please get inside the confession box. One at the time." The boy showed us the confession box. The box gives a bad and dangerous vibe.
After we're all agreed, I'll be the representative and get into the confession box. Mcgreed and III will stand on guard in case something happens. As I enter, there's nothing inside the box except a divider that separates the two spaces." What is it that you seek to know and what will you offer in exchange for that?" A woman's voice from the other side asked.
" I want to know about Folen the Healer. I will offer you one gold for that information." I answered her.
She went silent for a few minutes before she asked again," And why do you want to know about it? What will you do with the information?" Her voice tells me that she is suspicious and hesitant to trade information with me.
This gives me no other choice but to tell her our objectives in order to gain even a tiny bit of her trust." We're travelers from the east. In order for us to return back to our hometown, we'll need to seek help from Folen the Healer."
She went silent again for a moment. Then she asked, " What kind of help do you want from Folen the Healer?"
" .... Aren't you probing too much into our problem? As an information trader, I'm sure you are aware that all information is not free. I already told you our objectives. Is that not enough?" I tried to pressure her from probing further into our problem.
" Alright, but before that. You must agree to pay the amount that you have agreed even if you are not satisfied with the information that I'll give to you." As we agreed for the payment. She starts telling a story of Folen The Healer.
At the same time, after a dispute with the noble, Khelgarr, Cleidious, reaper and BlackRaven walk away from the noble residence with the girl.
" Oh yeah, we didn't get your name yet. What's your name?" Cleidious asked the girl's name.
" My name is Nina. U-umm, thank you for helping me. I'm sorry, I can't give you money… But this, please accept this flower." Nina offered flowers as a thank you for helping her. Her tiny hand full of dirt makes Khelgarr and the rest hesitate to take the flower. Looking at her small hand working hard to sell the flowers tells them that if they just leave her like this, their conscience will make them regret later.
" Oh don't worry about it. We helped you because we want to. There's no need to thank us. But this is really a beautiful flower. Thank you." Cleidious takes the flower after Nina insists on it.
" This flower is known as the Sunrise flower. As the name suggests, it only blooms a few minutes after sunrise. If you pick it during those few minutes, the flowers will stay in bloom for a few weeks. Nina must have woken up early every day and waited for the flower to bloom before she picked it. Also, to get to the place where these flowers are located takes two hours to walk. What an amazing girl." Hanna, who is part of Black Rose party, gave a short lecture about the flower.
Hearing that, they realize that she is a strong girl that can achieve a great future if she has the opportunity. Giving the opportunity to the younger generation to strive is the responsibility and priority for every countries' leaders. As the wise always say, 'If you want to cultivate a country, start with cultivating the younger generation.'
Khelgarr and the team feel that they haven't done enough for Nina. So, Cleidious holds Nina's hand gently and brings her around the market. They treat her with new clothes and delicious food. Although Nina seems hesitant at first but slowly, she opens up her heart to them.
"Is it really okay for me to have all of these? I-is this a dream? If this is a dream… God, please don't wake me up." After wearing beautiful clothes and eating as much delicious food as she wants for the first time in her life, Nina can't help but think what's happening to her is just another dream. A short dream that gives strength to face a harsh reality when she wakes up.
Upon hearing that, Cleidious gently flick Nina's forehead. " Nina, this is not a dream. This is really happening and there's more to it. That's why, it's still too early to think that this is a dream." With a soft and warm pat on her head, her tears fall down like a river after a heavy rain. A warm kindness she felt for the first time after going through a hellish experience in the slum just to survive another day with her small and worn out body. It's a feeling that nobody in the slum area ever gave to her.
With a determined face, Cleidious looked at Khelgarr, reaper and BlackRaven. "Guys… I-" Before Cleidious can even finish his sentence, reaper crosses him.
" I've decided! I will help Nina until the end. Until she can live a life just like any ordinary girl, I want to help out." said reaper.
" reaper! Say no more. I'm in. We're comrades after all." Said BlackRaven giving his full support to reaper.
" This is not going to be as easy as helping a stray cat, you know? She is a human being after all. But well, that's my plan from the moment I choked that noble's neck. Count me in." Khelgarr gave his approval.
" Haha. I guess we're all thinking the same thing. I know I'm not supposed to say this but I'm glad I was transferred into this world with you guys." Said Cleidious, feeling relieved that he found a great companion.
" Great! Now that all of you guys agree, all that's left is Azlanc, Mcgreed and III. But I'm sure they'll agree as well." reaper feels confident that everything will turn out just fine.
"Oh yeah, where are your parents, Nina?" Asked Khelgar.
"My father died before I was born and my mother… passed away 3 years ago." Nina confessed. It really shocked everyone when they heard that, to think that a child as small as Nina was left alone in this harsh world. If it is 3 years ago, then Nina is around 2 to 3 years old, an age where children sleep in their parent's lap and rain her with love. Cleidious and Hanna pat Nina's head gently trying not to make her feel lonely.
" I'm curious, is there any orphanage in this town who takes orphans?" asked Cleidious.
"There are orphanages but they mostly take in children that are recommended by those who donates a fortune to them. Honestly, it's like they are using children to get money instead of helping them and they reject children from the slum area. There is one orphanage in the slum area under the church but they are independent. They don't have much fortune compared to other orphanages. So they can't afford to take many children." Hanna explained with a big disappointment on her face.
"That's really sad. To think that they even take advantage of orphans like that. I'm really worried about Nina knowing that this world is full of people who try to feed their greed."said Cleidious who is concerned about Nina.
" That's more the reason why we must help her thoroughly. Not with just a half-assed will." Said reaper with strong determination. Everyone agrees with what reaper said. Helping half-ass is just irresponsible.
" For now, I will take Nina home with me. I live with children with the same fate as Nina and Black Rose party also consists of people who are orphans with no one to depend on. We may not be a strong party, but we always have each other's back whether we are on the battlefield or at home. If Nina comes to live with us, I'm sure she can pursue her dream with everyone's support. Also, Nina is a strong girl, I'm sure she can help other kids as well." Hanna offers her help.
"Yes, if that is the case then, we'll leave with you for now until we discuss it with other members. For now I will give you 100 gold coins for Nina and other kids. Buy them good clothes and food." Khelgarr gave 100 gold coins to Hanna.
"Th-this is… Are you sure to give this much?" Hanna is surprised when Khelgarr suddenly hands over 100 gold coins to her. Khelgarr insists for Hanna to take it and use it for the kids.
Meanwhile, in the church in the slum area, Sister just finished the story about Folen the Healer.
"I see. If that is the case, then it might be impossible for us to find Folen the Healer. Hurmm…" If we can't find Folen the Healer, then we need something else that compensate for that. So first, " It seems that you have a problem managing this church because of not enough money. So, I have a suggestion. How about I become your sponsor? For now, let's see.. How about I will donate 500 gold coins?" I offered her an alliance.
"Wh-what? 500 gold coins!? That's worth 10 years of our expenses. B-but what do you want in return?" Sister became suspicious of my offer.
" All I want from you is for you guys to be my exclusive information trader and with your help, I want to conquer this slum area from behind. Don't misunderstand me, although I said conquer, I won't do bad for you guys. Instead I will make this area a better area that you want to live in." I told her my plan for this town.
She went silent for a long time. Then, "Fine, I don't know if you are an angel or devil but this is a big opportunity for this church to grow and help more children." A deal was sealed and I gave her 500 gold coins.
" How is it? Did you find out anything about Folen the Healer?" Asked Mcgreed as soon as he saw me coming out of the confession room.
"Change of plan. We'll put the search for Folen the Healer on hold. Instead, in one week, we'll conquer this slum area."
To be continued…..
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