Astaroth reluctantly climbed into the carriage behind the mage. He still didn't know his name, and was quite reluctant to scan him.
The ride was silent and quick. The mage didn't utter a word, and Astaroth did the same.
They were close to where he needed to be, but he probably wouldn't have found it, since no one would help him. Astaroth heard the guards call out their presence to the gatemen.
"Lord General Hakim Enzio, and one guest! Here to see Baron Duncan!"
The gates started opening after a few moments, and the carriage rode into the courtyard. Astaroth looked out the window as they did and noticed something.
There was a shimmer of magic that spanned the entire sky over the residence, originating from the walls around the estate. He found this weird, since this was the noble district.
Who would need this kind of measure if they were already in a fortified district?
"So you noticed," the mage sitting in front of him said.
"Is that a barrier? Why would a barrier be active inside the city?"
"It is indeed a barrier. As for why, I was here to find out. And I'm guessing your quest also pertains to this matter as well."
Astaroth started thinking about what could force a noble to erect a barrier around his residence in times of peace. It clouded the current circumstances in mystery, and that piqued his curiosity.
He was now glad he grabbed this quest.
'This might not be a boring quest after all!' he thought, his face morphing into a grin.
The mage looked at him and smiled. The carriage finally stopped before a gigantic mansion made of white stone and black roof tiles.
When Astaroth exited the carriage, he noticed a firm presence of guards patrolling the grounds. He could count at least twenty grounds that he could see.
He could easily deduce there were more in the shadows, too. This made him think the mansion was under attack or on lockdown.
Guards escorted the pair inside the mansion, after verifying Astaroth's identity. He simply showed them the quest scroll and his adventurer license and they cleared him.
Guards led them into a study, libraries lining each wall, from floor to ceiling. Astaroth was still silent as he took in the sights.
"Ah! General Enzio! I'm glad you could make it. I need your help," a man behind the desk exclaimed when he saw the mage walk in.
"Please, Amal. This is your home. No need to be so formal."
"And who is this young man? A new apprentice?" the baron asked, looking at Astaroth.
"Nothing of the sort. This is the adventurer you requested from the guild to fetch the medicine for your wife, I believe."
"My name is Astaroth. Pleased to meet you, sire," Astaroth said with a bow.
"Ahh, yes. That request. Unfortunately, young adventurer, I think you come too late. The medicine I requested would most likely be useless now," the baron responded, his face tensing.
"In that case, I would like to help in any way I can. I am already here, after all," Astaroth said.
Since he was already on the quest, and it didn't automatically cancel after the baron said he wasn't needed, he tried a different approach.
It also paid off, since as soon as he offered his help, it updated the quest in his journal.
Quest: Find A Cure (Updated).
Description: The Baron had requested special medicine for his ill wife. The situation has evolved and the medicine would be ineffective. You are now to find a cure for her illness.
Objectives:
Find out what is ailing the Baron's wife.
Find a cure or solution to her illness.
???
Rewards:
Reputation in Sunpeak +1000
Reputation with Baron Duncan +5000
Gold +1000
Honorary Title (depending on results)
???
Astaroth was sure what reputation did yet, but the thousand gold coin reward would have been enough reward already for him. The turn of events made him ecstatic.
"Fine. If you can make yourself useful, I don't see why I would refuse extra help. The General also seems to trust you, so I will try doing the same."
"You honour me, sire," Astaroth responded, giving another curt bow.
"Very well. Come with me, both of you."
The General and Astaroth followed behind the Baron as he led them through a door to the side. The door led into a corridor with no windows or doors other than the one they came in through, and one at the other end.
When they arrived at the door, the Baron pulled out an amulet, which Astaroth could see siphoning an insane amount of mana, before putting it to the door.
A magic seal appeared before unlocking. The door then opened on its own.
'A magic panic room. Neat.'
Inside the room, there were still no windows, and it was dimly lit by torchlight. There was a bed in the back, with veils all around it, obscuring its surface.
But they could still see a humanoid form on it. Astaroth guessed this was the Baron's wife.
But something was odd. Ever since he entered the room, he could feel a nefarious aura all around.
He wasn't the only one to notice, as the General frowned next to him.
"This... Amal, your wife... She isn't sick."
"What?" the Baron asked, visibly confused.
Astaroth was the one to respond before the general. He had already activated his perfect mana sense, and what he saw was quite deranging.
The woman lying on the bed had a clear stream of black mana pouring into her. The mana was black with tinges of red, reminding him of the demonic affinity orb in Aberon's abode.
"This looks like demonic mana. Is that a curse?"
The young man's words bewildered the Baron, meanwhile, impressing the General.
"I'm amazed you can see it so clearly. It is indeed a curse. Though it's impressive, you could determine its origins without a closer inspection," the General said, walking towards the bed.
He pulled aside the veils, revealing the sickly form of an elven woman. Her skin was pale and dull, almost like she was already dead.
But her heart was still beating, and that was all that mattered for now.
"Young man, come here. You will help me determine what is the source of the curse."
"I'll do anything in my power to help," Astaroth responded, walking to the General's side.
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