After a few more days of a long and arduous journey through the vast lands of Elsteins, not only they have crossed the border to Eos, but also finally reached the capital known as Geofu. From the high ground, Leo could see the city rising up from a rocky field, surrounded with fortified walls. At the left side, there was a large tower with an imposing feeling to it, though it carried itself with the kind of grace only a scholar of higher learning would stand. And on the right side there were more walls surrounding a castle stretching up to the heavens. The banners fluttered in the wind as symbols of unity and loyalty to the people they were sworn to protect.
After passing through the gates of the city by crossing the bridge over the riverbank, Leo gazed upon the streets of Geofu. The cobblestone streets spread far from the entrance, all the way into the deeper recesses of the castle. The buildings were made of stone and red-tiled roofs with small windows and doors made of wood. As the cavalry moved into the city, people strolling across the streets had to step aside. Despite the humbling look of the buildings, the castle and the secondary building were symbols that the kingdom of Eos was not to be underestimated.
Leo and his companions continued to follow the cavalry until they made a stop at the town's square, as Henrietta turned her horse around to address the mercenaries. "This is where we must part ways. I have to reach the castle and meet the Queen herself to report my duty. In the meantime, you three need to get some rest."
"Yeah, that's actually a good idea. We might also look around in the city and find out if there's some gossip about some people hiring mercenaries." Leo replied as he glanced at Henrietta's cavalry getting ahead, and then looked at Roxy and Helga meeting up with him.
"I'm sure we will see each other again, if not here, then maybe on the battlefield. May the Goddess be with you." Henrietta wiped her reins and zoomed away, leaving him and the others behind.
Not long after, Leo had found a stable to leave their horses so they could explore the streets of Geofu on foot. That wouldn't change the fact that Leo and the girls felt like complete strangers, since it was their very first time visiting the kingdom of Eos.
"Well, this is gonna take a while to find somewhere cozy." Helga said as she cracked her back.
"We'll worry about that later. First I need to find a store so I can sell all the loot and get enough coins to get some rooms." Leo replied as he checked the items he collected in his travels inside the pouch.
"Oh, maybe we can also ask the merchant if they know an inn around these parts." Roxy gave a suggestion, which Leo nodded in agreement.
"What about you, Helga? Would you like to come with us?" He asked as he turned towards the tall and voluptuous female warrior.
Helga seemed to be surprised at the young man's request, but then a playful smile grew on her face. "You mean it? I mean, you already got a pretty demi-human with a nice ass at your side. But hey, if you really want to have another girl in your party, I can't say no to that." She said with a chuckle and walked up to them.
Her remark obviously made Roxy grow embarrassed and looked away with a blush, as Leo just snorted, but he could see Helga's very glad to come along with them, maybe because she also wanted to make up with him after their first encounter. However, Leo didn't really expect he would welcome another member to build a small party, probably he did it out of pity since he could relate to her as a lost, wandering mercenary. Still, the question remains whether Helga will stick around with him and Roxy from now on.
After strolling around the streets for a short while, Leo found, by luck, a small shop that was near a marketplace. Leo glanced up at a sign hanging above the entrance that was just an illustration of a balancing scale, though it didn't take a genius to know what it means. He opened the door, and after letting the girls be the first to enter, he walked into a small room with racks full of all kinds of items, such as books, tools, potions and accessories.
There was also a counter where a dwarf with reddish braided hair and beard was leaning over while looking at a book, that was until he heard the door opening. "Welcome to the Copperback's Store. Just pick up something you wanna buy and bring it to me." The shopkeeper said with a bored tone without raising his gaze up to address the customers.
"We might do that, but first, can I ask you a question?" Leo replied while approaching the counter.
"The forge is just around the corner and by the bridge, you can't miss it." The dwarf said grumpily.
Leo grew a confused look at the trader's remark, and then shook his head. "You got it wrong. I was wondering if I could sell some goods for coins."
"You mean like trading?" The dwarf finally raised his gaze up to look at the newcomers, and his curiosity arose as he looked at the gear they're wearing. "Hmm, you don't look like common folks. Are you mercs? Adventurers? Bounty hunters?"
Leo glanced at both Helga and Roxy, and shrugged as he faced back at the shopkeeper. "We definitely fit all of it at this point. But yeah, you could just say we are mercenaries."
"I see. You're not the first type of customer who would come through that door, but every time they ask me if I knew a place where they could get some weapons and armor. Those bastards at the forge sure are lucky to have a high demand." The dwarf sighed before tapping the counter. "Anyway, let's see what you got, kid."
Leo nodded before opening the pouch and poured everything that was inside out to the counter, such as silver, herbs, pelts, and even some jewels; most of them were recently found when he searched the orc's chest. He waited patiently as he watched the dwarf scrutinizing the loot.
"I wasn't expecting you would bring something more than just junk. Did you find a treasure or something?" He eyed at the newcomer with a wary look.
"The real question is... how much are they worth to you?" Leo responded with another question, hoping that this would avoid raising suspicion to the merchant. The last thing he would need is having another argument about selling items that were lost and found.
The dwarf suddenly let out a snort and looked at Leo in amusement. "You got a silver tongue, lad. I can give you that. So, you strangers are new around these parts, aren't you?" He asked while biting a piece of golden brooch.
"You could say that." Helga replied as she leaned himself against the counter. "We just crossed the border and right now we need to find a place where we can rest before we could start looking for a job."
"Do you know a place where we could spend some nights by any chance?" Roxy asked politely.
"You mean like an inn? Sorry, but I can't say I know every corner of this city, so you have to ask someone else." The red bearded dwarf said with a huff.
"I see. Well, have you at least heard some interesting news? We'd like to get in touch with whatever is going on in this kingdom." Leo changed the subject to learn more about the Seventh Ruin he heard from Henrietta.
"You must have heard about the invading dark army from the North, haven't you?" The dwarf asked, to which Leo nodded his head. "Aye, things are starting to look pretty bleak over there. More refugees from overrun villages have been coming here to seek shelter in the church, but I heard there's not enough room to take them all in, and I'm pretty sure that won't be the end of it while those damned beasts are still swarming around." He finished as he put all the loot into a small chest.
Leo counted them as he kept the conversation. "I've also been told that the Eostian army is willing to hire mercenaries. Is that also true?"
"Aye, that's why you're here, isn't it? With how bad this situation has become, they're trying to gather a vast defensive army in hopes of fighting off these vermin. I even heard the Princess Knights are even looking for some volunteers who can at least wield a pitchfork." The dwarf let out a scoff.
"Princess Knights?" Leo asked as he glanced towards Roxy, as she was also curious at the name they just heard.
"Sounds like you want to join the fight so bad." Helga said, wearing a smirk.
"You're kidding? If I didn't have to be stuck here, I could just pick up my ax and enlist in the front, just so I can show those rookies how a real warrior fights!" The shopkeeper banged his fist on the counter, but then he took a breath to calm down. "Unfortunately, I have family matters to take care of, but I'm not gonna waste your time listening to my woes. Here's your coin, lad." He handed Leo a handful of silver coins.
"Just look at the bright side. You have an honest job that doesn't involve risking your head falling off your shoulders. Believe me, I tried that before." Leo replied as he started counting each silver coin. "Okay... that's fifty silver coins, that should do it. Thanks for the exchange."
"Anytime. And hey, even if you're mercs, I see you and the lassies are decent folk, so if you need some supplies or want to do more trading with me, you're welcome to go back! My name's Baldur by the way." The dwarf introduced himself and reached his hand out to Leo for a handshake.
"My pleasure. I'll consider that offer." Leo accepted the gesture before he and his companions made their way out of the store. While they did gather some additional details of the rumors, Leo still needed to find a place to rest before the night falls.
Once they stepped outside, Leo looked around the street as he thought about asking some folks passing by, but since they seem to be ignoring him, it didn't look like they're willing to exchange a word with a daunting stranger.
"I really hope you're not thinking we're lost, are you?" Helga asked when she noticed his pensive look.
"Of course not. We just have to find someone else we can ask, maybe we should go to the marketplace Baldur mentioned." Leo replied as he was about to make a way to the corner.
