Dawn's Farewell (2)
"The Water Demon's head has arrived."
Now that I looked, there it was among the workers—a Water Demon head the size of a small calf, its jaws gaping wide on the ground. I'd commissioned the taxidermy ages ago, but given its massive size, it had taken this long to finish. Still, I'd handed it to a skilled pro, and it captured the beast's lifelike menace perfectly.
We planned to mount it right above the guild entrance on the outer wall, but its sheer bulk meant this was going to be a major operation. They'd use ladders for support, lower it from the second-floor window with ropes, and secure it in place. Of course, it wasn't free. These folks had nothing to do with the taxidermist; Leana had hired a sign company from town. It cost money, but slapping that head up there would draw in way more business. What better way to build trust than displaying the head of a demon we'd slain ourselves?
"You two must've had a tough morning."
Leana greeted us as we approached.
"Waaah?! What's that?!"
Celestine, getting a close-up of the Water Demon head, freaked out and ducked behind my back.
"It's the one that was hiding in the reservoir near the city, guzzling water. The clerk took it down."
"Gasp... As expected of you, sir..."
"I'll keep an eye on things here, so go inside and eat. I already had breakfast early."
Sure enough, a meal was laid out on the first-floor round table once we stepped into the guild. Mmm, Leana never disappoints. Too good.
Over breakfast, Celestine and I discussed the afternoon requests. Leana handled intake and assigned them based on our strengths, but since I wrapped mine up first, I always picked up some of hers.
"This one's nothing special—doesn't need holy power. I'll knock it out tonight on my way back."
"Got it. I'll handle from here to here."
"You good for this one?"
"Of course! I can do it. Don't worry."
"Perfect. That'll clear the urgent deadlines with time to spare. We'll be rolling in it soon."
"Hehe, yay~!"
That said, the requests in hand were all middling stuff. We needed some big institutional gigs or demon hunts to really cash in. A single demon extermination paid more than what Celestine and I had earned all morning. But damn, why were demons so scarce lately? Had they all gone into hiding after I offed that archdemon? I knew a few lairs, but wasting quiet ones first wouldn't net any payout. Hell, if the duchy just declared demons vermin, we could bounty-hunt heads. At least I'd boosted favor with city hall and the border guard via that demon kill and mage takedown—something big would come eventually. As the new kids compared to the other two guilds, we'd just grind rep by hustling nonstop.
After eating and brushing our teeth, we headed out. The guild's outer wall work was done—the Water Demon head now proudly mounted, exuding raw intimidation. Its body was huge to begin with, and unlike humanoid demons, its catfish-like form made it extra menacing. It looked ready to swallow passersby whole with that massive maw.
Celestine stared up at it and piped up.
"Clerk sir... We should probably decorate it or something. It's too scary."
"You think? Guilds aren't kindergartens—this should boost trust instead. What do you say, Leana?"
Leana, arms crossed as she eyed the head, shrugged.
"Eh? Flowers won't make it cute, and skipping 'em won't scare off requests."
"Fair enough. Leave it as is for now. Oh, Leana."
"Yes, clerk sir?"
"I posted a guild recruitment ad. We need an all-rounder swordsman or something."
"Smart move. Demon hunter and healer are too specialized—we're missing that mid-role."
I showed her the list from Clemence. Leana skimmed it lightning-fast.
"Kinda iffy. Skip druids or warlocks—swordmasters would be ideal, but swordsmen..."
"Common job means every nutjob applies. I just flipped one on my way back."
"Hmm, true. A mage would be nice."
She handed back the list with a grin.
"Mages cover most roles' perks. But anyone that good wouldn't join us."
"And they're pricey. Insanely."
"Stuck-up too. Never heard of a guild mage."
"A solid swordsman it is, then."
"Good luck finding one. You know how the talent pool is around here."
She had a point. Guild work was dirty, dangerous 3D labor. Most members were like that drunk I'd tossed earlier. Leana was guildmaster by title, Celestine a fallen saintess—rare cases.
"Post's up, so interviews it is. I'll handle walk-ins—you vet this list."
That afternoon, we tackled requests while checking out list candidates in downtime. Mostly rude, clueless idiots. A few sane ones, but their skills sucked—dead weight for rep. No real gems here.
"Oh, clerk sir—that blue gem?"
"Dawn's Farewell?"
"Yeah. It was vibrating this morning while you were out."
"What...?"
I tilted my head, and Leana brushed back her hair, explaining.
"Heard this humming, checked it out—saw it twitching on the desk. No idea?"
"Beats me. Wonder what it is."
"Dunno? Mage relic—maybe it's got tricks."
What the hell is it, anyway? No clue.
A border guard request came in: body found outside town, likely a beast attack—handle it. Other guilds refused? They hadn't even asked.
"The investigation chief sent you straight here."
I smiled at the guard's reply. Major Bibian keeping her Elodi Village promise—most requests our way.
"Said no one else could handle it—only you, Leonar."
The guard glanced at the two demon heads over the mantel.
"Sounds good. Let's check it. Far?"
"Outskirts—need horses, but not too bad."
In the guildmaster's office, I grabbed Nightrend, potions, special oils. Sounded like a mountain griffon—not a demon, but tricky; potions would help.
Outside, Leana draped a cloak over my shoulders.
"Tell Celestine to head there after hers?"
"Nah. Holy power won't cut it—too risky, she'd just be in the way. I'll solo."
"That dangerous?"
I briefed her on mountain griffons. Worry creased her face.
"Be careful. Bail if it's bad."
"Will do. Probably two days."
"Got it. Safe travels. Wait!"
She dashed to the office, returned with Dawn's Farewell.
"Take this."
"This? Why?"
"Mage's mana essence, right? Might help. It vibrated—maybe activates spells."
"Maybe."
"You might not get it, but he saw you as a friend. Could save your ass. No downside."
"Alright, packing it."
I pocketed Dawn's Farewell and left with the guard.
The guards and I rode outskirts-ward for about ten minutes at speed. Up ahead, a dozen heavily armed guards clustered. Scene already? Too close to town.
I dismounted, and a crouched guard stood to greet me.
"Leonar. You made it."
Helmet off—short bob, eerie gold-green eyes. Major Bibian.
"Heard about the beast."
"This way."
She parted her men, leading me in. There: upper body savagely torn at the waist, blood-splattered everywhere. Face frozen in terror. As expected.
"Mountain griffon."
"Pardon?"
"Mountain griffon's work."
"You knew at a glance?"
"Footprints here."
I pointed to the deep indent beside the corpse. Shape, claw depth, body damage—all screamed griffon.
"They dive like hawks from heights, snatching prey. But heavy, so one talon grabs, the other braces ground—leaves prints. Human bodies can't take the force, so horse torsos vanish, leaving just this."
"Horse?"
"Hoof marks from a panicked gallop there."
I gestured down the path. Bibian's eyes widened genuinely.
"How'd you spot all that so quick...?"
"Hunting this close means cubs nearby. Mother's pushing limits for their hunger. Soon it'll hit downtown."
Bibian and the guards paled.
"Who was he?"
"Obignon Union merchant, per ID."
"Doesn't look it."
"Why?"
I knelt, lifted the corpse's hand.
"Calluses like a sword arm, no? Elbow too. Any guards with elbow calluses?"
They shook heads.
"Lemme check."
Ignoring her, I ripped the tattered jacket. Slim, sharp daggers spilled from thick hidden lining.
"What the—?"
"Don't touch it!"
I slapped away Bibian's reaching hand, rough.