Dawn- An age of Darkness

If the capital city of Alfeim was the city inside a forest, then this city- the city of Xylax was literally the forest itself. Because no matter how you looked at it, it didn't look different from the rest of the forest. At least until I saw the large network of roads, houses, and even bazaars on the trees. This place was lit!

  The forest and the city were the same stuff just separated by a thin wooden flimsy wall. The density of the forest was also the same. 

There were huts on the ground too, but since there were so few, it was negligible. And not many people were down here. The only people that were, were the heavy ones. Elephant, bear, and hippo demi-humans. 

How the hell did I not see anything like this before? The villages were just typical villages in open spaces but this- this city was the forest and the forest was the city. Were people just playing around when they made this place or something?

Every single tree had a purpose here. Some trees were large and even had houses within their trunks while others supported large tree houses and then there was the large castle-like thingy in the west totally made inside the tree. The tree was alive too. It really was the largest tree I'd ever seen in my life. 

And though there weren't any lamp posts or even fire going around anywhere, the whole city was lit up: Fireflies. Every single tree had at least a few thousand of them. Truly a beauty. 

I couldn't even see the stars with those things flying around. 

And then, a second later I realized, those were actually pixies. 

Of course, we were still outside the wooden city gates. By we, I mean me.

Why?

Sigh. 

"How long will this take again?"

"We've sent word to the guild and until someone comes and confirms your identity, you shall not pass!"

'Yeah, yeah, sure, Sandalf.'

I just glared at him with scorn. The guy didn't flinch even an inch. 

There were several other guards but they were just patrolling the wall. Security wasn't that tight, nonexistent even- for demi-humans that is. 

This was still understandable though, after all, it was probably close to eleven. And though the city in front of me looked quite colorful and alive, the forest behind me was dark and gloomy. 

On our way here, we didn't encounter any monsters but we did encounter animals with red eyes and fangs. They didn't attack us but just stared at us from afar. I really had a bad feeling about all this but there wasn't anything I could do about it now. 

It was possible they were unique animals found here but- where in the world would there be animals with red eyes and fangs? Even typical grass eating ones!

Oh wait, this world. 

Meanwhile, the girl with me was on the other side, looking all pretty: I could bet she didn't see this city during the night, at least not up this close. Of course, she was still waiting for me but I had a feeling she just wanted to get back to the castle or roam around the roads above. My bet was on the latter. 

I tapped my feet, I tapped my fingers. But- time didn't move and I was getting more and more irritated by the second. 

Apparently, even with my card, the guard wasn't going to let me in. since the girl was wearing the dress of a royal guard, she didn't even have to show a permit or whatever. Seriously! Talk about injustice!

About twenty minutes later a guy in glasses came, greeted me, and told the guard that I was indeed a first-class adventurer. The guy had bags under his eyes and from a glance, it was evident he was already overworked. 

"But what is the purpose of your visit and how did you get in?" The guard asked. 

I was not expecting that. 

For a second I sweated but I remembered the baron said something about me being here only because they wanted to. So, "As you might have heard," What the hell was that dude's name again? "The Duke has summoned adventurers from all across the world." And I kind of went with the flow. How the hell did I forget the name of the dude I was supposed to overthrow? Seriously!

I actually didn't know if that was true or not, but I just went with the flow. I really didn't like lying but there weren't any other ways. 

The guy in glasses came to me, kind of apologized on my behalf while the soldier just grimaced with a nervous chuckle. He came close too and started whispering. "I'm also one of you, you should have told me sooner, bro."

Eh?

Huh?

Wha?

Needless to say, I was speechless and I got in. 

  Once I got in the guy in glasses came close again. "Hey, I didn't hear you being summoned, and moreover aren't' you the kin-"

I held his mouth and told him to shut up: he seemed like a decent dude. "I'll explain later when I drop by the guild. For the time being, you can keep your mouth shut right? Because we both know what I can do to the guild if you guys should-"

"Oh please." The guy gave me an awkward stare. "I already have enough on my plate. If I wanted I would have done that already. Besides, you being here is more beneficial for the guild anyway. I'll wait for you."

And he left. He didn't say his name and he didn't bother telling me where the guild was either. But for the time being, I decided to trust those words. Of course, if he backpedaled. I was definitely not going to just let it slide. 

I just sighed. 

The girl however was in a good mood: she was in a robe I'd bought from a nearby village on our way. We couldn't just walk into the capital city and show people that a princess was walking down the road or something, right?

She held my robe and pulled towards the ladders and the roads above. Though this was night, there were plenty of people out and the city was almost reminding me of Alfeim. The reason being, dark elves. They were a bit shorter than typical elves but still taller than most men. They had tanned skins and some of them even had large- ahem, I had to maintain my gaze.

So far no bunny girls. Sad. 

There was a dude playing flute in the distance. Not bad. 

We both climbed up a ladder or two and walked on the road. It was made from leaves, vines, and wood. Only suitable for walking. They had other mechanisms for carrying heavy stuff. 

They were actually a lot more advanced than I thought at first glance. 

We both walked on foot. We gave the horse to the guard when we'd entered. The guy took the horse in without any question. 

"So, where should I drop you off?" 'What was that name, the maid said again?' I really should have worked on my memory. 

She looked down for a second. "Cant- you?"

"Princess Viola is that you!" A guy shouted. 

We just crossed the road and were currently on a tree with a wide surface. It was carved from wood. 

The few people that were around, all bowed, on their knees. 

A man, with a head of a lion, came towards us: his body was awfully human through. Though he looked quite macho and thin at the same time, his voice was a little bit on the girly side. 

Of course, I didn't feel the need to bow or do anything for that matter. I just stood tall. 

The guy gave me a glance before just standing before the princess, looking all worried: he was taller than me. "We've been searching everywhere for you!" He held Viola in his arms. She didn't protest. "Thank goodness!"

"He is?" I asked. 

"My cousin. Edward."

Oh?

I didn't know why but I could see certain links. 

Was it because I was playing the villain here and keeping up with this farce? I didn't know. But one thing was for certain, I had to keep my guard up. 

The bunny on my shoulder agreed though, as she devilishly smirked. In this form, even with looking evil, she was cute. Oh, I wanted to cuddle her so badly!

A-ahem!

"This gentleman is?" The lion guy spoke. 

"He is lord Daarc. He is a first-class adventurer and he rescued me."

"First class?" The guy's eyes lit up. "You might be quite strong- but- a human?" He wondered. "Anyway, thank you for rescuing her. I'll be sure to pay you whatever rewards you should desire. Please come by the royal court tomorrow or would you like your rewards to be delivered to the guild?" He was actually rather considerate in his speech. 

Probably just for show. 

  I couldn't take him seriously, at least not with that face: and sparkly eyes? Seriously? For some reason, he looked awfully like that one cartoon guy Erika always fawned over. 

But seriously, why the hell is his eyes so sparkly!?

"Uh-"

Before I could say anything the princess got out of the guy's grip and stood right next to me. She actually didn't say a word but she gently gripped my robe. 

I guess she didn't want to go with that guy. 

So, I cleared my throat. "My apologies kind sir, but I've taken this job and until I deliver her to the person I'm asked, I won't be able to claim I've completed the job." I tried to be humble and polite at the same time. But I got the feeling this wouldn't fly here.