Volume 1 Chapter 35 - Whispers in the Wind
The morning after the attack, Aelbourne's streets were quieter than usual.
Smoke still lingered faintly over the western wall where the fire serpents had breached the barrier. Guards patrolled in tight formation, and mages reinforced the runic wards with glowing sigils.
Inside the Adventurer's Guild, the air was thick with tension. Adventurers whispered in small groups — fragments of rumor and fear floating between them.
"They say the monsters just appeared inside the wall!"
"That's impossible — the city's barrier hasn't failed in a century."
"Maybe it was sabotage... or worse, summoning magic."
Cindy sat quietly at a corner table, sipping warm tea while listening. Puff leaned on his elbows beside her, nibbling a pastry.
"They're talking about last night," he said softly.
"I know," Cindy murmured. "I was there. Those serpents weren't ordinary monsters. They felt... controlled."
Puff nodded. "Yeah. I sensed mana threads — faint, but twisted. Like puppet strings."
Before they could say more, a shadow fell over the table.
"Miss Cindy?"
A guild officer stood there — a stern man in silver-trimmed armor with the Guild's insignia on his chest.
"The Guildmaster wishes to speak with you regarding the incident."
Cindy exchanged a look with Puff. "Understood."
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The Guildmaster's Office
The office smelled faintly of parchment and incense.
Behind a massive desk sat Guildmaster Elandra, a tall woman with sharp eyes and long dark hair tied in a braid. Her presence alone carried authority — calm, steady, but piercing.
"Thank you for coming," Elandra said, folding her hands. "You were on assignment at the infirmary when the serpents attacked, correct?"
"Yes, Guildmaster." Cindy nodded. "I helped protect the building and heal the injured."
Elandra studied her for a long moment. "Multiple witnesses confirm that you used wind magic — rather advanced for a novice adventurer."
Cindy hesitated. "I... learned a few things during my travels."
Puff cleared his throat from beside her. "She's a fast learner. And a miracle worker."
That drew a faint smile from the Guildmaster. "It seems so."
She reached into her desk and placed a small, sealed crystal container on the table. Inside were blackened fragments — ashes from the slain serpents.
"These were recovered from the remains after the flames died. Our alchemists found something unusual."
The crystal shimmered faintly, and for an instant, a faint symbol appeared — a swirling spiral surrounded by ancient runes.
Cindy's breath caught.
That same mark had once appeared on her hand when she touched the Ruin of Soleris.
Elandra's eyes narrowed slightly. "You recognize it."
Cindy hesitated — then slowly nodded. "I've seen it before... during a journey outside the city. On an ancient ruin."
The Guildmaster leaned forward. "The Ruin of Soleris?"
Puff blinked. "You know about it?"
Elandra's tone grew grim. "Only from old records. It's said to be one of the sealed sites from the Age of Spirits — long before our kingdoms were formed. Anything connected to it shouldn't exist in our era."
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A Dangerous Connection
Cindy glanced at the crystal again, the symbol glowing faintly in rhythm with her own heartbeat.
"What does it mean?" she asked quietly.
The Guildmaster shook her head. "We don't know. But if monsters are bearing this mark... then something ancient is stirring again."
She turned toward the window overlooking the city. "The city wards were designed to repel monsters from within twenty leagues. For these serpents to appear inside means someone summoned them — using forbidden magic."
Puff frowned. "So someone wanted to cause chaos?"
"Or to test something," Elandra replied. "And perhaps... to find someone."
Her gaze flicked toward Cindy — calm but searching.
Cindy's chest tightened. "You think they were looking for me?"
"I think," Elandra said carefully, "that their arrival coinciding with your registration is more than coincidence."
The silence stretched for a moment.
Then Cindy took a deep breath. "Then I want to help. If there's a connection between me and these attacks, I want to find out why."
Elandra studied her, then nodded slowly. "Very well. I'll trust your sincerity. For now."
She handed Cindy a sealed parchment.
"This is an investigative assignment — discreet. Travel to the western forest and inspect the serpent's point of entry. The barrier there shows signs of distortion. Report back anything unusual."
[New Quest: Investigation of the Western Breach]
Objective: Examine the remnants of the broken barrier and identify the mana source.
Recommended Rank: D or above.
Reward: 800 Gold + Guild Reputation + Potential Discovery Bonus.
Cindy accepted it with a steady nod. "Understood."
Puff grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Looks like another adventure."
Elandra's voice softened slightly. "Be careful. If this really is linked to Soleris... you might be walking into something far older than any of us."
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Leaving the Guild
Outside, the afternoon wind brushed against Cindy's hair.
She looked down at her hand — faintly, almost imperceptibly, the mark of Soleris pulsed beneath her skin.
Puff crossed his arms. "They're getting bolder, whoever they are."
She nodded. "And it's only a matter of time before they find me."
Then she smiled faintly. "So we'll find them first."
The wind around them stirred — gentle yet charged, carrying whispers that only Cindy could hear.
"Return... the wings... to the light..."
Cindy glanced toward the horizon, where the western forest waited.
"Let's go, Puff. The truth won't stay buried forever."