Building a Harem in a Noble House

Chapter 94: She Looks So... Alive.

Lyra sat on a bench a few steps down from the library, arms crossed with one leg over the other. She gave me a look dripping with smugness and condescension, even as I sat next to her.

"I have enough aura saved up to where I can manage a few one-minute bursts without being drained for the day. I’ll let you get a few hits in if you want it. It’s quite cathartic."

I spent more time than I should’ve considering her offer, but I ultimately declined. Scaring them shitless was enough for me, honestly. Definitely knocked those two a few pegs down from their little social ladder.

"You know, if anything, if all fails and we get beaten by Jolyne again, at least I know they’re all gonna be killed. The Paladins are always the first to go."

"When the ’Demon Queen’ raids Podros and takes House Greaves, you mean?"

I paused. "...Alright. One run."

"I’m getting in on it, too."

***

After a few more turns on those poor Everwinter kids than I’d care to admit, the two of us were back sitting on the bench, weighing our options.

The good news was that Meredith was around. She indeed was a recruit, and she was around, but she also hadn’t shown up to our tryouts despite them being damn near tailored for her. More than that, she was just as standoffish now as she was in our time. I wasn’t sure whether to find it funny or sad, honestly. It was evident by the pensive look on her face how Lyra felt about it. There was only so much bullying one could do before it stopped distracting you from your inner turmoil.

"She obviously lives in Podros," Lyra mused. "Evelyn made sure to tell me that Meredith is always the first to show up."

"That could also mean she lives on the grounds," I mused. "Most of the non-nobility do. She used to be an Adventurer, right? I’m sure she made enough money to buy a place around here."

"So... what? Do you think we should just start knocking door to door?"

"No," I finally answered, standing from the bench. "I just think we should stop by the Adventurer’s Guild. Honestly, we probably should’ve started there."

Lyra nodded, allowing me to help her from her seat. "Maybe, I just figured the ones who spend the most time with her would have that information than they did! Oh well. Off to the guild we go."

The walk to the Adventurer’s Guild was rather uneventful. Podros was as lively as ever, and the stares we got from the townspeople were far kinder than those of the Paladin recruits.

"Old man... I’m twenty-five! I’m hardly three years older than any of you!"

"Still mad about those old man comments?" Lyra asked, tone sympathetic.

"...No," I lied.

"Good, because I can’t afford to let you get any more revenge, gramps. You’re just gonna have to live with it now."

"You’re older than me."

"I mean, they didn’t call me an ’old lady’. Guess it’s something about you." She gave me a mock smile, jabbing me with an elbow. "Maybe it’s because they can sense you’re a Lord? They say the crown ages you."

"I don’t have a—"

My words were cut off by a shout that echoed from the main street ahead of us, sharp and angry. "Thief! That Rogue pickpocketed me! Don’t let him get away! Stop, thieving scum!"’

Ever curious, the two of us darted ahead towards the drama. It wasn’t long before the two of us found exactly what we’d been looking for. It was a crowd forming before the only tavern in town, an unfamiliar sight at this time of the day. Today’s bar-fight starred a wizard in flowing robes, his face red and beaded with sweat, who was currently jabbing a finger at a sleek Rogue leaning against the wall, arms crossed defiantly. The Rogue, a lean guy in dark leather, rolled his eyes in response to some comment the Wizard had made.

"Bullshit. I didn’t steal a thing from you, mage. Everything on me right now is everything I left my apartment with, and I don’t appreciate being labeled a thief just because I’m a Rogue!"

The crowd was getting bigger now, murmurs rippling through the onlookers. More of those young recruits, a few grizzled types, and Adventurers enjoying the show. Fists were clenching; the wizard’s wand sparked with gathering magic, while the Rogue’s fingers twitched toward hidden blades. One wrong word, and it’d explode.

Lyra nudged me, eyes lighting up. "Lloyd, this is perfect! Step in and break this up all flashy-like! If we show the people we’re kind-hearted heroes or whatever, they’ll be more willing to do something for us! Maybe we can have the whole city looking for Meredith for us!"

"Oh, shit! You’re right!"

I straightened, adrenaline kicking in. This could turn the day around. I cracked my knuckles, stepping forward, mind already racing through moves: grab the wizard’s staff, pin the rogue without hurting him, drop a line about House May keeping the peace. "Alright, let’s–"

But before I could move, a figure cut through the throng like a blade through silk. She was clad in full silver armor that gleamed under the afternoon sun, plates fitted perfectly to her toned body, moving with unyielding purpose. Silver hair cascaded down to her shoulders, framing sharp green eyes that scanned the scene. Same height as me, stance radiating authority.

Meredith. Meridith the Life Warden was right there. Beside me, Lyra covered her mouth with a hand, eyes slowly turning misty as memories of our old friend clearly hit her full-on. I was no better, throat tightening as I remembered my dear friend from lifetimes long passed.

"She’s here," Lyra whispered, voice trembling. "S-she looks so... alive."

"I know," I responded, placing a hand on her shoulder. I wasn’t sure who it was meant to comfort. "I know."

She planted herself between the wizard and the rogue, one gauntleted hand raised in mediation.

"Halt this discord at once," she intoned, her voice proper and resonant, like an oath sworn in a temple. "Accusations fly like shadows, but truth demands order. State your claims plainly, and I shall discern the right of it. No spells nor steel until justice is served."