In the dark of night, a hooded figure can be seen under the light of street lamps. In front of them, are a crowd of people walking by minding their business. Seeing this, the hooded figure took a turn towards an alleyway. At an intersection, the hooded figure pause for a second before continuing their walk. Said figure does the same thing again, and again, and again. From an outside perspective, they seem to be going in a completely random direction. Even though the path they took was unorthodox, one thing was clear, they never met another person on the road.
After walking for a couple of minutes, the hooded figure reaches their destination. A small house surrounded by bushes and trees. The formation of the fauna created a natural fence covering all sides of the house. Walking pass through a field of flowers, the hooded figure reaches the door, unlock it, and enter
CLICK
The hooded figure snaps their finger. The lamp around the room starts to turn on one by one. With each lamp lightens up, a new side of the room is revealed. On one side, there is a small and simple kitchen with the bare minimum of utensils, and on the other side, there's a bed with a bookshelf on one side, and a desk on the other.
"Today was a hectic day."
The individual unveil themselves, revealing a glasses wearing, long brunette woman. Putting her robe aside, she walks towards her desk. Sitting down, she pulls out a paper and put it on top of the table. The paper was cut in half, so she arranged the pieces together.
The woman pulls out another item from her bag, a jar and a small rectangular stick. Opening the jar, reveals a clear liquid substance inside. Using the stick, she scoops some of the liquid, and applied it on the cut part of the paper. After applying the liquid evenly, she lets the paper rest for awhile, until eventually the liquid solidify and the two pieces of paper are connected. The paper, now in one piece reveals a message written on it.
----------------------------------------Knightly Service--------------------------------------
To you who are in dismay, troubled by problems, in need of assistance, and is in dire situation.
Worry not, for your trouble will be solved.
A kind and brave knight shall lend a hand to you, and shine a light on your path.
All you have to do is ask, and your knight in shining armor will come to your rescue.
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"Is it some sort of summoning spell?"
After fixing the paper, the woman seems puzzled. Lifting the paper and rotating it, trying to find any other clue. But, no matter how much the woman inspect the paper, no new information can be found.
"It won't hurt to try at least."
The woman began to clear her desk. Putting aside all other items beside the paper. Once done, the woman lift her right arm above the paper. She then starts to chant.
"O kind and brave knight, the one who holds the light. Answer my call, as I am the one in plight."
"..."
Nothing happened
"Well... That's not surprising, it's just a piece of paper afterall."
The woman, feeling disappointed, ended the ritual. As she was going to grab the paper, a faint sound coming from outside was audible. The sound was slowly and steadily increasing in volume. As it became closer, the noise starts to resemble the sound of iron.
KNOCK
"It can't be."
Hearing the knock, the woman walk towards the door. Right before her hand reaches the doorknob, she stops for a second. As if finishing her thoughts, she opens the door. The person who greeted her from the other side of the door, was the knight from before.
"You who are troubled, how may I be of service?"
"..."
The woman didn't respond.
"You who are in need of assistance, I shall lend you a hand."
"..."
The woman was silence once more. The only thing the woman did was looking right through the knights helmet. Her gaze was fierce and she means business.
"It seems that you are displeased madam, may I know the reason why?"
As soon as the knight finish his question, the woman went back in to the house and closed the door. After awhile, the door is opened once more. The woman then shows the knight a paper. The same paper that the knight brought in the adventurer guild. Not long after, the woman ripped the paper in half in front of the knight.
"...I see. It seems I have disrespected the lady from before. I shall remember this moving forward."
The knight took a bow, and walks away.
"Where do you think you're going."
The woman asked the knight.
"I wish to apologize to the lady."
"Don't bother, she's already asleep at this hour. Unless you want to barge in to the room of a sleeping maiden?"
"..."
The woman gesture her hand towards her house.
"Get in, I haven't made my request yet."
"Very well."
Following the woman lead, the knight enters the house.
CLICK
Okay, the door is closed nicely. Should I lock it? No, it'll be bad if she thinks I'm trying to assault her. I guess I should just wait for her order. I don't want to accidentally offend another lady. And besides, I'm a guest in her house right now.
"What are you doing over there. I didn't ask you to be a statue welcoming visitors. Come sit here."
Looks like a dining table, still better than standing though. But this place sure is small. Not much stuff going on here, besides the books over there. Big, small, there's a lot of variation.
"Anything catches your eyes, sir knight?"
"You seem to have a wide range collection of books."
"I do like to read."
Now that I think about it, she looks more like a scholar than an alchemist. There's not a lot of alchemy stuff here. She also has a lot of books for someone who lives in a relatively small house. And the glasses she wears really sells the scholar look too. Or she could just be a bookworm. Either way, she doesn't fit the description I was told.
CLING
What's that? Is she making tea? Well if you're gonna read books all day, you'll be needing some snacks and a drink. And you can't go wrong with tea. A warm relaxing tea can help anyone enjoy a leisure read.
"Here you go sir knight."
"Thank you."
Wow, I'm being treated to a drink by a beautiful glasses wearing lady. I'm blessed. But hold on, I thought I was supposed to help and treat others. Well this is my first job and people have different circumstances, so I should accept her hospitality. Accepting other people kindness is a way to show that I trust and value their effort. Making people feel trusted and valued is a job of a knight. And so, I must drink this tea with delight.
SLURP
"A little window on the mouth, what an interesting helmet."
Hehehe, you can praise my helmet more lady. I have made sure that I can do my daily activity without revealing my secret identity.
"So, how is it?
"This tea has a very distinct smell"
"Exactly, and with the hint of bitterness at the end, this tea pairs really well with some confections."
Tea is not a common drink that everybody enjoys, so it's hard to find a tea enjoyer. Especially with the stigma of it being a high value beverage, making a lot of people unable to have the luxury to even try it. Unless you're well of or you own a tea plantation, I doubt you can get your hands on them.
"Here Mr. knight, I have some leftover sweets."
Okay, what's going on here. Am I being pampered? I know I should accept others kind gesture, but this is too much right. Is this lady actually rich? Is she trying to get on my good side or something? It's not like I need any form of payment for my service. BUT, if they're offering, than who am I to refuse.
"Thank you for your kindness and consideration my lady."
Now, lets see what sweets my lady have prepared. By the shape and color alone, it seems to be a chocolate ball. Since she said it will pair well with the tea, it should be pretty sweet.
CRUNCH
Hmm, crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside. I thought it was just gonna be a piece of chocolate shaped like a ball, but it seems that there are more surprises inside.
"Well then, let's get down to business."
We haven't? I thought she just wanted a drinking buddy.
"Very well, how may I be of service to you my lady."
"As you know, this tea is my favorite flavor, but they are very hard to come by. I heard the reason behind it is that they only sell it exclusively to a few wealthy people. "
Is she trying to make me steal it from said wealthy people?
"And how may I be of help to you?"
"I heard that the tea is being cultivated on top of the mountain nearby. I wish to go to said mountain to meet with the owner of the plantation and make a deal. The only problem is the way to the mountain is dangerous, so I'm going to need someone to protect me."
Going to the mountain top and act as a bodyguard, seems simple enough. But if that's the case, why didn't she just hired some mercenary or even adventurer to act as her bodyguards?
"So, will you do it?"
Wait, what am I being cautious for? I am a knight. I serve the peoples need, not question them.
"Very well, I swear on my armor that I shall protect you from any harm that may come your way my lady."
"Isn't it usually the sword? With an introduction like that, it's as if you're telling people that you are the armored knight."
But of course. First impression matters a lot, even in fighting. When I'm facing an enemy, they will cower in fear when they see my magnificent armor. I shall obtain victory without needing to pull a sword. I AM THE ARMORED KNIGHT.
"Armored knight is too long, I'll just call you knight."
Well, at least I'm still a knight, so I guess that's fine.
"Then how may I address you my lady?"
"Scholar will do."
So she is a scholar.