Two days later and he had the chance to visit the Celestial Order in town. He had dropped various hints that he might join the Order even though the Kaelith's team members seems skeptical of that fact.
But finally, Esmera agreed to take him.
The Celestial Order was more of an organization than a religious order, far from a cult, and not quite a traditional church. Its members were primarily Arcanaer and Rifiners, known for using monster materials to produce a wide variety of items and techniques, as well as Artifacts.
No one really knew why they chose the name "Celestial Order." It stuck, and that was all that mattered.
The organization was just as influential as the bounty hunters association, which managed all the hunters across the Island kingdom.
The two factions worked closely, bounty hunters provided monster parts, and the Celestial Order paid handsomely in both coin and alchemical advancements. Bounty hunters gained wealth and materials, the Order gained rare resources for its creations.
The Order's building dominated the town's center, towering over even the Lord's estate. It was massive, constructed from smooth, cool blue stones, and at its highest peak stood a carved insignia: a robed man holding a glass flask.
Kaedros wrinkled his nose. He could smell chemicals, and something else. Pain. Suffering. Likely from whatever captives were inside.
"Is the bearded man supposed to represent Arcaner?" he asked Esmera, who had offered to guide him to the Order earlier that morning. She probably assumed he wanted to join their ranks as a fellow bounty hunter.
"Yes," Esmera replied. "And the flask symbolizes Refiners."
She glanced at Kael, the boy with strange blue eyes and a grace about him that made him seem out of place in this world. He had recently expressed interest in joining the hunters, likely driven by a thirst for revenge after being kidnapped by a Dragon.
That would do that to a person.
That decision hadn't sat well with Kaelith's team. They insisted he shouldn't make life choices based on a single traumatic event.
Kaedros snorted. "Seems fitting."
Esmera gave him a look. "You shouldn't dismiss them so easily. Refiners have saved countless lives since the collapse of civilization. They were key to humanity's survival."
"I bet," Kaedros muttered, stepping forward. He didn't care for monsters. But Dragons, his kin… how dare they?
Esmera blinked at his sudden change in tone. "He behaves strangely sometimes," she murmured to herself. "Well, I guess being taken by a Dragon does that to you. Hey, wait!"
She hurried to catch up as they entered the massive building together.
Inside, the air was cool. A woman greeted them, then guided them into a private room and asked them to wait.
Kaedros looked around. "Why is everyone staring at you like that? You famous or something?"
"It's our rank," Esmera said simply. "This is a small town compared to the rest and my team's rank always get attention."
Kaedros nodded. It made sense. Her team did feel more powerful than most hunters he'd seen.
Before long, a booming voice filled the hall, and a large man with a broad stomach and a jovial smile stepped into the room.
"Esmera, my girl!" he exclaimed, wrapping her in a hug. "You're back from the hunt!"
"It didn't go as planned. Good to see you, Vann," she replied with a smile. "You should get out more."
"Look who's talking," Vann laughed. "Always chasing monsters!"
They had known each other for years. Back when Vann was just another nameless Order apprentice, Esmera had helped him.
"Sorry, sorry," Esmera said, gesturing toward Kaedros. "This is Kael. I mentioned him in my letter, the one kidnapped and held by a Dragon."
Vann's eyes gleamed at the word 'Dragon' He studied Kaedros closely, curiosity burning behind his cheerful facade.
"He doesn't look like someone who's been through that kind of ordeal… But perhaps the Dragon kept him well-fed?" Vann chuckled. "Strange. Dragona are usually more… violent."
Kaedros stiffened. Was he being found out? No, Vann was just speaking generally. Still, the anger simmered. If this man knew the truth…
"He's unregistered and interested in alchemy," Esmera added. "I was hoping you'd take him under your wing."
Vann clapped his hands. "Of course! But which aspect is he interested in?"
"The Dragon part," Kaedros said, too quickly. He regretted it instantly.
Vann's smile faltered. "Straight to the point, are you?" He leaned back, eyes narrowing. "As you know, we use monster parts for various things, medicine, food, potions. But Dragons? They're top-tier. Their blood can regenerate limbs. They're miracles in flesh."
"From what I've heard, Dragon rarely leave Draconic City. So how do you keep your experiments going?" Kaedros asked, jaw tight.
Vann beamed. "A sharp mind! We use advanced healing potions. Their bodies do the rest. Even the gravest wounds heal if we apply enough… encouragement."
"Aren't you afraid of retaliation from the Draconic City?" Kaedros asked, watching him closely.
"Not at all," Vann replied without hesitation. "Everyone knows that once a Dragon is exiled, the City washes its hands of them. That's why this recent one—ah, the flying ship Drah—was so fascinating. We confirmed it was a Noble Demon. Rare bloodline. I don't care why it was kicked out. I just want it."
"I see," Kaedros said coldly. So they wanted to harvest his body while keeping him alive. The rot of humanity was everywhere, even in their supposed brilliance.
But then should he really blame when when his own family turned their backs on him.
Kaedros inhaled, burning Vann's scent into his memory. Plans were already forming in his head as his blue eyes flickered.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "I'll choose Refining when the time comes."
"Good, good!" Vann grinned. "I'll personally see to your training."
He turned to Esmera. "We must catch up properly. Breakfast soon, yes?"
Esmera nodded. "Of course."
She hurried after Kaedros, whose expression had hardened.