Tales of the Pearly Kingdom (Pearly Tales Vol. 2)

4. Grit Those Teeth

Fifteen members not a bad start considering they haven't gotten any requests since they started, besides Cal's mad raid on the Dravenkin. Wendy wasn't given a rank since she was mostly in logistics and running the Guild and Cal thought if he gave himself a rank he'd just be patting his own back. So he held off for the time being.

He then announced the subjugation requests the castle gave them.

"The princess is making a trade city west of here, she's going to handle most of those details. Our part is to clear the area of hostile creatures. It's about a two day walk or one day by carriage or horse. This quest however is C ranked and requires a party containing no F ranks until further notice."

When the new members heard that they grumbled.

"I'm not finished." Cal cleared his throat. "The F ranks and I will be going on a raid. To cleanse the cursed sea."

When Cal announced that the F ranked adventurers paled. All except Seamus who rolled his eyes.

"Every precaution will be taken regarding your safety, Naomi, Yvette, and Ophelia will also be coming."

Wendy approached him. "Master I do not think that is wise. If you take so many members with you it will burden the café and the other members won't be able to complete the only job we have been given to a satisfactory amount. It would hurt the reputation of the guild."

Cal rubbed his chin, thinking for a second. "Very well. Then only Seamus, Naomi, Yvette, and Ophelia will be joining me. The current F rankers will exclusively help around the café and do only F ranked requests if they come in."

"I will explain. The forest west of here is dangerous. Not only that, but in order to receive a reward the monsters killed will need to be skinned and gutted. That is to say hide and meat retrieval is a large part of this quest. As much as possible." Cal looked at the Dravenkin who should have plenty of experience. "Also any creatures who can be talked to and reasoned with are a no go. They must be asked to leave, invited into the new city, and only if necessary, obliged to leave the construction sites. Any creatures willing to join the kingdom will be granted an audience with a local official." Cal nodded at the Demonkin.

"This is Prince Killian he and one of the Archdruids from the council will cooperate on the project. They will be setting up a headquarters in the area. Treat them both with respect."

Cal took a deep breath, "And now for the solemn truth. This city has become a kingdom, overnight the guild has gained a lot of influence and lots of changes are on the way. Being in the public eye protects us only marginally. As many of you recall from the other day, Groveon from the noble houses confronted me. It was not a pretty ending. Multiple assassinations on my life have been made before that and I expect many more to come. The life of an Adventurer is full of danger and excitement, but none so much as ours.

"Most guilds are separated from their kingdoms, but not ours. In the future, many will be vying for power and with so many new players in the game we may easily become targets. Our guild will be very different from those you'll find around the world. One major difference is the lack of weak monsters. Many monsters around here are at lowest a D rank. The further north you get the higher their ranks and in turn their levels skyrocket. The dark forest is considered a SS area and it is within our kingdom. The Forest of Vices, north of that, is one of the four SSS areas in the world.

"Political strife, dangerous monsters, and villains from our own city. Many adventurers do not face these kinds of odds when they start out. We are the underdogs, the weak, the scared, many will look at us and laugh. But the way to garner strength has never been an easy road. We will sharpen our fangs on those bigger, stronger, and smarter than us. Alice-"

The silver haired Arachne girl jumped as her name was called. She was the most timid by far out of all the adventurers, and part of that was because she was the youngest member. Even though she was twelve, and Ophelia looked six, Ophelia was actually much older due to the Dryads slow growth rate.

"Y-yes?" she squeaked.

"How did I get strong?" he asked.

Alice looked at all the eyes staring at her and she cowered pulling her hat over her eyes.

"Alice," Cal spoke sweetly. "Do you remember?"

Alice nodded her head.

"Do you want to come up here and tell everyone?"

Alice shook her head.

"Is it because you are scared?"

Alice nodded.

"Would it help if I held your hand?"

Alice shivered and cowered. But then she slowly nodded her head.

Cal walked to her and held out his hand. She hesitated to take it but finally took his warm elven hand. He guided her to where he was standing and turned her to face the guild. Everyone watched in respectful silence.

"Ready?"

There was long pause then she nodded.

"Alice how will we get strong?"

Alice squeezed his hand. Slowly she looked up beyond the rim of her hat to see the room.

Everyone was looking at her expectantly. But she spoke nonetheless.

"..."

"You have to speak up Alice."

Alice squeezed his hand. "W-w-we w-w-will stand before enemies," she stuttered but didn't look away. "Many enemies, lots bigger and stronger. We will look them in the eye." She timidly pointed at her eyes which looked like they were about to spontaneously break out in tears. "A-a-a-nd Smile." She scrunched her face into what could barely be called a smile since she looked like she was about to cry.

"That's right. And if we fall what will we do, Cabin boy?"

Seamus stood up right. And pierced Cal with a look that simple read, 'I understand.'

"We will stand right back up." Seamus said resolutely.

"That's right, we are a guild and a family. Bravery takes many forms, whether it is standing in the face of your fears, conquering foes, or finding yourself. Strength takes just as many forms, but true strength never looks on the weak and sneers. True strength stands hand in hand with the weak as they brave the unknown together, smiling all the way. This is the nature of an adventurer, to fall in love with the journey, not the destination. This is our oath, the oath we will keep in this Verdant forest of ours. Never forget it, let it guide you as you reach into the starry night, as you ride the winds of change, as you explore the unknown, to stand above your old self to reach new heights.

"We are the Verdant Oathkeepers, as the weak we will be like the raw iron in a blacksmiths kiln. Tempered and beaten in the fire. In time, we WILL become the sharpest of blades. With challenges on all our side we will overcome them. The world will know our names. Just like Calloway Calphius we will forever leave our signature on this world.

"Mark my words, our enemies will tremble when we smile, for they will see the fangs we have sharpened in this place, Calphian the Kingdom of Perils!"

The room roared with a battle cry of passion.

"This is just the beginning. Oathkeepers, let me see you grit those teeth!"