<span style="font-style: italic">Now, it looked that the city of Illises had rebuilt quickly, perhaps even expanded, despite its recent history. In the past, it was only known as a small town that served as a rest stop for traders between Beval, the capital of Empora, and other trade centres of the nation. However, the quick ascent and assertion of Kaganax's power soon drove the tyrant's armies to take control of Illises from its local, independent governors. An unknown apprentice of the dying legendary strategist, Jonathan Jackson, righteously persuaded the old man to lead the town's militia against the grand army invading Illises. Kaganax's army was ten times the size of the militia. There was no doubt in anyone's mind at the time that the token force would soon be nothing more than a memory. However, the apprentice who spoke forcefully for his master to fight for peace went by the name of Gladius.<br/><br/>He faced an impressively armed force commanded by General Leland Conall. Conall was known for his quiet, unflashy competence by almost everyone. Any sane man, including General Conall, would have thought the battle would not be eventful. However, the invading forces were annihilated after a risky operation launched by Gladius killed the general. Though the town was abandoned after their victory, it was quickly reoccupied by the Rebellion a few months later when they took it from the tyrant's armies. The 'Illises spirit' now referred to a level of tenacity that invoked the very idea of the impossible battle that the Rebellion fought and won.<br/><br/>Another unnoticeable man at that time was the late Denam Earl. A young mercenary that was visiting Illises at the time, he found himself next to the soon-to-be legendary hero planning for the battle against General Conall. Though he was said to have spoken strong and forcefully against resisting Kaganax, Denam took his place alongside the Rebellion and would fight just as hard as all the other heroes. It was a great pity that he never saw the peace that the heroes would create.<br/><br/>Adapted from Chapter Two: The Battle of Illises. From "Gladius. A Hero's Tale" by Marise Fair.</span><br/><br/>-----<br/><br/>The burlap bag of coins jingled satisfactory as Windel swayed it lightly in his hands. He had good reason to smile, and not just because of his huge windfall. The ruby ring he had to find was already hunted down by seven others, and when he arrived to the ransacked caravan, two equally competent warriors in combat over the ring failed to notice two speedily-fired shots by the fresh arrival to the scene.<br/><br/>The Fighter's Guild branch in Illises felt more like a tavern to an actual establishment of weapons training. Adventurers had to pay quest fees in order to receive their rewards, and giving them liquid pleasure probably made them take on quests they never would have while sober. That was perhaps the only reasons why people took on jobs to kill any of the three former lieutenants of Kaganax. There were certainly more people getting drunk here than at the local taverns.<br/><br/>Leaning forward with a smile, the clerk that sat opposite Windel gave him a thumbs up. "You surpass expectations,<span style="font-style: italic">Count</span>. But there's another job that may make a profit greater than 350 gold coins."<br/><br/>Turning his head away, Windel replied, "No interest, Miles. Not by a long shot." He felt an ounce of pride swelling inside him.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"That wasn't funny."</span><br/><br/>Windel was promptly deflated. "Shut up," he hissed softly to Yuka, maintaining a tenuous smile to the clerk from the corner of his eye.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Heehee. Now that was funny."</span><br/><br/>He couldn't understand why the weird girl ghost followed him. She hid within his clothing, only popping out occasionally to peek at anything around her. Though she made a surprisingly useful (and usefully surprising) magic user at opportune times, Yuka's strange observations were more trouble than she was worth.<br/><br/>"The reward is 24 platinum coins,<span style="font-style: italic">after</span>guild tax."<br/><br/>Windel shot forward onto the counter excitedly. "24 platinum?!" His eyes narrowed a little as his face leaned downwards a bit cautiously. One platinum equalled a thousand gold pieces, but nothing that well-paying would walk towards him on its own accord. "Does it have something to do with the three of them, Ontos, Kroitz or Van Grant? Or some damned goose-hunt for the last hero?"<br/><br/>"Nah," replied Miles, smiling smugly. "Though it's good you're avoiding all those pitfalls.<span style="font-style: italic">No one</span>wants to hunt them. The quest is something simple but difficult, so you'll need assistance." He slid a paper on the desk towards Windel.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Title: Freedom and Justice<br/>Quest Level: B<br/>Reward: 24 Platinum<br/>Description: A mermaid is about to be sacrificed in the village of Vine at nightfall. Save her, and bring her to Yen Bay at midnight.<br/><br/>Quest fee will be automatically paid by quest giver upon success of quest.<br/><br/>Requester: John Smith</span><br/><br/>A mermaid was a rare sight on land, especially one about to be sacrificed in a some strange ritual in an odd village in the middle of nowhere. Windel had been to Vine before, and barely escaped it before he died of boredom. The closest thing Vine had to a vice was an alcoholic cocktail that tasted almost like water. The villagers did boast that Gladius came from their town, but so did almost every other small town.<br/><br/>"Even the divided reward, it's still a lot of money. I'm in."<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"We're rescuing a mermaid! I wonder if she's pretty."</span>