“I imagine it must have been a lot of trouble on top of the escort mission.” Laurent said placing a hand on his chest apologetically. He seemed so sad, Yvlena forgave him at once. It might have had something to do with how empty the library was.

  “Oh no, no. I was happy to do it and between you and me, fighting the Boar was the easiest part.” She dead panned, recalling how Dylan refused to move out of the way as the Boar careened forward ready to attack.

  Laurent gave a chuckle but Yvlena noticed it wasn’t as full as before, she made a show of glancing around the library noticing the lack of patrons.

  “Where is everyone?” Yvlena asked, looking around the library, she’d known it to be a bustling place. Well, as bustling as a library could be.

  Along with the lack of people, she noticed the librarian wasn’t as too chipper, carrying with him a solemn air as he cataloged his books. It prompted her to ask what was wrong.

  “Hey what's wrong?” Yvlena asked. “I don’t want to see you sad after not being in Bloom Haven for a while.”

  A smile tugged at Laurent’s lips at her words.

  [Laurent is touched by your concern

  Affinity with Laurent increased +5]

  Laurent gave a long and suffering sigh before he pushed his glasses up his nose and prepared to tell Yvlena of his woes.

  “The bloom festival is coming up and I'm on the planning committee. As you can see, not a lot of people are here right now, it's due to the festival.” Laurent began, “This year we have less resources than we anticipated due to the Miasma.”

  “Dang, even with all the new merchants coming by?” Yvlena asked. She thought business would be booming by now.

  Laurent smiled again.

  “Oh dear Yvlena, it’s because of you we’re even able to celebrate in the first place. We haven't been able to celebrate in ages and we were sorely under prepared for how much planning and resources it would take.” Laurent explained.

  “Oh I see, that makes sense.” Yvlena said, furrowing her brows in confusion, if they needed help they could simply just ask her. Though it would be a hassle to take on too many quests at a time. “What are you missing?” she asked.

  “I don't know yet, but I would have to visit the committee and relay your willingness to assist.” Laurent said. “And thank you for the pork, despite what you say I'm sure it must have caused a great deal of trouble to obtain.”

  Yvlena recalled the problems she went through trying to hunt the boar specifically because of Dylan and how he had run head first into battle without consideration for his own safety.

  “It really wasn't any trouble but there were some distractions when it came to getting the meat.” Yvlena said giggling. She wasn’t in a hurry to look after Dylan any time soon, hopefully the next time she met him, he would be a more competent fighter.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Laurent shelved another book as he responded.

  “As the Harvest Guardian, surely there are more important things for you to do than hunt boars for starving nobles.” he chuckled.

  “It's really no trouble Laurent, I consider you my friend and I was happy to do it so don't worry about it.” Yvlena said waving off his concerns.

  She looked over the books he was shelving, each a large and heavy tome of knowledge. It reminded her she didn’t know much of the game’s lore.

  The gods had died and created the Miasma, so now what? And what did she or her mom have to do with it?

  “However, I am still searching for information on the previous Harvest Guardians. I am especially interested in documents that are as old as you can find, maybe about times before the Miasma had fully taken over.”

  Laurent paused and touched his chin with his gloved hand. To Yvlena it seemed he was searching his brain for any information that would be important to her. She waited patiently for him to respond, after a moment he spoke.

  “You’ll find documents like that deep in the archives if you have the time to pour over them. There are a lot of historical texts and many of the nobles have their libraries so you might have to gain their trust before they allow you to read their books.” He said returning to stacking the books.

  “Do you have books about that stuff as well?” she asked.

  “Of course, what kind of librarian would I be if I had no personal collection of my own?” Laurent said with a smirk.

  Yvlena thought about his words for a moment before promptly asking if it would be alright to look through his collection for any of the information she needed.

  “I hope it’s not too much trouble to ask if you could look through some of your collections for Lillian Flores for me, it's very important. I only just found out she has two living descendants and one of them’s run off.” Yvlena said.

  Laurent nodded with enthusiasm, finally, the stack of books he had been sorting, disappeared from the table as he had cataloged them all during their conversation.

  “It would be my pleasure to assist, as you said, what are friends for? But you won't have much luck with my personal collection. All my house contains is information about historical events in Bloom Haven, so to learn more about the Harvest Guardians you would have to check the library at the Rose Manor.” he said lifting a finger as if he was lecturing a class. He adjusted his glasses again.

  “And I wouldn't mind you donating some books to the library for preservation, they will be returned, I simply wish to copy them.” He said.

  Yvlena’s face fell at the thought of getting to the library amidst the wreckage of the Rose Manor she hadn’t even finished restoring the first floor.

  “I wouldn't mind you copying them at all. It's just the manor is pretty much falling apart right now, so I'm unable to reach the library, hence why I'm pestering you at the Bloom Haven library.” she laughed.

  “I guessed as much, it hasn’t been inhabited for a long time, in fact I scarcely remember the previous owner, it’s been that long.”

  “Then I’ve got a lot of work taking care of Bloom Haven, I’m surprised the merchants can make it past all the creatures on the Eastern path.”

  Laurent smiled a bit at her word but nodded all the same.

  “I will help you as you've helped me, and why not stop by for food sometimes? I have some old recipes that might interest you.”

  [Laurent has invited you for lunches and dinners, be sure to stop by and improve your relationships

  It is an opportunity to learn new recipes]

  The game told her, Yvlena dismissed the notification and nodded in return.

  “Sounds like a plan. Honestly I’m tired of eating my own food.”

  “Very well then, I’ll be sure to expect you.”

  Advanced chapters on my or if you're feeling generous you can buy me a coffee