The Blue Mage Raised by Dragons

Book 2: Chapter 36

Hold your heads high, a man said as he thumped Mr. Skelly on the shoulder. Youre one of us, remember?

Mr. Skelly nodded and raised his head, stepping past the gates threshold with his two companions in tow. He glanced around before scratching his head.

Whats wrong? the man asked as he herded his horse through the gate.

I dont remember where I lived. Mr. Skelly sighed and hung his head. I can remember bits and pieces. I had a wife and two children. I know we had a fireplace. The tree outside was a cherry tree that the squirrels would always eat from. But I cant remember where it is. His hands clenched into fists as a tears leaked out of his eye sockets.

Dont worry. We can go to the adventurers guild and ask. Everyones addresses are recorded when they sign up. The armored woman grabbed Mr. Skellys hand and smiled at him.

Mr. Skelly nodded. To the adventurers guild then. He turned his gaze towards the man. May I ask you to lead the way? Im afraid people will be frightened by my presence.

The man nodded. Dont worry. I was going there as well. Besides, you need someone to vouch for you. Itd be terrible if someone accidentally killed you. Again.

Mr. Skelly winced. Dying the first time was enough.

Do you remember how it happened? the man asked as he led the way. A few of the other travelers accompanied them as well. The people in streets gawked and pointed, but luckily, none of them reacted violently.

I I dont. Mr. Skelly sighed. But I do remember what happened afterwards. I saw a light, a bright white light at the end of a dark tunnel. There was someone there, a beautiful woman. She held her hand out to me and pulled me out of the darkness. Im sure she mustve been an angel. Mr. Skelly sighed again. She asked me if I had any regrets. She told me she was a messenger of god and shed grant me a wish. I told her I was sorry I had left behind my wife and two kids, that I couldnt properly tell them goodbye. She told me she understood, and the next thing I knew, I was awake, lying on the road with Jessica and Norman by my side.

The man was silent as he led his horse through the streets, heading towards the adventurers guild. A miracle, he said after a while. Its miraculous how youve retained your sense of self. I was under the impression most people lost their minds when they turned undead.

I never thought Id become undead, Mr. Skelly said before letting out a hollow laugh. But things dont always turn out how you expect them to.

Isnt that right? the man asked before shaking his head. His horse came to a halt as the group stopped in front of the adventurers guild. He tied the horses reins to a nearby pillar and opened the door to the guild. His booming voice echoed through the lobby, Is the guild master in? Theres an urgent matter.

The guild master has not yet returned from her journey, a monotonous voice said from the receptionists counter. The receptionist raised his head. His eyes were sunken in, and his cheeks were even gaunter than before.

One of us? Mr. Skelly mumbled when he saw the receptionists pale face.

The receptionist stared at Mr. Skelly for five seconds without breaking eye contact. He blinked hard and removed his glasses, wiping them with the sleeve of his shirt. He put them back on and stared at Mr. Skelly again. Another five seconds passed. The receptionist turned around and shouted towards the room behind the counter, Polly, switch with me. Im hallucinating.

N-no, this isnt a hallucination, the man said as he grabbed the receptionists shoulder before he could escape. This is Richard of the Happy Frogs.

The receptionist paused and glanced at Mr. Skellys gear. Richard? In front of me is a skeleton, right? Im not seeing things?

Correct, the man said with a nod. You see He explained the situation along with Mr. Skellys experience of meeting the messenger of god. And we need to know his address so he can meet his wife and kids before being buried in the cemetery.

Thats The receptionist frowned as he recalled the adventurers who had set off to investigate the undead on the beach. Were the Happy Frogs part of the group that went to the beach a few weeks ago? And even if they werent, undead are actually showing up on the continent? The receptionists eye twitched. O guild master, why have thou forsaken me? This problem is way beyond my payroll. Ill have to send a report to the mayor.

Can I please have the addresses to our homes? Mr. Skelly asked. Ill have my wife take me to the cemetery to be purified and buried after we finish talking.

I dont know, the receptionist said and scratched his head. He exhaled and stared at the ceiling. I should quit my job. The pay isnt worth the stress.

What harm could it do? the man asked and removed his hand from the receptionists shoulder. It wouldnt be right to purify the Happy Frogs before they could say their goodbyes to their family. Wouldnt that be unusually cruel and immoral?

The receptionist sighed. Adventurers information are kept confidential. But I think I can make an exception in this case. He pursed his lips. Ill send some guild sweepers to follow the three of you just in case something happens. If you dont agree to that, I wont give you the addresses.

We agree, Mr. Skelly said. I dont want to cause any harm. If there are people to prevent any conflicts, it would be for the best.

Huh. I didnt expect undead to be so peaceful, the receptionist said and scratched his head. Ive read up a lot on undead since we received that report, but youre nothing like what the books say. Maybe it was just the holy dragons propaganda