Quotes featuring Yvlon Byres

“Most of us don’t use axes, Calruz. And while you have a point, recklessness is the exact reason everyone else is hesitating. We need to move carefully, and I’m saying it can be done. But—together. No running over people’s chances to speak.”

“Silver and steel, Rois, haven’t you been listening this entire time? I’m not saying go in blind! The exact opposite! I’m proposing we join together and launch a six-team raid on those ruins. We stock up on supplies, pool our best warriors, and fortify along the way as we go as far as we can.”

“We’ll have a far better chance if we work together, and the Ruins are practically untouched beyond the first level. I hear Liscor doesn’t want to investigate themselves and is leaving everything up to the adventurers. If we want to get to whatever treasures are buried in there, now’s our chance.”

“Impatience and daring, Cervial. I was excited as the rest of you when I heard about the ruins. But you’re right. I am moving fast, but not because Calruz managed to talk me into it. I heard there’s a team of Gold-rank adventurers who’ll be here in a week or less.”

“Menes? You with us? Listen. This is the kind of thing that puts a team on the map. My brother’s team, the Silver Swords? They didn’t become Gold-ranks turning down chances like this.”

“Well, that could have gone better.”

“Yes, but now we have to fill their holes with Bronze-rank teams, and that is weakness. I guess it’ll come down to how many freelancers are hanging around the ruins. We’ll need more mages and more front-line fighters. At least we’ve got one team who can detect and disarm traps.”

“Yes, if Ceria thinks it’s worthwhile. But I believe these Ruins might even be bigger than Albez, don’t you?”

“This wouldn’t happen to be that barefoot Runner I’ve heard so much about, would it? Was that the one who bailed your group out when you were fighting that Lich?”

“I happen to disagree with that. Anyone who can outrun a horde of Gargoyles is clearly not merely lucky.”

“Yvlon Byres, Silver-rank adventurer. I’m Captain of the Silver Spears, and I wanted to make your acquaintance.”

“Getting through the High Passes alive is something that hasn’t been done in years. Not that many Runners have tried it, but it takes a special kind of someone to do that.”

“Ryoka?”

“I was just wondering if you had any levels in a fighting class or whether you only had levels as a Runner. Did you enter into any other classes before this?”

“Simple curiosity. I’d like to see how well you’d do in a fight. I’m told you’re quite the pugilist despite being a Runner.”

“I heard it from my aunt twice-removed. She lets me know about interesting people, and she told me it would be worth seeking you out.”

“Minor aristocracy.”

“We’re practically unheard of. My sister’s a [Merchant], and my brother’s a [Knight]. We have relatives, but it’s a small family. We trade in silver and have several large mines in the area. And we’re distantly related to the Reinharts.”

“I’m sorry if my aunt has bothered you, Ryoka, but she’s quite insistent. And she’s told all of my family—everyone, really, to keep an eye out for you.”

“Sorry, Calruz, but no one in my family defies Lady Magnolia. And I wasn’t intending on doing anything to Ryoka. I just wanted to know if she really was good at fighting barehanded.”

“I’ve got a bit of a reputation. The Silver Spears are known for fighting with any weapon that comes to hand and barehanded if need be.”

“I heard that you managed to defeat a low-level [Assassin] with your bare hands and fought a Carn Wolf without any weapons as well.”

“I’d love to see your abilities myself. I know you’re tired, but if you have time for a quick match, I could give you a handicap.”

“MMA?”

“Interesting. You’re quite limber. Was that supposed to help you fight?”

“Not like that. I don’t think any warriors I know would do that—especially not in front of an audience.”

“Pardon me. I was just reassuring your friends that this friendly exhibition would not be harmful to you. If you’ll allow me a minute, I’ll remove my armor.”

“I wouldn’t want to hurt you.”

“If Miss Ryoka Griffin says she’s confident, I will trust her word, Ceria.”

“I am afraid Ceria is right though, Ryoka. I would hate for you to break your hands on my armor or for me to cut your face with my gauntlets. I am sure I would be able to give you a fair fight even without my armor.”

“Very well. I am told you practice some sort of unarmed fighting? You said it was…MMA? I confess that I have only a bit of formal training myself. Much of what I know is self-taught.”

“And you are a skilled practitioner of this…Muay Thai?”

“Then shall we begin? I believe it would be only courteous to allow you the first strike.”

“I understand your pride, Ryoka Griffin, but we adventurers have our own dignity. You underestimate us at your peril. Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to remove my armor?”

“Well.”

“You see, it’s not as if we’re hurting for money or jobs at the moment. There’s always work, and we can brave the Ruins of Albez for quite a profit most of the time. But it’s not sustainable in the long run.”

“The only question is whether the risks in this case are worth the reward. So far, Cervial’s team—the Flawless Flights—mine, and Calruz’s are the only ones who are willing to go in first.”

“Of course, individual skill still plays a pretty big role.”

“Calruz isn’t 30, but he’s damn close. He’s also a Minotaur. He could have found his way onto a Gold-rank team, but he wanted to be in command.”

“I wouldn’t say cowards.”

“Not all of you. It’s just that it’s an unfortunate comparison to make, Ryoka.”

“Well, in any case, if you’d like to work for any of our teams, we’d be happy to set up an arrangement. With your skills, we wouldn’t have to worry about you being chased off by monsters. In fact, if you’d like to join our expedition to the ruins around Liscor to deliver supplies, we could work out a deal.”

“She’s better at fighting than I thought. I did agree to challenge her.”

“Rattled?”

“I can see why, with her moves.”

“My aunt is insistent. When you put it like that—”

“She what?”

“Ceria is right, Ryoka. There’s bravado, and then there’s—this. Fighting me in armor is one thing, but Calruz is a Minotaur. He could rip my head off in unarmed combat without trying.”

“If you’re going to do this—give it all you’ve got on the first shot.”

“But you don’t even have any levels.”

“I don’t understand. And truthfully, I didn’t believe my aunt when she told me that. But it is true, isn’t it? I couldn’t believe it until just now, but it must be true. You don’t have any levels or any classes at all, do you?”

“You truly believe you can surpass the rest of us without needing to level don’t you?”

“Enough. Restrain yourself, Ryoka Griffin.”

“We’re here because we want to use this inn for planning and the innkeeper needs food. And because helping out is the polite thing to do.”

“I think…I’d rather have somewhere to sit and plan than cause a fuss and have to squeeze into a corner of the inn. Let’s drop it.”

“Of course. You stop Calruz.”

“Where did you get that from, Cervial? I’ve never seen a crossbow made like that.”

“Some.”

“A few [Mages], a Silver-rank with sword and shield…not too many, but better than nothing. I asked the mage you told me about, Gerial, but he turned me down.”

“I’m sorry, but we have enough fighters, and this is a dangerous expedition we’re embarking on. We can’t take rookies or people who aren’t adventurers.”

“You don’t have any weapons or armor, and you act like a civilian.”

“Oh? And what class are you, then? And I don’t believe I caught your name.”

“Calruz. Gerial. I’m glad your team is here on time. Everyone else has already assembled. Shall we begin?”

“Captains, I am pleased to see you all here. May I inquire if you are all ready?”

“And the Silver Spears are assembled.”

“I’m pleased to see everyone is present. But I expected nothing less of the best adventurers on this side of the continent! We are here today to make history by entering the Ruins of Liscor. We don’t know exactly what is down there, but we do know something dangerous lurks below. And where there is danger, there is treasure and fame to be found.”

“Some of us may perish on this expedition. Five Families willing, it will be few or none. But I swear that each of you will receive a portion of the reward, and your families and loved ones will not be left penniless should you fall. That is the pledge I make towards each of my Silver Spears, and I offer the same to you today.”

“But enough dire thoughts. We are about to head in. Steel yourselves. Trust in each other. We know what must be done. Calruz, your Horns of Hammerad and Gregor, your Kyrial’s Vanguard have been chosen to lead the expedition. Would you do the honors?”

“He’s a [Tactician], not a [Warrior], Gregor. A Level 24. He came to us yesterday. I thought you’d agree we could definitely use him.”

“True. What do you make of it, Olesm? Was this place built by your people?”

“And if it was, would they have much treasure?”

“My team can do the fighting. Menes, if you want to send some of your mages…?”

“Anyone hurt? Any injuries?”

“Thank you. What am I supposed to see, Cervial?”

“More of the adventurers who first came in?”

“Drakes. Badly rotted, too. But why would their armor look that old…?”

“Or something is restoring their flesh. Wonderful. Do you think the main threat will be the undead, then?”

“For our first real encounter in here? I’d say it was light enough.”

“Could be coincidence.”

“Go wary.”

“Ceria!”

“Not a bad start, is it? We work well together.”

“More than likely. We were debating using your [Illumination] spell now, Ceria. What do you think?”

“When we make camp, then. We’ll find a spot. But we’re hours from needing rest, so we’ll hold off.”

“Almost. The scouts are saying this corridor begins to slope downwards. This is the place that leads to the second floor.”

“Exactly. We’re going in ready for anything.”

“I’m sticking in the middle while Cervial’s team covers the rear. Will you walk with me, Ceria?”

“I’m glad you aren’t angry at me.”

“I feel like I had a lot to do with the—incident involving Ryoka earlier. I truly didn’t mean to cause that much trouble.”

“Even so. My aunt had mentioned how much she wanted to meet this Runner, and I couldn’t fathom why. I wanted to test her, but not push her over the edge.”

“Beyond me as well, I’m afraid. My aunt does not confide in anyone, and she has—eclectic interests. But I do hope Ryoka doesn’t do anything rash. Once you fall into my aunt’s machinations, it is hard to break free.”

“Let’s say I admire her independence, if not her self-control. Besides, it’s bad if Aunt Magnolia gets everything she wants. Hold up, what’s this?”

“So this was maybe some kind of memorial?”

“A place to sleep? They look—far too uncomfortable even if you filled them with blankets. They’re closer to legends from my family of Vampyres.”

“Oh, some long-dead monster. A children’s story. House Byres has lots of old tales like that. I should tell you the one about the Silver Dragon. But no one’s sleeping in these uncomfortable boxes. Nor do I see anyone straining their back using them as storage devices. Any other ideas, Ceria?”

“It’s a good sign, though. We know there’s something valuable here. Any place with this much architecture had to be important.”

“If we can’t find anywhere better, we’ll camp here. But for now—let’s continue.”

“That is odd. Should we send a spell to contact them? Menes, you said your group used a short-distance communication spell, right?”

“You’re saying this is from some other part of the building. Looted by an adventurer…?”

“My [Dangersense]—”

“Where are they coming from?”

“Now—everyone, to the rear!”

“How many people are injured? Who’s missing?”

“Good job on that [Illumination] spell, Ceria. Without it, we would have been cooked.”

“We can worry about that after the threat is gone. Those spells won’t last forever. And we need a fast decision. Do we press on, now we know how many undead are out there, including Crypt Lords? Or do we retreat?”

“An extended battle like that is risky. We’d be looking over our shoulders the entire time, and we’d never know we got them all.”

“Those Crypt Lords are deadly. We need to take them out first. Do that and the rest of the undead lose a lot of their threat.”

“Do you have [Taunt] as a Skill? I don’t know if that would even work on the dead…”

“Mages!”

“Calruz!”

“Last I heard, they were up ahead, trapping the corridor. But then our [Dangersense] went off and—the door. They must have opened it.”

“They didn’t say they were going to open the vault. I made it clear to Gregor he had to wait until we regrouped. So why…?”

“Two people. I told them to run back the instant they saw something. They—they never came back.”

“The screaming ended a few minutes ago. I was waiting for you to get back. What did you find? Anything?”

“Steals? Skin?”

“Right then, it seems we have a choice. We can’t fight another battle here, not understrength. We should retreat.”

“I think we should fear the worst, don’t you?”

“It’ll be the last thing you see if we stay here. If we get caught in a pincer attack from both sides—”

“What happened? What was behind those doors?”

“We should retreat. Let us gather the wounded and go. If we have the [Mages] cast spells to delay pursuit—”

“Gregor…?”

“Cervial! Is that you?”

“Gregor, Cervial! Answer me! What’s going on? Are you alright?”

“It’s just…dead skin.”

“We must run.”