In Progress Let's Play Ikusa Megami ZERO: A Codexian Epic Adventure (NSFW)

[TheEntitledOne]

It's that time again. Time for another Hentai RPG, and since Rance translations are in limbo (I'm still hoping for someone else to lp Kichikou Rance) I will try a different saga.

Ikusa Megami ZERO (aka Battle Goddess Zero) is the prequel of the Ikusa Megami saga (started in 1999, the prequel is from 2008). Developed by Eushully, one of the main H-RPG developers out there.


I haven't really played this saga and have only played around 2/3 of the game, but the gameplay is complex and fun enough and it doesn't lack the kind of content codexers love: Honorable paladin of Light MC, Loyal friends, True Love, Older sisters, lot's of consensual love and 0% sick fetishes or sexual confusion. If you are looking for bestiality, rape, dickgirls, monster cocks or mindbreak do a 360º and keep walking you sick fucks.

The translation (by er0gamr at Neohen iirc, the site is down half the time for me) is so-so since it relies quite a bit on machine-translation, but it's good for what it is.



(give me a couple of hours)

 

[abnaxus]

Art style is shit.

Eushully

Oh.

 

[Lagole Gon]

If you are looking for bestiality, rape, dickgirls, monster cocks or mindbreak do a 360º and keep walking you sick fucks.

So I AM in the right place.

AW YISSS!

 

[boot]

 

[TheEntitledOne]

Spoiler

I shouted to my two companions that my side was cleared.

[Right here! Dont even think about running away monsters!]

[Aren't you making a bit too 'flashy'?! Bwaha hahahaa!]

[Don't let your guard down. The next wave is coming!]


Suddenly monsters that we thought dead twitched and crawled toward us in a flash.

[Woot-the! Go back to bed you creeps!]

Zionist Strike!

SLASH!

[Scram back to your nests you freakin' moooooobs!]

Dalno's two blades flashed through the surrounding monsters.

And gave birth to gruesome geysers of black blood in their wakes.

Wiping the blood dripping from his face Dalnos spat on the ground and complained.

[Pouah! Fuck it! Your blood friggin stinks you shits!]

Seems like sis is equiped with the classic rapebait cleric robe.

[Yes... but this...]

I stared sadly at the bodies of the monsters that we had slain mercilessly.

Soon the body parts started turning to dust with a faint glow.

[Oy! Selika, don't have pity for these monsters. They're attacking villages around, ya know?]

[I know that. It's just... if they just didnt resist and fled they wouldnt have ended like this]

[Seriously...Selika, you're much too nice! Well...I guess this too it is one of your good points.]

[Even though it seems no one is left to save. This threat must be removed.]

[I know you're right. We came for that after all but...]

We came to the old city in order to wipe out the monsters who attacked the villages around.

They destroyed whole towns and didn't leave any survivor behind.

Right...So such tragedy wouldn't repeat itself. We have to exterminate the monsters living here.

[If that's settled then let's make them pay one after the other.]

With renewed determination we pushed forward in the ruins of the abandoned city.

[True, failing because we're too much in a hurry would be a mistake fitting a newbie like you]

I wonder a bit. Should I review with them some of our battle plans and methods?


Hey kid, wanna do a tutorial?

No thanks, will explain the basics myself.

[OK we're set up then! Let's move.]

[In this map a tutorial will pop up from time to time to show you the ropes]

[Our mission is to wipe out the monsters living in the old capital]

[Let's go further.]

Isometric sprite based. Just like Fallout. Aren't you loving it yet?

By pressing the left mouse you move around. Minimap and Status on the botom.

By pressing right we get a menu

Clicking on the status we go to the character screen, with tabs for inventry, skills etc.

Characters have HP, MP and TP (like MP but for physicall skills) .

Selika uses mana based skills (Thunder Magic tab) and "Swan Tek" sword dances and stuff, so he consumes MP or TP, while Dalnos goes full TP.

Also, by using skill they increase in Rank.

You can use the XP for increasing stats. Overall this game is more complex than your average H-RPG. For now let's keep going.


We move to the feather in the center.

Touching it will heal our wounds and remove all abnormal status

[It can even refresh our mana (MP) and physical energy (TP)]

[It helps a lot when exploring,let's note its position on the map]

You're right we'll use them as base camps when exploring.

On the right part there is a door...

Tch! Closed ... and we dont have the time to open it with brute force.

[No other choice, let's look for a way around]

There is a collapsed door on the north, but there is an open way west (I will skip some of the most innane tutorial talk from the characters- It can't be helped).

We encounter some monsters (Greyhounds) blocking our way. Time for some actual gameplay.

I have the men use their basic attacks and Kaya will buff Selika's defence.

When someone attacks it's shown as two cards fighting each ther. Depending of each character's speed their turn will come earlier (as shown by the pink bars on the right side, can't remember what name this battle system has).

Since we are fighting tutorial fodder we win in a couple of turns and get awarded XP and Gold.

Further ahead we find one of the many breakable walls.

Breaking it gives use some extra loot.

Follwing the path we reach 2 doors.

The left one has just some ruined beds and a potion, right is the way to go.

Taking the right door leads us to the ledge ovelooking the entrance, taking a potion from the chest you follow the ledge reaching a new area.

Opening the new chest activates some short of monster trap...

The door behind can't be opened yet, we keep advanig to the left.

Checking the minimap, seems like we are in the same are form before.

[Lever spotted!]

[If we use it dont you think the previous door will open?]

[If it doesnt we have no way of going further... no other choice but try it.]

[But in other cases pulling on every lever without thinking might be a bad idea]

The open door leads to a balcony.

「Nop... the hand trail is broken here it seems we can jump down. Look:when I approach 」

「There is an JUMP button appearing over my head.」 (Dafuck is this argument?)

「If I press the button I should be able to jump down.」

[Jump you say? You're joking right? It's quite high here!」

「Is it? It's only 6 or 5 meters 」

「HAHAHA,that's the spirit kid,if you get scared by that much you should stay home.」

「Unlike you muscle brains I am a weak young lady Dont apply your sweat reeking logics on me」

Valhad akbar!

Seems like we found another entrance to the building.

The door to the left leads to the starting area, it can be unlocked from our side. A bit further we find a room with some documents.

[Rotting here all these years there is little that can be read but we might find some info.]

["Mithril, gold... mining cost, transaction price ..."]

[These are the records of the gold mine we're in!]

Kaya and Dalnos gather around me and read over my shoulder as I turn the pages

From what I heard the mine was doing quite well back in the days.

「If the city wasnt lost the mine would have made the country a great economical power...」

「This mine changed a village in a metropolis but suddenly monsters started to pour out of it」

「Kinda sad story but...」

「Well it was thanks to this that we managed to become Valhad's warrior so fast right?」

「There was a shortage of fighter to handle the situation so I could convince the officers to let us fight instead of staying behind to polish swords like the newbies we were back then」

「Something's written. [We have dug out a dread that should have been left forgotten]

「[Drums, Drums in the deep, we cannot get out... they are coming]... The note ends here.」

The rest of the paper is rotten and illegible

「Did an ancient sealed demon been dug out？」

「A lone demon? Unlikely, the entire city has been destroyed.And we meet loads now.」

「Rather than a sealed demon couldnt it be a demonic portal that has been dug out?」

Show in yellow in the minimap, we find some stairs down. There is also a door ahead, but it's the one bloacked by debris in the beginning area.

Following the stairs we eventually reach a door...

As I approach the door I can feel dark magic emanating from it.

[Stay back you two. A magic seal]

[Is it really necessary to be that careful?]

(... Who was it that mentioned newbie mistakes again? I wonder...)

Removing the seal from the door won't be difficult. I hope it's not a trap...

I have... a bad feeling about this.

Something's telling me we're going to run into problems behind this door.

[There have been a lot of Gomols here, there might be another ambush ahead]

[Gomol...]

A gomol is a kind of goblin reinforced and enhanced by magic that has been created long ago.

It's much stronger and smarter while retaining the tribal lifestyle of goblins

They fight along tame monsters too,it might become dangerous if we dont take them by surprise.

[The seal is almost broken! Be prepared!]

The magic seal resisted a bit more as I forced it open with my own powers and suddenly.

CRASH

[ Done! ]

[Humpf!]

Dalnos kicked the door open as soon as I finished. Kaya and I immediately rushed in.

The echoes of the crashing door reverberated in the dark empty room

We stood here in battle stance, ready for anything, all senses sharps like razors and suddenly..

It's too calm, something's off ... it feels a bit unnatural.

Kaya spotted something shining on the dusty ground. It seems to be an brooch shiny and rather ne

[Could it be... belonging to one of the kidnapped villager we're looking for?]

[Wait! Nee-san]

[Kyaaaaaaaaaa]

Kaya tries to grab something but her hands close onto air and she disappears into the darkness

[Kaya!]

The trap closed instantly. We pounded on the floor to open it but it didn't move an inch.

I took a step aside and began gathering magic power to blast the floor open with thunder.

[But! Nee-san is... Kaya is !!!]

[Tch...Do you plan to bury her alive under a pile of rubble? And us with her?]

Dalnos put an ear to the floor while I was still shaken and signaled me to do the same

The heavy stone floor made it hard to hear but there was a sound like flowing water.

and a distant voice calling for help...

[Selika! Dalnos!! Damn it! You two move your asses and come to my help!]

No mistake, it's her... It's Kaya's voice.

***

[Kaya has left the party]

***

[Did you hear how she was talking to us?This spoiled brat. Maybe we should leave her to herself. ]

<Tching> The sound of my sword leaving it's sheath immediately made Dalnos panic.

[Woa! It's a joke! A lie! Dont get pissed for real dammit!]

[Then we just have to guard each other's back during fights, let's go.]

[Anyway this kind of trap is quite elaborate. No chance running into another one like this.]

[Quite true and I feel a lot of presences incoming, they prepared their trick well.]

I'm worried she seemed safe but if caught alone in their den even Kaya would be in danger.

We had to rescue her as soon as possible

As I felt more monsters approaching, I unsheathed my sword and rushed in the depths of the dungeo

We open the large door...

Kaya fell and fell and got stunned when hitting water. She sank deeper and deeper

(Where am I? Where's up and down? I can't tell. Am I dead?)

Some old memories resurfaced in her mind.

Death awaits those who are careless in the enemy's territory.

She remembered 2 friends talking about soldiers who died in such manner.

They were killed because they were...'careless'

When she heard that she though 'I would never die like that' but now...

Even now, engulfed in darkness, her fear of death remained... she was still alive!

At that moment she opened her eyes and a faint distorted light appeared. The surface!

Struggling desperately to steady her ragged breath after holding it for so long.

She looked at the ceiling and could only see a slight ray of light going through it.

Did the trap close down or did she fall such a long way that it has become minuscule?

[Selika! Dalnos!! Damn it! You two move your asses and come to my help!!]

She yelled their two names at the top of her lungs but...

[Kyaaaah!]

A strong wave swallowed her and she lost consciousness when her head hit a wall.


******

A large shadowed figure appears it's face hidden by shadows.

???[Ummm? Something is floating?]

The shadow answered to his minion while squinting his eyes.

But simply because it could use human tongue didnt mean it was a human being. Far from that.

???[... Hey, You there. Go get that for me.]

The gigantic Gomol who noticed the floating, unconscious Kaya nodded then slowly threaded toward Kaya,unreactive and defenceless. The mountain of flesh produced waves in the water making the girl flutter like a leaf floating on the surface.

Until he grabbed her and brought her back to his master

The creature said after fondling her body and licking her neck lecherously while laughing in a creepy tone.

[Geheheh... Today is an great day, Kehehehe]

[Rajislawa-sama, preparation for today's feast are done ... ]

'Feast' at this word the shadow called Rajislawa emerged from the darkness and showed his grotesque form

With an ear scorchingly high tone and his disgusting tongue hanging out

the demon instructed:

[Oy Gomol dogs. Add her to today's feast too.]

[Such a nice present I am going to taste her until rapture and some more.]

The gomols took Kaya from their master and brought her out followed by Rajislawa.


*****

I listened to the wind but it didn't carry Kaya's voice anymore.

[Seriously how long do we have to run?]

[Who cares? Move it and run!]

Every minute... every second lost talking could be one too many!

There are a number of paths to take, a big door (seems to be locked), a hole in the wall, and another area beyond some ruble...

We get a new armor for Selika from the chest, and enter a new area south...Of course, monster will keep getting in the way

I have Selika use area magic attacks to take them fast. Enemies are in a 5x5 area, I can hit all of them with his 3x3 tornado.

With our path clear we enter the new area south...

******

She felt pain throughout her whole body.

Kaya tried to gather her thoughts while slowly regaining conciousness

[Hnh... It hurts... where, am I?]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->to be continued...
(Is lolibutt haram in the Codex, should I keep the censor?)

 

[abnaxus]

Kill that blonde retard already before he steals our lolis

 

[TheEntitledOne]

A quick miniupdate to satisfy your lust for wonderful adventures.

Spoiler

<slurp slurp> Huhhh Geheheh

No... Ge... Get away from me.

The girl, pinned down by the demon, was too scared to do anything else than protest weakly.

Kaya tried to stand and fight to save the girl

(Wait, what is this?)

She couldnt move an inch. Her arms, legs and neck had been attached to a bloodstained device.

Alarmed she started to look around and think. There wasnt supposed to be any living human here

Is the girl here a survivor from this city?No she must have been kidnapped somewhere around.

There were also several girls in one corner of the room. Kaya tried to talk to them.

But they were too terrified and didn't seem to hear her.

Some Gomols were guarding the girls and started laughing vulgarly at Kaya's actions.

Stupid, who's gonna untie you? It suits bitches in heat like you too much for that.

WHO'S THE BITCH IN HEAT? I'm a priestess of Valhad dont think I'll give up like that!

Kaya's desperate tries to force open her restraints and foul mouth triggered loud guffaws

Give up girl, you're next in line for rape once Rajislava-sama's finished with this one

The creature repositioned itself behind her and started to lean on her. What was it doing?

Obvious answer. Imagining it, the girl's felt a lump in her throat and cold sweat on her skin.

ah.... aaah....

Wait stop that! Release me! Releeease me!

[Ehehe, dont be so anxious and observe carefully. Rajislawa-sama's member is huuuge]

He pounds cunts until they're all loose. But this girl is small. She may die from it! ahah

The other gomols joined his laughter in an obscene chorus.

Hn! Kuh! Stop that immedia Guuumpf!

As Kaya tried to raise her voice once more a Gomol pushed a dirty piece of rag in her mouth.

And now she cannot chant spells anymore.

Powerless and terrified the girl begged to every god or man to save her. In her panic she struggled with all her might and squirmed until her skin started to peel off.But to no avail

[Slurrurururup. This is useless. It'll be better is you give up quickly.]

Hic ... eeh ...

With his lustred dark shell and razor sharp limbs the demon resembled to a huge smelly insect

Using the biggest of these limbs the demon stepped on the girl to stop her from struggling.

Hmm! Ng Hmm! Slurp! Sluuuuuurp

Uh! Ugh Guuuuuh...

Among the rest of the capive girls some couldnt stand this sight of their future and fainted

As for the rest they cried in despair or crouched, eyes closed and ears plugged.

[ Dont....]

[Slurp... Are you scared little girl? Do you fear me?]

Thoroughly enjoying her terror the demon moved to show her a towering ominous object.

Erect, seeping with smelly humor and bulging. An ugliness incarnate that was about to rape her

...Hic...

[Gegegegegege! Here it comes!]

After tasting her distress he aimed carefully and pushed the tip of his ugly penis inside her

Oh, Kuh KaaaAaaAaah

There was no way she could have been wet. It felt like a stone rod tried to tear her open

Gegegege!.... Oya?... Strange, it's not entering...

The demon pondered,puzzled:was the girl was too small and not wet enough for any insertion?

Hic... no more...

Under him a raped girl sobbed pitifully. He gave her a tender and merciful glance and

[ Giiikikikiki!]

Hyiii!

His dick started secreting a lubricating mucus before he plunged in her with all his might.

Hyaaaaaa! Some...Something is entering!

Stop it... aaah... G...Gross... Noooooo...

A large amount of disgusting fluid started pouring into her.

It filled her insides and overflowed our of her vagina forming a green puddle under her.

[Uhku... Huu... Disgusting...]

[Kuakaaha. Now it should be fine. Nice and wet]

[It would be boring if I cant move after all ... neither of us would feel good.

Hnnn! S-Stop... please dont move anymore! I'm begging you!...hnngh

Kah! Nhgh Kuh!

Mercilessly the demon plunged his disproportioned member in and out of her. The room was filled with wet obscene sounds mixing with the girl's cries. Kaya bit her lip.

[ Kuaaagh... no more... let me go... I beg you...]

The girl's insides started to deform from the brutal penetration off the oversized dick.

The fluids the demon vomited inside her started foaming from the intense movements

[ Haaaah ! Nnnngh. ]

[Gahaha! What are you saying while tightening up?No cunt breaks with only this much!

No, NOOOOOOOO Hng! Please stop! STOP IT...

Even knowing the beast would never let her go the girl continued crying and begging for mercy

[Kekeke!... Say... do you feel sick? You do, dont you? ]

[Fuah! Painful! Help... anyone... please heeeeelp!]

[HoraOraOra! Take this! How's THAT!]

[ Hyi Hyaaaaaaah! ...no more. Can't anymore! Aguh Gaaah!

The demon foul mouth started exhaling a hot exited breath.

Under the brutal assault on her vagina the girl started to loose sensation of her lower body.

[Kaha Aaahg... I can't... I'm Dying...

[Hm! I'll admit that you're not a bad hole at all. You feel very good.]

[ No... Stop it... NooOOooo..]

[You too should admit it too! Getting messed up like that but still you're getting hotter.]

While being raped the girl could feel the demon's mind entering her own to plant lust and fear

[Yaaaah...Ahg... he's raping... everything... my body and mind... everything]

The licks were getting hot and the heat propagated from her womb to the stomach to the chest and finally to her head, numbing her reason and mind ... until...

Hya, ah! Agh!

[GaGaGa, Goood! Here I go! Coming! Cuming!

Regardless,the demon beast kept pumping savagely and broke into a lustful laugher.

... and in the end.

[Agh Hyaaaaaaaaaaa!] !

Agh... hot... something hot... is filling me up.

[ Gahaha, It is my seeds little girl.]

The semen continued to pour out without any sign of stopping

Still, the demon beast did not stop.He started again faster and stronger, breathing excitedly.

(I thought of making demon cum came out of Andhy's face, bu that would be too much )



His dick did not soften after coming once. Rather it swelled and the demon went berserk.

Aaaaaah... too much... no way out... hnnng

The over-swollen member continued to mercilessly stir and deform the girl's immature vagina.

Her inside walls were now spread open and accepted his member without possible resistance.

[nnnng! Fuaah! Aaagh... insides... getting torn...

[...I...dont want... this monster's.... baby...hnng ]

...Help... He..lp... Ugh... Pain...ful...

Her sanity lost, the girl started mumbling incoherently while crying. Her meak and now limp figure that the demon continued to ravage looked like an omen of our futures.

*****

[What's up? Did you see something?]

[No but... I have this strange feeling that something wrong's happening...]

[Strangely enough your premonitions are rarely wrong, if you say this that means...]

[ Something must have happened to Kaya! Let's run like the wind! ]

<Nod> (Wait for us, Nee-san! Just a bit more!).

Look! a count down. I bet something awesome will happen when it reaches 0.

Jumping down leads us into a monster.

A stronger verson of the greyhound, nothing serious.

For now I won't get into detail with combat, I will explain more on another update.

Further ahead we grab some loot. Healing items and a Mercury Gem, a stat upgrading item. It increases Selika's Int by 1. We also have a Jupiter Gem that raises AGI.

Eventually reach the big room from before and unlock a door allowing us to return to the healing feather in the middle.

I ran through the corridor like a possessed man and stopped when feeling enemies ahead

[Shit! Ambush... Does it mean we're getting closer to our goal?]

[I dunno about that but they seem to guard some kind of lever probably to open the way ahead]

[If that's so then we'll have to trample their dead carcasses to pass.]

Massive killing intent surged from Dalnos and daunted the Gomols before he charged

They were used to see humans flee. But this one charging madly at them, was he really human?

Seeing him charging like that I thought: monsters or not I dont want any useless death

[Wait Dalnos! IF YOU THROW YOUR WEAPONS AND FLEE, WE WONT KILL YOU!]

[Open your damn idealist eyes! Where in hell do you see anyone fleeing here?]

The startled demons pulled themselves together and drew their weapon. Surrendering or fleeing none of the monsters had any intention of doing so. They were clearly determined to kill.

I harden my heart: if they plan to stand in the path to Nee-san then their lives is forfeit.

[I gave you a chance... Dont regret it later.]

I pulled my sword and ran to the demons rushing at us.

Each monster has a Def. Atribute, wich responds diferently to diferent attack types.

iirc, Srika's Tornado would deal Thunder vs Physical, wich doesnt have an extra effect (100% of base damage), but some monsters get extra dramage from magic.

Serika's 3x3 magic attack deals thunder damage to all but one of the monsters.


Dalnos can hit in a straight 1x5 line, so I aim for the central Gumol and the Greyhounds on the left.

Thus we take all but one of the monsters on a single turn.

[Shit! I wont let you run!]

[Wait Dalnos! we have better things to do than running after them! He have to move forward!]

At my words Dalnos took an instant to remember that it wasnt the moment to murder small fries

He pondered a bit, nodded, sheathed his swords and turned toward me with a smile.

[Still... Let's chase after them, they didnt run outside but inside... to 'safety' and...]

['let them show us the way to their lair'...is that what you mean?

[Yeah... if Kaya has been captured their lair is where we'll find her.]

The way Dalnos can analyse the situation calmly and precisely in the heat of battle. This is what makes him such a precious ally despite his lack of magic.I should really learn from him.

[And Gomols have the instinct to kidnap and offer girls to the chief! Kaya is alive!]

We both nodded and rushed after the monsters with strengthened determination.

At the end of the corridor we pull a lever.

After pulling the lever the building started shaking dangerously with a strange rhythm

[What the! What are those vibration? A trap too?]

[ No, something is shaking the lower levels...]

[Something you say? To shake it like that... are thousands of Gomols rope skipping in synch?]

[If only that was something so disturbingly cute... ]

[Let's hurry! At that rate these crumbling ruins might not hold for long!]

[Dont say it out loud! You're gonna jinx us dammit! ]


By taking the door we just left we will be going towards or goal, but since we have time we will do some extra exploring.

We enter the hole in the wall from the main chamber.

Seems like we accessed the old mines themselves. There is a hiden passage that we can take that would have allowed us to avoid the previous group of monsters, right now this area is only good for loot and XP.

And since it's full of skeletons...

...we have to fight a group of undead.

They have the Undead type of defence, Dalnos' attacks only deal a 25% of damage.

After killing them with some HP lose, we get a Tech Stone, for recovering TP, a nearby room has another Skelly encounter with a Mana Stone, for MP.

In the last room we find "Vadel", a short sword for Dalnos. With this we can keep going to find Kaya.

We soon find a sealed door...

[Fuck it all! Let's smash it! I wont loose any more time with their stupid child tricks!]

[Wait! The whole dungeon might collapse is you use too powerful techniques here]

[Ah... True enough]

Dalnos clicked his tongue in frustration while looking at the crumbling ceiling.

So close to the mine tunnels the damage to the structure were too severe

Unlike the entrance here a violent shock in the wall and we might end up buried alive.

[I'll take care of the small fries coming. You focus on getting us rid of this seal!]

Dalnos put his guard up and watched the shadows for incoming attacks.

I nod at his words, take a deep breath to calm down and slowly start sending magic into the device. I need to hurry if we want to save Kaya but rushing it will only result in failure.

Suddenly a glass shattering sound echoed and the way forward opened. The seal was broken.

****

Meanwhile ...

[ But... these two... are insanely strong ... ]

[It would be troublesome if they were to come in now... Slow them down by any mean!]

Once the Gomol had been sent away Rajislava started laughing like a madman.

[ KukukukukuKaaaaAHAHAHAHAHAH ]

At the sight of this laughing demon bug Kaya felt an increasing sense of danger and prayed.

*****

Just before we reach the stairs, we get a "Leader Staff", it give +5 to "Maze Cntrol", basically it affects the morale of monsters in the dungeon, making them weaker or something, epresented by the red/blue bar in the right. It's intended to use where you can't teleport away.

We reach a healing spot. You know what that means...

It will be a good idea to put the XP to use.

With these adjustments Serik jumps to level 3, companions level on their own.

 

[Ippolit]

Thanks for introducing us to another pinnacle of refined taste. The game looks very cool, especially the battle-/character-system. Yummy numbers.
You said, these undead had the undead defense type. Does this boil down to defining the enemy type/class/race? Can you grab yourself the resilient divine defense type? Which type are your humans at the moment? And are there combinations possible, for example undead demons?

Also a technical question: Do you had to change your Win7 locale to japanese? I don't like the idea of having to fiddle with this every time i want to play. :--/

Can't brofist yet, so i leave you this motivational picture.

 

[TheEntitledOne]

Using WIN8.1AIDS, using XP compatibility, changed locale, not sure if really needed.

About the char system I don't know all the details but I think each character/monster is stuck with a defence type, but their defence can be influenced by other factors, like slimes being Phy Def based and being magic resistant as an additional racial bonus. Our guys have Psysical (Phy) def.

Some xplanation from the wikia:

http://eushully.wikia.com/wiki/Battle_Goddess_Episode-0:Gameplay

DMG dealt = ((Your attack power - enemy def)*(your attack multiplier - Enemy defense multiplier))*Damage type bonus
iirc, the multiplier refers to the frecuency, or number of attacks/defences you do.

And this is affected by the FS bar from attacker and defender (red-blue bar representing fighting spirit or morale)


Example:

Stats attacker: attack power 81, attack mult 5, type phisical

Stats defender: def 20, def mult 2 type phisical --> DMG type % = 100%

damage dealth = [(81-20)*(5-2)] = 186 with 3 hits. This 186 can be afected by the FS (but I don't think the effect is usually big) and additional modifiers, like temporal buffs.
Overall the game is not difficult, and you have a number of options to deal damage. You can also equip up to 3 weapons per characters, allowing you to switch attack types.

 

[Lagole Gon]

Eh... I don't like the art. But I will follow.
For nee-san's sake ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

 

[TheEntitledOne]

And with this update the prologue ends:

Spoiler

I focused my eyes on something that stirred in the distance and my body moved on its own.

「HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!」

「Guuuh?」

...at their maimed hands and fingers flying in the air.

Dalnos's two blades flashed in a circular movement and passed through the Gomol's throats

「Gargl！ gulr! Gohrl !」


Before they had a chance to react the beasts fell on the ground drowning in their own blood

Where's Kaya? Where's Nee-san?


From the corner of my eye I took sight of a huge Gomol bent over a restrained priestess

「Gyaaaaah!...」

My vision turned red and I rushed forward to dismember the Gomol, Dalnos behind me.

「 KAYA! 」

「Hmmm！　Hmmmmmm!!」


After wiping out the guards I cut off her restraints and removed the cloth in her mouth.

Are those the first words someone being saved is supposed to say?


I sighted in relief... She had numerous grazes and bruises but she was safe.

「You'll complain later! First we have to save the other girls and beat that...thing!」

「Oooooy, I think the cute puppy cockroach finally noticed we're here!」


Dalnos said with his thumb pointed at the thing. Heaps of dead Gomols at his feets.


The insect demon moved its huge crooked body toward us with surprising velocity.

「I'm taking back these people!」

「The women here are my things, wombs for my children to grow. And this one too GEKEKEKEKE」

「Who would bear your child? Over my dead body!」

「As if we'd let you touch a hair on her head.」

「GEKEKEKE... Brainless fool...」

「Whoah！」

I felt bloodthirst followed by a gust of wind over my head as I instinctively evaded again


The beast's claws were lashing at us at deadly speed and Dalnos asked while evading:

「Hey Selika! Are you gonna spout some pacifist nonsense to this guy too? Or can I kill it?」

「Dont show mercy to that thing!」

「It's trying to kill us. No choice... Kaya! Can you fight? 」

「Sure I can! Rather I wont calm down until I burn its ugly face with a magic arrow! 」


[Kaya came back into the party]

This is the formation screen, there are ifferent types of formation. In the basic one, placing Kaya on the yllow area, the back rows, will give her a Def bonus.

There are other formations, and you can have units in the support area out of the battlefield (top-right corner)giving you diferent bonuses, like healing.

「Good, HERE WE GOOOO!」

「Are planning to kill me? With your weak and fragile bodies? GehGehGeh!」

「More importantly ... did you think I would fight alone? COME ... My pet!」

The surface of the lake started to swell and foam... and with a massive splash...

An immense water dragon emerged of the lake and shook the entire cave when landing

「Kekeke! At them my pet! You can eat the men... let the woman live. 」

Since the battlefield is to small, the Dragon will remain on the back until we make some room. In the front we have Goumol, weak to magic. Rajislawa himself is also a Phy Def. type.

I will start by using Selika's tornado and Dalnos' 1x5 attack.

Selika misses the boss...

But at least Dalnos kills the High Goumol, unfortunatelly they targeted onee-san and she is low on HP (I had her bost Selika's defences).

I have Kaya heal quickly with an item and get her back in battle. She has a nice 3x3 Holly attack that helps disposing the trash.

The demon attacks mainly with his claws.

After exchanging some blows we get rid of the fodder we focus on the demon while Kaya puts some Regen status on Selika...

The Demon can't take the concentrated attacks a is killed by Dalnos...

...and the Dragon show up taking the attack Selika had prepared for the demon.

This a Water Def type boss...

It has some resistance to Physic damage.

About the attacks at our dispossal:

Spoiler

Selika has 2 types of skills, or 2 tabs:

Kaya has 3 tabs:

Heal Magic: so far she only has S Magic Breath, that heals 500HP to one ally. Once she reaches Rank D (by using healing) she will get Purification that removes all debuffs from an ally. Better to use some cheap item than wasting MP for healing during boss fights.

Regen Magic: Has Metabolic Promotion, which gives Regen+1 status (1hp per turn to one ally), at Rank D gets a Regen+3 spell.

Holy Magic:

3x3 holy damage is quite a nice spell against Goumol, and the protection spell increase PDef and MDef by a 10%.

Dalnus has a single tab:

Shares a skill with Selika too.

The plan will be to keep everyone healed with Kaya, spam Spinning Blade with Selika and using basic attacks with Dalnos (we run out of TP).

The dragon floods the battlefield, leaving everyone injured and getting us the "drowned" status, a poison like effect, (we can also induce status effect like "paralysis" or "bound", but they haven't worked in the bosses so far)

I have Kaya use a Healing Feather S(mall) to heal everyone.

Hit by hit we wear the dragon down, it tries to heal by using water attacks on self (-100% damage on the chart) but is not to effective.

Finally, Kaya crushes the dragon's skull with a series of brutal staff hits.

Yey! Valhad Ackbar!

「Damn it! Damn you！I wont forgive you! Eveeeer!」

I struck one final blow to the insect demon and it collapsed in the dark waters.

We waited for it to surge out and attack but it continued to sink slowly

「Can't feel its aura anymore... I guess it's dead.」

Around us the lake was dyed in red from the blood pouring out of the dragon's huge body.

The wyrm was convulsing and fighting for every breath but there was no way to save it now.

The moment she said that numerous footsteps echoed within the cave.

「Spheed! Kamino!」

The warpriest Spheed held his breath in shock when noticing the unconscious raped girl

「My god! Did she get raped by a demon?!」

「Before my very eyes, it was worse than hell, if only I had more power this wouldn't have...」

「No, now's not the time for chat! We have to evacuate everybody as fast as possible!」

「After the last fight this place wont hold for much longer!」

At Kaya's words Spheed started to assess the situation. Fragments of the ceiling started to fall, cracks were propagating on the cave walls and the earth vibrated.

「Understood!I'll carry this girl. THOSE WHO CAN RUN HELP THOSE WHO CANT.」

At his shout the women finally snapped out of it:the surrounding men were here 'to help'.

With fragile hope they started to stand,some lending a shoulder to the other and, following Spheed's lead, unsteadily started to run out of hell and toward freedom.

「...Ah...yeah...you're right, let's go.」

Exhausted by the battle I only managed to observe the scene while others helped the girls.

Where in hell did all these monster come from? While pondering my eyes met those of the dying dragon. Was killing it really needed? Was removing the demon's control impossible?

If I had been just a bit stronger, if the demon had died sooner. Maybe then...Maybe

<Yes, he is that kind of hero. For now...>

「Selika! The evac' of the civilians is finished! The hell are you doing?」

「Again with this result, we destroyed everything in our path. Isn't there any other way?」

「That's sad and all yeah but...look here: we dont have time for philosophy now dammit!」

「Uah! Water is flowing through the crack in the wall.」

The spot where the dragon hit the wall was cracking and geysers of water were gushing out

Much faster than we anticipated, the crack in the wall started to spread.

「Herm eh...Dont you feel the earth shaking too?」

We share an awkward glance and then:HOLY SHIIIT We dashed as if death was poking our asses

「Hey, just now... I heard something crumbling ahead of us」

「Let's run back! Spheed's passage collapsed! We'll have to use the one we took to come in!」

Reacting to my voice Dalnos sprinted toward the other exit, still open...for now

Behind us the cracked wall finally collapsed and torrents of water poured out.

「KAYA! FASTER!」

W-Wait! Dont leave me behind!」

Kaya couldnt run as fast as us and I frequently checked on her that's how I saw 'it'

「This is...!」

（Could it be the child of this water dragon?!)

No doubt about it...The dragon pup was desperately pressing its head against

its dead mother's stomach to wake her up.

Unconsciously my legs stopped.

But Kaya soon caught up with me and grabbed my arm, forcing me to resume running.

「Protect your heads! If a rock stuns you you're dead! Move it! MOVE IT!」

The falling dust was blinding us but I continued to run toward Dalnos' voice.

This was seriously bad! The passage was collapsing on me already.

「JUUUUUUUUUUMP！！」

At Kaya's shout I gathered all my strength in my legs and leaped forward.

The ground shook from the collapsing ceiling and a cloud of dust engulfed us

We scrambled back on feet and resumed running until nothing but the sky was above our heads

「Kof Kof! You dont loose limbs when being buried alive. But I'm alive.」

「Hugh- Me too. Kof！ Praised be Valhad for his divine protection.」

Behind us, the passage we just used crumbled too. The ruins were sealed for good

However the structure was still unstable so we decided to take some more distance

While walking I wondered about the dragon pup that I abandoned to an almost certain death.

[Is everyone safe?! <Sigh> Come, let's return to the camp.]

「... Yeah, we have to treat these girls as fast as possible.」

...now taking care of the kidnapped girls while preparing to move back to Macl

For my part I watched the scene from a distance before turning sad eyes to the ruins.

Dalnos felt my brooding but misinterpreted...or did he want to lighten the mood?

「What? Not being tired like you is the strangest thing here, you muscular beast!」

AHAHAH, see the good point if you're too tired to walk I'll carry you back to Macl

「Crap. If only I knew from the start that you were willing to play the horse.」

Dalnos was barely winded from the run and laughed as if nothing had happened

But thanks to him my spirit lifted and I relaxed a bit.

Rather than thinking of what I couldnt do I turned my attention to the girls we saved.

Preparation for retreat were almost done and it was our duty to guard and protect them.

As for the girl who went through the worst among them all she was treated separately.

Kamino was doing her utmost casting every healing spell she knew.

Eventually she met my eyes and I could tell that things didnt look good at all.

「Were we too late?」

「I dont know. At this point only a bishop plus her own willpower could help her.」

Dalnos sighted.This sort of abuse is common and natural for demons

'The strong eats the weak' is a rule of nature demons merely went a step further and in this world humans were amongst the most feeble existences. The easiest preys.

End of Prologue

----->To be continued: Chapter 1: Fate

 

[Excidium II]

Chicks are too thin, there's only one nude screenshot and OP censored it. Mods freel free to retardo

 

[TheEntitledOne]

Chicks are too thin, there's only one nude screenshot and OP censored it. Mods freel free to retardo

Only censored some loli porn, since some posters from freedom land could get

But don't worry, no more censor.

 

[TheEntitledOne]

A small lore dump about the world:

This is Macl, Selika's city, an independent city state. The dungeon we visited are the ruins of Nohia, north-west. Used to be the most important city of the region known as "Avatar", a region containing several nations. Macl is located just in the crossroads of Avatar and the land of "Seirun" (geographically, I guess its in Avatar).

The world itself (called Dirfina) apparently come to be after two dimensions merged together.

The so called Middle Earth is located between two inner seas in the middle north.

Macl is just in the border by the sea. The so called Seirulans (the dominant folk in the city) migrated from the west and have the occasional conflict with the native tribal Stinrulans.

Other details to mention is that when the two dimensions merged there was a devastating war between the gods (the inner sea just south is supposedly a crater of that war), and the so called New Gods were the winners, Valhad among them. We will eventually know more about the "Ancients" too.

An update in a while...

 

[TheEntitledOne]

Chapter 1: Fate

Spoiler

(In game narration)

(Macl)

It was now comparable in size to the old capital Nohia and at the crossroads of several nations. In the West: Seirun, East:The land of Avatar and in the south a sea to link all this.

Exchanges with the north decreased due to recent attacks of monsters but the city was still flourishing. Furthermore Macl was famous for something far more important than its wealth.

It was home to the high temple of StormGod,Valhad,guardian of adventurers and monster slayers.

It was the pivot from where every Seirulan army was sent to defend the north from monsters

[Well...if we talk about defend, Stinrulans were doing most of it. For us it was rather:

"Conquer to protect"and because of this policy relations between Stinrulans and Seirulan have never been worse. Several Stinrulan villages have been forced to accept the Temple's protection.

I don't know whether this policy is right or wrong but Stinrul definitely thinks it's wrong.

Several days had passed since our return from last mission in Nohia. Since then Kaya and

Dalnos had been busy preparing and discussing the details of our next operation.

As for me I had been summoned to give my own report to compare with the others.Routine work.

The temple is modest and sober but grave solemness pressures me every time I set foot here.

Raune-sama is our direct superior. But extremely seldom did I meet her face to face as she is

an eminent member of the clergy of Valhad. This might not be such a routine visit,after all.

[Raune-sama, I am here to report on the events that took place in the old capital Nohia]

[It appears that an unsealed devil had taken control of a water dragon and a Gomol tribe to...]

[You can stop. I actually already heard the details from Kaya.We did not summon you for this]

[Today...Warrior-Selika,for your loyalty, a new rank and a sacred quest is bestowed upon you

[Therefore Archbishop Oreno expressed the wish to meet Warrior-Selika to explain it to him.]

I straighten my back at attention when I hear the name of the man wanting to meet me.

ArchBishop Oreno Yumvanaki.... The head of the temple of Valhad

As close to a king as a person can be in this commercial city-state of Macl.

Meeting him is a privilege I never had before. But for him to ask for me by name. What in the-

Other than the two priestesses I notice that several guards walk with us, watching my moves.

（They're making me kind of nervous... but I suppose it's their job to distrust me.）

Though we aren't on a battlefield,I feel tension and defiance in the atmosphere.

（I cant believe Oreno-sama would summon someone just for a promotion... what in hell is...）

We were walking in the deeper rooms of Valhad's temple where even priests of relatively high rank were prohibited to enter. Only a permission from the top allowed one to enter.

The depths of the temple, aside from a thicker magic aura,did not differ much from the rest.

Slightly more luxurious maybe, a more decorated ceiling, stained-glass windows but still solemn, and sober. In awe, I observed the place when Raune-sama's voice disturbed the silence.

[ ArchBishop-Oreno, as per your wishes I brought Warrior-Selika before you]

The man Raune-sama addressed in such manner slowly turned away from the window to face us.

[Well met Warrior-Selika. I heard great tales of your valour in battle and heroism]

[Inspired by such an outstanding young hero. Our lord Valhad is surely well pleased too.]

[I am unworthy of such praise, your highness is too good.]

[You truly have honoured the memory of your late father and became a splendid warrior.]

[My position only allowed me to watch my deceased friend's children from afar, but today...]

[your accomplishments allow me to thank you,you and your father,and reward you with a new rank]

I lowered my head deeply

My father died in the line of duty while protecting the temple,the citizen and protecting Oreno-sama. I inherited his will after his death and trained every day like a possessed man to be able to defend the weak and those precious to me.

[It is a great honour to receive such words and to accept this new charge.]

At those words he gave a meaningful glance to the priestesses and they answered in a nod.

[Yes! Warrior-Selika, this way.]

Kaya gave me a serious glance and then brought me even further in the temple lower levels.

I felt that I should not go any further in. Something was there... dangerous, beyond my understanding.

[... Nee-san?]

Kaya stopped in front of a massive door and was whispering as if not to disturb 'something'

Her expression wasn't that of the priestess but that of the sister fearing for her brother.

She had scolded me with this face everytime I nearly died. But today it was "in prevention"

[Understood, I'll focus on keeping my mind clear ]

At my words she nodded warily,turned her back to me, took a deep breath and started murmuring magic incantations until I heard a seal break.

We slowly pushed open the heavy doors and I instantly felt as if the world had darkened.

Behind the doors:a circular room overflowing with sealing magic guarding against 'That'.

[I'm closing the door behind us, advance further]

In response to her whisper I carefully walked toward the centre and saw 'It' on a pedestal.

My vision was drawn to the strange thing laying in the middle of the room

A taste of rotten flesh spread in my mouth... I felt cold... I felt sick.

[ Khh......!?]

I felt like the world's whole hatred and demonic aura was directed at me.

I started loosing consciousness as my body and mind were caught within this darkness

All my instincts screamed that I should not let myself drawn any further.

So I mustered all my willpower and desire to live to escape the coercive aura.

Suddenly 4 magic globes set in the stone walls emitted enchanted light. The light gathered around the thing and enveloped it in a thin layer of magic. And the 'darkness' lost its grip

[Instrument of Void?]

[It's a divine gift, a relic. Thought it looks nothing like a gift or anything divine]

Such a wicked thing was one of the gods' 'blessings'? It's mere presence polluted the air and

exuded malevolent waves of magic. Whispers and curses started to resonate in my head.

Impossible... I want to destroy it but...

I felt that even trying to disturb it will destroy my mind and curse my soul for eternity

(I would become an undead and... continue to live forever...)

(... ah yes... I...)

(...I would be able to live forever...)

(This thing is so horrid so why does it feels like any man would love to loose himself in it?)

I felt brain melting sensuality emanating from this horror and my crotch strongly reacted.

Rape it! Plunge my dick in it and die...

Abandon myself to its absolute power

[ Kuh!... Wrong! I... What is this feeling?]

(This thing is trying to invade my head!)

'Touch me!' was the order reverberating in my brain. 'Touch and <its> power will be yours'

<It>? I didn't understand what <it> was but I could feel<it>swelling in me...'in me'?... No!

[ Uwah!]

[... is it bad if I touched it? ]

[Don't you understand... or feel how malevolent this thing is?]

[Yeah... you're right... I think I understand ... well enough...]

[Then let's go back, I too wont resist much longer... more and I'll turn insane.]

The moment I heard her weak and pained voice my concern for her made me snap out of my semiconscious state. Kaya was shaking and sweating abundantly and her eyes were shedding tears

[...... Let's leave quickly.]

The moment we left the room I felt <it> being torn away from me.

We took deep breaths of clean air but this feeling of Sexy Cosmic Horror Voluptuous Horror remained fresh in mind.

[You endured it well... I will walk you to where you can have a rest, you deserve it.]

[...... Thank you ...]

[Warrior-Selika, you return to the ArchBishop.]

[Yes!]

After this, Raune-sama took away an unsteady and livid Kaya

For my part I could support myself sufficiently well by sheer force of will.

[...... ......]

I lower my head without saying a word.

I was shown this Divine relic or gift or whatever. Was that a trial to test my willpower?

[Before you could understand the nature of your quest we though you needed to experience this]

[Warrior-Selika, you are charged to find the purification method of the Instrument of Void]

As no one can actually touch this thing,the only thing we managed so far was to seal it.]

[But Divine Relics are existences that affect the surrounding reality, the seals will not last.]

[Thus we wish of you to find a way to purify it without direct contact or close proximity.]

At his words I raised eyebrows and unintentionally glanced at my right palm. The moment when I touched it I felt a small jolt and the pain still remained so I'm sure I really touched it but..

[Herm... yes... just for an instant but I touched it. I beg for forgiveness.]

[ How can it be possi...]

The guards and surrounding high priests started to stir awkwardly at my words.

[Hmmm... I see... So this is what happened. You do not need to apologize.]

[You really seem destined to be a sacred soldier. I expect great things of you.]

[Your father also was part of the group charged of purifying the relic. But sadly he died.]

[You are given the chance to surpass your father and accomplish his sacred quest]

[Keep your faith in Valhad and heart strong. Succeed and you will be a hero to this temple]

[Yes! I, Warrior-Selika, gladly accept this sacred mission and will do my utmost to complete it.]

[We will gather every information we have on the purification of the Instrument, for now take a well deserved rest and train your mind and body The fights ahead will surely become harder]

[Thank you for your assistance and concern, I will take my leave then.]

I bowed deeply and left the temple of Valhad.

Only at this moment did I realize how big a mission I had been charged with.

After her short break Kaya had left the temple and was waiting for me down the stairs.

[Well I still wait for the temple's instructions to protect the people,not so different...]

[I will think of it as a trial and do my best. I think I'll be fine.]

[Selika ......]

By the way Nee-san, which god made this relic? Maybe we should visit one of his temple? To see?]

[Unfortunately we do not know for sure who's the God who made it]

[I see... I guess I would have been told already if it had been known.]

[This relic has been sealed for ages in the temple. A lot of knowledge on it has been lost.]

[And since it has always been protected and guarded by a selected few priests...]

[If those priest die their secrets perish with them... I see the picture.]

[We will find a way to purge this thing one way or another.]

I nodded confidently and smiled. This was a good day.

As we walk toward home we find people gathered around a small shrine of Valhad, praying.

We must success to protect these people too from the influence of the Instrument of Void.

(But the way I am now I wont be able to succeed I need to strengthen my technique and magic)

I should probably try to go to Nohia alone as a training

Rather, I'm still concerned about the demon... and the dragon pup.

Yeah... I'll leave for Nohia is a few days.

This is the town interface, here you can visit shops, access events, etc...not much to do now.

In the shop we can buy several regular items, as well as bargains (usually more powerful items), but right now we cant buy anything of worth that Selika can use (he is alone in the party).
Oh, and a Holy Paladin of Light&Justice sees nothing wrong with a slave loli chained to the shop counter (just a background character).

I will just equip the ring (we got from the boss fight) since it gives a nice bonus to attack.

The temple offers similar services, + Remove Curse.

With nothing to do in town, we will leave for the suburbs...

Close by,a girl, brutally raped by a demon, was treated.Away from the city noises and people.

[Since we saved her I have been asked to visit her to see if it snaps her out of apathy but]

The figure of the girl screaming in terror and covering her face the moment she opened her eyes was still burned in my memory. She had tried to flee from anything moving back then.

Brooding over it I walked toward the place she was kept at.Few people used this road but...

walking the other way, toward Macl, I met my sister.

[Nothing much I thought about the girl we saved the other day... and without noticing I... ended up walking this way. Did you go to meet her too, Nee-san?]

[...... Hm... Yeah]

Her expression instantly darkened when I mentioned the girl.

Her face alone told me how severe the mental state of the girl was.

[Is there nothing we can do?]

[With what happened, I think she will need more time to calm down.]

[Even if you were to visit her now.]

[Since we were on the scene my mere presence may remind her of 'that' day... right?]

[It wasn't possible for me to meet her face to face.]

[She accepts the presence of the Priestess of Iryun but I couldn't do anything myself.]

(Well if even Nee-san couldn't do a thing, I would make things worse at best)

The only thing for us was to pray for her recovery I guess.

[True... this might the best course.]

In a common agreement we walked back to Macl

[Your sis' is glad you know? To see you go that far for the sake of one young girl.]

[That far? This place is pretty close to the city... ]

[Even if it's near. There are many who wouldn't even take one step.]

[And rather it is seeing you getting interested in one specific person that pleases me.]

[Hold on to these feelings]

Often she had scolded me because I usually make suicidal actions for the sake of others. But never felt the need to even talk to these people.Your behaviour is barely human!She said once.

[Understood... I'll try to remember, promise...]

With a smile showing little hope about this promise she nod to me and we resume our walk

I guess she really is worried about me killing myself,probably more worried than for the girl.

She might be a terror on the battlefield but I shouldn't forget she still is a sensitive girl.

[So... what will you do from now on?]

[Hm... I'm thinking about preparing various things and walk to Nohia once more]

[Walk to Nohia?You wont make it back tod... Teh..You don't plan to come back today right?]

[I want to check on something I spotted last time...It's probably buried under water now but]

I thought about the dragon pup. I wondered if I would feel better if I found out it survived?

Nee-san sighed exaggeratedly and then smiled to me with a warm expression.

[As you wish... if it makes you feel better, please go and come back.]

[I will be careful enough.]

With this laconic reassurance I changed direction toward the old ruined capital Nohia.

Because I trotted on the way rather than walk the day was still high when I reached Nohia.

Pillars and broken walls jutted out from the lake that formed within the old capital.

After our last passage this place had been deserted by men, monsters and demons.

We annihilated every living thing in our path to destroy one demon and protect some villagers.

Why do demons kill and use torture? If they need our vital energy we could just give them some

No need to kill each others. Lost in depressing thoughts I searched the ruins without results.

If I walked fast I would have been able to get to Macl in the middle of the night.But I had no intention of doing so.I wanted to continue and think,was guilt driving me or the will to help?

Hm.Trying to repent do not bring back the dead...All I can do is prevent as many tragedies as possible. And the biggest that can occur would be the Instrument of Void to break the seals.

[An evil that bring forth evil within peoples...]

Originally such demon do not appear so close to sacred cities and Elven forest without being called forth. It is not impossible that it has been instinctively attracted by the evil aura of the relic.

Lost in thoughts,I continued to look for a way into the cave where we last fought

[ By now this dragon child is probably...]

I continued to search until it is far too dark to do so and left the old city for the nearby forest. Still hoping that,however improbable it could sound, the white creature had survived.

I had no idea how I should even react or what to say if I were to meet the dragon pup.

... I'm sorry for everything... were the only words that came to mind...

Would he even understand what I say? Maybe... I continued to walk in the dark forest.

And I found a large clearing near the bank of the lake.

The lake surface projected the image the infinite stars the blue and red moons. It was as if the earth had fused with the dark blue sky and scintillated beautifully.

the earth had fused with the dark blue sky and scintillated beautifully.

I remained stunned by the beauty of the scene and thought that if only I could show such beauty to the world. Most creature would understand that competing and fighting were useless

But I knew very well it was childish to believe they would be convinced by the arguments of an unknown dreaming idealistic idiot. For now all I can and want to do is ...

[Protect Nee-san's and people's smiles... Their everyday peaceful lives. Humans or not...]

[Assure them that tomorrow will come ... Isn't that what everybody wish for? A safe future?]

[That is what I do...for as many creature as I can... as long as my body will allow me to.]

I stretched my back and let myself fall in the grass looking at the sky.

I felt drunk on the beauty of the scenery spread in front of my eyes.

It was as if the world was trying to show me all its marvels.

[ This world is wonderful... be it the sky or earth they are full of wonders]

I didn't feel any aggressive intention and,from the sound, it didn't sound like a large creature


The presence was behind.I slowly sat up not to startle it and turned my head to face it...

 

[Red Eye]

Good to see someone do this.

Ikusa Megami has a great setting.

Eushully should go back to it rather than their recent trash

 

[TheEntitledOne]

Spoiler

...silky red hairs fluttering gently in the wind was facing me and staring at me, surprised.

[Good evening.]

[... herm ... Good evening.]

Her crystalline voice struck me like a chorus in the silence of the night.

I was mesmerised...drawn to these eyes,full of curiosity,that were gently staring at me.

[... ...]
(BOING...OING...OING.)

At loss for words I could only stare back at her.

[... ...]

After a few seconds she tilted her head and gave me a bright warm smile.

Her beautiful red hairs slid from her shoulders and spread a sweet scent in the wind.

I awkwardly attempted to smile back to her but I only managed to make a strange grimace.

How long did we stand here,staring at each other? Maybe seconds? But it felt like an eternity

[...Erm... this is the first time we meet right?]

[ Yes... this is the first time that we meet.]

Was she feeling the same way I did? As I was pondering she continued.

[What is?]

Fate...

... A 'something' against which any resistance is useless.A 'truth' written within the future unavoidable and unalterable by one's own effort Regardless of if this truth is good or heinous...
For my part if I see hatred and sorrow around me I want to believe I can change it.

'Something' that cant be changed no matter how much I struggle...

[I... dont quite believe in it.]

[I see ...]

Although she seemed to think differently she did not seem to judge me nor dislike my answer.

[Dragon cub][ Kuuuuuu... Kuuuuuu ]

A small white creature was comfortably nested in her arms, eyes closed, breathing peacefully.

All my attention focused on her I didn't even notice the small dragon she was holding before.

Could it be the same child I was looking for? Could it have escaped from the ruins of Nohia?

[Is this little one ... your water dragon?]

[Fuhuhu...even as a child, a water dragon do not let himself be 'someone's dragon'.]

[while I was resting my feet in the lake and enjoying the wind,he came and brought me here]

[But for him to approach people so easily ... doesn't he have any parents?]

A small thorn pierced my heart.

But deep inside I felt relived that it... that he could escape from the cave and survived

I felt as if one of my wishes had been granted. I showed a weak smile

[ Eh?.... Ah eh... Hm! Yeah I was looking for him... ]

[ Then it might be that this small one brought me for a purpose. ]

[So that you and me could meet.]

Her clear gaze reflected only conviction.Her words made little sense to me but she was sure.

[ Me... I believe in Fate.]

[... why?]

[ Because I could meet you. ]

The exact same argument ... nothing logic nor even remotely persuasive but it reminded me

My first impression,'is that the first time we meet?' she said yes but frankly I wasn't sure

It was a strange feeling, like finally meeting someone you heard stories about all your life.

Only I never heard about her. Not once...

[Because you could meet me? ... Does that mean you did not believe in fate until now?]

[... that 'something' existed that could force people to murder ...]

But I still want to believe that people have the power to oppose Fate and create their own future... That they just don't know how to... use their Freewill

Freewill. The treasure that shouldn't be abandoned no matter what, a word giving meaning to 'self'

[Say... what do you think about it?]

[ I ... I never really thought about it but if Fate were to exist and if it was decided that the suffering and conflict I see around me is something unavoidable.
Then I would never give up and find a way to use my powers to change it. Dunno how though, any idea how?]

[ Eh ? ]

[My name is Satia Seyruun]

[Oh, erm... I am Selika. Selika of Valhad's Warriors.]

[I see... Then,Selika, remember that if it exists, freewill can only be found within.]

[ Within ...]

[ You can only ascertain of its existence or not after a long long road... ]

[But if someone were to take the road with you, you would be able to find it together.]

The conversation really started to sound strange... All I wanted to do is...

[All I want is to find a way to save those around me...talks about changing Fate are a bit...]

[Then let's try to find this. I will help you along the way.]

[ Herm... thank you but... we just met a minute ago... why would you?...]

[Is it really that important that we met a second ago?]

[I too am looking for a way to make this land as beautiful and pure as the skies.]

[ Since a very long time ago ... ]

My eyes fall on the small dragon in her arms. I had to kill his mother and so many before her.

However hard I tried I never managed to protect anything without sacrificing other lives...

Maybe Fate existed after all... and this was mine... Satia extended her slender white arm.

Where to?

[ No... Anywhere ]

[If it's with you wherever...so please take me with you... to the place you wish for]

[... let's go then... wherever this place might be ...]

We both smiled at the strange exchange and I took her warm hand. The hand of this strange woman met by chance in this improbable place, at an improbable time, who found the child I was looking for in an improbable way and started up a discussion with an improbable question...

I want to talk with her a lot more, I want to know more about her

Where did she come from? Why was she in this place? Why would I be a form of fate to her?

And above else... about what she hoped for, what she wished for the world.

Absorbed in our conversation we took our first steps together toward 'anywhere' .

Satia joined the party...

Without the chance of doing any dungeon crawling or "cave exploring" we return to Macl... (and apparently left the dragon in the lake...)



* * *

City of Macl

Arrived in Macl the west gate was closed so we had to enter through the port.

As always the port was buzzing with workers charging and discharging merchandises, vendors trying to appeal the passers-by,soldiers of Valhad watching vigilantly and children playing.

An old man could be seen looking at the town with a serene face

And women gathered in front of a shrine, praying for the sake of a departing party.

[Random Woman] [Valhad, let your radiance light the way of these adventurers]

[ And on the way back to their beloved ones]

With that the women's voices raised into a song that filled the street with bright sounds.

Satia watched the scene and smiled joyfully.

[Full of life and very animated]

[It's the port that connects the different regions of the world after all. And the temple of Valhad is attracting many people. Nohia too used to be as animated... back in the days.]

[ Ah? Really?]

Whenever I saw her bright expressions I felt strangely happy for some reason.

But this town wasn't always that peaceful, very often there were frictions between races here

Frictions that I couldn't comprehend completely but that tended to be more frequent lately.

[Ara?... What is this gathering?]

[Ah, people gather to buy southern exotic goods whenever a ship arrives from there.]

[What kind of goods?]

[I wonder about that...I've never been interested so I never went there. Want to have a look?]

[Maybe something will pick your interest too. Let's go?]

I didn't expect her answer. Usually when Nee-san is interested she pulls my arm and forces me to accompany her. But I would barely look at the goods and wait through it.

'I want to go together' hearing this gave me a tickling feeling.

...Hmm I am interested in what you would find interesting actually.]

[Fufu.... that's nice to hear.]

[Wah!]

As she was giving me a bright smile a small magic cyclone appeared before my very eyes.

[... A wind spirit?...]

[I never presented her to you right? She has been travelling with me since a long time ago.]

[Though she cannot speak human tongue and she's hard to understand she is my important friend]

[Well then! Pazuno Meneshis. Say your greetings to Selika]

[ Did I do anything to get hated? ]

[Fufu... She's just a tiny bit shy...]


[Satia revealed that she can summon Pazuno ]

(Summon become part of the formation like regular units, they usually drain some parameters from the summoner and when the summoner is KO'd the disappear)


Satia's silky red hairs fluttered and glittered in the wind.

[It seems an even larger crowd is forming]

[Eh?Ah yeah...that...that's true. Maybe we should postpone our sightseeing? There will be plenty of time later. And I want to show you the house I share with Nee-san...where I live...]

[I'd love to meet her... Will you introduce her to me?]

I nodded and then it struck me. We had been walking for hours now after an all nighter

I was used to this kind of thing but I wondered if it wasn't too hard on her.

[Ah erm I'm sorry, we walked without a pause from Nohia you're surely tired right? ]

[Do you know what inn you'll stay at?]

[No,it is my first time in this city so I would be grateful if you could be my host for now]

I wondered how Nee-san would react if I invited Satia to stay with us.......

The modest abode where Nee-san and I lived was empty at the moment.

At this time of the day she probably still were at the temple of Valhad.

[It has?]

[Yes, and it feels like it is taken care of a lot]

She closed her eyes and breathed deeply as if to take in the aura of the house.

...Curious, I imitated her and breathe deeply. At that moment.

[Ah... ra?... A visitor?]

For a few seconds Nee-san stared at Satia,stunned, but soon snapped out of it and giggled.

[Eheh! Were did you find her?]

With a wry smile I introduce Satia to a Nee-san in complete tease mode

[This is my sister, Kaya. She is protecting the surrounding lands as a priestess of Valhad.]

[Ufufu! I'm Kaya,the sister of the simple-minded kid right here.Please simply call me Kaya]

[Nice to meet you]

[My name is Satia Seyruun.]

[As you can see this place is nothing great but please make yourself comfortable.]

[Not at all, it is a lovely home. It feels it's filled with gentleness by the family living here]

Nee-san blushes at Satia's words.

[Ah... Such grand compliment...I'm glad you like it]

[My mother passed away when I was born, she was a Miko from Stinrul.]

[Father was a priest of Valhad, I heard he lost his life protecting the city.]

I had some very vague memories of him but that's all...

It was his sacrifice who inspired us to protect this land too.

[I see...]

[Well Nee-san has as much energy as 3 persons so I never felt lonely at all, dont feel bad.]

[I haven't said anything like that!]

At that moment she jumped on me and locked my head under her arm to tickle me, like always.

That's exactly why I said she was as energetic as three people!

[Fufufu ......]

Satia giggled at the sight of us siblings teasing each other. Nee-san's cheerfulness is one of the points I love but Satia's smile really have a different effect on me and the atmosphere.

Hearing her laugh even my sister started to feel embarrassed and she let go of me.

[Hem well... Satia-san?]

[Please just call me Satia]

[Then, Satia.]

[You said you were travelling right? Did you decide which inn you will be staying at?]

[No...]

[That's why I brought her here. Maybe we could let her stay here?...at least for some time?]

[That is a rare amount of mindfulness coming from you ...]

[ Is that a 'No'? ]

[If my cute lil'bro asks it like that.Fine...it's a bit small but please take the spare room.]

After thanking Nee-san, Satia pulled me closer and said:

[... My I ask for one more favour?]

[If it is within my powers, anything]

[ Actually... I would like you to show me around the city]

[I would like to hear the news and rumours, for that the tavern is the best place, right?]

[...Aah, The thing we call 'Dalnos' is also a sacred soldier of Valhad.]

[He is like an older brother to me... I'd love to introduce him to you]

[Right, and since it would be bad if all these drunkards picked on her be sure to protect her]

[Eh... ah Yeah]

With a smile Satia continued to observe us and said

[It will only repay little of your kindness but if you could accept this protective ritual .]

[Oooh, fascinating! I never heard this incantation but I feel power rising in me.]

[ That's good. It's a ritual charm they use in the northern lands]

[ To insure you a gentle future...]

As she say that she smiles warmly at us.

[Both your city and sister are wonderful. Have you always lived here Selika?]

[I've been born and raised in the village of Cuito, north of Nohia]

[The village of Cuito, by all means I'd like to go there too. I want to know more about you.]

[ If you wish to go this much. I will bring you there.]

There are a few events to visit...we will start with the bar.

[ Thank you...]

Satia shyly took a few mouthful of alcohol while Nee-san gulped down her own glass.

The three of us had gone to the bar for a small toast and eat something. I was a bit disappointed that we couldn't meet Dalnos but there will be plenty of occasions. So we enjoyed simple food and small talks and as the evening progressed Nee-san started to get drunk. Typical

[... It's not like that... I just thought it would be easier for her until she found an inn.]

She still could stand but Nee-san's voice was clearly showing all the signs of drunkenness.

Did she compete in drinking ability with Satia? But Satia still looked sober...

[You got to this age but you've never talked about girls. Nee-san was worried you know?]

[Well you're older than me and you've never managed to get a boyfriend either, right?]

[ Ouch!.... Ouch! It hurts!]

[Nee-san is only waiting for you to get a girl! You might not know but I'm very popular!]

[Then after that it will be your turn to find someone right?]

[ Eh? No...Yes... herm]

[Ahahahaha]

[Ufufufufufu]

Being able to have a happy meal with my sister and Satia,simple happiness, that's all I wanted

[You have a great sister.]

[...... you're right...]

She doesn't like to show it but she has always worried about me and supported me all she could

[...... ......]

[Nee-san?....]

[Thank you for looking out for me all these years...]

(tonight is toothbrush night )


* * *

Next is the marketplace...

Foreigners and villagers from nearby gather here to appeal clients in a confused cacophony.

Strangely enough, they wasted an opportunity to make a dick vigor pun.

[Random Guy][It is found in a dungeon near our village, rare stuff! In other shops you'd have to pay double!]

We were using the plant for potions so I could tell this wasn't some scam, rather the quality was not bad at all. If Nee-san was here she would jump on the occasion with sparkling eyes.

But I wasn't planning any long lone expedition for now, I didn't need this.

At my side stood Satia, sometimes watching the goods, sometimes observing me.

[When you walk through the town like this, do you ever find anything you want? I bet not]

[ No ...... Not really]

Thinking back on it that was true. I've often been dragged along by my sister in this street

[I often buy consumables and necessary stuff for battle... and food ... ]

[But for anything more I feel it would be a waste to buy something I have no use for... ]

This too was something that worried Nee-san a lot. Acute Anti-Materialism she was calling it

You're not encumbering yourself cause you think you'll die soon! I disagreed with her but...

[With magic tools your abilities and income will raise and you'll be able to get better food.]

[I rather believe in daily training than fancy equipment for battle, in case I lose everything]

[As for food as long as it's nourishing I don't really care for the taste. Dalnos is different

[If my income is not enough after our usual dungeon exploration I take some jobs in the hills]

[You always do dungeon crawling? ]

[The place depends on who's with me but ever since I could fight properly... yes]

[If I am alone I scout and protect the hills and surrounding area. I know them quite well]

[ Is this way of living strange? I feel it is enough but...]

Not having any desire for more comfort. Not having a hobby or any distraction and spending all my time perfecting my swordsmanship until my arms fall off... to protect others...

[I see, it's probably enough ...I guess for you this lifestyle is one of the world's treasure]

[Because you treasure something spiritual you find material possessions rather pointless.]

[ You might be right... you're probably right...]

[Hm! I think that's one of your truth]

[ For my part at least... I like the kind of person you are]

Satia hid her slightly embarrassed expression with a gentle laugh.

I never really thought about myself so deeply. Nor did I compare myself to others...

Having few desires... Desires and envy bring conflict ...

So I though it was natural to think like that to avoid conflict. But I guess I'm a rare case.

[ Your insights are quite interesting...]

[ Fufu... thank you ]

Now that I think about it, Satia did travel to many places and must have met many odd people...

That's probably why she can fell at ease around an oddball like me. The though made me smile.

* * *

Selika checks on Liz (demon raped loli ) next...

I asked around where she was living now and I have been told the address of a small house at the far end of low-town. It was the house of a distant relative of the girl taking care of he

(Old "Man")

[I do not hold the title yet. I am still a mere Warrior, Selika is my name]

[Old Lady] [You may not hold the title but for me and this girl you saved you are a Hero plenty enough]

I wish she wouldn't be so grand with her praises I only managed to save her life after all

[I heard of her state from the priestess Kaya and I came to see if there is anything I can do]

[Is she still... mute?]

[Old Lady] [Yes...she hasn't spoken a word yet...But could it be that Hero-sama came here for her sake? ]

The old woman bowed frantically as I answered with a simple nod.

[Old Lady] [aaaaah... thank you for your kindness, I am sure Liz will appreciate the gesture]

[Liz? Is this her name?]

[Old Lady] [Yes, she is a pious and gentle child, for her to be attacked by a monster... such tragedy...]

[Old Lady] [Lately she sometimes find the strength to leave bed but today ... I am sorry, truly sorry...]

[There isn't anything to apologize for. The day I can meet her will surely come.]

[Old Lady] [I will tell Liz that Hero-sama came to see her, without fault.]

(I guess this is all I can do for now)

I bowed to her and was about to leave when I heard light footsteps coming from the back room.

The half hidden figure of the girl appeared in the door frame. She held her head down and...

[Old Lady] [ Liz...]

That was all...4 words and she disappeared back into the room but the old lady broke in tears.

[Old Lady] [Aaaaah!... Liz has... Liz has spoken...]

If she ever want to meet me I will come again for now please be by her side.]

Is what I said after the old lady calmed down. With some last parting words I left Liz' house.

* * *

Finally back at home...

After our meal Nee-san started barking at me while I was taking care of my sword.

[You're so meticulous in dungeons but you're really a lazy swine the rest of the time!]

[...... Aaah ...... sorry]

['Sorry' my ass! If you have time to luster your sword then do some cleaning incidentally!]

I ended up with a worn up broom in hand faster than my eyes could follow. Now the problem was:

(This... I'm sure you have to move it right and left alternatively but... which side down?)

Was there a manual to learn how to use it? When she saw my puzzled expression Satia smiled.

[ Ouchouch ouch! That hurts!]

(he actually managed to hit himself in the head. Hilarious. Unfortunately the game doesn't take long to end the slice-of-life part)

[Don't even think about asking for her help!]

[With my authority as your 'Big Sister' I will straighten your lazy personality.]

[I'm cleaning right now and I didn't ask for help yet, did I?]

Well...no way out of it. It wouldn't hurt to tidy things up sometimes. I quietly started to sweep

[In place of our parents, as the elder sister I have the duty to raise him properly,that's all.

[And I'll also make sure courtesy and good manners sink into this thick skull of his]

[Speaking of manners, you should stop walking naked in front of your brother at our age]

[ Shut it! Raaah what are you blabbering in front of Satia?!]

Satia started laughing again. These arguments were quite ordinary for me and Nee-san but having someone watching really felt strange.

[Oh by the way...Do you have any siblings, Satia?]

[Me?]

[ Heee? 100% girls? Must be fun and very lively.]

[That's true they're sweet, but I haven't met them in so long, nor did I hear about them lately]

She answered with a melancholic smile,turning her gaze toward the window. I glanced at Kaya.

[I see... I'm sorry about it, I hope you will find them soon.]

[Could it be that you are travelling to find your family's whereabouts?]

[ ... Hmm! Well yes... there is little of this too...]

[Onne-sama is fine but my little sis she's too pure and often get wrapped up with wrong people]

[Onne-sama too, often have scolded this child because of that.]

[ 'Try to think properly!...If you're too nice then you will get used by people' ]

[But her pure heart is one of her qualities so I never stop praying for her safety.]

[Fufu, you too cant help but to worry about your cute little sister.]

[Yes... we went through painful times and sad times together and always fought side by side]

[Now the only thing I can do is to pray that she is happy... somewhere.]

[ I kind of understand the feeling...]

My sister's voice started to sound sad... I started to try to imagine Satia's siblings when...

[Uwah!]

[Don't just swing the broom randomly, don't daydream and pay attention to what you're doing!]

[ Eh? Isnt a broom made to be swung like this? To send dust in the air so it would fly away?]

[...... ......]

[...... ......]

[... It was a stupid mistake of mine to even think this child could handle the broom...]

[ Ah! Enough! I will do it myself! You go do maintenance on your sword.]

[Satia, can I have you watch this little kid so he wouldn't mess up any other room?]

[Yes! Onne-sama! ]

The melancholy left Satia as Nee-san and her started to grin to each other at my expense.

[ Ah... there is still something salvageable in what fell... that's a potion!]

[a drop of 血廉 was obtained]

Satia and I left the room and I felt a bit ashamed to have shown such ineptitude to cleaning.

[I hope you can find your little sister soon...]

She answered quietly and lost herself in thoughts. Seeing that it stirred painful memories

I stopped prying, resuming sharpening my sword and we spent the rest of the afternoon in silence


* * *


* * * * *

Village of Cuito

A small community that barely harbours 200 people living in the middle of one of the most harsh climate around. But comparatively there were very few monsters around since this place was a sacred land where several guardian spirits lived.

It was also the only village in contact with a tribe of humanoids living secluded on the peaks.

[ Well... there really isn't much to see around here]

[A gentleness resulting from interactions without any ulterior motives]

[ Do you really feel all these things? ]

[ You don't? ]

[ I was born and raised here. So all I feel is... it being normal.]

[There are simple houses, some animals... and nothing else]

[Oh...there! Just next to the stream, this is the house where I was raised]

[ Well... now it is an abandoned house I suppose]

[I'd like to go and visit it.]

Satia said after spotting the wooden building I pointed at.

[ But... there's nobody inside... nothing.]

[ But I still want to see it. I cant?]

[ Well... if you wish I'll show you inside.]

I shrugged my shoulders and took a step toward the abandoned old house.

[Well... this is my home]

When I opened the door the accumulated dust soared and glittered in the light.

[Fragrance? ... It only smells like dust and mold to me... not exactly 'wonderful']

[You're wrong. The fragrance of the family that lived here still remains.]

Satia stood here,same as before,eye closed and smiling as if she could see images of the past.

[ Detergent ...stew... and a lot of other smells...]

Even after this time the smells of the family that lived here remains.]

I tried to imitate her an smelled but I only managed to sneeze from the dust. Satia laughed

[Smells... Since I cant remember her I suppose this is all that remains of my mother]

[ She was a Miko of Stinrul you said?]

[ Hm! I never asked all the details but ...]

[One day she had a vision and came to share it with the temple, there she met my father.]

[Mother helped father with the prophecy at the cost of her own status and powers and...]

[Bonded with your Father right?]

[She was called a savage and the people from Macl refused to let her stay so they came here.]

[Because this village interacts with other species they don't prejudice against mixed blood]

[Then your sister was born... and you.]

[When she was in her last month of pregnancy she got attacked by a demon while gathering herbs.]

[I somehow managed to survive but father never recovered from it.He started to spend all his energy trying to mediate between Stinrul and Macl,chasing demons or training.Day and night]

[ I also had my sister with me so I never felt lonely ]

[Though he hasn't exactly been a good 'father' I came understand and respect his way of life]

[ Is it? I wonder...]

[Your mother lived happily and took good care of this home for the sake of her children]

[... which is why such gentle fragrance has remained]

Possible... I didn't share such a strong conviction that she had been happy but...

[Do you want to meet the village chief? You could say she's the one who actually raised me.]

[ By all means.]

[Let's go then, she's surely home at this hour.]

I took her hand and we left the house.

[It sure is noisy today.]

These people who usually live their lives silently had gathered and were discussing.

Many show a serious expression and there is restlessness in the air.

[Chief... has something happened?]

[Chief] [ In fact ......]

The village chief told us about the problem while showing an egg to us.

A Ragtamn's egg, the sacred beasts living in the northern valley, have been retrieved here

The eggshells after hatching are of great value and a necessary income for the village

But a poacher took an unhatched egg which may anger the beasts.

So the villagers wanted to bring the egg back in its nest before the theft was discovered.

[ How long has it been since the egg left the nest?]

[Chief] [Looking at the surface of the egg, not long... we might still have time before it dies.]

[Chief] [Son... could you go the the valley of Snowmoon and put back the egg?]

[Chief] [ Recently there have been too many monsters for any of us to reach there safely.]

[ Monsters? Even here?]

Nohia, Macl, Quito... there have been an awful lot of demons in the region recently

... An evil Instrument that call forth evil they said.

Could all this really be the influence of the Instrument of Void?

[Chief] [Hmm... I suppose that even for a warrior of Valhad like you this is a risky task.]

[No I can do it, it's just that it reminded me of something else.]

[If we handle the egg with care we should be able to do it but if we don't...]

[Chief] [Ah that's true... well if the egg dies then there will be helping it and we will use it.]

An eggshell sells for a high price and would suffice to feed the village for 1 winter.

Of course if possible I would prefer to return the egg back to the nest safely.

I opened my map and looked at the possible path to get to the valley then raised my head to

check if I could find the path on the mountain.Satia did the same and we compared our pathings.

Looking at us working harmoniously the village chief became curious.

[Aaah sorry, herm she is Satia... a sacred maiden of Nasatia.]

[She studies the customs and histories of the different lands so she's travelling with me now]

[Satia, this is the village's chief, the person who brought me up with Nee-san]

[ I am Satia Seyruun, nice to meet you.]

[Chief] [My little Selika is the pride of this village please get along well.]

[Chief] [He used to be so small and cute, who would have though he would grow so tall and charming.]

[ Please chief... dont bring out old stories]

Satia smiled and the village chief started laughing

[Chief] [He was becoming famous in Macl so we hoped to see a young beautiful bride and there you are]

[Chief] [For the sake of this granny who doesnt have long...come back with a baby next time]

[ Chief! Please stop! You're embarrassing her ... we're not married]

[ Fufufu..]

[Satia... sorry for this ... erm ]

[With pleasure]

I thought she would be upset by the chief's assumptions...But she had only blushed a bit.

And now she's staring at me, like always.

[I want to know you much more.]

[I want to hear stories of your childhood as well.]

[Chief] [You came to the right place.I 'll tell you all of it, from the day he last wet his bed to now]

[ Sa..Satia! Let's go!]

I seriously didn't plan on having all my embarrassing stories recorded in the report she will have to give to her high priestess. I took the hand of a giggling Satia and we left.


* * *


* * * * *

The valley harbours many rare things. From precious herbs to the Ragtam, a rare magical beast.

But the way to get there is fairly bad and dangerous,even with good legs it takes half a day

to get there from the village. It's a beautiful place but not somewhere you can visit easily.

We didn't meet any monster or demon so we managed to advance relatively fast.

That's good... since we want to return the egg as fast as possible.

With some luck the parents didn't notice it was absent

[ Are you sure? ]

[I think it will be easier for you to open the path this way]

[And since we don't know what kind of monster will appear you will need to react fast.]

[ Hm, true]

I handed the egg to her.

I was the size of a fist and resembled that of a chicken but with a white pearl colour.

When crushed finely and incorporated in weapon it helps holding powerful enchantments.

[ Such wonder ......]

[You justified it quite well but... ]

[Actually you just wanted to touch it right? Curiosity of a maiden of the goddess of knowledge]

At my words, she laughed timidly. Like the child whom mischief was completely uncovered.

She hugged the egg quietly and gently.

If I could I would have liked to let her keep it...

[Shall we go? If we wait too long it might hatch in your arms and we already raise a dragon]

[Fufufu ... this might make a nice sibling for him.]

We shared another happy smile and stepped into the valley.

 

[TheEntitledOne]

Spoiler

Lots of work + 3rd world internet = just a mini-update...

So Satia and Selika reach de Snow Moon Valley to return an egg to a flying creature.

There are several branching paths, shortly we reach a healing spot. We will use the area for some grinding (lower level than The Girl? Shame on you Selika!)

Satia is a Knowledge Seeker, follower of Nasatia, some kind of wisdom Deity of the New Gods variety.

Satia can use staves, like Kaya or Slings, which deal FS damage, Morale Attack type, worthless agaisnt most though oponents but good for dealing which group of trash. If a enemy losses all FS they run from battle (I think you keep the rewards).

She has healing magic (for now limited to E rank), she can summon Pazuno, has pick related buffs and morale affecting magic.

Pazuno is quite decent at dealing holy attacks, otherwise she has the same morale affecting attacks.

The morale affecting magic is related to the so called "Succubuss Drain Magic". Of course, Satia a "Maiden of Nasatia" would have nothing to do with such magic and the fact that her spells are represented with a hearth is just a coincidence. The first spell deals FS damage, the second one is a Holy damage attack and the C rank one boost the teams FS and removes the fear status.


The game isn't too grindy, but having an Auto Mode (you can pick the AI mode, I pick Rando) and speeding the action with Ctrl is quite tempting (any way I won't abuse it for this LP).
By fighting we earn XP, Gold, some items and we increase our skill ranks.

Of course in Random AI he uses also Magic, is a nice way of boosting all skills.

The area is populated mostly by worm and hound type monsters, as well as harpies. Harpies can deal confusion blocks the use of Special Attacks (TP consuming ones).

For now we kill some trash mobs with both TP and MP...

Selika soon achieves the same 1x5 Special Attack Dalnos has.

We also boost weapon skill level (required to use better weapons).


Eventually we earn a few levels...

Satia Boosts her healing powers...

And at rank B she gets and area morale attack.

Pazuno improves her magic...

Another rank and she will get and area Holy attack.

I could keep doing this and make the first couple of chapters trivial, but better not cheese it.

I use most of XP collected by Selika and improve parameters, automatically jumping from level 21 to 30. For now I will keep improving the parameters homogeneously.


For now we will advance the adventure...

There are plenty of dead ends...

North is the only open path.

In the new area we pick two paths. The hippy couple will try to avoid conflict...

-->To be continued (when I get some decent internet+time)

Just to note, after the raping insects the game will be a bit light hearted for a while but things pick up and get Xtreme (and it wont take forever for that).

 

[Red Eye]

don't read if you haven't played the sequels

It took a while to realise that the red head isn't Selika in this game

 

[TheEntitledOne]

don't read if you haven't played the sequels

It took a while to realise that the red head isn't Selika in this game

Spoiler

if you played the saga, what is an Ancient supposed to be? A mortal that ascended into Godhood, or an Old God?

 

[Red Eye]

don't read if you haven't played the sequels

It took a while to realise that the red head isn't Selika in this game

Spoiler

if you played the saga, what is an Ancient supposed to be? A mortal that ascended into Godhood, or an Old God?

Spoiler

Unfortunately I played the saga before my Japanese was good enough to say for sure.

I'm pretty sure it's the latter from how I interpreted things but that's about 75% sure - now watch the ending of IM Zero blatantly prove me wrong

 

[TheEntitledOne]

Spoiler

I looked up to the sky to check whether that shadow was a bird's or a monster's

But what I saw was one Ragtamn gliding in the air .

It was describing large ovals while scrutinising the ground

If it can cast such a shadow it must be fairly big.

[ What kind of nest do Ragtamun build? ]Satia asks while carefully holding the egg.

[From the ground it looks like a heap of rocks. ]

[But they use their feather for the inside so we look for feathers spread near a bunch of rocks]

[ Just look for a large heap of boulders gathered in a strange way.]

[ I see... In a strange way]

[All the living things are also strange and mysterious in a way.]I smile, it wasnt exactly the 'strange' I was talking about but whatever.

We continue to climb

We need to find easy paths since Satia cant use her hands freely to climb.

While I continued to scout for a way up I peeked at the sky.

[Waaah]

[Kyah!]

The passage was much more brittle and fragile than I expected and crumbled under our weight.

By reflex I caught Satia and held her to cushion her fall.

[ Satia! Are you alright? ]

She started blushing while shifting gaze and I noticed that I was still hugging her tightly

[ Ah... So... Sorry]

I let go of her and we separate in an embarrassed silence. Followed by a hearty laugh.

Well... this wasnt the best passage I could find...

[Better find a way around this narrow passage, it's too dangerous.]

[ True... with the snow and ice the paths are brittle and slippery. We've got to be careful]

[ There might be other places like that, let's not approach the edges ]

We fell down to the previous area. There is a chest there. If we want to get all items we will need to "fall" a few times...

We get a defence buffing scroll.

While we are crossing the frozen bridge we fall into another area...

We get to the other side of the broken bridge, but we fall again...

At least Selika can improve some stats now with those items.

We find a healing spot an a new area north...

[ Opening your wings in the wind.... this must feel so good.]

I stop to let Satia the time to rejoin me and looked at the beast too.

I heard a lot of stories from the village chief about Ragtamn in my childhood.

But since they have been hunted like monsters there are few places where they can be found.

To make things worse when they are calm their gemlike eyes are green but turn red when angry

and legends say that taking one green and one red eye from the same beast brings great fortune

So they were hunted a lot. While we were climbing I was telling Satia such stories.

[There was also this story about the Ragtamns granting good fortune when met face to face]

[ I see...]

[ Many magical beast feed on and are entirely made of magic.]

[ They might have the power to change providence in a way unknown to us.]

[Well if it can spare some 'benediction' I'm looking forward to it.]

[ Yes... it would be fun.]

We some come to the area on the other side of the frozen bridge, there is a path west blocked by monsters we will avoid bloodesd as the LARPing pansies we are (we miss a 1200Gold reward).

There are some point on the plot were you can avoid bloodshed and sometimes get some minor rewards out of it. For now we will just LARP a pacifist Hero, since there is no chance that Selika will turn into a life destroying rape-monster.

We ipck the path east instead and climb to the top of the mountain.

This time we will need to deal some rat diplomacy on the monsters, not way around them.

Satia and Pazuno's demoralizing attacks make some monsters run away and Selika kills the rest.

After disposing them we reach a circle of stones...

[Just a little further...]

The Ragtamn's nest was just a few meters higher.

I climbed a bit further so I could replace the egg back in place.

Surroundings darkened suddenly.

[??]

I raised my eyes toward the sky.

[ Kuh!]

[ Ha! ]

I rolled on the side to evade the skydiving beast and unsheathed my sword.

Shiiaaaaaaaa

It flapped its wings and rose to prepare for the next attack.

[ The mother of this egg? ]

The beast joined its companion high in the sky, it made one circle before diving again.

The Ragtamn landed before me to cut my path and opened its wings,letting threatening cries out

Both its eyes had the colour of blood

[Stop it! We're just here go bring back the egg. I don't intend to harm you!]

Shiaaaaaaa!

This monster's Def. Attribute is Artificial, which has a 50% vulnerability to Holy, 100%, 150% to thunder and are immune to morale damage.

Selika's 1x5 Thunder spell will be the attacks I will spam at least until MP holds.

The monster has only a couple of thousands of Hit Points, so it should be easy enough.

It mostly attacks with it's claws, but it also has an area FS damaging attack.

While Selika spams thunder I have Satia heal and Pazuno put some protections. Satia will also recover our FS.

One last "Electric Shock" and the fight is won.

The beast still had red coloured eyes but they flashed green in its moments of weakness.

[ Stop it already!]

[ Why does he continue to attack?]

Satia was desperately trying to transmit our intentions peacefully.

[ We just came to return the egg...]

[ Look... We don't have any intention to attack! ... So just... ]

Satia raised her arms and the egg to clearly show it to the Ragtamn.

[ Watch out! ]

[ Kyaa! ]

The beast had leaped the distance in an instant and its talon missed her by a hair's breadth.

[ Aaah the egg!]

It wasn't aiming at Satia but at the object she was holding in her hand. But the bird like creature didn't stop its course,it rose until it reached high enough and let itself drop down.

[...... why?]

The Ragtamn and egg had charged the earth at full speed and crashed with a loud sinister noise

Only silence remained and we stood here... stunned.

However you looked at it it was a deliberate suicide... but from a beast?

Behind us: a flutter of wings. Several Ragtamns were perched on rocks.

They had green eyes and looked calm, merely staring at us with curiosity.

[ It looks like they aren't... I wonder how... ]

[ I don't know but ... it looks like they expected this.]

Though there were many of them around... only one Ragtamn actually attacked us.

Was that their normal behaviour or an accident? I couldn't tell.

[ Let's at least pray for it ]

[Let your body return to the soil, your soul to the sky and know that your light will be missed

I climbed down into the ravine and cut loose one of the mourning seals of Valhad's soldiers.

Satia watched me the whole time and ended up whispering.

[I heard them from father, I thought that the Ragtamn wouldn't want Valhad's words.]

[...... ......]

Satia continued to stare at me silently.

[Let's go... unless you want to observe the Ragtamns a bit more.]

[ No... I don't want to risk causing another uproar... let's go back.]

[ It has turned out sadly in the end but I am glad you were so mindful]

[ Mindful? ]

[ You mourned and thought about your words... ]

I looked down at the bottom of the valley once again.

Of course a miracle didn't happen and the bloody spot in the snow remained silent.

[Regardless of grudge, hate or enmity I want to give every life the respect they deserve]

[ Like my father did before me... but I am still far away]

[ Would he be still alive I would have liked to properly meet him, together with you.]

She smiles and nod slowly, her red hairs shining in the sun.

[Let's hurry back to the village then, everyone's probably worried about the egg and us.]

She nodded and we linked hands before walking down the path.

From the mountain side, dozens of Ragtamns were silently staring at us with green eyes


* * *

After walking down from the mountain we went to the chief to tell her what happened..

Villagers were waiting expectantly and shoot sparkling gazes at us.

But seeing our expression they understood that it didn't go well and they dispersed.

Only the chief remained

[ Don't mind it...]

[If it had been someone from the village he would have been killed so...]

I glanced at Satia, lost in apparently depressing thoughts.

It seemed that she blamed herself for letting go of the egg 'before we could do anything'.

But when she noticed my stare she put up her usual smiling mask.

[ Satia... it wasn't your fault.]

[ Thank you... for worrying ]

[ But I am fine.]

[ Maybe we shouldn't have tried to give back the egg...]

We remember the last moments of the Ragtamn.

We were still wondering if what it did was an accident or intentional.

Chief [Satia-san,you cannot do everything right... Sonny, please show her 'that' place.]

Without a word the chief nodded once,eyes closed, and left us alone.

There is a secret place known only to the villagers... it is usually prohibited to reveal it.

But it the chief herself gave us permission.

That means she trusts Satia as much as any other people of the village.

[In the depths of the cave there is a secret place only known by us.I'd like to show it to you]

[ Hm! Very well ]

If she sees that place, maybe her melancholy will dissipate a little.

I looked up at the bright blue sky above Cuito while thinking so.

We leave the village for the cave on the other side of the stream. Satia's steps are a bit disheartened as she is still brooding over what happened.

[It wont be long now.]

[ Hm! ]

I was surprised at myself about worrying so much about someone other than Nee-san...

[ There it is... ]

[ Hng... what is this light?]

On a bedrock, at the far end of the cave, something was glittering.

It was an oval shaped lump of translucent crystal.

[ It is the most well guarded secret of the village of Cuito.]

The crystal bathed in the white light falling from the roof and reflected it with the seven colours. The room, bathing in rainbows,appeared like a door to a faerie world.

[ So beautiful...]

[ Is it... fine to approach?]

[ You can even touch it]

[ It's really a beautiful stone... it's smooth and without cracks...]

[A polished jewel? What kind? ]

I shrugged at her question as I had no idea myself and she resumed looking at the mysterious stone. She tried to pass her thin arms around it but with its size you need at least two person.

[ Hmmg!... Impossible, I cant move it either..]

[Men of the village tried to move it but it's actually firmly rooted in the rock...]

[But you felt it too right? The magic power emanating from it when you touch it.]

[Yes... it was gentle and warm.]

She tried once more, eyelids closed. And enjoyed the comfortable magic flowing out.

There have never been anybody harmed by the stone so I left her enjoy it all she wanted.

This stone... we did not hide it in fear that someone would steal it since it's fixed.

There was another reason as for why it has been kept secret.

[Hey, come. Sit down here... it will start soon.]

What is? She had been tempted to ask but she complied and leaned her head on my shoulder.

We could observe the slow movements of the coloured reflections on the walls as the sun made its course in the sky. That in itself was beautiful but...

[ There, they came! Can you hear it? Satia.]

[ Impossible ......]

The magic creatures turned two pairs of green curious eyes at us. Ragtamns are absolutely not afraid of humans nor aggressive. These two simply seemed to find our presence here interesting.

Which is why I found the behaviour of the other Ragtamn so confusing.

[ Why did they come here?]

[Ah erm...They often come here in couple...A male and a female...it is their breeding ground]

[We don't know which is male or female but they have a very subtle ritual for courtship.]

[And usually they don't mind a public watching...]

[They are mysterious creatures, so far nobody ever found what they eat]

[ Nobody? ]

[ Yes, we observed them a long time but neither in the nest nor here did we ever find food]

[It may be possible that they were originally artificial creatures.]

'Artificial creatures' ... man made bodies animated with magic. This was a lost magic in this part of the world. But most adventurers at least knew this: they were not living creatures

[Artificial creatures... I heard that they were being brought about by alchemy]

[But a breeding behaviour in a man made creature seems a bit strange.]

However you look at it, giving a man made golem the behaviour of a bird.

And going as far as giving them a courtship ritual is a bit bizarre.

[ You're right, an artificial creature is the fusion of magic and technology]

[ But I have read... in old documents... about one that changed eye colour, since we were not in a dungeon I didn't make the connection]

I heard that, in most case, they cant replenish their energy by themselves.]

[Then, how, ......]

[ This beautiful stone here is emitting power right? Maybe they are draining it.]

[ If that's the case then it can only maintain a certain number of individuals 'fed']

[And if the magic dries out from overuse and overpopulation the whole crowd might 'starve']

[They may have disposed of the egg from the start to avoid this.]

[......]

watching the metal birds.They paired by repeating soft motions with their beaks, tail and wings.

As we watched something strange happened...

Part of the stone distorted as if a liquid droplet of it flowed up and out of the stone.

[ Ah...an egg......]

One of the mysterious creatures took the egg in its beak and they flew away.

I wondered if anyone ever assisted to this spectacle.

[ The moment they 'laid' their eggs? I suppose.]

Satia who held her breath during the 'birth' finally exhaled and relaxed .

In the end ,artificial beings or not, for us these creature were alive plenty enough.

Though we brought death to one of them a new life was born thanks to that. The circle of life

It felt like like they were giving us a chance not to repeat the same mistake again.

Rolling to my feet there was a marble like thing, white and perfectly round. I picked it up...

It was a fragment of the 'liquid rock' that did not fused with the egg. The size of a pearl

Making a necklace out of it would be perfect as a memento of this day...

[...... You're right... there are very few practitioner talented enough to do so.]

[Didn't you find a name in these old documents you had read?]

[ Actually......]

She seemed to focus a bit to bring forth old memories.

[ Brear... That's it. Breard, I think that is the name I read.]

As expected of a maiden of Nasatia one of the divinity of knowledge, she really knows anything

[Heeh... Breard... Maybe he's still in this world creating strange wonders.]

[ I'd be glad if he were. ]

We spot the two golden birds flying and shining together in the distance.

[ Eh? Ah Ahhh... yeah it does, doesn't it?]

I was remembering the touch of her soft shoulder, the sent of her hairs and the image of her sparkling eyes. The warmth and joy we shared in this cave... for me it was the most beautif...

[ What is it? Do I have something on my face?]

[ Ah... No... nothing... it's nothing, ahaha...]

[ Fufufu]

I turn my blushing face toward the peaks with a satisfied smile...

I wanted to cheer her up... I guess I managed to achieve that without major blunder.

Let's hope that we will manage to avoid tragedies in the future... I looked at my palm

And that I will be able to do good with this hand that only knows how to wield a sword.

A white slender hand slowly approached mine and gently pressured my palm.

[ Thank you ]

[ Eeeeerrm. ]

Satia stares at me expectantly.

I took hold of her hand and said.

[ Yes...]

And we enjoyed each other's proximity for the rest of the day,looking at the scenery of Quito

 

[TheEntitledOne]

Spoiler

Before returning to Macl we make a stop at the ruins...

For this reason alone we returned to the old capital Nohia. A gentle wind blew over the beautiful scenery that didn't show any trace of the tragedy that took place not so long ago.

During these past few weeks, the demonic aura surrounding the ruined city have dissipated.

[ The child that brought us together... right?]

I owe this little dragon a lot... and I didn't even start to pay for what I did to him.

[ I wonder if he will appear before us again?]

[ He will come.]

[ Where does this conviction comes from?]

[It's not conviction,it's a wish. If our wish is strong enough he will surely respond to it.]

After saying so Satia closed her eyes while facing the lake.

[ Sa... Come ...]

For my part I raised my eyes and started watching the clouds running in the sky.

The world was bright and dazzling.

I heard a splashing sound and turned my head toward it.

[ Ah! He came... Sa! Come in my arms...]

[Kuah Kuah]

The small white creature cried joyfully and gently started licking and nibbing Satia's nose.

[ Fufufufu... that tickles.]

[He has taken quite a liking to you]

[ To you too...]

Did he now? I held out my hand and,after a few seconds,the child nested his head in my palm.

He was warm.

I thought his skin would have hard scales but it was smooth and silky.

[So soft... and warm]

[He is still small so his protective scales haven't grown yet.]

He is quite vulnerable without it...

Without his parents it will be difficult for him to survive... I lowered my head

[ Are you worried?]

[ Yes... that there is nobody to protect him.]

When I raise my eyes, Satia is staring at me with a smile

[ Aren't we here? ]

[ We are... and I want to protect him but we cant be here with him at every moment]

With a motherly expression Satia answered to my insecurities.

[You know... this child is quite strong. All the protection he needs from us would be...]

[That we sometimes come to check if there isn't something dangerous around or if he isn't hungry]

[and then hug him and give him plenty of love]

Satia rubbed her cheek on the dragon's head and the small creature wagged his tail while crying joyfully. I'm always impressed at how she can say such embarrassing lines so naturally.

[ He looks very comfortably installed]

[We cant really replace his parents but we can do other things for him, we can hug him.]

[Isn't it wonderful?]

Satia's words dissolved some of the doubts I harboured. Even if the crime of killing his mother will never disappear there are things I can still do for him

So we just need to watch over him...

He wouldn't have any problem with a human but defend him if a demon try to harm him.

And then one day, when he feels like leaving just let him go.

[ If you watch over him he'll surely be gentle ]

[Kuah♪]

For now I will try to do as Satia said and trust the future.

After that we remained by the lakeside and played with the dragon till the next day.

* * *

Back in Macl we visit the market first...

The port was rather busy today. Ships from Milf, Belria and Minie had arrived at the same time.

The News spread through the city and I didn't manage to hide before my sister dragged me here

[ Ah ... euh... well... maybe? .... Probably...]

We haven't been able to find the time to do any shopping lately and when I had time I spent it with Satia so my sister was already out of control and was rushing from one stand to the other

My eyes stopped on a strange thing... Was that a sort of strange fruit?

A few steps from here Nee-san had picked up a frilly shoe with gems sewn into it.

She turned to me and waved her hand for me to approach... <Sigh>

[It's used by Mikos in foreign rituals, to strengthen the bond with earth. Interesting right?]

[That might be true... gems enhance the flow of magic if placed appropriately...]

With this kind of thing even a mundane person might have a vision.

[Yeah, it supports the magic and gives it a better stabi...]

Nee-san raised her head and tensed up instantly

We're not exactly in good terms and when we meet we always end up arguing one way or another.

When we're not on a mission that is, like today ...Kamino took a disgusted peek at the shoe

[ Not at all...]

Nee-san answered with an acrid voice and a hollow smile. There it comes...

[This is used in foreign rituals,we were thinking that we could use the same principle here]

[It's a symbol of the goddess of earth Afane. Don't use this thing as a model for anything..]

[ Heeeeh... One glance and you could identify it... you must be a connoisseur.]

[It is my duty to avoid heretical things like that! So they wont pollute our sacred temple]

[ This is the only rightful way to protect this land.]

She barked at me while glaring...Nee-san shrugged her shoulders. Typical encounter with her.

[As stern as ever... I admire your single-mindedness...]

[We are taught to protect people with strong will and heart. Origins do not matter to him!]

[I wonder. That might be true but I often see you two sabotaging our work for some reason]

She glared at me with her most hateful gaze.

But an uproar interrupted us. There seemed to be trouble with people of Stinrul.

She clicked her tongue and ran.

As I was thinking of running after her to see what was happening Nee-san stopped me.

[Nee-san......]

...as this girl is saying.]

[Nee-san...at the very least I don't think we're pulling our allies down or polluting anything]

We don't care about position or honour... we simply fight for what we think is just and good

[In our parent's time there was discord and troubles, but we will change this...]

[If we manage to understand each other..... fear and hate will disappear.]

[ Selika ... you're right ]

[ We can get rid of our own negative emotions. ]

[If we want to hold our heads high as warriors of Valhad, that's all we need to do.]

Behind us the uproar seemed to have been settled and the town regained its peace.

I sighed my relief and we resumed our shopping as if nothing had happened.


* * *

In the bar, some clients were spread around the silent room.It was still early and the bulk of drinkers would come in a few minutes.
Dalnos strode around the counter and came at our table

[I'll prepare one plate for each of you if you want some ... So whadya say? ]

[Fufufu I see. If the recipe is THAT good I suppose we can risk eating your cooking then]

[ Satia you're eating too right?]

She nodded shyly,sitting close to me...well Dalnos IS an intimidating,towering beast of a man...

He tilted his head to have a better look behind me,raised his brows in surprise then frowned.

[ So you had someone else with you... I didn't notice ]

[ What are you saying? The 3 of us were sitting together from the beginning, didn't we? ]

[Now that you say it. It's just that she was so well hidden that I though she was his shadow.]

[ Hmm... You're Satia? Izzat right? ]

[ Ah No! That's not anything like this...]

Satia, thoughtful, was already standing up from her chair so we could talk among Valhad soldiers but she stopped midway and sat back down as Dalnos continued in a lower voice full of secrecy.

[I have to warn you: what I prepare can only be granted to a very selected few. It is dangerous, addictive stuff and drug dealers have tried to get their hands on my recipes for ages now...

Young lady, I fear you might not have the willpower not to fall in love with me afterwards... only Selika ever managed to resist. 'As long as it is edible,I eat' he says, that wooden tongue!

[ I'm telling you that I chewed and tasted it properly last time! ]

[ Fufufu......]

Dalnos smiled as Satia laughed and raised a brow when he spotted her and me sharing a glance

[Dalnos, Satia is an important person to me. I only met her recently but we talked a lot about different races,the world and the wonders in it. I plan to learn a lot more from her

I feel like I can achieve the dream I have been aiming for if we are together.]

[ Fuhmmmmmmmmm? ]

Dalnos closed his eyes, pondering like a father who is asked the hand of his daughter.

[To be able to bring Selika to spout such embarrassing line... you must be something else!]

[Fine! Satia from now on I'll allow you to order and taste my cooking. You can feel honoured!]

[ Yes! ]

[ Such a bragger! ]

[ Kyaaa! Sooooo scary! Selika! Let's run!]

[ Eh? ]

[ Dalnos wont be cooking right away you know? We should enjoy some drinks first, Hora!]

She forcibly pull my arm and I stand up to go with her.

Satia remained with Dalnos and watched us with a cheerful smile.

[Heh! Things are always animated with those two around....]

Like us Dalnos loved to relax and do stupid things in those moment when we did not risk our lives. It was a sort of reward for him.If we're doing the good thing, we should enjoy it

[... hm? Do I now? ]

[I don't know you very well yet but...]

[ When you were around them your mood and behaviour was different.]

[ Nah I'm the same now...]

[ 'I'm alive' ... I had the impression you were expressing that.]

Satia had wispered these words and Dalnos turned his head toward the counter where the two siblings where... Before he had noticed it he was always pairing with Selika to go into battle

When he received an important mission they were the only ones he would trust to go with.

There haven't been any special event that forged his bond with them. It just that it felt natural to get attached to these two siblings. And to care for them.

[Well it's very comfortable to be around those two,they don't judge or blame and their abilities complete mines. And one's so gentle and pure that he manages to soften my heart after battle ]

[ He has this power, hasn't he? ]

Dalnos nodded and checked how much time he had before we returned with the drinks.

[I don't know what kind of thing you experienced in your travels to notice such things.]

[But as for myself I think that wanting to eat a tasty meal is a proof of humanity.]

[It's probably a strange definition of humanity but ... thinking that as long as it's edible anything's fine is a beast-like behaviour. I want to eat delicious food and feel human together with them. Selika managed to remind me that so I'd like him to grasp some of this human trait.]

[But... I think they both are looking forward to your cooking you know?]

Dalnos smirked but did not answer.

They both shared a malicious glance, Dalnos grabbed one drink and after swig...

[We talked about his wooden tongue]

[We talked about the things Dalnos holds dear in his heart]

[In his heart? Like what? ]

[Not yar business!]

[Fufufufu]

Nee-san and me shared dumbfounded glances as if we we didn't get a joke and...

One man approached our table.

[ Whajawant? ]

Random Guy [Aaah... I'm a miner from the Valley of Steel Scraps, would you happen to know where to find some sacred warrior of the temple? I wanted to hire some adventurer but... ]

[You're in luck, we're the most able guys you'll ever find. Much more than any other soldier.]

The man froze in surprise but seemed to be relived a moment later and he continued.

Random Guy[ Ah... that's a relief... I was afraid that I would have to make a public announcement...]

[ So what's the issue? ]

Random Guy[Well usually when we mine iron we manage to defend ourselves against the few monsters there...but recently they have been far too many so we hoped for an extermination squad to come...]

Dalnos and I looked at each other.

[This Steel scrap mine.I heard its actually an old ruin buried in the earth, Northwest of Macl]

[Do you find a lot of treasure there?]

[ ah... iron scraps...]

Kaya's enthusiasm cooled down immediately and Satia laughed at her disheartened expression

[ Well... this will be perfect as a training exercise... I'm starting to get rusty]

[The temple wouldn't deploy a party there since it's not a mine under our direct control...]

[But if there are troubled persons and monsters to defeat... then I'm in for the fun AHAHA ]

Like he said, it may be the perfect opportunity to gain experience of real battle.

[Understood,we will help you as soon as possible]

Random Guy [Really? I heard that Warriors often expected huge rewards for this type of work but...]

Random Guy [So there were also good heartened people... thank you very much...]

The miner thanked us several times an finally left.

We remained at our table to discuss.

[Since we had people to save in Nohia we couldn't take our time and had to rush through but now]

[ Well, if there is nobody to save I don't mind taking our time to explore]

[ Sorry Satia... could you stay in Macl this one time? ]

[ Understood...]

[Ah I forgot to tell you but if you want a place to test your skills...]

[You should try to fight in the underground arena... not a respectable place but...]

[N class certificate obtained]
[The arena is open to you now]

[Fine... Maybe I'll drop by.]

[Well then! For now, let's enchant the lot of you with tastes beyond your imaginations.]

Dalnos gulped down the rest of his pint and stood up. With an evil laugh he continued

[Muahahah! You will feel the anguish of hunger while divine smells assail your senses!]

[Yes Yes! We're waiting impatiently so prepare us generous servings ♪]

With a last laugher Dalnos disappeared into the kitchen.

Nee-san raised a toast to him and ended up asking Satia

[ Yes I did]

[Is that so? That's good then.]

[Like someone else I know, this guy's an hardcore asocial ... If he opened up a bit, I'm glad.]

[ I'm not asocial ]

[ Oh Reallyyyy...?]

We continued to talk and laugh in this tavern owned by our friend.

An appetising smell started to drift from the kitchen and we felt 'the anguish of hunger'.

Now, let's test our strength in the arena.

In the arena you have to fight a number of ranked fights. You actually have to pay to participate and later on there is a level requirement. If you loose you don't die.

The first fight is against a bunch of trash mobs, mainly slimes.

A couple of 1x5 attacks and it's over.

Selika even levels his Slayer Swan style special attacks, acquiring the 1x5 attack Dalnos uses (I claimed hat in the previous update, it was actually a magic spell).

In the net fight the monster are on average level 35.

The Iron Worms are and Artificial Def. type, so some lightning deal extra damage.

Next fight, we fight some "Rascals"

Their high Atk. and Def. multiplier makes them deadly.

Ouch. Dalnos is out in out hit, and Selika's Atk. freq is not high enough so he deals like 80hp with his bet hit. Better come back later.

We will visit the mine to do some training of bros.

 

[TheEntitledOne]

Spoiler

I heard that this place is a vestige of the people who lived here before Steinrulans.

It contains loads of high quality steel and iron so there has been conflicts about its control but many monsters continued to appear and nobody managed to really reclaim and hold this place.

Nowadays only poor miners willing to risk their lives and adventurers come here.

[Well this place is perfect to practice our techniques.]

[And if we clean everything up, the miners will be able to go further in]

[Macl will develop,weapon prices will go down and everybody will benefit from it.]

[I just think it is our duty to protect them...]

As we were discussing the miner who hired us came to meet with us.

[Of course. A man don't lie, we'll wipe out the monsters before you even know it.]

[So? Where did you spot the monsters you want killed?]

Miner [Well they are kind of everywhere.]

Miner [For some reason, you can kill them again and again but they continue to come from deeper in]

[Well...we will go as deep as possible and attract as much as we can so you can work in peace as long as we're inside. We will also try to find why they respawn like that.]

The miner nodded and continued in a uncertain voice.

Miner [I haven't seen him but I have heard that a strange hooded creature floats around the tunnels and that the stone monster on the 3rd underground floor is deadly...be careful]

[Only the 3rd underground floor? Interesting stuff. We'll check it out.]

[What do you mean interesting?]

[And if it's only on the 3rd floor other Sacred warriors must have fought it but couldn't kill it. So if we defeat it,the temple will be forced to acknowledge our strength. Easy peasy!]

[If you say so... well then we will head toward this monster while cleaning up the rest, OK?]

Dalnos answered with a grin and the miner watched us with serious doubts about our sanity.

[ Oto... I forgot something important, here take this and read it.]

[Attack battle formation acquired]

[Well if you think that it's too dangerous to put aside defence we can use an other formation]

[ I'll think about it.]

A bit further we find a portal.

This type of portal can connect two or more points, but we will need to "register" each portal (a.k.a. walking on them).

A bit further south we enter the mine. It leads to the top of some kind of ruin. Several level are visible from the top.

The place must have been enormous in the past, but currently most of it is inaccessible.

We enter the only accessible mine shaft.

Many corridors to explore here, with the occasional trash mob encounter.

There are several coloured doors here, they require specific keys that we won't get until much later.

We access a new area, just some monsters and minor loot.

In the next area we get some loot...

..a red door...

...and access to another bit of the previous map.

We reach the open air once more.

And once again we return to the interior of the mines. We already spent all f Dalnos TP.

Our exploration keeps us venturing further into the mines, so far no real challenge.

Further in we find an "Earth Card". We can use it as a consumable spell.

The tunnels take us to the beginning.

Now we can only explore the western path.

Finally we reach an stairway.

Seems like we reached the actual ruins. There are two path to take but they lead us to the same area.

This ring gives a 10% bonus to Physical Defence. Btw, you cn only carry one type of "Tool" item. We will give this ring to Dalnos, Selika has the Veteran Ring from the Demon Insect (+10% to P Attack).

The area transition behind Selika leads to the previous area. Further ahead we will reach some stairs (yellow square).

Since we are in the third level we should reach our goal soon.

And we did, we found the stone creature. We also find a portal...

...and a healing spot.

We will ignore the stationary boss for now and do some grinding, since in our current form we are tarting to have trouble with the largest groups of monsters.

With toons of them around reaching level 40 would be a proper goal.


After some training Dalnos learns a 5x5 attack.

Great for trash, but a bit slow.

Selika learns a new magic spell at rank C and both warriors reach level 40. Time to face the monster.

Dalnos pulled his swords and adopted his armour piercing fighting stance.

And flung its huge fist on the floor as a warning. It wont be good if we're hit by that but...

[Massive strength... but with our speed it probably wont be a problem at all.]

[I'll show you how much I progressed during this fight...]

[Oooh? I'm looking forward to it.]

I ended the small talk and focus, this wasn't an enemy we could take lightly.

The golem and us observed each other and I noticed a pickaxe at its feet.

There were several black stains on the floor and walls

and innumerable pieces of meat spread all around the room.

... the remains of a miner or some miners. Determining the number of corpses was difficult

[ Is that your doing?]

The moment I spoke the golem's head turned toward me

And let out a groan that sounded like the grinding of a door.

So it can't speak human tongue?

He's right... we cant reason it if it cant speak and it is dangerous for the miners.

[ Let's go! ]

Selika has a new 3x3 magic, but for a single enemy is a bit too slow. 11 "frames" to use, and 15 more to recover and select a new trick.

I will us the other two spell. Dalnos will keep using his basic TP attack and use potions as needed.

Selika's Electric Shock fends the fight.

It didn't seem to feel any pain but still I looked at the broken body parts and frowned sadly.

[Ah common! That level of empathy is almost like an addiction to auto-flagellation...]

[One day someone is going to take advantage of this and you'll regret it.]

Dalnos read me like a book and shook his head while lecturing me on my 'bad habit'

I, myself, do not understand why I react this way I came on my own so I could fight and improve my skills and help the miners... but still I hoped that it wouldn't have come to that.

I couldn't get rid of the contradiction of seeking battle so conflict would disappear.

[Let's continue...we don't know what kind of monster might come from further in. Let's end this]

We walk past the remains of the golem and the dead miner and advance deeper in the ruins.

The words remained stuck in his throat...

A unnaturally putrid smell invaded my nose.

I felt the presence of something... something incomprehensible and evil... approaching

[No... it's different... it's neither a ghost nor an undead.]

I felt as if the whole world's hatred and grudges were pointed at me...so similar to this time

The pulverised body fragments that we left behind us started twitching and rolling toward the 'presence' ahead.The minced meat started to gather and a hand sprang out of the dark to grab it.

[...... What the ...... a demon?]

The shadows in the distance seemed to flow and gather around the 'creature' as well. The

darkness condensed and formed what appeared like a tattered dark robe on a humanoid frame.

The smell was almost unbearable and gave me the impression that my lungs were rotting.

[What it is doing?.... Looking for something?]

The thing's hand had brought the meat in front of its 'face' and was observing it intensely.

It was poking, turning and kneading the ball of destroyed miner's meat and suddenly...

[ What the hell ......]

[...... it's eating rotten flesh...]

My hand went instinctively for my sword and Dalnos too took a fighting stance.

The shadow froze the moment it sensed our wariness and slowly turned its head toward us.

It had a human face decayed and peeling like that of an undead with insane glistening eyes. Another arm like pseudopod sprouted from the shadow ended by fingers that seemed to twitch uncontrollably.
Several holes opened on its body...opening,closing...mouths...muttering curses

But the sound were so distorted that I didn't identify theses as voices at first.

Darkness spreaded.

The thing instilled fear into my mind...anger and killing intent woke in me as a response.

[ No... this thing shouldn't... be]

[Sh...Shit! Kugh... this fucker is...]

[ Dalnos?!]

[This fucker is invading my mind... fear... hate...]

It can alter humans' minds?...Without contact?

[ ... I have to make it disappear ... ]

I hate taking lives... and I refuse to take lives without reason, even a monster's life. But for this thing... in front of me... it feels natural...normal...moral to desire its death.

[This thing... This abomination... must not leave the valley!]

[ I'll stop it somehow! You run to the temple and ask for reinforcements!]

At our shout the shadow straightened its hand into a blade and thrust it at my neck.

[UWOOOOOOOOOH!]

Dalnos cut down the first hand and I avoided the second attack by a hair breadth.

We counter-attacked and inflicted two gaping wounds on each side of its body.bDecaying meat fell

I followed up the attack with thunder bolts.

-ZAP-

As electric mana flowed through my hands Dalnos was preparing his next attack .

Without giving it any respite Dalnos started to hack and slash at it the moment my spell ended

-SLASH-SLASH-

We couldn't allow it to counter-attack...

Dalnos roared as he used his most powerful techniques in succession, I couldn't approach.

[This thing is insanely tough! Run away!]

Dalnos fought as if he already though himself dead... trying to protect me.

[ Run my ass!]

I casted spells and my mana dropped at dangerously low levels but I couldn't stop here or...

[ Guha!?]

[Dalnos!]

I dashed forward, evading the attacking fingers thrusting at me... With all my might I parried and cut the new sprouting pseudopods and slashed at the sharp tentacles that were restraining Dalnos.

He fell down,chocking and bleeding abundantly from his neck

I bit my lower lip and placed myself in front of him.

[ Yeah... As if I would die in a place like that.... cough!]

[... Dalnos ...]

His face was livid,he was loosing too much blood,he still held his swords but with no strength.

The abomination's mouths started to emit strange sounds and I understood they were laughers.


hU KAha GUHU GHOOOwoooa


Was it impossible to kill this thing?

At this rate we will die... Dalnos too...

[ What are you?! Why are you here?!]

[This world has no place for you! Return to yours!]

The creature did not answer................................ I couldn't afford to die here.

I had to protect my friend... only this counted... my consciousness faded and the thing I had to do became crystal clear. I flexed my leg and...

[Kuh...]

Reputation or vanity were nothing I turned my back on the thing, shouldered Dalnos and ran for our lives. We ran with all our might. My sore legs cried in pain but I didn't stop.

[ Leave me beh...]

[I wont! Shut up and run!]

We rushed past some monster who watched us, dumbfounded, before fleeing themselves when 'it' appeared. I glanced over my shoulder and could see a grim smile on its face.

It was enjoying the hunt... like a long lost sensation... we made it feel good... alive.

I doubled my efforts and continued to run toward the exit.

At the sight of our sorry state the miner knelt closer and asked

Miner[ What on earth has happened?]

[Later! Send a messenger to the temple! An terrible abomination was hidden in there... NOW!]

His body shook at my roar and he started running toward Macl. Dalnos was on his knees,groaning.

[ I called for help... just bear with it for a little longer.]

[ Tch... Fuck it... this shit has.... my memories...]

The finger around his neck started to dissipate and I looked behind me.

It didn't seem like the creature wanted to chase us all the way to the surface.

But I place a seal on the entrance in any case.

I'm not exactly a specialist so the seal isnt quite that tough... a temporary measure at most.

[What the hell was this thing?]

I was breathing deeply to calm down and fatigue caught up with me.

If it ever appears again how should we even try to fight it?

I heard the footsteps of soldiers from the temple and closed my eyes to slip into the dark.

* * *

 

[TheEntitledOne]

The blue moon is the creation of the goddess Rishion and its light weaken demons...

This night, Macl was bathed in this gentle light.

The priest had sent a full squad into the ruins but the creature had already disappeared.

But from the traces of our fight it was easy to imagine how intense the battle had been.

In the end, nothing more than that could be done since the monster had vanished.

Even the real nature of this thing remained a mystery.

[Kaya... Dalnos!? Is he safe?!]

[He is out of danger but it was nothing short of a miracle without his willpower he would be...]

[Well he did not have so many wounds but he was corrupted...]

[High priests and several magicians practised a purification ritual and he's in deep sleep now]

[I'm sure tomorrow morning he will already be reeking sweat from swinging his swords around]

I cheer up a little from her smile.

And resume pondering about the real nature of this thing.

[I have already met strong enemies that I had to kill to survive but this thing was different]

[We had to destroy it. I didn't care whether this thing was alive or not. I had to attack it.]

[That's quite rare from you... no, not only you..Even Dalnos do not act like that usually]

[It seems like there are still many things that we are ignorant about in this world and beyond]

True... even travelling from land to land is difficult and if you include other worlds...

[Kaya, I think will try to go to the valley once more maybe they missed something when they...]

[Fine... I'll try to convince the high priests...It might take some time though]

[Understood... I owe you a lot, thank you very much, Nee-san]

[ You're only polite in these situations right?]

Kaya giggled and walked deeper in the temple.

(Ah...I have to go back home...she's surely...)

[Satia... have you... waited here all this time?]

[I was worried that something had...but it's a relief to simply see you...Sa! Let's go home.]

[Satia joined the party]

With Satia supporting me we began to walk slowly toward home.

... I might be a servant of Valhad but...

I couldn't help but pray to this ancient goddess for a more peaceful world.

* * *

We test our strength gain in the arena.

Selika is strong enough now.

Thanks to Selika's Thunder we beat the next 2 matches.

Only 2 matches o beat the N-Class arena. But for now we will need to level th others.

Will check the other town events next.


* * *

Satia might be hungry too so I looked for something to eat but I could only find raw potatoes.

[She went to buy some ingredients... Did you come to scavenge the shelves out of hunger too?]

[ No... I'm fine ]

I don't mind eating crap but I have issues enduring hunger. Maybe if I swung my sword around...

As I was thinking this Nee-san's cheerful voice resounded in the house.

[ Sorry I'm late... I couldn't help but look all the stands... ]

Nee-san started preparing the meal and I peeked inside the bag. Unknown foods were present in there... Were those nuts of some kind? I... didn't know these things.

[The storekeeper made me taste it and it was really peculiar, did you ever eat some Satia?]

[No... but I have seen these before.]

[So, I will be Satia's first too! Yosh! I'll make it really tasty so wait just a litt...Selika??]

[ I.... will help...]

[... Eh?...]

Round eyes were watching me. Nee-san's gaping mouth closed and then showed a nervous smile.

[ Did ... I said something strange? ]

[Nee-chan has the impression to have heard "I'll help" but she's wondering if her ears are...]

[ You ears are fine... Satia is waiting too so it will be faster with the two of us, wont it?]

[Well... that's not untrue but...]

[In addition I'll feel less worried if I cook as well.]

[...... ......]

This time even Satia looked utterly puzzled at my words and strained face.

While giggling my sister whispered into Satia's ear:

This kid has no food that he hates or likes but he has problems the ones he doesn't know.

One day he has been asked to pick mushrooms but he got a poisonous one and brought it home

[ It was terrible! ]

[ Mahaaa...]

[ Nee-san!... We're fine without this story!]

Fortunately, the elder understood the problem immediately and prescribed him an antidote]

[That's because I had heard that every mushroom around were edible! It was big, coloured... seeping with magic power and it seemed nutritious I thought that there wouldn't be any problem]

[Yeah, it was a rare and precious mushroom rarely found even by specialists.]

[But still people usually check what they eat]

[At that time I was just living on anything ... but I stopped after that right?]

[Yeah... Now that I think about it. How you survived to your own childhood is a mystery]

Satia laughed again. Why do we always have to bring out my old embarrassing stories?

Nee-san watched me like some dazzling thing.

[Really... You have changed a lot... Selika]

[Alone you don't care about food or clothes and forget about everything when you hold a sword]

[Not always... I pay attention to people...]

[Really? I could see you care about others and wanting save them but did you cherish your life?]

[I wondered if you didn't just wanted to find a good occasion to sacrifice your life.]

[...... ......]

[You came to value your life... Wrong? ]

I couldn't really answer to that.

I had never wished to sacrifice my life.

But in the past I never really concerned myself with myself and I often ended up in shambles.

Nee-san had been worrying sick about that side of me.

[It feels like you're becoming independent. Maybe you wont need your Onee-chan soon...]

She put up a gentle smile and something glittered at the corner of her eye...It looked like... [Eh? Nee... Nee-san?! Why are you crying?]

[I don't cry! It's ... It's just because of the onions! There's no helping it! ]

[...... ......]

[The smell of onion stings the eye right?]

[Satia ......]

[Ah yes! Yes and since I'm pretty sensitive it's quite troubling!]

I remained silent as Nee-san left the room with her usual cheerful laugh.

I knew she was worried about me but...

It was a shock to see that my life had that much influence on her...

"Unconcerned about everything"...this must have been true if I couldn't read my own sister.

[Before your sister come back... let me help you a little]

[You found things that you want to keep for yourself and cherish now right?]


* * *

But his figure was not here behind the counter... he might have not come back home yet

We met a strange monster in the valley of iron scraps and barely survived.

I was worried about what he muttered about memory or something... before fainting.

[Dalnos?! You weren't at your usual place so I thought you weren't in the bar today.]

[I was borrowing the kitchen.]

[ Oh? Did you cook a new special home made piece of art?]

That's good. Like Nee-san said Dalnos was regaining spirit.

[It was a failure... so I stopped.]

[It's unusual for you to stop in the middle of it. Well you'll manage it next time ...]

[Ahaha. To think that the day YOU would try to cheer me up would come...]

His usual grin... yes, Dalnos remained the same

I guess worrying was useless. We sat together over a pint of beer

[When we were attacked in the valley I got worried about words you muttered...about memories]

[In the end what did he do to your memories?]

[...... Aaah... this ......]

Dalnos exhaled loudly and then answered.

[Revived?]

[Anger, despair, pain everything that happened on that day resurfaced as clear as the 1st time]

[If I had not been treated I might have gone mad from it.]

[...... ......]

[Don't make that kind of face, I'm fine now. From now on let's continue to fight for the people]

[I'll become stronger and next time I'll stop this guy...that's your plan too right?]

He's right about me, like always.

We weren't strong enough therefore we had to flee. This was a fact

But I had the feeling that strength wasn't the whole problem here.

That we needed something else to fight that thing.

[We need to get stronger, yes, but we also need to ascertain the nature of this thing.]

[...You're right but the most urgent problem is to have the ability to survive an encounter.]

I nodded to Dalnos and we chitchatted for a while before I left.

* * *

Still... there is a presence... something deep in the alley, hidden and dangerous.

Did I see the shadows move or was it just a weird impression?

But the sticky feeling of danger remained, similar to the one we felt in the Valley of Steel.

[...... It cant be....]

I pray for it to be my imagination or a ghost or spectre.Hell!I would be fine with a demon...

But if that abomination appeared in town, it would be a catastrophe.

But suddenly the presence disappeared and I remained alone.

I focused and observed my surrounding but the feeling of danger had vanished.

[ What was that?]

Without letting my guard down for a second I resumed going back home.


* * *

And to end the tour let's head to the temple and get the plot going.

[You seem already prepared for departure...good.]

[Our territory is spreading therefore we need information if we want to defend it efficiently.]

[Yes!]

[First place of interest: the city of Krajina, in the mountains of Ruptoa, east from Macl]

[Therefore we don't know whether they are preparing or planning something.]

[We watch the borders but the ArchBishop desires a report about activities within the city.]

[ Then...]

[Dalnos has been charged with the infiltration. You decide whether or not you should help.]

[We do not desire war with these people but if it comes to this you must wipe them out]

[..By himself Dalnos might not be able to fulfil all the objectives.]

[If you join the mission you will be the commander. Deal with the case with tact. ]

[If possible we would like to find a way to resume diplomatic relations with these people but...

[In any case once the mission is complete report the situation directly to me ......]

It seemed like quite delicate problem to take care of...

[But...You should prioritise the purification of the Relic if you receive any new leads.]

I lowered my head in answer.

[Then the other place to inspect. Have you ever been to the village of Cabaki? East from here?]

[ No but from what I heard this is...]

[Although it is small, a Valhad shrine is located there. Priest Seno Padiria is posted there]

[The surrounding lands are full of demons and monster hunters are often hunting there.]

[As a village in a relatively dangerous place it is our duty to prevent them any possible harm]

[It is our duty to check whether or not a powerful demon or any danger has appeared.]

[It is abandoned since the well dried up but there is also an old fort near the village]

[Ruins often become monster's dens so please check it out if you ever go there.]

[Priests Spheed and Kamino also plan to inspect this village, please cooperate with them.]

I wondered if it wouldn't be risky to let Satia accompany me if other priests are present.

She would love to see distant and isolated settlements but...

[It is resealed regularly and I plan to head there in a few days.]

[There as well, use your judgement to check the local state of affairs and note any problem]

[Dorabna is a small village but at the crossroad of several tribes.]

[Well the knight Grawk is in charge of Dorabna so you can ask him for his report.]

I nodded once more and Raune-sama continued.

[You can think of these missions as training in preparation for your sacred quest]

[If anything new about the purification of the relic is heard we will contact you.]

The relic and strong enmity. Remember that at these troubled times we need outstanding warriors.

I lowered my head and almost turned around to leave the shrine before stopping.

I should better make sure that Satia is allowed to accompany me to these places.

[I have a request.]

[Kaya... do you know this person called Satia?]

[Yes... She is living in my house presently.]

[She is young but with wisdom and integrity. She studies foreign cultures for the sake of peace.

[In order to complete her journey she possesses aptitudes to defend herself and support others]

Though Satia was also studying relations between races and powers, I do not talk about it..

But maybe my secret was reflected on my face since Raune-sama stared at me intensely.

Does she think we are not impartial?

In the temple we were supposed to ignore our bond as sibling and we were trying to do so but.

... I was actually quite grateful that Nee-san ignored this rule fairly often.

[If Warrior-Selika and Priestess-Kaya insure me of her integrity, I have no reason to oppose.]

And now we can pick between 3 new locations.

Which should I pick next?

Choose wisely and we might have some tits in the next update...