Hollow: Glad to be back with my head still intact

Ymir: Just remember how you can avoid it this time

Hollow: Don't worry I'll remember. Can a guy let his inner devil play every once in a while?

Chapter 6

Loyalty In Question?

It was about a few hours after they arrived in the village. To Will's surprise, there is a lot more than a few Little Elves living here. After a little eavesdropping it was discovered that the information he was given about this place have been altered to make it look like the place was started by Half-Elves instead of a refugee town founded for Little Elves who survived the fire that practically destroyed most of their forest three months ago. In fact, Half-Elves were just a small part of the population.

Will POV

I was still concerned about how the information that I was given have been tampered. It was enough to make me ask why I was even brought out here until I saw a Little Elf with some kind of automaton in tow. I decided to introduce Airi and myself to her hoping that it would help me figure out the real reason why I was sent here. It turns out the girl's name is Yuit, her mother died in the fire and has even seen people she suspects of being the real culprits behind it. I asked her if she can describe them but all I needed to hear was "neko mimi" to make the connection between that bitch Elina and the fire. Yuit then explained, "My mother, Cyan, was a brilliant alchemist who often assist Owen and Cattelaya with making the weapons they forge more effective. The Queen offered her a position in Gainos three months ago but she refused and now the only thing left of her that I have is Vante" that was when she looked at the automaton. That's when it made sense. These fires are just a convenient cover story to make us look for Cyan's daughter. Still it was bad enough that I was being used as a way to confirm where she was but that they would kill her mother just because that she could have been a threat. It was enough to make me think, "What the hell is going on, there has to be reason behind any of this. I mean I have been hearing rumors involving things going on behind the scenes in this continent during my first week in this world. The destruction of the noble's in the outer reaches of the continent, the burning of the Little Elf forest, and even the destruction of the Forest Elves; these events have been supposedly done either by the Swamp Witch or the Queen's army of assassins. Hell, there have been rumors that the two have been secretly working together in order to have absolute control of the freakin continent ever since Claudette abolished the Queen's Blade five months ago. This just isn't right for me to even side with these guys if the rumors are true, but I have to since their resources could help me find Anne. Calm down Will, just calm down and rethink your priorities. Once I pay what I owe to Ymir and find Anne I can forget the idea of siding with that tyrant, focus on fulfilling my promise to Anne, get things right, and then find a way back home".With that in mind I simply inspected the area, gave a discreet heads up to Yuit, talked to the locals so they would be more aware of these incidents and take the necessary precautions, and left knowing that as long as Yuit stays out of trouble I won't have to worry.

Airi on the other hand is a little concerned as she asked on our way back to Bosk, "Are you sure that is the best decision? What about the supposed fires?" I explained to her, "I'll just report that it was caused by unorganized pockets resistance and that the area as well as others places under the Queen's domain will have to be reinforced with guards chosen from the Queen's Army to make sure these incidents don't continue".

She then inquired, "Sounds more like you want to inspire a rebellion". I chuckled a little when I answered, "Well, since the Queen's Blade is abolished, warriors would either be enrolled in the army or forced to fight in underground matches and if someone were to get upset by what the Queen's actions has done they might just start something. Until then people will be kept safe from harm and…" I was interrupted when what appeared to be lesser spirits have restrained me when Airi came close to me and said, "You not just some random bloodhound for the Queen, you actually have a brain to go with that body of yours". In truth she wasn't the first to say it either in this world or back home, the only issue I have is my luck from time to time especially now. She continued, "To be honest, I enjoyed being with Rana-chan, but I still have loyalty to my Mistress so I'm going to give you some advice. Don't think of betraying Claudette anytime soon and your little Anne will come to you in three years. And please tell Rana-chan that I'm sorry". I couldn't figure out why she was giving advice to me in a time like this especially if she was still loyal to the Swamp Witch and more importantly how does she know about Anne. Before I could ask, she started to cry as she covered my lips with her own. Everything started to get hazy, I was starting to loose consciousness, and then finally I passed out.

I wasn't sure how long I was out but I woke up just outside the shop in Bosk so it had to be at least a day. I figured that since I'm here I should pass the message to Rana (and possibly add a little something extra that doesn't give him false hope but help him get through life and keep the boy from crying at least).

Once that was done I started to walk back to Gainos. The walk there gave me a chance to rethink everything that happened since I entered this world almost two weeks ago. Between all the fighting I had to do the first week and all the political crap I got dragged into this week I wasn't even sure how I was able to manage. I've only gotten into street brawls that went as far as people using knives like they were peeling potatoes compared to what I fought here yet I managed to get through despite this knock off armor being my only weapon in a fight. Then again, I did get myself in martial arts back home so it made it easier but still those guys were tough. I also managed to become an indentured servant to Ymir who's currently the Queen's tactician simply for the sake of keeping the secret of me being a majin a secret, but she was nice enough to only charge me half of what it cost even it means that I will have to work for her for a few months (I still can't belief what she charged me for this even if it was half-price). Then there is the state of the continent under Claudette's rule which will most likely start a full revolution in a few years and make it even harder for me to find Anne in the process. And God knows what is going on in the Swamplands right now since they have been discreet with their actions lately.

Still the report I'll have to make should convince them to provide the people with some kind of protection and that in turn should stall the idea of a rebellion while keeping everyone happy, I hope.

Wills POV ends

Once he made it to Gainos he went straight to the palace and made the report. From there he received what little money he got from Ymir concerning his pay for the job while the rest went to paying off his debt. He still couldn't shake off Airi's advice, "Don't think of betraying Claudette anytime soon and your little Anne will come to you in three years". The fact that she knew about Anne troubled but the advice was troubling since in three years was when the 31st Queen's Blade competition before Claudette abolished the competition when she declared herself the Eternal Queen. Unfortunately he wouldn't be able to have the time to think about when he was given a message from Ymir to meet her in the lab the Queen gave her.

Ymir: WHY THAT LITTLE!?

Hollow: Ymir-san, please just calm down.

Ymir: WHERE IS SHE HOLLOW!? WHERE'S AIRI!?

Hollow: I don't know, I lost track of her when she entered the Swampland.

Nyx: Speaking of losing track, I was suppose to be in this chapter.

Hollow: Well Nyx...The thought occured but after a little research I had to postpone your debut.

Nyx&Ymir: SOMEONE HAS TO PAY!

Will: (sigh) That man needs charm school. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Please leave us your thoughts and see you next time.