Update. I played Total War: ARENA and it was amazing! I had some really good cavalry game there too so I'll have to incorporate that into the story soon. Maybe next chapter will be good.
Also, fuck Netorare.
The patrol captain sat in the bar for a moment, getting ready for his morning patrol. Though it was barely sunrise, he was competent in his work as a guard and treated his position of captain as a privilege. Night time was a time of rest, but day was truly his time of labor. As he drank his ale and ate his breakfast in the bar, his subordinates come walking in, presumably the night patrol.
"Captain, drinking in the morning? Getting weary of the wife?"
"Ah, she's a bit annoying but I still love her. I just need a little peace and quiet away from my family for now."
"Well we got some stories to tell ya." Another patrolman said while sitting beside him.
"Who'd you catch this time?" The captain asked with a smirk.
"Some lads who thought that it was funny to hinder the construction team. Gave them a good beating."
"Aye, I can do you better." Another patrol man chuckled after sipping from his mug. "Met a lass who thought that she could get away with a few apples without paying."
"How is that any worse than mine?"
"She was more than willing to offer special favors in exchange for me letting her go." The guard said while leaning back.
The captain and his subordinate glanced at each other uncomfortably before asking.
"You didn't—"
"It's been weeks since I had a good fuckin', so I indulged in her offer."
"You do realize that this is fornication, and quite possibly rape." The captain said with utmost seriousness.
"Hah, you'd wish! The lass seemed to enjoy it more than I did!" The guard laughed before having another chug. "To this day, she begs for second helpings!"
"Then she is a slut." The patrolman concluded.
"That may be, but as long as she only comes to me, I might even consider marrying her to keep her around." The guard concluded before putting down his mug and wiping his mouth. "Well that's enough ale for me, I'll be going home to rest."
The guard left the bar immediately, leaving the captain and his subordinate to converse. The captain just sighed and returned to drinking.
"That man, I swear. He does not know what he is getting into."
"The local women are very voluptuous, I have to admit."
"Bah, the local girls have too big breasts for my tastes. Like those damned Poles and Russians. " The captain grumbled.
"But they do have the ideal hips for giving birth sir." The subordinate retorted.
"I concede to that point, but I am a married man, let the bachelors worry about the viable bachelorettes."
The captain noticed some young women eyeing him with interest, as some were biting their lips and others were twirling their hair. The captain sighed, as he still looked quite young for his age. It wasn't unusual for him to be the talk of the town. But he loved his wife, and wouldn't trade her for anyone else. He then gulped down his mug and said.
"I'll go start my patrol."
"Okay, best of luck captain."
The captain then set out, donned his chestplate over his gambesson, before putting on his kettle helmet, and readied his sword and heater shield. The town was too narrow for traditional battle with polearms, so patrols were issued with either a longsword or a broadsword and shield. The captain preferred the safety of the shield, even though he was the more well-armed member of the patrol, a man-at-arms to be exact. He was elected as bailiff and given command of his own personal platoon of sergeants by the Council of Nobles. To be a little more hands-on, he personally volunteered to patrol with his men, as not to discourage them from doing their jobs by leading through example. So far, it had worked well.
But his thoughts are interrupted by the commotion in a nearby house. There was screaming and crying. The captain could count about three people inside the house based on the noise, a man, woman and child. He immediately drew his sword and shield, running into the house and busting down the door and shouted.
"This is the town bailiff, what is all the commotion in there!?"
A pink-haired woman ran out with her child, as she fell before the captain and begged to him with tears in her eyes.
"Please save me and my—"
"YOU CHEATING WHORE!" A man shouted while running out with an axe.
"Get behind me." The captain said as he went into defensive stance, before shouting at the man. "Stand down sir! We can settle this civilly."
"Out of my way! She needs to be punished!"
"We can do this peacefully." The captain reasoned, holding up his shield.
The captain took a closer look at the man, he bore the coat of arms of Thore, presumably a member of the local militia.
"Look fellow man in arms, let's calm down and settle this in court." The captain said peacefully, assuming a more passive position to try and calm the man. "I'm sure a good soldier such as yourself should know how to settle disputes."
"I'LL SETTLE THIS WHEN SHE EXPLAINS TO ME WHAT SHE DID!" The man snarled as he lunged with his axe.
The captain immediately assumed stance and blocked the axe strike, before plunging his sword into the man's stomach. The man dropped dead, with the wife embracing her daughter. The sound of clattering armor signaled the arrival of the town guard.
"What's going on here!?"
But the town guard then saw their superior on the steps to the house and bowed.
"Captain, what are you doing here?"
"I was doing my rounds when I heard the commotion in this house." The captain said while looking down on the bleeding corpse. "I had to put him down sadly."
"Shall we escort his wife and daughter to the guild?"
"Do that please, I will stay behind and search for any clue as to how this happened."
"Okay, God be with you sire."
The soldiers left, bringing the pink-haired woman and her daughter with them. The captain approached the body of the man and muttered.
"Why did you do this? Why did you attack your wife and child?" The captain wondered before resting his hand on the man's chest.
"Not… my… child…"
The captain froze, as he heard the man's voice. Though it was weak, he was able to decipher the full message.
"Not your child?" The captain asked, before realizing the man's injuries. "Wait right there, I'll go get a priest to heal you!"
Though it was unexplainable, senior priests were now the go-to for any grave injuries, ever since their healing ability was discovered, they have been prized by both the military and the locals as one to approach if you had grave wounds or injuries.
But the man stopped him, using his remaining strength to stop the captain by grasping his tabard.
"I… won't… make… it…" The man weakly said before handing a key from his pocket. "Drawer upstairs… get… my journal… open it..."
The captain took the key and watched the man's life slip away before he died peacefully. In pity, the captain did the Sign of the Cross and said a prayer for the poor man's soul. He then looked at the key in his hands, wondering what that man was going on about. He entered the house, seeing the results of the ensued chaos caused by that man. He needed more information. He climbed the stairs to the bedroom, which somehow carried the stench of semen. The captain held his nose as he looked for the drawer with a lock on it. He finds the lock and uses the key, successfully opening it and finding what was inside. A journal and pen, just like what the man had just said. The captain opened the booklet to see whatever was inside. And what he found was interesting. The journal was segmented into days, with each day carrying the personal anecdote of the writer, presumably the man from before. The captain decided to skim for important information, starting with page 1.
Day 1
I noticed that my wife has been acting strangely whenever I got home. I feel like she's hiding something from me, but I have no reason to snoop as she deserves her privacy.
Day 8
The neighbors say she's having an affair, I don't believe it. I refuse to believe it. She's such a good wife to me, I can't imagine her doing that.
Day 18
Came home early to see some men leave the house. Wife says that they're just tax collectors but they seemed too sketchy. I'm getting scared now.
Day 23
Younger sister came to visit, she's currently staying overnight at our house.
Day 25
It was horrible. My sister, she was found raped and covered in semen. What's worse is that it happened in our very home. I'm happy that my wife and daughter were unharmed but how did those bastards get to my sister? Even my sister doesn't want to talk about it.
Day 42
Goddammit, how could I have been so naive when it was so obvious all this time. So initially, I decided to pretend to leave so that I could see what really was going on. And peeking into our bedroom, I caught her in the act with three, fat old men. She was different from her usual demeanor. She seemed so mindless and wild, taking the old men's cocks into her ass, pussy and mouth. She seemed to enjoy it as she was screaming in ecstasy that she was their 'fuckslut' and 'cum dumpster'. The worst part was when the old men brought up my sister, saying that it was 'an awesome orgy' that they had. Another man had commented how he was amazed that they were able to hide this for four years. Listening to the whole conversation, I learned many things:
- My wife has been cheating on me for four years
- My 'daughter' isn't really mine, most likely born from the affair
- My wife let these men into the house and let them rape my sister
If this is a nightmare, then please let it stop. She will tell me more about this, even if I'll have to hack it out of her.
The captain felt nauseous reading the journal. That man didn't deserve to die after all, it was his wife's fault all along. But he needed irrefutable proof that the wife had been cheating on the man. He went back down and decided to visit the neighbors to gather some evidence. He kept the journal with him as he needed to draw connections between the man's journal and witness testimonies. He first started with the shop nearby, approaching the young female shopkeeper and asking her about the incident.
"Oh her? I've been seeing fat old men enter her house ever since she and her husband moved there."
The captain wrote that down and handed the booklet and pen to the shopkeeper.
"Please write down your name and sign this paper to establish your testimony, I will return with your reward later." The captain said curtly. "About 20 florins."
"Well shucks, okay!" The shopkeeper said while signing the paper with a smile. "Don't know why you needed this information, but money is money!"
The captain then took the booklet and read the name. Elisa Baker, okay, he will have to summon her later on. He then went to the house right next to the scene of the crime. He sees a man working the garden outside the house. He called him over and asked him questions regarding the women next door.
"Ah, she's always noisy during the afternoon. The children can't even sleep with her moaning waking up her neighbors. So my wife and I just put padding over the wall."
Once again, the captain took notes of this, and handed the booklet and pen to the man.
"Write your name and sign this paper to validate your testimony." The captain said before taking the booklet and reading the name, James Fletcher, before tucking into his pocket. "You will receive a reward of 20 florins, thank you for your cooperation good sir."
The captain rinsed and repeated this with a few more neighbors until he felt like he gathered enough evidence to testify against the lady. It was already almost midday and he was already tired, but he needed to see this finished. He ran into the guild, where the wife and child were waiting. After gathering everything about what she did, he couldn't see her the same way again. He tried to hide his face of disgust as the woman came running to him.
"Can we move back in now?" The mother asked while holding her child.
"Well, you can. There's just one little thing we need to settle." The captain said while signaling the guards to take the woman's daughter gently. "And I prefer that we both have some privacy."
The mother looked a bit worried as the men took away her daughter, but the captain then said.
"Don't worry, your daughter is in good hands." The captain said before glaring at his men. "She will be okay, right?"
"Yes sire." The soldiers bowed, as they gently brought the child away.
The mother was now nervous, seeing that she and the captain were the only ones left in the room. The captain then sighed and said.
"Follow me."
The captain and the woman walked until they reached a small room that had a table with a lamp and two tables. The captain sat near the window while the woman sat across him, fidgeting in discomfort.
"First, could you please state your name?" The captain asked taking out a pen and paper
"Samaria Ottoman."
"Now Samaria do you know why I called you here?"
"I-Is there something you need from me?" Samaria asked nervously.
"Are you aware of the new laws put in place ever since the Duke had conquered Thore?"
"No… Why?"
"I'll go straight to the point then, adultery is a very serious crime by the new laws." The captain said before setting down a booklet. "And I have proof that you have been doing just that."
"How dare you—"
"Now before you get upset, let me read a few lines that may ring familiar to you." The captain said before looking down on his booklet and reciting. "Day 18: Came home early to see some men leave the house. Wife says that they're just tax collectors but they seemed too sketchy. I'm getting scared now."
"So? What if they were just tax collectors?" Samaria asked skeptically, crossing her arms.
"Oh but there is more, even witness testimonies suggest so. Ahem, Elisa Baker: I've been seeing fat old men enter her house ever since she and her husband moved there. James Fletcher: She's always noisy during the afternoon. The children can't even sleep with her moaning waking up her neighbors. So my wife and I just put padding over the wall."
The woman stayed silent at that, while the captain put down the booklet and sighed.
"I have irrefutable proof on this, so it's be useless to take it to court." The captain said while leaning back on his chair. "So I suggest you cooperate with me instead."
"What do you want from me then!?" The woman said with an outburst. "You already know, so what do I have to lose!?"
"I want you to tell me why you did it." The captain said darkly. "Having your hard-working husband have to support a whore like you and your bastard of a child."
"Don't call my baby a bastard you cur!" Samaria snarled.
"What's wrong with saying the truth?" The captain asked nonchalantly. "Especially when you've been pulling this charade since the day you were married."
The woman stayed silent, but still gave the captain a piercing glare.
"Anyway, tell me why you did it, and I might lighten your sentence."
"…Alright." Samaria sighed while adjusting her chair. "I did it because… it was something I was used to in my childhood."
"You mean to tell me that you have been involved in sexual activities since your younger years?" The captain questioned, repulsed by such a concept.
"My father, uncle, and cousins would… play with me… So it was something that I got so used to that I sort of missed it when I got married. So I expected the same from my husband, but didn't feel as good as he was always out for work."
"So how did those fat old men come into the picture?"
"They came to me while my husband and I were newlyweds. When my husband went out, they would come in, fondling my body and making me feel good. I tried to resist them, but I began to enjoy it, because my husband didn't make me feel as good as they did."
The captain was holding back the urge to vomit. This was repulsing, disgusting, and he would put an end to that. This woman only sought the sanctity of marriage for the pure physical pleasure of it rather than the grace of God. Absolutely barbaric. He was going to set things straight once and for all.
"Do you remember the names of these men, including your family?"
"Every single one." The woman admitted. "They would whisper their names to me in case i would like to continue our fuck sessions."
"If you consider writing them down, I will lighten your punishment even further." The captain offered while unrolling an empty scroll.
The woman looked uncertain as she looked at the captain and back onto the paper.
"We don't have all day, your punishment will be at midday, so you have but a minute to decide."
The woman took the pen and hesitantly wrote the names onto the scroll. The captain smirked as the woman wrote the names of the plenty men who had sexual relations with her. He then took the scroll and wrapped it. He then stood up and said.
"Good choice of you to cooperate, you have my thanks madam."
The woman didn't see the captain as he ordered his guards to take her away to the dungeons for the meantime. The captain didn't look back as he watched his guards drag the woman away kicking and screaming. He then spotted a batch of guards standing idly as he then called.
"Sergeants!"
The guards immediately stood straight and got into position. The captain then handed them the scroll and said.
"Find all the men listed here and bring them to me immediately." The captain said handing the scroll to the platoon before sending them off. He then called over another group of guards. "And prepare the wooden platform, we will be hosting a public execution."
"Yes sir!"
The captain then sighed as he stared at the bell tower, the bell signaling the pass of the hour. It was only two hours until the public execution. He would get ready, because the people will not be pleased with what this woman had done.
And with that, two hours pass and the captain goes to see the guards, finally catching the men mentioned in the list. There were men of multiple body types, but one thing for sure, they weren't exactly good-looking. He took the scroll and unrolled it, declaring.
"Are you all members of the Ottoman family?"
"Y-Yes." Some of the men replied.
"N-No…" The others answered meekly.
"Now are you all aware of the laws put in place after the Duke's Conquest?" The captain asked.
"You mean the one with the really hot wife, and that nephew with a really sexy girlfriend." One shamelessly asked.
"Guard, punish him for speaking like that."
The guard then kneed the man in the back, causing him to collapse on his knees.
"Don't speak of nobility like that." The captain coldly warned.
"But what if it's true?" The man persistently asked.
"Guard, kick him again." The captain nonchalantly ordered.
The guard smirked as he kneed the man's face, causing him to fall over in pain. The men knew better and stayed silent.
"Now I want you all to know that you are all under the suspicion of being fornicators, pedophiles, and incestophiles."
"What hogwash! Who would accuse us of such a thing?!"
"Are you not familiar with Samaria Ottoman?" The captain asked.
"Her!? She accused us of all this?" One man asked.
"She's family! Why would she do such a thing?" Another man questioned, appalled by the turn of event.
The captain signaled for his men to bring Samaria in. The men gave Samaria a glare as many of them began to shout and jeer at her. It was clear that they did not like her for doing that. But the captain knew these were the culprits, and he knew just how to make them show their true colors. The captain then forcefully took Samaria aside and ripped off her clothes, much to the shock of everyone, before pushing her down to the ground. He then took out a special loincloth, nicknamed lingerie by the locals and threw it to the woman.
"Put this on." The captain said.
"B-But—"
"You act like a whore, you dress like a whore, so make it quick before I bring out the whip!" The captain threatened.
The woman frantically put on the lingerie, as the guards looked away in disgust and embarrassment while the imprisoned men were looking in awe at the beautiful and voluptuous woman changing clothes before their very eyes. Samaria looked abashed as she tried to cover her body from the spectators. But the captain's cruelty did not stop there.
"So, you've had sex with multiple men, even letting them treat you like an animal!" The captain proclaimed in disgust while bringing out more props, such as cat ears and whiskers, to dress her up in. "Put these on as well!"
The captain's reasons were far from sexual. Back at home, being dressed as an animal was an insult to one's pride as a human being, and made for the perfect humiliation for those who were adulterous or "had sex like animals". The woman hesitantly put on the whiskers and cat ears, prompting the captain and his guard to laugh.
"Hahahaha! Good job captain, I think ya caught a biggun'!" One thick-accented soldier laughed.
"I have an idea!" A guard said while bringing out some rope. "Let's tie her to a post like an animal!"
The captain let them do it, as they tied her hands to the wall, exposing her behind as they laughed.
"Now for our last and final bit, meow like a cat for us!" The captain commanded.
"B-But—"
"Looks like she's had it boys! Let's grab the whip!"
"N-No! Meow! Meow! Meow!" Samaria frantically mewled while panting out of fear.
"GAHAHAHAHA!" The guards laughed in unison. "Looks like we've shown her true form! Now let's see how our prisoners are doing!"
The men were not themselves, they were drooling at the sight of the woman's rich and sexy body. They were entranced by its beauty and could not contain themselves as they broke free from their captors and tried to rush and grab her for their pleasure. But the captain signals for the guards to drag them back, as they screamed.
"Let me go! She looks too good not to fuck!"
"Grrr! Just let me grab that fine ass!"
"Set the bait, and the animal bites." The captain snidely remarked as he then untied Samaria. "You're all pathetic wastes of human flesh, and it's a wonder you lived this long."
"Wait!" One of the men pleaded. "We have more than enough money to recompense all the damage we've done!"
"Unfortunately, no amount of money can restore a man's death and dignity, as well as the integrity of his wife and family." The captain said while nodding at the guards to prepare to drag them off. "And there's only one thing that can be exchanged for something so priceless."
"No, NO, NO!" One of the men begged as he was being dragged off.
"Please don't!"
The captain waited until the men were gone as he pulled up Samaria and dusted her. He then snapped his fingers commanding the nearby handmaidens to dress Samaria in different clothes. He turned around and waited before Samaria was back into her old prison rags. Samaria was still in shock at the embarrassment and shame she felt from before.
"W-Why did you that!?" Samaria screamed with tears in her eyes.
"I'm teaching you what it's like to have your dignity being stripped away." The captain replied sternly. "It's already hard to respect your dignity knowing what you did."
"B-But I did it because—"
"It felt good? Oh don't give me that hogwash now!" The captain said exasperatedly. "If you had even the smallest form of spiritual guidance, this wouldn't have happened. You are too hedonistic to understand the true happiness that's beyond the pleasures of the senses."
The captain then grabbed Samaria's arm as he then began to drag her out.
"And there are consequences." The captain said as he opened the door, revealing a large crowd and a wooden stage.
A large number of people were gathered, both Beastpeople and human alike, as they stopped their tasks to take a look at whatever was happening. The captain noticed a few Persians, Sudanese, and Arabians in the crowd as he then whispered to his cohort.
"Get me a translator for the other nationalities."
"There's a pair of Mamluks below us awaiting your words sire."
"Good, make sure they bring this message as well."
The captain then proclaimed before the crowd.
"Citizens, here you witness the scum of humanity! Here we have a woman who has committed adultery and made a fool of her husband!"
While some of the citizens were uncomfortable with this, the others jeered. They booed and threw rotten fruits and vegetables at the woman.
"Whore!"
"Prostitute!"
"You have displeased Allah!"
Samaria didn't like the bad attention, but the captain kept a tight grasp on her as he then tied her to a post and proclaimed.
"Now she shall pay for her uncleanliness!" The captain said as he brought out his whip. "Thirty strikes with a scourge shall do the trick!"
"No! Please don't do this!" Samaria begged.
"DO IT!" The crowd shouted, cheering the captain on.
The captain struck once, causing the woman to cry out in pain. Only twenty nine more to go. He struck again, much to the crowd getting wilder. He repeated his strikes in a slow and rhythmic fashion. With each blow, the woman began to lose her strength as she staggered, before finally falling halfway through her punishment. In less than a minute, the agonizing pain was over, and the woman was released from her bonds. The woman could barely stand as the guards carried her off and placed her in the background. The captain then sat down beside the woman as she then bitterly asked.
"Why am I still on the stage?" Samaria asked with tears in her eyes.
"Because I'm going to show you have lucky you are." The captain said as he showed her what was next.
The men who had cuckolded her husband, were tied to a stake, and set before the people. The people threw items at them as the guards set them back. One of the guards grabbed a torch and shouted.
"Lord, purge these unclean men for they have committed an unimaginable sin!"
"THEY CAN ONLY BE CLEANSED BY FIRE!"
"Then so be it then!" The soldier remarked as he set the dry leaves on fire, the flame rising and touching the perverted men.
Samaria watched in horror as the perverted men who had violated her before were being burnt alive. She could hear the screams for agony and help, but only heard cheers of approval from the crowd. These people meant business, and she solemnly swore to herself that she would never make the same mistake again. Not with these people as their rulers.
Later that day, the captain returned to his humble abode. Though he was from a minor noble family, he had chosen the simple peasant life for the sake of peace of mind. His house was small for a man of his blood, and did not house servants like others did. He entered the house and set his gear aside into the cabinet. He sniffed the air as he smelled food being cooked by the fireplace, finding his wife setting up the table. His wife looked up and smiled.
"Beatrice, darling, I'm home!"
"Ah, Angus, I see you're home early!" The wife said with delight as she prepared the food. "Come sit, I prepared your favorite meal, marinated rabbit with bitter vegetables!"
Before she could even grab the food, her husband held her, putting them both face to face. She was a bit abashed to see her husband's handsome face so close to hers. He then said with much sincerity.
"Look, honey. I love you with all my heart, and I appreciated all that you've done for me. So don't feel unappreciated or unloved, because I always will do so."
This of course, caught her off-guard, as she did not expect her husband to say something suddenly yet sincerely. The long pause was awkward, with Beatrice struggling to find the words to even reply to him. Her face flushed quite a bit, until her cheeks were a healthy shade of pink.
"D-Did something happen at work dear?" The wife asked while trying to cover her blushing face.
"Oh nothing." Angus smirked while pecking his wife on the cheek. "Just an important lesson on marriage."
"Well we can discuss that over dinner then." Beatrice said rosily, the sudden compliment making her feel merrier, while setting up the table. "The kids will be coming home from grammar school soon."
"Okay, I'll help you set the table."
Angus could see his wife giggle at the offer. This day was a blessing in disguise after all. It fulfilled him to see such a bright smile on his beloved's face. It only made him wonder why he hadn't thought of this before.
Arend and Chinatsu were sitting in an ox cart, which was making its way towards the next village. It was awkward for Chinatsu, as the silence was annoying her, and she was unable to read Arend's emotions under that helmet of his. She then decided to just take a look at the scenery. But she catches Arend offering her a cup of liquid as she heard him say.
"Rice wine?" Arend offered kindly.
"Er, sure." Chinatsu replied, before taking it and sipping it. It had a very strange taste that was unlike any rice wine she had tasted. "Where'd you get this?"
"Oh the innkeeper was kind enough to offer me some." Arend said. "Had a sip of some and I liked the flavor of it."
"You fool!" Chinatsu hissed while throwing away the wine. "That wine might have been drugged!"
"I certainly didn't taste any drugs in it." Arend reassured. "In fact, that wine made me feel more energetic and active! It should be good for you!"
"That's what the drug does you dolt!" Chinatsu chided. "It's supposed to make you more energetic for sexual activities."
"Well, if that's what the drug does then I haven't felt any better!" Arend said before handing a cup to Chinatsu. "As long as you don't commit the act, you're not doing anything wrong!"
"Well, one sip wouldn't hurt…" Chinatsu admitted before gulping the cup.
Before Chinatsu could say anything, the cart came to a sudden halt as both dismounted the cart. Chinatsu hailed the driver and took a coin from her hair.
"Thanks for the ride!"
"No problem missy!" The old man in a jingasa happily replied.
Chinatsu then flipped the coin as used her hips to bump the coin into the man's hand. The man tipped his hat before going his way. Chinatsu dusted herself before she saw Arend stare at her blankly, much to Chinatsu's embarrassment. Her face flushed as she growled at Arend.
"What?!" Chinatsu asked brusquely.
"Oh, I was just taken aback by that little hip bump you did when you passed the coin to the driver."
"You got something against it?" Chinatsu asked threateningly.
"I just found it to be quite adorable to say the least." Arend said.
"A-Adorable?! What do you take me for huh?!" Chinatsu snapped.
"It's fine." Arend reassured as he walked towards her. "Besides, your hips must be really big for you to do that."
"Did you just say that I have fat thighs!?" Chinatsu scoffed.
"It was an innocent comment, but take it as a compliment." Arend said while turning around. "Come on, the village shouldn't be far from here."
"H-Hey! We're not done yet!" Chinatsu barked, before thinking. "Damn it, what's with him? Making me feel weird and stuff just by saying that!"
Chinatsu ran after Arend, to only see him frozen, as if he saw something horrifying. Chinatsu looked over him to see just that. The village that they meant to visit was up in flames, with it being absolutely empty. Arend took a step closer, but noticed Chinatsu didn't follow him. He turned to see Chinatsu on her knees in absolute shock.
"How did this happen…"
"Chinatsu, listen to me." Arend said while putting his hands on her shoulders. "It's not your fault."
Chinatsu bore an empty look, a distraught look on her face. She fell to her knees, the ashes of the earth cushioning her fall. She stared emptily at the carnage seeing the remains of a scorched village. She could not comprehend how this could have happened. What happened? Why did it happen? More importantly, why did she let this happen?
"I'm the Wild Warrior, the assigned special Border Guard of the Emperor, and I failed to protect our people…" Chinatsu said before banging her fists on the ground. "DAMN IT! I FAILED THEM!"
Chinatsu broke down into sobs as she knelt on the ground.
"Why? WHY? WHY!?" Chinatsu screamed to the heavens.
Arend then knelt by her, as he tried to say.
"It's okay… It's not your fault…"
"How would you know that huh!?" Chinatsu snapped at Arend. "How would you know what it's like to fail to protect someone or something you loved!?"
"Because, there was a time when I was the one who needed protecting." Arend said, before his eyes began to tear up. "And the one who protected me failed."
Chinatsu could sense the pain in Arend's voice and could tell that he was speaking from experience. She looked at him with wonder as Arend then took off his helmet, revealing his dark, almost black hair though it still carried shades of brown. His eyes were a bright shade of brown, hazel in fact, and they seemed to be glimmering as Arend then told Chinatsu.
"As someone who has suffered at the hands of monsters, I can assure you that I don't blame those who failed to protect me. And I'm sure the people of this town would do the same."
Chinatsu stared at him for a moment, before resting her face on his shoulder, letting her tears flow. Though he was still wearing his gauntlets, he wrapped his arms around Chinatsu and patted her on the back.
"Cry into my shoulders child." Arend said soothingly. "Let your sorrows be cleansed."
For that moment, Arend had to comfort the child within a supposedly strong women. And he had to reassure her that it was never her fault in the first place. Chinatsu unwittingly held on tighter to Arend, as she desperately needed a shoulder to cry on.
The moment soon passes as Chinatsu and Arend take shelter in one of the still intact houses. Chinatsu and Arend build an indoor fire, with Chinatsu snuggling into her blanket while Arend simply took off his armor to only his tunic and trousers. Chinatsu then asked.
"Arend, what exactly happened to you?"
"I don't share it with a lot of people, you included."
"But what happened?"
Arend sighed before saying.
"Let's just say I was unfortunate enough to be captured by some very evil men." Arend said simply.
Chinatsu stayed silent after that, only to ask another question.
"About your Teutonic Order, are they like warrior monks or something like that?" Chinatsu asked innocently.
"Yes, we are dedicated to battle while still maintaining our faith and religion." Arend answered while adjusting the fire.
"So you can't marry or have romantic partners right?"
"I'm quite sure we've had this conversation before, but to remind you, yes, we cannot have romance or sex."
"Okay, but what if someone loved you and you couldn't break their heart?" Chinatsu asked curiously.
"Well, best advice is to settle all accounts before moving on." Arend replied before asking. "Why are you so curious?"
"I was just wondering, that's all." Chinatsu replied.
"How about you? Will you ever get married after this Emperor's chosen business?" Arend asked.
"W-Well… I can choose to step down from the title and live life normally." Chinatsu said embarrassingly for some reason. "But one would be crazy for discarding such an honor for something silly as love."
"I mean you need one hell of a man to convince you to do that." Arend laughed. "Rest assured, I believe it's possible for someone like you."
"W-What do you mean?" Chinatsu asked.
"You'll find an amazing suitor soon enough, so maybe you'll change your mind."
"D-Don't say that!" Chinatsu snapped. "Hmph! I'm going to sleep!"
"Suit yourself, good night." Arend said before putting out the fire and sleeping as well.
"Hmph! Such arrogance from him! Thinking that a mere man can make me quit!" Chinatsu inwardly huffed. "Such a man would have to absolutely perfect! Strong! Fearless! Wise! Handsome! Kind-hearted!"
Chinatsu then began to have flashbacks. Of Arend defeating her in battle, of him running off behind enemy lines to launch the enemy's catapults against them. Of him giving her advice in combat whenever they sparred. Of their stay at the inn, and finally, of him comforting her as she cried into his shoulder.
"No! No! No! No! Bad Chinatsu! Bad Chinatsu!" Chinatsu screamed inwardly as her face flushed red, hiding herself under the blankets, hoping Arend would not see her, while Arend snored at his own pleasure.
It was raining, but that didn't stop Thibault and his men from walking through the thick fog. Thibault spotted a figure through the mist, and signaled his men to ready their weapons. He counts down with his fingers before signaling a charge. He and his men set down their lances and charged down whoever was behind that mist. As soon as they stopped charging, Thibault signaled everyone to dismount and investigate. They dismounted to find that they had just charged down an elf patrol, though they were different. They had white hair, and white, pale skin, contrasting the natural tan skin of dark elves. Thibault then signaled his men to collect prisoners. He then turned to see the Anthrosaur he fought before, still tied against one of the spare horses. Thibault then approached the lizard man and said.
"So how's the ride beast?"
"The sooner I get free, the better. These dark elves are irritating me already." The lizard said before pointing its snout to the dark elf on Thibault's horse. "And once I let my people know that you've taken a dark elf under your wing, you will soon face retribution."
"That may be, but that only happens if I let you go!" Thibault replied, before turning to one of his soldiers.
"Captain! I think you should see this!"
Thibault turned his back on the Anthrosaur, as he followed his subordinate, who pointed his hand to a group of monsters down the valley, Black Dogs from the looks of it. The subordinate then asked.
"What do we do sire? We need to pass that way to finally get home!"
Thibault was in deep thought for a moment before replying.
"I have a plan."
Duke Thomas felt blinded as he tried to navigate the way through his castle, with the assistance of his wife Alexandra. He extended his arms as he tried to see in front of him.
"Where are we going my love?" Thomas asked. "Why did you insist on blindfolding me?"
"Because it would ruin the surprise!" Alexandra replied while giggling.
Chinatsu be fallin' in love anime-style! The first part was just a giant side-story to the plot to showcase medieval punishment and my hatred for Netorare! Also, Antoine, Lauren, and Thibault will be covered later on. Duke Thomas' birthday will be the main priority.