"Cheers!", many Whitehorns, Elt, Anastasia and myself shouted as we clinked our mugs together before downing our alcohol.
The mission to stop the Ice Queen was successful, as we thought, and the Ice Queen had agreed to release the humans she had captured and end the Ring of Ice. In return, we would leave her domain alone, and she also personally requested I forget everything that happened in that Throne Room. I told her I would, but I kept to myself the fact that it would be likely impossible. I still don't know why exactly I hugged her in that Throne Room, though I suspect it had something to do with the Demonic Cold.
As a result, human merchants, tourists, and adventurers, both human and monster, were allowed to go free, though a few stayed behind as they had grown quite attached to specific Glacies and would be serving the Ice Queen alongside them. The North Whitehorn station opened back up and travel would resume tomorrow morning. It had been a few days since we teleported here, but it seems that things should be rather smooth sailing from here.
We'll depart tomorrow with Sydney and Beth yet again, as they will drop us off at a small settlement called Recklova. From there, we will have to continue on foot several more miles before finally reaching Magicor. For now, though, we were simply celebrating our victory back in the East Whitehorn Station.
"I still don't know how you three were able to pull that off.", Sydney asked after taking a long swig of her drink."How did you resist the Demonic Cold?"
"I don't really know myself.", I responded before lying."A lot of weird shit has been happening with my body, so I was hoping I could figure that out at Magicor, too."
"But how do you plan on getting in?", Beth asked before adding."They aren't too keen on outsiders, especially humans."
"You could always stay here with us.", Sydney remarked before adding."I'd be more than willing to help you explore your body as much as you like."
"Thanks, but I don't think I necessarily trust you to cut me open.", I responded, cheekily ignoring her flirting."Thanks for the offer, though." Beth and Elt started laughing as Sydney pouted. I soon joined in the laughter myself as I looked around at everyone, human and monsters drinking merrily together. I hope this kind of experience tonight will help Elt get a better attitude towards monsters. As I finished thinking that, though, I saw Anastasia walking upstairs with a solemn look on her face. As if there was a lot on her mind. Come to think of it, she had been rather distant ever since we got back.
Normally, I wouldn't give a shit, but I'm worried she may try something like reporting in to her commanding officers somehow. I don't know how she would, but I'd rather not be caught with my pants down if she is planning on trying something. With that thought, I sneakily followed after her with [Sneak 100].
I was able to follow her to the outside balcony on the second floor of the Station. She seemed to just walk over to the railing and look out amongst the snow and night sky. I stayed by the door to keep an eye on her, but after a few minutes of nothing, I started to think she might not actually be planning anything.
What's up with her? I'd think she'd be downstairs teasing me right alongside Sydney, but instead she's acting like someone just killed her dog in front of her. Should I ask her what's up? I don't really know if there's any point to that. Well, I may be able to get some more intel out of her in this state, so I suppose I can ask her what's wrong. Purely for my own reasons, of course. As if I could care about someone like her.
"Watcha doing out here?", I asked before adding."Not enough rape downstairs for your liking?"
"Six…", she sighed before asking in a neutral tone."What do you want?"
"I saw you sneaking away from the party and thought you may be up to something.", I answered as I walked onto the balcony to stand next to her and leaned on the railing."But, instead, I find you moping like you were just told you've got a week to live."
"So...you were worried about me?", she asked, turning her head to face me.
"Not out of the goodness of my heart, mind you.", I responded."I doubt most people would be able to forgive the kind of deception you pulled with those kids."
"Geez, you're an ass…", she snarled before looking back over the balcony."Then again, I already knew that thanks to your murder of my closest friends."
"Friends that knew what they were getting into.", I clarified before adding."I thought we covered this already."
"Yet you were able to stop the Ice Queen without murder.", she rebuked before continuing."You are clearly capable of using diplomacy and compassion to solve disputes, so why did you forgo that in favor of killing my friends?"
"Because it's easier.", I answered quickly. That seemed to make her mad as she started fuming.
"Easier? Killing is easier!?", she yelled,"How is murder easier than diplomacy?"
"Because your diplomacy and mine do not align, which results in a conflict of interest. Killing is simply the more surefire way to end a dispute in a timely manner with no extra baggage.", I responded. She got quiet at that, subtly beginning to tear up. She turned to look at the ground below the balcony before finally speaking up again in a low tone of voice.
"How is it so easy for you?", she asked.
"Hmm? Come again?", I asked, not able to fully hear her.
"Killing. What's it like?", she asked a bit louder for me to hear. Damn, she's starting to ask the hard questions.
"...I have a friend who I think put it quite well.", I responded after some thinking."He told me 'I don't enjoy killing, but when done righteously, it's just a chore, like any other'. You see, you never really get used to the act of taking someone's life. Rather, you learn to live with it and try your best to move on after doing it. It's not fun, but often times, it's the only good choice."
"But how is it done righteously?", she asked before continuing."Who has the authority to decide who deserves to live and who doesn't? Does that not sound an awful lot like the tyranny of the Chief God?"
"You raise a good point.", I answered before explaining."Often times, it comes down to your own survival rather than any sort of moral compass. While I do tend to let my morals drive me in certain kills against things like slavers and cannibals, it mainly comes down to what will happen to me if I don't kill. I ave to ask myself,"What will become of me if I let this person live?", and if the answer involves me dead, captured, or worse off in some way, then I will do the chore. I may not enjoy it, but I'll do it."
"But you have a choice.", she responded before adding."There's always a choice, so why make that one?"
"You're right, there is always a choice.", I said before sighing and looking to the stars."I suppose it's more for peace of mind. I'm from a rather dangerous place, you see, and sparing your enemies there would often do nothing more than perpetuate a grudge that would end with a knife in your back." At that, I stopped talking before I went any further, realizing I probably shouldn't disclose any more information about my origins. It seemed like she didn't care, though, as she simply continued to stare off into the distance.
"Then I have another question to ask.", she said before asking,"What was it like killing my friends?"
"Truthfully, I was a little disappointed.", I responded truthfully."I didn't want to kill Nerys, I was actually aiming to injure her, too, but she flailed around too much and wound up taking a lethal hit. I was a tad disappointed about that, but I didn't let that slow me down."
"And Elora?", she asked after nodding her head slowly.
"Again, I was disappointed, but for a different reason.", I answered before explaining,"I fully intended to kill her as I said I would if she tried anything else with me, but I was disappointed that she ignored my threat in the first place. Regardless, there is really no reason for me to be. She made her choice, and was dealt the consequences."
"No she didn't...I made her do that…", Anastasia began to tear up slightly as she continued to look away from me."She went after you for my sake. It really is my fault…" Oh boy, here we go again. Better say something quick before she starts crying.
"...If it makes you feel any better, both of their deaths were instant. Same for that other girl with the green hair.", I told her before adding."They weren't in pain."
"Sorry, but I'm afraid that doesn't make me feel any better.", she responded, seemingly clearing her eyes of any forming tears."And Miku...her name was Miku, and she absolutely loved to watch plays and the like…"
"I see…", with that, I didn't really know how else to respond. I was about to leave before Anastasia spoke up once again.
"You know, back when I was human, I used to really love plays and dramas, too.", she started before continuing,"I used to live in this small little village with my family that used to be friendly to humans and mamono, but now that area is a part of the Demon Realm. On the third week of every month, without fail, a traveling troupe of performers would come to the village and put on various plays for us to enjoy. I grew up loving those plays, and never missed their shows if I could help it."
I nodded along as she continued to tell her story.
"I was always rather busy since I had to help my father support my family in my mother's place since she died of illness when I was a child. However, even with how busy I was, I would always make time to watch the performers, as well as to speak to one of the actors I began to grow fond of. He was a young man much like Elt, even behaved like him, too, and I thought he was the most dashing, amazing man in the world. He felt the same way towards me, and we would always meet up after performances to spend time together."
"It sounds like you had everything going well for you.", I said as I continued to drink my alcohol. She took a swig of hers, too, as she responded.
"Yeah, well, nothing good lasts forever…", she said solemnly as she continued her story."It wasn't long before we began to notice a change in the performer's behavior. It wasn't anything major at first, a few strange looks here, a few murmurs there. Pretty soon, though, they began to openly treat us with disrespect and even scorn. The boy I had been seeing still treated me the same, but even he had begun to show disdain for the other residents of my village." At that, she took one long swig before her eyes adopted a look I know very well. A look that shows someone has seen some bad shit in their days and was recalling them. A thousand-yard stare.
"Then, one day, the boy I liked came into town early and snuck into my bedroom while I slept.", she said before continuing." Before I knew what was going on, I had been bound, gagged, and dragged out of the house and into the basement of a building the performers took residence in when they came to town. He told me that I'd be safe there and that he'd come back for me and take me away to live a grand life with him. I was conflicted, but couldn't even voice my opinion before he had already left and morning had come. Then, it began." Her voice began to choke up as she recalled the clearly painful memory.
"I remember laying there in that dark basement as the...screams of my neighbors pierced the air and my family-", she choked, unable to finish the sentence."It was a massacre. We had no guards or warriors, so the attackers were able to slaughter my friends and family with ease, and I could do nothing but listen. It's...hard to describe what I felt that day. I felt terrified by the events I knew were taking place above me. I felt angry at the people who took everything I had away from me. I felt relieved that I wasn't up there going through it, and that the boy I fancied had taken me down there to be safe, yet I felt betrayed as well since it was clear he was in on the attack. Why else would he have known, yet see it fit to bind and gag me?" With one long gulp, she finished her drink and leaned back over the railing.
"Regardless, it's not like I ever got to ask him that.", she said before explaining."He never came back for me, and I only found out later that he died in the attack doing battle against our village tailor. So, I was instead left with my thoughts in that dark basement as I began to starve. I wasn't the only one starving, though. It was always too dark to see them, but the rats in the basement I would always hear scurrying around seemed to get rather hungry, too, and it wasn't long before they...well, you can probably guess…"
"Jesus Christ…", I was honestly at a loss. I know I made fun of her for being a crybaby earlier, but that's really fucked up. I actually feel kinda bad now.
"...Gosh, I don't even know why I'm telling you this!", she said, putting her head into her hands."You probably started talking with me just to get more info anyway, and I ended up giving you loads."
"...Maybe you needed to tell someone.", I suggested before adding."How do you feel now that you've told me?"
"I...feel better, though I shouldn't.", she answered before sighing and shaking her head."Whatever, I don't even care anymore." As she said that, she threw her mug out over the balcony and slumped back over the railing.
"That kind of mental stress and trauma, though, that must have left you rather depressed.", I responded.
"Yes, I suppose that's a good way to put it.", she responded before adding."I don't remember all the details myself, but it was thanks to the spirits of the villagers and the Demon Lord's forces that rolled through soon after that I was able to be reborn as a Phantom, and like that, I was suddenly a Noblewoman. My soon to be best friends tried their best, and eventually managed to pull me out of my slump through sheer perseverance. Honestly, I'm still not sure how they did it. I don't remember much from that time, and most of what I do remember I want to forget. However, the time I spent with those girls was the only thing that kept me going. I suppose, in a sense, they saved my life...but I was unable to save theirs…" We stayed there in silence for a bit after she said that before she spoke up again.
"You know, I may not see you as an enemy, but you were right in what you said yesterday about me.", she said before adding."I will sell you out the second I am able to get in touch with Druella, or, at least, a part of me wants to."
"I know, though I'm still wondering why you brought all this up in the first place.", I explained.
"I'm not to sure myself, though it was from the same part of me that still wants to love you.", she said before adding."Perhaps it was from reading the Ice Queen's diary, or maybe it was a result of your little pep talk with her. Wherever it came from, it's not like I can take it back now. We can't change the past, no matter how hard we try."
"You're right, but we can change the now.", I responded.
"Indeed, that's what has me so torn right now.", she said. I see, so part of her hates me and wants to turn me in and get back with the Demon Lord's armies, and the other part of her loves me and isn't alright with what the Druella is doing now."I do know one thing for certain, though. I won't let anything happen to Ender. If it means I have to fight the whole world, then so be it. I won't lost another of my friends to you or anyone else."
"I see...Well, then I wish you luck in that endeavor.", I said as I turned to leave and headed to the door.
"Wait, that's it?", she asked,"No mocking or demeaning or anything like that?"
"Why would I?", I asked,"I may not exactly like you, but it seems like you're starting to come to terms with what you want in your life. Better yet, it isn't all about raping me. I see this as an absolute win."
"But I told you I might sell you out whenever I can.", she said before asking,"Doesn't that bother you?"
"No.", I said before explaining,"For one, I already kinda knew that, and two, I'm starting to think you may not be a lost cause after all."
"A lost cause?", she asked.
"Yeah, it may take some time, but I think you've got the workings for a real, honest person.", I said before adding."Just finish working out your issues out and clean up the rapey habits."
"That's the thing, I don't know if I can do that alone…", she said more so to herself.
"You'd be surprised; you've got more strength than you give yourself credit for.", I said before adding,"Besides, Elt and I are always available to lend an ear, if you'd be willing to seek help from lowly humans like us." I finished in a mock haughty tone, to which she frowned.
"I...I'll think about it…", she said before turning to look back over the railing. With that, I turned and left the balcony. With that, I felt it was about time for some shuteye. I made my way to my room and laid down in preparation for a good night's sleep. We're finally going to make some headway tomorrow, so I better get some rest. That was my last thought as I laid down and slowly fell asleep.
"Whew, we're finally in Recklova!", Elt exclaimed as we entered a tavern for some food. The morning preparations and journey with Sydney and Beth had gone smoothly and without anymore sexy mishaps. However, when we entered, I noticed a glaring issue.
Everyone, and I mean everyone, was staring at me.
I suppose that's to be expected now that rumors of my exploits have likely spread pretty far by now.
"I don't like this. Let's just get our food and get out of here.", I whispered to them both.
"Agreed.", Anastasia concurred as we made our way up to the barkeep to order our food.
"Well, if it isn't the famed Red-Eyes Six in my bar!", the barkeep exclaimed rather loudly.
"Keep it down, man. It's not that big of a deal.", I responded before adding."We're just here to get lunch and then we'll be on our way."
"Well, we have a private table near the back corner where no one will be able to see you.", the barkeeper said."It got rented out for the afternoon by a young lady who said she wanted to meet with you. She said you would be coming by, but I didn't actually believe her!"
"What does she want?", I asked, eyes narrowed under my Gas Mask.
"Dunno, but she isn't with Druella if that's what you're thinking!", he said with a hearty laugh.
"Okay, fine, whatever.", I said just trying to shut him up so we can order and get away from everyone's stares."Just take our orders so we can go sit down." With that, we ordered our food and began to make our way over to the private table he specified for us.
"Are you sure this is a good idea, Six?", Elt asked in a concerned voice.
"No, so be ready for anything.", I said, to which he and Anastasia both nodded. After a bit of walking, we finally reached the private table. It was, indeed, away from prying eyes, and we wouldn't likely be bothered here. Sitting at the table was a nearly emotionless girl with long black hair tied at the end by a red ribbon and onyx eyes. She looked to be of Eastern descent and wore a loose-fitting, white and red kimono white kneesocks, tall sandals and a beaded bracelet around her right arm. She also had what looked like a Nodachi, though I may have been wrong.
"Hmm, you sure take your time.", she said as she looked me in the eyes."Let me get straight to the point. My name is Koyoi Amanomiya. I have been looking forward to making your acquaintance, Red-Eyes Six."
"Oh, yeah?", I asked,"And what for?"
"I want you to help me kill Druella."