Author's Note: Welcome. I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter for a rather unique take on the bow hero replacement story. I also hope that you googled what Kaiserreich is because I cannot express how good of an alternate history scenario it is. Anyways, here's chapter 2.
Edits to previous chapter:
- Changed Alice's tank top to a t - shirt.
- Adjusted the Thompson's stats so it's less god - like, but still very strong due to its strengths compared to a bow.
Disclaimer: I don't own ROTSH or Kaiserreich as they belong to whatever companies own them.
"Quotes."
"Thoughts and/or reading"
Alice's Bedroom, Castle Melromarc
December 30th, 0538 Hours, 1943
Alice stood in the middle of a dark and muddy field. A thick, soul crushing fog encompassed everything, only leaving a few feet to see ahead of her. Reaching at her thigh, she felt nothing except cloth, unnerving her.
"Derrek?! Brady, Mark?! Private!?" She yelled into the fog, receiving no reply.
She began to move forward at a very slow pace, her feet sinking and into the mud with each and every step she took. A small, yet bright light suddenly flashed through the fog accompanied by a familiar bang. Falling on her back, she felt a liquid seeping onto her chest.
Looking down at her shirt, she saw it began to darken. A burning sensation followed and she panicked as she started ripping through her clothes to see why she was in pain, until finally, she saw a wound no bigger than a golf ball protruding out of her chest.
"Is this how it felt when you died in that trench?" A voice asked.
Looking around, Alice could barely see the silhouette of a tall individual who didn't take long to reveal himself. General Douglas MacArthur stepped into her view and stood with his hands in his back pockets.
"You were meant to serve me, not die for me. Oh how I am disappointed in you Sergeant." He shook his head. "I needed every man and woman out there fighting for the freedoms we held dear for a hundred fifty years, and you let the only enemy of America rip that away."
Alice, even in her weakened state, was able to mutter a response. "I'm. . .sorry . . sir."
"Sorry doesn't cut it, Sergeant. I appreciate the gesture, but now it's your time to go." MacArthur said, looking up and nodding to someone behind her.
Another figure walked over to the left side of her dying body, someone she knew all too well. The journalist - turned - senator Jack Reed lifted his Browning Hi - Power and aimed it at her head.
"Sorry kid. It's too bad you had to join the wrong side, the losing side." He told her, pulling the trigger.
Alice jolted awake in a cold sweat. Her chest bounced up and down as heavy breathing took hold of her. She ran a hand through her brown matted hair, pushing any strands of it out of her face. Looking over to her Thompson laid against the nightstand she had set down the evening prior, she thought of the nightmare she had just endured.
"General? Am I really that much of a disappointment to you?" She thought solemnly. "No, no way he meant any of that. He cares about his men, and that includes me. It's just a dream, just a bad dream." She shook her head trying to clear her mind. "I'm sorry sir. I shouldn't have been a hero. I shouldn't have been stupid." She apologized softly like he was in the room with her.
Taking a few moments to recollect herself, she took a deep breath and got out of bed. Looking at her A - 11 watch, it read nearly fifteen till O' six hundred. "I should have an hour before the others wake up. Once I get my party, I need to find a library or something because I really need to learn about this world, but first, routine."
Walking to the middle of her room, the icy - cold sweat and cool breeze from the window chilled her body to such a degree that it was a close enough mimicry of her barracks in the winter. Getting on the floor in a push up position, she worked on three sets of fifty before transitioning to sit ups, then to three minute planks, and finally a five mile jog around her spacious room. After she was finished, she went over to the sink in her bathroom, turned it on, and filled her cupped hands with some cool water.
After taking a few minutes to manage herself after such a workout, light from the morning sun began filling her room as she again looked at her watch and saw that it was O' seven fourteen. "Should be enough time to grab some grub before we're called to meet again with the king." She thought, putting on her clothes and gathering her gear. Once she was ready, she opened the door to the hallway and started her first journey in this new world: looking for the mess hall.
The Royal Courtroom, Melromarc Castle
December 30th, 0758 Hours, 1943
Alice and the other Cardinal Heroes stood side by side as they looked over the lineup of adventures that King Aultcrey claimed were the best in the land suitable for only the heroes of legend.
"Heroes, today is the day that you begin your journey against the Waves of Catastrophe. Here, we have the companions we have deemed worthy of fighting by each of your sides." Aultcrey opened with.
Looking over the dozen or so individuals before her, Alice analyzed which ones would be best suited to balance out her abilities. "Knight guy seems like he'd be a very strong and good defender while those staff wielders must use whatever magic this world has. No doubt they'd make excellent field - mortarmen. That red headed girl looks quick and nimble, a good in - and - out type of combat. Funny how she looks similar to one of the princesses too." She thought, looking at the royal portrait again. "Hold on a damn minute…" A realization came to her.
"These brave souls will help fight in the waves alongside you. Your experiences will be theirs, so cherish what time you may be able to spend with them." Aultcrey hinted ominously.
A worried look came over Naofumi's face. His inexperience compared to the rest of them, if you can even call it that for Ren and Motoyasu, really showed through the excited exterior he'd been showing for the last twenty minutes.
"Adventurers, it is time for you to choose the hero you wish to follow and begin your journey's." Aultcrey's voice boomed throughout the room.
The adventures trickled out of their line and grouped up behind each hero, forming the parties. After a few moments, Alice looked around and saw the adventurers, or lack thereof, that would follow the four of them into most likely certain death. Behind her stood the armored knight with the battleaxe she had wanted, one of the mages, and instead of the red head, she had acquired a blonde female with a spear or pike weapon.
"Hey king, what gives? Why do they have all the adventurers and I don't?" Naofumi complained.
"I must admit, not even I could have expected this outcome. Sir shield hero, I assure you we will resolve this immediately." Aultcrey assured him.
It was then one of Aultcrey's aids came forward and whispered something into the old king's ear. Whatever it may have been, it didn't stop Alice from noticing a very sly smirk form on his lips before disappearing.
"That's two in a row. What do you have for Naofumi king?" Alice wondered, her suspicion of the royal man increasing.
The king sighed. "It appears that an unsettling rumor has been weaving its way through the town. It states that the shield hero is ignorant of our world, a complete dichotomy between what is foretold in the ancient legends. The legends say that when the four Cardinal Heroes arrive, they will have a deep understanding of our lands, something the bow hero also seems to be just shy of being entirely ignorant. Either way, shield hero, what excuse do you have for lacking such knowledge?"
Naofumi was at a loss for words. Motoyasu leaned toward the bewildered man. "Someone must've been spying on us last night." He whispered.
"You don't say?" Naofumi whispered back. "C'mon guys, I need at least one person to help me. I'm the shield hero, the class you guys said sucked. I need a party in order to grow stronger in any way."
"Why don't we split these people three a piece? That'll even it out for all of us and everyone can utilize a strength for an equal amount of combined arms warfare." Alice suggested.
"That may be the best course of action." Ren agreed, turning to the five members behind him. "If any of you can't pull your weight, go stand with Naofumi."
None of them moved. In fact, they each took a step closer toward Ren causing Naofumi to go from being visibly upset to frustrated.
"Motoyasu, you can spare at least one person right?" He begged the blonde man.
"I mean, if they don't want too, I'm not going to for -"
"I will sir shield hero." A female voice spoke up with a raised hand. "I will happily volunteer to swap parties and join the shield hero." The redhead that Alice identified as potentially one of the two princesses.
Alice saw Naofumi's face go into shock as he eye'd the female. "Don't do it kid. Don't let your blood dictate your brain. If that's the princess then we're all screwed."
"I, uhh, thank you miss…?" Naofumi inquired, asking for her name.
"Myne Sophia, but you can just call me Myne." Myne offered with a charming smile.
"Does anyone else wish to join Master Nasofumi's party?" The king asked. When no one else moved, he let out a disappointing sigh. "Well then, so be it. Due to these unfortunate circumstances Master Naofumi finds himself in, he will need to search and recruit party members under his own volition. Now onto payment. Each month, we shall provide the heroes with a sum of six hundred silver to continue their journey. This one time however, Master Naofumi will be provided eight hundred silver as compensation for his lack of a party."
Waving his hand, a group of butlers and maids came out from the sides of the room with coin filled bags in hand, with each of them walking up to a hero and handing off the coins. When the bag landed in Alice's hands, it surprised her with the amount of weight to it being considerably higher than she anticipated.
"With that being said and done, heroes, set out onto your journey's and find glory in your battles with the Waves of Catastrophe!" Aultcrey commanded with a booming presence.
The other's nodded while Alice, with her money still in one hand, saluted the king before turning heels and following the others out of the castle. As they stepped out into the shining sun, Alice stopped with the other heroes, took off her rucksack and put her bag of coins in it. "I should try out that inventory thing that maid told me about yesterday, but no way in hell is my cash going to be my guinea pig."
"I suppose this is where we part ways?" Motoyasu asked.
"Indeed so. Good luck on your adventures." Naofumi wished the two men as they walked away.
"Hey, you need it more than we do man. Good luck to you too." Motoyasu responded a few yards away.
Alice, now finished and with her rucksack secured firmly on, well her back, placed a hand on Naofumi's shoulder. "Hey Naofumi, I've got something to tell you."
"Oh uhhh sure Alice, what'ya got for me?" He asked curiously.
Pulling him off to the side, she pulled out her newspaper and pointed to a very specific line. "See here how it says the four Cardinal Heroes are betrayed by a princess? I have reason to suspect that the girl who joined you is one of the two princesses hinted at doing this." She whispered to him.
"Oh yeah? How so?" Naofumi whispered back.
"Above the king, there was a family portrait on the wall with two girls. One of them had purple hair similar to that of the queen while the other had red hair with a very similar face too." She explained.
"If you say so. I'll be careful and keep an eye on her." He reassured.
"That's all you can do for now. If something happens, just come find me, alright?"
"Got it. Well, good luck to you Alice. I hope that SMG really makes a difference."
"Ditto, you too."
"What?" He asked, confused.
"Sorry, probably old slang for you. Likewise Naofumi, likewise." She elaborated.
As the pair departed from their conversation, Naofumi made his way back to Myne while Alice reconveined with her new squad. "So, what are your names and do any of you know where we can begin to work on my level?" She asked them.
The knight stepped forward. "Mistress Alice, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Mald Howenspire, son of nobility just beyond the walls of Castle Town. If I may recommend, there is an excellent beginner's location just on the edge of the forest to the west of here. It's my pleasure to be of service to you."
"Before we get ahead of ourselves, my name's Welst Aberdeen. Like Mald, I'm also of the nobility, but unlike his more direct methods, I chose a more intelligent path." The mage introduced himself, holding up his staff.
"And I'm Olivia Branish." The blonde female began once Welst finished. "A master of the spear and, unlike these two, trained a great deal of my life in order to earn my position." Olivia appeared to gloat.
"Well if you three are going to be my new squad members, I should lay down some ground rules. One, what I say goes. You may have objections and you can voice them, but final decisions are made by me. Two, we stick together as a squad. No one, under any but the most dire of circumstances, is to go alone. Three, you tell me nothing but the truth. If you lie to me and I find out, you will be ejected from my squad permanently. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes/Alright/Mhm." She got in reply from the three of them.
Unsatisfied, Alice emphasized her new orders a bit. "I didn't hear you. Do I make myself clear?!"
"Yes ma'am!" She enthusiastically got in response.
"And don't call me ma'am, instead say Sergeant or Alice because I work for a living. Now Mald, since you know where the best beginner area is, you're taking point and leading the way."
"But Miss Bow Hero shou -" Olivia tried saying.
"Sergeant or Alice." She reminded her.
"Errr Alice, shouldn't we stop by a blacksmith and get you some armor? Your clothes don't look like they would provide you with any protection, say for that strange helmet." Olivia suggested.
"Hmmm, I do need to increase my defense somehow so I suppose it wouldn't hurt to look. It'll have to be something light though. It seems momentum and firepower are going to be my two best abilities. Do you know where a blacksmith even is?" Alice asked.
"I sure do, the best one in town!" Olivia boasted.
"Alright, lead the way. Mald, once we're finished with business here then we'll go level up."
"As you say Miss - I mean Sergeant." He complied.
Alice trailed behind Olivia who led the newly formed squad through one of the many market districts of Castle Town. Alice looked around in awe, taking in the sights of the old medieval architecture. As they exited the area and entered a large plaza with a large fountain in the center, a loud and distinctive crack echoed throughout the streets. Alice brought a fist up, halting her squad before bringing her Thompson into a low - ready position. She carefully looked around the area to identify the source of the noise until finally pinning it on an older man with a whip thrusting it towards… A CHILD!?
Alice immediately began sprinting towards the man who heard the heavy thudding of her boots and looked up at the last second to see her barrel into him, knocking him down. "What the fuck are you doing!?" She yelled at him. Looking at the kid, she saw that he had a pair of strange looking ears on the top of his head and, if her memory served her right, he was most likely one of those Demi - Humans described in the book.
"What does it matter to you? The kid's a filthy Demi, he has no place here but to serve." The man 'defended' himself.
"I'll work on my anger AFTER I deal with this shithead slaver!" Alice thought, her face filling with rage. Slowly walking over to him, she reeled back her boot before kicking the man hard in the face, breaking his nose and subsequently knocking him out. Huffing, she turned her attention towards the Demi - Human boy who was laying on the ground in shock. And knelt down to his level.
"Are you hurt? Where are your parents?" She began asking him.
"Why bother. He's just a Demi, just a slave." Mald said, albeit stupidly.
On a whim, Alice stood up, turned, and socked the knight right in his jaw hard enough to make him fall on his ass. "Out." She hissed at him.
"Hey, what gives?" He tried asking.
"Any racist remarks is immediate termination from my squad. You. Are. Out." She hissed even harder at the knight.
"I thought you were on our side." He said, standing up and turning away. "Bitch." He heartlessly said, showing his true colors.
In a flash, Alice raised the butt of her Thompson and smashed it against the knight's head so hard that it left a dent in the back of his helmet, sending him tumbling into a bundle of hay. "Does anyone else have any objections to my decision?" She asked Welst and Olivia, both of whom shook their heads in fear. "Good."
Walking back to the Demi - Human boy, she grabbed his hand and helped him to his feet. The boy, rightfully frightened, had his eyes shut and violently shook.
"Are you ok?" She asked the terrified boy. Receiving no reply, she placed a hand on the top of his head and rubbed it, imitating a mothers affection the best she could. This action, surprisingly, calmed the boy enough to where he nodded to her previous question. "Where are your parents? Why was that bad man hurting you?" She tried prying.
"Dead. They… they died in the wave protecting our village, then knights came and took everyone else away." He vaguely explained before crying.
"Ok, it's ok. It's going to be ok." She reassured him, pulling him into a hug. Looking to her remaining companions, she asked them plainly. "Are there any orphanages that will take him in?"
"There's one down by the docks if I recall correctly. We can bring him there so he can get whatever help he needs." Informed Welst.
"Alright. First to the docks, then to the blacksmith." Alice told them. Standing up, she picked the boy up and held him against her chest while carrying her Thompson. Moving away from the old, unconscious man initially had no effects, but after they passed the fifty yard mark, a strange purple glow illuminated itself from the boy's chest before activating.
The boy cried out in pain as he was shocked by the symbol's perimeter defense. Alice, thinking quickly, backpedaled which stopped the short lived torment. Now a new flurry of questions swirled through her mind.
"What was that? What just happened to him?" She asked Olivia and Welst.
"Look at his chest. He most likely has a slave crest binding him to his master. It doesn't allow them to do anything that would go against whatever they're told, which in most cases also limits their area of movement." Welst explained, being more informed about it's magical effects.
"So how do we get rid of it?"
"We can't. The process is expensive so it's really only reserved for royal courts, but I doubt the king would help us as Demi - Human slavery is legalized in the country." He continued.
Alice, not letting her anger get the better of her for this moment, had a wave of sorrow wash over her. She looked back at the boy she was carrying, his tears soaking part of her uniform.
"Why must such a barbaric practice be continued even in a different world." She asked, her voice emotionless.
"I'm sorry Alice, but we're going to have to leave him here, otherwise he might die from the crests effects." Welst suggested with a heavy heart.
Alice let out a sigh. Walking back to the old man, looking away, she set the boy down on the edge of the cart. "I'm sorry, but you have to stay here. I'm so, so sorry." She apologized to him. The feeling of being powerless so - much - so that she can't even save a child from the shackles of slavery left a stain on Alice's opinion for Melromarc. "What is a society to do without the ideals of liberty and freedom?" She pondered.
As she walked away from the crying boy, she desperately tried calming herself by humming one of her favorite tunes.
"O' we'll rally 'round the flag boys, we'll rally once again,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!
And we'll rally from the hillside, we'll gather from the plain,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!
The union forever! Hurrah, boys hurrah!
Down with the traitor's, and up with the stars!"
Erhard's Shop, Castle Town
December 30th, 0832 Hours, 1943
Alice and her two remaining companions finally made it to the blacksmith Olivia spoke so highly about. Upon entering, her feelings about the events that transpired barely ten minutes prior still weighed heavily on her as her shoulders were slumped and head hung low.
Moving her eyes from one side of the store to the other, the walls displayed several different pieces of weapons and armor from daggers to axes and light to heavy armor. Taking a deep breath, she walked up to the desk that had a large, well built bald man with a bushy beard standing behind it.
"Hello there." He greeted them. "Why, don't you look quite unique?" He asked Alice.
"Yeah." She plainly answered.
"Is something bothering you, newcomer? Most people that come in here for their first time are excited, I can tell you're the opposite." The man analyzed.
"It's just that I couldn't save a someone, a child, from the bonds of slavery." She confessed to the man.
"Oh, I see. Well you have my condolences. Slavery as of late is quite the mixed subject in royal and local politics. In my opinion, I hope when the queen returns she finally ends it."
"Where is she now?"
"I'm not so sure. There was a ceremonial exit when she left the city, so probably on some diplomatic expedition or something. She's been gone for about a week now and typically doesn't return for a good month or two. So until then, we're stuck with what we have." He explained.
"Oh, thanks for filling me in." Alice responded, somewhat grateful the country isn't entirely pro - slavery.
"No problem. Name's Erhard by the way." Erhard said, extending a hand.
Now in better spirits, Alice took and shook it. "Alice Schmitt, bow hero."
As soon as she said those words, Erhard began having a coughing fit with the amount of shock that ran through him. "I have one of the four Cardinal Heroes in my store?! My shop must be one the best around town if you came in! What do you need? Weapons, armor, you name it!"
"Oh no Mr. Erhard. My weapons are probably the best I'm going to get in this world." She told him, turning her body to show off her Thompson and patting her holster that contained her M1911 handgun.
"Whoa, what guns are those?"
"Wait, you know what these are?" Alice asked, confused and shocked at Erhard's knowledge.
"Sort of. Although those look like guns I've never seen. The nation of Faubrey occasionally sends diplomatic emissaries, and they're soldiers are equipped with guns rather than swords. They don't want to share them unfortunately."
"Hmm, I'm going to have to look into them, but that's neither here nor there. Right now, I need a set of armor that will increase my defense; preferably something light that won't hinder my mobility."
"Of course. Let me go get my assortment of leather armor." Erhard said, walking to the back. A minute later, he returned carrying several different sets of leather armor over his forearm. Setting them down onto the desk, he walked around with a rope. "Before we get you into your armor, I'm going to need some measurements. With all of that, uhhh… stuff you have is certainly going to mess up the number so I'm going to need you to remove them.
"Fair enough I guess." Alice complied, taking off her rucksack, gas mask, grenades, and any other equipment. When she began to unbutton her shirt, Erhard spoke up.
"Whoa whoa whoa, I asked you to drop your gear, not strip in my store." He protested.
"This is just my over - shirt. It's a little bigger than my torso allowing me to exercise more degrees of motion without my chest tightening it when I turn my body. It's standard issue to every female in the military." She explained, continuing to take it off. "Don't worry, I have a t - shirt underneath it."
"Ok, very well then. Whew, I was worried I would have to look away to retain some level of decency."
"What? Don't like the look of a woman?" Alice joked, seeing an opportunity to mess with the man.
"Do you want armor or not?" Erhard shot back.
"Touché." Alice conceded.
Once her over - shirt was off, she stood as straight as she could with her arms extended outward while Erhard took her measurements. After he was complete, he walked back to his counter and immediately took three out of the seven total outfits off the table.
"So out of all of the different armor's I thought would be best for you, your measurements already rule out half of them. That leaves you with four options." He pointed to the left - most set and slowly made his way down the line. "Leather, studded, reinforced, and padded. Which one do you want?"
"Studded and padded are definite no - go's. I need something that will provide decent protection while not hampering my movement. What's the reinforced leather armor got going for it?" She asked.
"Well it's like regular leather, but it has small plates of light metal sewn in between two layers of leather, thus creating a reinforced, yet still mobile piece of armor." Erhard explained.
"That sounds like just what I need. Instead of a full set though, can I just have some bracers, a chestplate, and kneepads? With my line of work, and amount of equipment, I doubt I'll find use for leg protection when I'll be continuously on the move and shoulder pads would just hamper my ability to aim." Alice requested.
"Sure, that will be a custom order though and I'll need to make them to fit your size. All - in - all, that would be around eighty silver. Normally it would be a hundred, but consider it a hero's discount."
"Really? Thank's Erhard, that's generous. Moreso than the slavery that's for sure." Alice partly smiled, pulling out her bag of silver and began counting individual coins.
"I try. Besides, you came to my shop before any others so you deserve it."
"You can thank Olivia here for that. She was the one who suggested your establishment, and her intuition was not wrong. So far your service has been pretty good." Alice complimented both individuals, not taking her attention off her slowly growing pile of coins.
Erhard look just past Alice's near six foot stature and nodded at the blonde haired woman who kindly returned the gesture. "You have good taste Branish, you sure do know who to keep in contact with."
"When you're the one who took me in and trained me to get to where I am now, how could I ever forget?" Olivia responded.
"Damn right." Erhard smirked.
The sound of coins clinking together brought the blacksmith's attention back to Alice as she slid a pile of eighty silver coins to his side of the counter. Scooping them into his hands, Erhard deposited them into the pouch of his apron.
"Come back in an hour or two. Considering you want less than a full set makes my life easier. OH, I almost forgot, do you want it enchanted?"
"Enchanted? What's that mean?"
"In short, enchanting armor gives it better protection from different types of magic and such like fire, lightning, water, wind, etc." He explained.
"If that's the case, then definitely. Make it as strong as you possibly can, I want to be able to take a beating if shit gets rough. I'm sure it'll add to the cost, how much do you want for it?"
"You got it; and consider it free, a gesture of goodwill." Erhard waved her off.
"Huh, not only are you a blacksmith, but a smart businessman too. I would have never guessed." Alice teased him.
"I've been doing this a long time, I know when to give a deal. Before you go, is there anything else you want? That helmet of yours looks mighty nice, what about some enchantments for it?" Erhard offered.
Alice knocked on her steel M1 Helmet. "Sure, but only after I'm done leveling up for the day."
"Sounds like a plan. Good luck out there, bow hero." Erhard waved to Alice and her companions.
Alice casually saluted the man. "We shouldn't stay in your hair for long, just have my armor ready when I get back."
"Will do." Erhard smiled as his shop's door closed. Getting to work on making Alice's custom armor, it wasn't until ten second later he realized what she had said.
"Damn, she's good." He complimented her.
Edge of the Forest Outside Castle Town, Melromarc
December 30th, 0914 Hours, 1943
Alice waded through some thigh high grass with her Thompson raised and senses high. It had taken her squad some time to find the location Mald had pointed out without his actual guidance, but were relieved when they saw the other heroes in the same general location.
Now walking on the edge of a hill, Alice was flanked by Olivia who held her spear in a low jabbing position while Welst stood several yards away readying whatever magic he had.
A sudden shift in the grass got Alice's attention as she brought her Thompson up to her shoulder. Halting, she waited for any other movement, what she didn't expect was for a set of orange balls with eyes and mouth to jump into the air.
Orange Balloon
Level: 1
Is what it highlighted the creature as. One of the balloons somehow thrusted itself midair towards her at speeds nearing maybe fifteen miles per hour.
"Alice watch out!" Olivia yelled at the shocked Federalist.
The end of a spear found itself hanging over Alice's shoulder as the balloon monster popped and spread ribbon - like debris everywhere. Snapping out of the shock from the 'ambush', Alice pointed the barrel of her Thompson at the closest balloon and pulled the trigger letting out a short three to four round burst, shredding, no, destroying the monster.
+4 XP
"Olivia, keep them off me. Make sure they don't get too close!" Alice barked.
"I'll do my best!" Olivia responded.
"Welst, take out the ones furthest away from us!" She shouted to her magical companion.
"You got it!" He responded, beginning a chant.
Locking her Thompson onto the next target, she let loose another hail of bullets.
+4 XP
"Three down, two to go." She thought, bringing her Thompson around to the fourth balloon monster. Pulling the trigger another burst let loose, however unlike the previous two, there was no XP reward as it just moved out of the way of the .45 ACP rounds. "It can dodge bullets?!" She yelled.
The loss of visual contact with the balloon had Alice scrambling to find it. She didn't have to look for long as an orange blur shot out from the grass right in front of her and hit her square in the chest knocking her to the ground.
78/100 HP
Alive coughed as, while the physical pain wasn't all too bad, the statistical pain left her immobile for a few seconds. As the monster came around for a second attack, a small firebolt flew through the air incinerating it. Not even a moment later, Olivia jumped into the air and swung her spear down slicing the fifth and final balloon in half.
+8 XP
After killing the monster, Olivia walked over to Alice's sitting form and extended an arm out to her. Taking it, Alice pulled herself off the ground.
"Thanks for the saves." She told Olivia. Turning to Welst, she waved a casual salute his way which he returned with a thumbs up.
"Alice, it would probably be best if you stayed back a little and used that things range. Those orange balloon monsters took nearly a quarter of your health." Olivia suggested.
"Noted, I really need that armor." Alice said, letting out a heavy breath. "We'll need someone to be our tank, take all the hits without breaking a sweat."
"I can take up that role for a while." Olivia offered. "If we can't find anyone else suitable for it, I'm ok with lowering my agility for the sake of the team."
"You sure? What about your spear? Don't you need to be fluid to use that?"
"I can have armor that just protects my torso and legs to keep my arms variable."
"If you so say. We should stay here until around seventeen hundred to maximize our progress.
"Sounds like a plan."
"Welst!" Alice shouted to the mage and flashed a five and a two in his direction. "Seven hours before we head back to Erhards!"
"Alright!" He yelled back
Over the course of the next few hours, they continued farming balloons which, after their time was up, brought each of them to level eight. Alice stood sweating, the sunny day mixed with her olive - green M1 helmet and puffy hair making it hot on her head. During her time leveling up, she found out that, while her Thompson needed to reload, her five magazines would replenish after a few minutes allowing her to cycle her ammunition while having virtually unlimited of it.
Taking off her helmet, she ran a hand through her matted hair and pulled her canteen out from her rucksack while Olivia and Welst went around and gathered all the pieces of balloon monsters left behind in the aftermath. Taking a drink, she felt the sensation of her blood chill from the cool water before pouring some of it on her face and wiping it with her sleeve. Taking a seat underneath a nearby tree, waited for her companions to return carrying a small sack of balloon fragments.
"How many were you two able to collect?" She asked.
"A lot, that's for sure. This sack has some weight to it so I'd guess around sixty to a hundred pieces. It's broad, but the best I've got." Olivia informed her.
"Not bad considering how many of those things we killed. Hand me one of their fragments, I want to try something." She ordered, a rubbery strip being placed in her hand. "So when I originally came here and tried holding my Thompson, I was electrocuted and told I couldn't wield anything but the bow, that was until the two tapped each other and my Thompson was absorbed and became an unlocked weapon." She explained to them pointing to the orange gem her SMG's stock.
Placing the firearm in her lap, she held the orange strip above the gem. "Watch this. If my logic here is correct, I'll earn something by doing this." Lowering the piece of monster, it made contact with the gem and was, as thought, absorbed by whatever magical nonsense it uses.
Orange Bow: Unlocked
[ +3 ATK, +1 AGL ]
Orange Bow: Level II Locked
Requirements: 1/5 Orange Balloons
Adding a handful more balloon pieces, a follow up prompt came up on her menu.
Orange Bow: Level II Unlocked
[ +5 ATK, +2 AGL ]
Orange Bow: Level III Unlocked
[ +8 ATK, +5 AGL ]
"Wow. So it seems you do just get stronger by feeding materials to your legendary weapon." Welst was amazed. "No one at my academy knew about this, I have to mark down such a discovery." The man said, pulling out a small notebook from his cloak.
"That's honestly impressive." Olivia commented. "If we continue this at a quick rate, you'll be strong enough to fight the second wave in no time. I do feel a little bad for your shield hero friend, I wonder if he even knows about the party system." Olivia said, looking into the distance at the Japanese man in particular.
Alice looked over in Naofumi's direction. "He looks like he's doing alright. Although, that single party member of his bothers me."
"Why? She looks like she's having fun around him. It's clear she has a thing for him." Olivia winked.
"That's the thing, it's probably just a ploy, a tactic to get him comfortable before doing something bad to him." Alice proposed.
"What do you mean?" Welst asked.
Alice pulled the newspaper from her rucksack and showed them the book's summary. "Before I came to this world, I read the summary of this book and right here," She pointed to a specific line. "It says that a princess will betray the Cardinal Heroes. I have reason to believe she's the princess because she looks similar to one of the members of the royal family I saw in a portrait above the thrones." She explained to them. "And if she achieves whatever goal she may have, whatever happens to Naofumi or the rest of us heroes, do not, under any circumstances, personally get involved. If we go missing, don't look for us, if we are killed, don't look into it, understand? This isn't a request, it's a direct order."
"Of course Alice, if that's what you wish." Welst responded.
"If that's what you think may be best." Olivia reluctantly agreed.
"Good. I don't want you two to be eliminated by association just because you wanted to be in a party with a hero." She said, putting the newspaper away. "Now, let's head back to town. I have some armor that needs to be picked up." She said putting her helmet on, slinging her Thompson over her shoulder, and grabbing the sack of balloon fragments.
Erhard's Shop, Castle Town
December 30th, 1853 Hours, 1943
As night fell over the nation of Melromarc, the door to Erhard's shop opened with a bell jingle. Upon entering the shop for the second time, Alice saw the man who she had experienced a good first impression with wiping down his counter. Locking eyes with him, Alice gave a casual mock salute.
"Ahh the bow hero. I was wondering when you'd come to pick up your order. I got it in the back, let me go get it." He said, heading into the back room. Coming out a minute later, he placed down the armor pieces Alice had wanted. "Here you go. I'm going to be honest, even with your toned build, your body size is certainly different than most other female adventurers that come by."
"Well, as you know the Cardinal Heroes are from different worlds, and in my case, I'm from a country called the United States of America. Even then, I'm quite different when comparing myself to the average woman in America."
"Ahhh makes sense." Erhard said, understanding the reasoning.
Picking up one of the bracers, Alice turned it a few times to look it over. "So how do I put this stuff on? I'm not well versed in medieval armor."
"Let me help you." Erhard offered, taking the bracer from her hand.
Stripping off all of her gear for the third time she's been in this world, she set everything on the counter. After a few minutes, her new armor was on with her chestplate hidden underneath her olive - green over - shirt. Once the knee pads were fastened securely around her joints, a new message came up on her menu.
Reinforced Leather Armor
[ Wind Resistance (High), Earth Resistance (High), Water Resistance (Medium), Fire Resistance (Low), Shock Resistance (Medium) ]
Equipment Bonus: Defense Up (Medium)
Moving her body a few different ways, she felt nothing hinder her flexibility. Thanking Erhard, she started putting everything back on without a real noticeable difference in weight before taking off her helmet.
"Don't mention it. And it seems you want that thing enchanted too eh?" Erhard asked.
"Yup." She said, sliding the steel shell off the plastic undershell and handing it to him.
"Why's there two parts to your helmet?" Erhard asked, taking the steel shell.
"The steel part is the actual protection the helmet offers while this plastic part underneath is a shell liner meant to fit comfortably on your head." She explained.
"Interesting. I want to see what else America can do." Erhard said enthusiastically.
"Well right now not much. It's embroiled in a war for survival so new inventions that aren't weapons of war aren't making it through the assembly lines."
"I'm just going to pretend to know what that means. What's the story behind it?" Erhard asked, now intrigued.
"Long story short political turmoil, civil unrest, radicalism, and eventually rebellion. But it's in the past now, even if it was only two days ago."
"Oh, sounds like the same problem one of the other countries up north is having. Anyways, I'm guessing you'll want the best enchantments I can provide on this thing too?"
"Exactly." Alice confirmed. "How much will it be?"
"Since it's just a helmet, uhhhh, I'd wager twenty five silver for the best of the best." Erhard decided.
"Done." Alice said, opening her dormant rucksack and pulling out her coin bag. Counting out twenty five individual silver coins, she slid them over to Erhards side once she was finished. Taking the handful of coins, he again put them in his apron before thanking Alice.
"Also, Erhard, we're intending to buy Olivia some heavier armor until we find a replacement for that fucker Mald." She told him.
"Who's Mald?" Erhard inquired.
"Some pro - slavery asshole who was nearly a member of my team." She explained.
"Oh. Sounds like it sucks to be him because from what I've seen so far, you're cool." He complimented.
Alice nodded at the man's words before turning to Olivia. "We have just under five hundred silver left so pick anything you want within… say two hundred silver."
"On it." Olivia said with excitement.
"Hey Erhard, what's the exchange rate for money in this world? I need to know how much money to save for a hotel." Alice asked.
"Well a hundred copper is equal to one silver and one hundred silver is worth one gold so it's a fairly high bar. As for an Inn, for the three of you you're looking at around thirty copper.
"I don't know if that's cheap or expensive, but considering my current financial situation, it sounds suitable enough until I learn more about this world's economics." Alice stated.
"Sounds good bow sis." Erhard said.
"Oh, so we're giving each other nicknames now? Very well Smithy." She teased him.
"Wow, so unique." Erhard rolled his eyes.
Alice got a laugh out of that. A few minutes later, Olivia returned to the front desk carrying a set of chainmail armor. "How much does this cost Erhard?" Olivia asked.
Taking the armor, Erhard looked it over in detail. "Well considering its magic iron would raise its price a little. I can give it to you for one hundred seventy just because I like you." He offered.
"Done." Alice said as she started pulling out the coins.
"Alice, why don't you try putting your money in your bow, errr, Thompson?" Olivia suggested.
"It's worth a try I suppose." Alice nodded. Sliding her Thompson off her arm and setting it on the table, she took one of the silver coins and held it to the gem. A momentary glow surrounded the coin as it was absorbed by the legendary weapon with yet again another message.
Treasury Bow: Unlocked
[ 1 Silver / 250 Gold ]
Treasury Bow: Level II Locked
Requirements: 500 Silver
Intrigued by this revelation that anything could be put into her weapon, she acted like she wanted to take a coin from the gem. When the coin suddenly popped into her hand, her menu updated stating that she had no money left in her bow. Scooping handfuls of coins from her bag, she poured them onto the gem, absorbing them until he updated her total amount of coins.
Treasury Bow: Level II Locked
[ 495 Silver / 500 Silver]
"Well would you look at that. Now you can pay me without having to lug around several pounds worth of coins." Erhard smiled.
Thinking of pulling out one hundred seventy coins, in her hand appeared a pouch with her menu updating her new amount. Handing the bag of coins over to Erhard, he thanked her as she grabbed Olivia's new armor and threw it over her shoulder.
"Let's take care of this after we eat, I'm starving." Alice suggested.
"Couldn't have said it better myself." Olivia responded.
"Agreed." Welst stated.
As the trio walked out, Alice turned back and waved at the blacksmith. "Thanks again Erhard."
"You bet, kid. Just don't die on me during the waves so I can fork more cash out of you." Erhard joked.
"On your life old man." Alice ended the conversation as she stepped out into the street.
Brikcards Inn, Castle Town
December 30th, 1906 Hours, 1943
Entering the dimly lit inn reminded Alice of old German bars her parents brought her to visit a few times in her childhood. Walking over to the receptionist counter, she rang a small bell.
"Coming!" A voice came from the side room. A man stepped out from the wooden door and smiled at his new tenants. "Hello, my name's Mark Brikcard, owner of this fine establishment. What can I do for you?"
"How much would be a meal and rooms for three for one night?" Alice asked the man.
"That would be a total of forty five copper ma'am. Can I have the names of the patrons?"
"I'm Alice Schmitt, the blonde one is Olivia Branish, and the guy next to me is Welst Aberdeen."
". . . Branish and Aberdeen." The owner muttered. "Ms. Schmitt, your name is quite unique. Are you not from around here?"
"Yeah, I'm the bow hero from another world."
"The bow hero?! Oh my apologies for any disrespect madam. You can have your night free of charge."
"Are you sure? I don't want to deny you proper payment just because I'm a hero when I have the money to pay for it." Alice asked concerned.
"No, no, don't worry about it. I get more than enough patrons to make a profit." He grabbed three keys from the wall behind him and slid them over to Alice. "Please, I do insist. At least for one night."
Not wanting to haggle, Alice just accepted the keys and thanked the man. "Let's grab a meal first then we can try out your new armor Olivia. Afterwards we can turn in."
"Alright/Sounds good." The two of them said.
Heading over to one of the many empty tables, Alice set down her rucksack and Olivia's armor before waving over a waiter.
"I overheard Mr. Brikcard speaking to you. It's an honor to meet you, lady bow hero. What can I get you this evening?"
"I'll have whatever your highest protein filled meal is. Olivia, Welst, what do you guys want?"
"I'll please have the Chicken Fricassée good sir." Welst requested, showing off his academic manners.
"And you madam?" The waiter shifted his attention to Olivia.
"I'll have the same as Alice if you don't mind."
"Not at all." The waiter said, writing down their orders. "I'll be back shortly."
After a few minutes, the waiter came out carrying two plates and a bowl. Digging into their food, they are in relative silence as to not disturb the precious dinner sequence. As they ended their meals, Alice pulled out a silver coin and handed it to the waiter as a tip for his speedy service and friendly attitude.
Passing out the keys, the three of them split off with Welst heading to his room while Olivia and Alice went into Olivia's room. Placing the armor down on the bed with a resounding thud Alice asked if Olivia was good at putting it on herself. After a confirmation, Alice left her blonde companion to her own devices and went to her room. After examining the rather luxurious room she was provided, climbing into the bed, once her head hit the pillow she was fast asleep.
Author's Note: And that's chapter two. I know both of these chapters have been quite long, but don't expect that to stay. These have been around 18+ pages in google docs and my average is typically 12 - 15. Also, after chapter 3 comes out, the updates will slow down because I won't have the show to follow.