Disclaimer: I own nothing of the properties within this story and all rights go to the creators and companies of said properties
Beta by Slothful
Chapter 3: Recruitment
Damn you, Zant. Damn you and your curse.
Moving from shadow to shadow, moving farther and farther from my once-called home, using more and more of what little magic this body house. Getting used to the smaller mana pool is more annoying than the piece of stone covering my right eye. I should be storing it in my tiny pocket space but I don't want to be separated from the only possible thing that could help reclaim my kingdom and former form.
Just remembering my new form makes my anger at Zant boil. In my old body, I wouldn't have to rely on an ancient relic or have to sneak around my kingdom as if I was some sort of rat. The very idea I've been reduced to such a level angers me. I, who was considered to be one of the most beautiful and powerful women across the nation, someone that could teleport across to the opposite side of the nation in a matter of seconds and can still wipe out several armies of monsters on my own, is now in the form of a short imp-like monster!
The only good thing about this form is the ability to blend with shadows, making the task of collecting the Fused Shadows easier. Sadly, I was only able to get one piece before a guard showed up and caught me in the act. I wasn't foolish enough to try and explain that I was the princess, plus there was the possibility of the guards being Zant's pawns, so I just took my one piece and ran away. No doubt Zant realizes what I'm planning to do.
I have been told stories about the power of the Fused Shadow ever since I was a child and no doubt so has Zant, but we both just look at the relic as that, a thing of the past. Why learn about some relics when our current powers are already so strong? A part of me wants to laugh at the irony, I look down at the Fused Shadow all my life, seeing it as nothing more than a fancy rock, but now it is my only hope to reclaim what is mine.
But now I have a new problem. Now that Zant knows what I'm planning to do, he isn't going to leave the remaining pieces back in the vault. And I dread it as I know Zant has been tapping into very dark magic recently, magic that could alter the mind of the caster just from reading the spell text. There was a reason why my mother was so against keeping the such dangerous text in the royal library but my father says it's just in case we ever need to call upon such magic in the case of a crisis. But now that magic is probably turning his people into monsters, whose only thoughts are to protect Zant, guard the Fused Shadow pieces, and collect more victims. And I don't have the magic to fight against anything Zant makes for a guard.
How exactly do I get the Fused Shadow no-
What is that? I don't see anything yet but I can feel it quickly coming closer to me. Pretty hard to miss it too with how much mana is pouring out of it. Quickly diving into the shadows, watching as some… thing lands softly. Could Zant already be sending out his creations to finish the job? It certainly looks like something Zant would make. Large snake-like body, black in color, with countless tendrils, each covered in glowing red eyes as they scan the empty plains, with the head of the beast having several bubbles blobs acting as the creature's main eyes, and a maul with dozen of sharp teeth. I'm not sure why but the more I stare at it, a minor headache starts to form. Nothing too bad but it is worrying.
At least I don't have to worry about it being intelligent. Zant always believe that those in power should hold the knowledge while the commoners should just nod their heads a do as they're told. So the chances of him making a monster with an actual brain are very lo-
"Come out. I know you are there." The creature said. I almost jumped out of the shadows because of that. Okay… maybe I should be more cautious. This isn't the work of Zant but maybe one of those Black Dogs, if they're going to overthrow the government system for their ideal rape kingdom then it wouldn't be shocking if they recruited mages with some sketchy backgrounds. "I just want to talk."
Yeah right, and I just want to be back home in my bed and pretend that this was nothing more than a bad dream but we can't get what we want.
"I want to end the Black Dogs, and I know what your pound. Especially when it's coming from Zant."
…
"Speak," I said, changing where I was so the creature couldn't trap me. Just because it says that it wants Zant to be defeated doesn't mean it's true, and even if it was there is a possibility that the outcome doesn't end well for me either.
"I know what Vult and his men plan for the kingdom and its inhabitants. Vult wants a world where any man can live as a king, having any woman he could desire as a sex slave while the men that refuse to follow his mad idea will become slaves that will be worked to death, watching as their mothers, sisters, daughters, lovers, and wives be violated in front of their eyes. On paper, it sounds great for certain men with loose morals. Why work at a job you hate and have to charm a lady who could just reject you before you could say even one word?" The creature explained why anyone would comply with the Dogs' insanity. "But I know what a world like that would lead, and I bet so do you."
"A world of war," I said. It isn't hard to see, after hearing you are a king but having to share a woman that has taken your fancy would be enough to anger most men of that caliber, and when that number is going to be in the multiple digits then someone is going to snap. And that isn't bringing up the fact food will become more and more scarce. Why wouldn't it? Vult promise them a life as a king, meaning no longer working as they enjoy the finer things in life. This in turn means fewer people working as farmers, builders, hunters, fishermen, or any occupation needed to make a town stable. Even if they make a bunch of men slaves, it still wouldn't work in the long run. The men that joined the Dogs will be the only ones to have kids, and those kids will choose the lifestyle where it is all play and no work.
Sooner or later Vult's dream kingdom will fall and chaos will be left in the rubble, where people will become animals. But what can you expect from a group of people that were nothing more than a band of adventurers, with none of them having a political background? Maybe that's why they were recruiting third sons of noble families, so they have someone that could do some political work. And I know they are going to keep the Princess Knights so maybe they will be sex slaves with fancy titles.
But I know I don't want a life such as that. The very idea of being passed around by men I don't know as if I was some common whore boils my blood. In some ways, this new body is a benefit as I doubt most of them would find it as attractive as my old body but seeing as they are planning to make someone like Luu-Luu who has a body of a child into a sex slave, I doubt I will be spared.
However, this doesn't mean I like the idea of working for someone whose intent I do not know. Only a fool would agree to such honey-drench words that this creature is speaking of. Sadly, I don't see having many other opinions. I don't have the money to hire a group of adventurers, that is if they attack me while thinking I some sort of rare species of a goblin, my mana pool is not large enough to fight against Zant or the huge army that is the Black Dogs, and I know I'm not going to last long if I stay alone, Zant will send someone or something for me sooner rather than later. I know that this thing is going to use and I don't know its goals, but it doesn't mean I can't use it for my gains as well.
I don't like it but this might be the best opinion I have…
{Isaac's P.O.V.}
Watching as the small imp that I was familiar with games comes out of the shadows, only one thought goes through my mind.
Damn, she's bottom heavy.
Maybe it was because I just gotten laid for the first time in my life, but I can't help but stare at her plump thighs. I always liked breasts more in girls but I'm starting to see how women are more attractive in other areas. Like how the gray and black skin gives Midna a truly exotic charm, something none of the women in my cult has, or how her short stature makes places that were already big look even bigger. I once thought having a thing for short stacks was odd, but seeing one for myself changed my opinion of them.
But I can't show that. Midna might be a hot short stack now but she was a princess and ruler of a kingdom, so I can't afford to show signs of weakness like lust if I want her to join my side and stay there. I like to think I know enough about her character in-game to figure out the best route to recruiting her.
Midna in-game uses Link to get the Fused Shadow, not caring about the towns trapped in Twilight. It was only after Link saves her and Zelda's sacrifice that start Midna changes in behavior. And seeing as there is no Link around, this should be the less trusting and more selfish Midna.
But I can work with it. One thing my father taught me was greedy people are better because at least you know what they are after, giving them what they want after they give you the results you want makes them easy to control. It's just like my dad gets most of his work done, pay someone either greedy or lazy enough and they will get the job done faster than any 'honest' person.
And I already know how to do that. If I was in Midna's shoes then there are two big things I want right now, power and allies. Something I can give her. While my cult is very low in resources, it was still more than what Midna has at the moment, and I was planning on her helping me learn more about magic to improve my fighting capabilities as I don't plan to stay hiding behind my cult forever, so she will gain the favor of a cult's god, something I doubt could be sneeze at. And this was before I have gotten that rune book, meaning I have another benefit for Midna to join me. I was going to ward my base with Victora's help but I'm certain Midna will be open to helping me out if it helps her out as well.
"Glad to see that you're willing to trust me enough to come out of hiding," I said. Midna gives me a look of annoyance.
"I didn't come out because I wanted to. I simply wanted to hear what you have to offer seeing as you wanted me on your side." Midna said, acting uncaring but years of training from my father to become, as he said, someone that works for the people. In other words, he wanted me to be a politician like him, a lawyer, or a doctor. Someone with a promising career while also someone his parents could brag about.
No reason to beat around the bush. "I have a secure base, somewhere you could openly move about. Something I'm certain you would enjoy considering your current state." Midan gave me a sour look for mentioning her imp form but said nothing. "I also have a cult of loyal members, while small now I'm already moving on expanding it."
At that, Midna was considering the option. Probably to gain a semblance of her old life with maids and butlers taking care of her. I'm not against her using some of the less talented members to be her servants, not everyone could be a farmer. But now it's time for the killing blow.
"I also have some mages and some tomes about wards and runes. While your magic is far lower than what it used to be, ward and rune magic is very low cost as long you have the materials. Especially when compared to some magic items. And while I'm not sure if they can but they might know what spell Zant used to turn you into what you are now."
Not that I would complain if you stay the way you are now.
That certainly captures her interest. Most rune and ward magic is mainly defensive but there are a couple for offensive purposes, such as imbuing weapons with magical effects like lighting or fire damage. And if they find out what spell he uses then there is the hope of reversing the effects.
Midna acts to be debating her options but we both know either she join my side or take her chances on her own. She certainly won't be a member and nowhere near as loyal as the members of my cult but will join my side nevertheless.
Sighing to herself, Midna gives me a sharp look. "Fine. I will join your side for now. But you have to do something for me as well."
"Acceptable, I'm certain whatever it is you're requesting will benefit me as well, seeing as we both want Zant and the Dogs to die," I said, getting a slight smile from the imp princess.
"Good. At least you're willing to make a compromise. You would be surprised by how many nobles don't understand the idea of negotiations, thinking that the opposite party will be okay with taking an oblivious bad deal." Midna says with a sigh.
I can see that. History is full of people and countries wanting the very best out of a deal, even if it screws over the other party. Such ideals were one of the building blocks that lead to World War Two.
"But I do want to know one thing you want me to work with you," Midna said, making it clear she isn't a member of my cult. But I plan for that to change over time. People tend to change the way they're thinking based on the people around them if they stay long enough.
"And that would be?" I ask.
"What exactly is your end goal?" Midan asks. "And don't say it's to protect the status quo. A creature people worshipping as a god wouldn't settle for keeping things the way they are now."
I would smile at that comment if I had any lips. It would be a lie if I said having people kiss the ground that I walk on while the women offer themselves to isn't great but if everyone says my plans are perfect then I will get too cocky and will fuck something up later down the road. So having someone like Midna not kissing my ass and will point out any flaws is a benefit in the long run.
"And you would be right. I doubt you would be me if I say I know how the future will play out if I don't interfere, and bluntly it doesn't matter if you do. If things are left unchanged, Vult's mad dream will come to fruition, every woman and child will be turned into sex slaves while the good men will become slaves." I said.
Minda crosses her arms, staring me down, but hasn't argued with what I'm saying. Most likely because she can't see Zant willing to work with someone whose plan would likely fail. "That still doesn't explain why you want to be part of this war between the Dogs, Olga, and the Princess Knights."
"My goals are simple, I just want to rule the country or more realistically, the world," I said. Oddly enough Midna wasn't too surprised by the statement. But seeing as I am a god of a cult it would be expected of me to desire world domination.
"And how exactly would your rule be different from Vult's?" Midna asks. "If anything, it sounds like you two have similar goals in mind."
"That's not an inaccurate statement. I'm certainly planning to make the Princess Knights my slaves, if they fail to protect their people despite having far more resources than I do then they deserve their fates. Though I suppose they prefer their treatment under my rule instead of Vult's, I have no intentions to share. And I don't plan to make every person into a slave, sexual or otherwise." I said. Keeping the peasants happy will make my rule both easier and less troublesome.
Most peasant uprisings are based on people's unhappiness about their living situations. Things such as high taxes, lack of food, high death rates for children, and many more caused the working class to turn on their rulers. While most failed, it does end up hurting the country's morale when its people are willing to go into civil war.
I do plan on increasing food production with modern farming methods, though it would mainly be due to Shizuko's gift and if Ren is willing to give me some books on farming. I don't think it would be hard for him to give me. But some of the main things I plan for is to grow cotton.
Cotton is an incredible crop, not only does it make comfy beds and pillows but the clothes made from cotton hold heat way better than most other forms of clothing, and the winter was one of the most common killers of children next to illness and lack of food. Cotton is also a valuable cash crop, as cotton is in high demand for noble families to make more comfortable furniture. There have even been farmers that would only grow cotton as it made a far bigger profit than other types of crops like potatoes and carrots. Those mindsets often lead to famines. No one wants to grow food and make less money while your neighbor gets rich from cotton.
Midna gives me a dry look before sighing again, mumbling something about 'of course I get stuck with someone who also thinks with their dick'. She isn't wrong but I could at least say I plan to improve the working class's life, the nobles will be in a pretty nice position too. As long they are willing to serve me of course. I might be planning on improving the lives of the people but I'm certainly not doing it out of the kindness of my heart.
"I'll join you. I don't have many other options but I want to see this base of yours and how secure it is." Midna said.
Seeing I got what I came here for, I flew up into the sky with Midna slowly following behind me. I wasn't sure if she was only going slow to memorize the location where we are heading or if it was just as fast that body of hers could move but I slow down to ensure she wouldn't be left behind. Things are certainly looking up for me now.
{Alice/Priestess's P.O.V.}
Gripping my staff harder as we move deeper into the cave system, waiting for the spiders to attack us but so far no one monster attacked us. Well… besides that group of wolves on the way here. While it was good to know my companions can fight well enough in a group, mostly because I can't bring myself to hurt others, it doesn't make the yelps of pain from the wolves any less painful.
My fellow sisters of the church did say that I don't have what it takes to be an adventurer for long with my distaste for violence and the recent stories about the fate of female adventurers. Both from monsters and their party members. I still shiver at the thought of the women that were victims of goblins. How empty their eyes are, how some of them are missing arms, legs, fingers, and eyes, and how they react to nothing. I remember while washing one of them, my finger slipped into an old cut and it started to bleed. I apologize for it but the scary thing was she didn't react to the cut at all, just keep on staring into the distance. Just knowing that it could be me is… horrifying.
But that is also why I wanted to be an adventurer, the Heavenly Earth Mother give me the power to heal and I believe that it would do more good to help the people outside the town. To help other adventurers and people who don't have a healer in their village.
I knew the risks but I couldn't bring myself to just sit behind the safety of the wall while others are risking their lives. I've been given a power that could help people, I should use it the best way I can think of.
"Are you sure that request is about giant spiders? Because I haven't seen any webbing, let alone a giant spider." the wizard asks. It was odd we haven't seen any signs of spiders living in the cave system.
"We probably reach deep enough yet! According to the guy at the desk, this cave system used to be some old mining town that decided to live in the caves rather than near them." Swordsman explains, shining the lantern deeper into the cave. "Why would someone want to live in some damp and dark cave is beyond me."
"Maybe because, with them being a small town, they couldn't get people to man any walls they might have made. It wasn't rare for towns to build around areas, such as cliffsides or valleys. I bet this town had the same mindset." Fighter said. "It could also be due to a lack of other options, depending on the town's working population building a wall might have been an impossible task."
"Or it could be just a business model that the mine's owner wanted to try. Back when I was still learning magic in the academy, I overheard some of my former classmates talking about mining towns. They were designed to trap the townspeople for the rest of their lives in them." Wizard comments, as if she was talking about the weather.
"How would that be possible? Yes, some places allow slavery but I doubt you could enslave an entire town and no one take action." Swordsman said, looking down at the cave map before making a right.
"It is quite easy in reality. Most mining towns only pay the workers with money they could solely be used in the town. Meaning even if they want to quit and leave, their savings are completely useless, and that isn't mentioned how some mining towns run general stores where the products are slightly over what they make. Ensuring that they would go into debt and have to work to pay it off before they could even think about leaving." Wizard explains in a matter-of-fact tone despite how scary the subject is. Even Swordsman and Fighter look at her with shock and horror. "Of course, I don't approve such practices but this town could be one of such towns."
"While the lesson is nice and all, it doesn't explain why we haven't seen any signs of the giant spiders. Are you sure this is the right cave?" Fighter asks Swordsman while giving him a dry look.
"Yes, I'm sure! We are just not deep enough! Once we reach where the old town was set up, we should find them!" Swordsman yells.
"Maybe they just… went away? Move somewhere else since they are not getting enough food." I suggest. I wouldn't be against the idea of the spiders being gone.
"Doubtful. I studied giant spiders in potion class, their venom is a common ingredient in most poisons, and I know they wouldn't just leave. They are far too territorial to just give up their territory. Add in the fact there is still plenty of wildlife around the cave so they shouldn't be running out of food. Something is off, and I don't like it." Wizard said.
"Come on! You're just thinking overthinking about it. We're just about the town and we will be seeing signs of spiders in no time!" Swordsman said, speeding up his walk, and in turn, forcing the rest of us to move faster.
"H-hey! We should move more cautiously! We don't know if instead of the spiders going away, maybe something made them go away!" Fighter yells out. "Are you even listening to me, Alex?!"
But Swordsman just ignores her, clearly upset.
"While I do agree we should exercise a bit more caution, I'm not against us finishing this quest as soon as possible. The faster we get done, the sooner we can go back home and I can start looking for a new party." Wizard said. "And if we don't finish the quest soon enough, we will be forced to camp out… without any camping equipment or even food."
That would be bad… The guild's carriage can stay out for only so long. The driver is only someone that takes adventures to the quest location, as going by carriage is faster and smoother than going by foot, but they are not a fighter. The guild carriage drivers are just civilians with fancy titles. Meaning that once the night gets close, they leave the adventures for a night and won't come back until morning. That is unless an adventure stayed behind to protect them.
"We could camp in the town, it would provide some shelter for the night." I said. Not eating for a night isn't ideal but it also isn't unbearable.
"We're there!" Swordsman said, running down the path with Fighter closely behind him, yelling to slow down. Turning to Wizard who only sighs at the two actions before following them. Hopefully the spiders truly just left and there is no bigger threat waiting for us.
Reaching the town, I have to admit that it looks not as bad as I was expecting. There would be an odd charm to the village if the buildings weren't so run down from the elements. There was, however, one worrying thing.
"There is no webbing." Wizard points out, sighing while the only male in our group takes a knee and touches the ground. "This was a complete waste of time! There are no spiders here, to begin with! You were just scammed!"
As Wizard goes on rating how much of a mess we are in, the swordfight unsheaths his sword. "Something's here." he said.
"Oh? Is it the spiders you made us come to hunt down? Because the only place with cobwebs is that empty skull of yours!" Wizard yells but the warrior didn't react to it.
"No. It is obvious that there are no Gaint Spiders here, but there is something here. Something human." The swordfight said. "I was taught how to hunt, a trade most veteran adventurers that visited my old village. They would explain that it is not only good for hunting food but also for finding the requested monster."
"B-But how can you be so sure?!" Wizard demands.
"Look at the ground. There are several footprints, all of them being shoes or boots, something I doubt a monster like goblins or orcs would wear. There are some that are child-size but they could just be halfling or dwarf tracks."
"And seeing no one should be here, seeing human tracks is very suspicious." Fighter comments, taking some kind of martial art stance. "So, what are you thinking? Bandits?"
"I doubt it, bandits would make it clear that the cave is theirs once they cleared it out. I'm also doubtful that the desk guy knows about this. If he was sending out newbie adventurers to their graves for their gear then he would have made a porcelain rank quest and not a steel rank."
"Maybe it was another adventuring group? There are other guilds." I said. Granted our guild is the closest to the quest's location but it isn't unheard of.
"If that's the case, then we can just lie about us mistaking this area for our quest. It's a shame that we are not going to get paid for the quest since I doubt whoever cleared out the spider will just give us the remains." the swordfight said. "But until we're sure whoever made these tracks are friendly, keep your guard up."
"Come on, in a wide open area like this we should have an easy time defending ourselves. What's the worse that can happen?" Fighter said cheerfully.
…
Why do I feel that something bad is about to happen now because she said that?
"I thought you said this place was secure." a voice behind us said, making us all turn toward it. There was a small imp-looking creature with some kind of stone helmet with a section of stone covering its left eye. I believe that it was the source of the voice as the voice sounded female and it was the only creature that looks female in nature.
The other creature… was madding.
The large tentacles, something I only have ever seen in drawings, are black in nature with dozens of glowing red eyes, seemingly staring into the depths of my soul, my very being. The rows of razor-sharp teeth in its maul, speaking in some bizarre language that I don't know.
…No. I do know it.
Words and images rush through my mind. I somehow know what this thin- what he is. My head feels as if it was about to burst open! The room is spinning as I question everything!
Why do have these thoughts going through my mind?! Why do I understand him more the longer I look at him?! With each second more I stare at him, the more his voice, his words, become clearer! Why can't I look away?! Something inside me tells me to look away, to close my eyes, but I can't! It was as if a fog that I never knew about has been lifted, opening my eyes to the real truth about this world.
Could he be… the true heavenly earth mother? No, as he is male but perhaps this is what he truly looks like, as normal people can not gaze upon such grace! To think that he, Lord Isaac, to something like that is… sacrilege. That must be it! That is why this… desire to serve it, to serve him, boils within me!
As revelation dawns on me, I succumb to the bliss of unconsciousness, just as it did for my companions. But I realize my purpose, my true purpose. It wasn't to be an adventurer. It wasn't to preach about the lesser goddess.
As my vision darkens and my headaches, I can only smile at the fact I learn my calling, to show the world its true master. And to everything in my power to do so.
{Isaac's P.O.V.}
That was… something. I was riding my high from my semi-successful recruitment of Midna and once we return to my base, seeing a group that isn't members of my cult wasn't something I was expecting.
Them screaming as soon they saw me was a bit expected though.
Them fainting, on the other hand, is a bit annoying. I need to know why they're here or if they have someone waiting for their return. Reasonably I shouldn't think that considering who they are.
Priestess and her original party from Goblin Slayer.
I know that Ren told me that GS was in this world but I wasn't expecting to meet members of that cast so soon. And even if I was, I wasn't expecting these three fools. The swordfighter, who thought they didn't need to buy potions or antidotes since they had Priestess, a healer on their team, or to scout ahead. It doesn't help that he used a rather long sword for a cramped space such as a cave.
Then there is the female martial artist who ended up getting raped by the goblins. Sure her mental state was shit after seeing Warrior becoming goblin food, but the idea of herself holding an entire goblin tribe by herself where they have the home advantage was stupid. It was the same for Wizard as her rate of fire is just sad, takes down one goblin and then gets swarmed. Then again she, along with Warrior and Wizard, looked down on goblins.
It was valid of course. The author wanted to make goblins a real threat to the cast despite being at the bottom of the food chain when it comes to monsters. That is why the goblins tend to have a shit ton of advantages over their opponents. Goblins in the series fight in small, dark, and cramped places to make full use of their dark vision and small bodies. Along with how people look down on adventurers and have some stupid ideas such as not wearing a helmet because people wouldn't know who saved them looks like. Combine such a thought process when dealing with goblins and any advantages the goblins can get and we have a bunch of dead newbie adventurers.
There are other reasons why goblins are simply just not wiped out. Such as how people are not willing to kill goblin babies, which was dumb seeing as they are monsters that can grow up to rape women. Or how low their quest pays, being a couple of copper coins most of the time, something no highly skilled adventurer is going to waste their time on. Plus people look down on those higher-ranked people that do hunt goblins. Look at Goblin Slayer himself, most of the guild thinks he is a coward or a disgrace to the guild for being a sliver-rank and only hunting goblins, the weakest creature.
They also see the measures he takes to increase his survival against the goblins as ridiculous or cruel, such examples being not cleaning his armor or cutting open dead goblins to smear himself or his party in goblin blood and guts.
It would be a lie if I said I don't respect the amount of thought he puts into his study and quest to kill goblin kind. He even goes as far as to use lower-quality equipment in case the goblins ever killed him, they wouldn't get anything truly good. As well as doing all of his quests alone for such a long time, fighting goblins in the range of high twenties to low thirties by himself, that's some dedication.
But that's neither here nor there. Now I have these four newbie adventurers to deal with. And keeping them might not be an option, if they don't return to the guild, sooner or later a more powerful group of adventurers will come and I doubt that they will just pass out as these four did. It doesn't help that their arrival made my promise about my base being completely secure null. Meaning Midna can use this for her gain, I'm doubtful that she will leave as that will just put her back at square one but now she can ask for more and I have to do it. The risk of losing not only losing a mage but also my first big lead to what stage Vult's plan is at is too big.
For now, let's just fix this mess. Midna has already left, checking the town on what supplies and probably brushing up on the rune book I told her about. Meaning that I will have to deal with them, I believe there was an old sheriff's building was a couple of cells built into the cave walls. Better place than any to keep these four in. Warping a tendril around each party member before carrying them to their new cells, taking the Warrior's sword and both Wizard's and Priestess's staff, placing them outside of the building for now.
I also stripped all of them. It was to make sure they were not hiding a weapon like a knife, not because I was a horny bastard who wanted to see the female members naked. As a side note, Priestess was following the trend of nun characters by having a nice bottom. Wizard has a nice pair of breasts on her while Fighter's tone build was nice for the eyes as well.
Now it was only a matter to sit, or in my case floating, and waiting.
Who knows, maybe there is some good from this bump in the road.
{?'s P.O.V}
Lifting the large pot, now filled with water from the hot springs. I still remember the time that I could only take a far smaller pot to fill, but I've been doing this every day ever since my sister has gotten sick. Well, on the bright side I have gotten way stronger~
But I should hurry, it would be pointless to bring so much hot springs water if it gets cold by the time I return to the village.
Walking on the path that leads back to the village, I heard a rustling from the trees. I slowly set the jar down, acting as if I was taking a break as I pull my stone knives from behind the shield my father had given me. I have been told stories about bandits, by my late mother and my sister. Though I never had seen one, as our village lives quite deep in the forest, which in turn made it very unlikely to see outsiders. It could be an animal too, which wouldn't be bad as our village doesn't have a lot of food, something which is needed to help people get over illnesses based on one of Ruri's stories.
Soon enough the source of the noise comes out, being…
Two girls? They're definitely outsiders, as their clothing is very weird. So many colors and the large robes the black-haired girl is wearing clearly is hard to move fast. The only thing that might pose a danger, at least on the surface, is the creature between them. The creature… is very weird, even weirder than the girls' clothing, which was saying something. It has fins, something I'm very used to seeing on my plate, but creatures with fins live in water. Right? Could there be finned animals that live on land too?
"Who are you?" I ask the girls, making my tone more friendly and naive. Just because they're girls doesn't mean that they are harmless, I'm a perfect example of that. There is also the chance of there being other people hiding in the trees, using the girls to lower our guard. Women are only seen as someone to make kids, take care of the house, and sometimes gather food like fruits near the village, only I and my sister are looked at differently. My sister is the village priestess who will marry the winner of the next village tournament and I'm seen as an oddity for how strong I am for being a woman.
Magma even believes that magic is the reason why I'm stronger than him. The idiot doesn't think about how much faster I am than him or how because he looks down on my sex he didn't go all out during our first fight, the fight that prevented him from marrying Ruri and becoming the village's chief. I know Magma is planning something for the next tournament, trying to find a way for me not to enter or to get eliminated.
"Oh! Sorry about that, where are my manners? I'm Mishiro and this is Maomao." the blonde girl said, pointing at the black-haired girl who is Maomao. Weird names with their weird clothes. "And this little guy is Same. Nice to meet you." Mishiro said as the little fin creature bounces in a cute manner. I'm proud to say I'm a capable fighter but even I like cute things.
"Nice to meet you as well, are you two alone?" I ask, getting a nod from Mishiro which earns her a slap to the back of the head, courtesy of Maomao. It was reassuring to know that these two are the only outsiders here, of course, I didn't take their word for it, that would be stupid. I rely on my senses, mainly my sense of sight and I haven't noticed any signs of movement among the trees I doubt if they had other people with them they would be able to stand still for so long. "Why are two in the forest?" I ask, might as well figure out why they are here.
"I will explain that," Maomao said. "I'm a traveling doctor, taking my knowledge and skills on the road to help people who couldn't afford a normal doctor's rate and to improve said skills. Mishiro here is acting as my bodyguard, you would be surprised how often traveling doctors are marked by bandits, either for their services or money."
"Doctor?" I ask, I never heard that term before.
"It means I'm a person that studies illnesses and how to cure them."
Th-There is such a person?! Are they like wizards that Chrome is trying to become?!
This might be the thing I need to save Ruri… Me giving her the spring water help but it can only do so much and lately doesn't seem to work as well as it had months ago. If nothing changes then Ruri will die sooner rather than later. She might not even live past the tournament at her current rate.
But bringing in outsiders isn't ideal either. One wrong move and the villagers will kill these two and I will be exiled, and that is the best result. However, if I don't take the risk then Ruri will die.
Sighing to myself, making my decision. It wasn't a hard one anyway, I was ready for my dad to hate me if it means saving Ruri.
I can only hope nothing bad comes from this decision.
"Will you be willing to help my sister?"
Author's Note
Here is the series of the members of Isaac's cult as I had a few people asking for it. Sorry for not making one beforehand, I figured that most people could just look them up but I only give one name so that is probably impossible.
Index - A Certain Magical Index
Shizuko - Sengoku Komachi Kurou Tan!
Mishiro and Same - A Killer Shark in Another World
Maomao - Kururiya no Hitorigoto
Raphtalia, Keel, & Rifana - Rising of the Shield Hero
Natsu - Nobunaga no Chef
Senshi - Dungeon Meshi
Victoria & Heinrich - Restaurant in Another World
As a side note, why is there no useful nun/priest characters that aren't generic harem members or evil pedo priest that look like they touch Timmy's no-no place? I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
I'm also part of the SGO server so if you want to join and chat, here is a link
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I also started my own server for anyone who wants to ask me about my fics or just to hang out.
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