Elden Ring is the property of FromSoftware and Monster Girl Encyclopedia is the Property of Kenkou Cross. I do not own any of these properties.
Chapter 28: Setting the Dominos
A black-haired goat lay in her bed, her eyes heavy and condition worsening. She couldn't even find the strength to stand anymore; if she could, she would've laughed dryly at her situation. Too weak to speak, too weak to stand. It was a pitiful sight for the once proud Baphomet. Witches moved to and fro, all of which were from different Sabbaths. Some bear the marks of the white goat, while others work for Runya or Greilia. Most of the witches wore lab coats and were moving medications around. All in a desperate attempt to give her strength, but to no use.
Whatever that boy, that thing did… she couldn't properly recover. All she could do was lay in agony as she felt her life slip away further and further. In the face of death, one often reveals their true colors.
And if Kuroferuru looked at a mirror, she wouldn't have liked what she saw. She was afraid, terrified… not of death but of the fact that nothing's really changed since back then. She was still the monstrous and deadly black goat, a scourge to those around her. The moments she spent in bed were moments she now spent in self-reflection. With no strength to drown herself in pleasure, it was all she could do.
It was a pitiful sight she was, all that pleasure ever did was mask what she was underneath. That thing was right, she is a monster…
In every sense of the word,
Lost in her thoughts, she failed to notice another goat moving to her side. She had black hair and green eyes, paws clutching a clipboard as she looked over at the other baphomet with a worried expression. "Lady Kuroferuru," Greilia said, out of both courtesy and worry.
Said baphomet meekly moved her eyes over, looking at the other goat with an expectant gaze. Greilia bit her lip, clutching and relaxing her paws in successive fashion.
Dr. Greilia Little, head of the Greilia Sabbath and skilled practitioner of Pharmacomancy and Medicine. Said to be the greatest healer of her time, there was little in this world she couldn't cure. Thousands of life-threatening ailments were made trivial by her paws, her Sabbath having saved hundreds of thousands with their specialized medication and magic.
Indeed, there was little in this world that she couldn't cure. Little she couldn't even explain…
Unfortunately, whatever was ailing Kuroferuru was one of them. It was an ailment she had never seen before, a sickness that reeked of death. She tried everything she could, but every single one had little to no effect. It was clear that this was no normal ailment. In her efforts to make a cure, she sought to investigate it.
And so with the collaborative efforts of the Sleepy Magical Archives and the White Goat Sabbath, they were left…
Even more confused than before. Any deeper inspection would harm those who tried. And the brief glimpses they caught were nothing like anything they'd ever seen. It was Death, but it wasn't the type of Death she was used to. It felt primordial, conceptual, potent… and incomplete.
She theorized that whatever she was hit with was a mere copy, an imitation of the real thing. It was mere speculation on her part, but if that was true then she feared what the real basis of such an attack was capable of.
If an imitation was enough to reduce one of the most powerful Baphomets she knew into this? Then what effects would the real thing have? She sincerely hoped that they'd never face it
Still, she had to try to cure her. As a doctor, it was her duty and right. Besides, seeing Kuroferuru like this was a saddening sight. The two of them were never really close, Kuroferuru was a little too chaotic in Greilia's eyes but she had her charms.
"How are you feeling?" She finally sounded out after a moment of deliberation.
Kuroferuru gave a dry look. If she had the strength, she probably would've raised her brow right now. She felt like shit… even worse than before, actually. Whatever this was, it was slowly eating away at her.
"...Right, I'll give you something to ease the pain…" she reassured,
But Kuroferuru could tell that even the doctor wasn't so sure. It was the first time she's ever seen Greilia stumped. Even the most serious of ailments, said to affect even Lilims were childsplay to her. If even Dr. Greilia Little couldn't fix her, then there was no hope.
Right as she moved back however, a bright light filled the room. Shielding her eyes, Greilia was met with the familiar sight of the white goat…
And the unfamiliar sight of a blue-eyed child. His eyes seemed to pause, moving to every nook and cranny before his eyes stopped at hers. He raised his brow, clicking his tongue before he muttered. "There's three of them now… how troublesome…"
The focus of the room turned to them, both to the white goat but also to the new arrival. Black hair, blue eyes, wearing formal wear. His gaze was inhuman, wide, curious with a hint of apprehension. He looked around, his eyes wandering to the various people inside before he turned to Shirokuto.
"I was not informed that I would not be alone," he said with narrowed eyes. Shirokuto huffed in response.
"Use your common sense, my sister is in critical condition. Of course she wouldn't be alone." Shirokuto said, turning to Kuroferuru before she made her way over. "Kuro, I brought the boy here."
Kuroferuru could only nod dumbly. Out of everything, she didn't really expect this. From what she could tell from before, the doll was hostile to her ever since they met. Their first meeting was rocky, their second started and ended in a fight, and in their last he had a look that said that he wanted her dead. So for him to come here, it didn't make sense.
If he was here to assassinate her, then what's the point? She was already in a state close to death, and it would only take a matter of time. Looking at her sister, she could see that perhaps Shiro had something to do with it.
"He agreed to cure you, in exchange, you are to leave him, and his Lord be." She said,
Once again, she nodded. It was the only thing she could really do at this point. Besides, she already resolved to leave them alone. The ending of that duel alone was enough for her to leave them be. Childish she may be, her pride as a Baphomet prevented her from going against the terms that thing laid out.
Walking towards her, he looked down and inspected her state. Looking away in shame, she didn't even bother to look him in the eyes. All she'd probably see was hatred and cold fury. Before he could do anything, however, Greilia moved forward. "Hold on; I wasn't informed about this," Greilia said,
Shirokuto looked at her before a sigh escaped her lips. "You weren't, yes. But I thought it prudent to keep this under wraps until he's done fixing her."
"Do you realize how risky this is? If I remember correctly, he's partially responsible for her being in this state in the first place." Greilia countered,
"And he'll be responsible for curing her," Shirokuto retorted, crossing her arms as she crossed her arms and turned to Greilia.
"Make no mistake, goat." Lucas began, his blue eyes turning to the two of them. "I'm not doing this out of the kindness of my heart. Make sure to keep your end of the bargain."
Shirokuto only nodded, Greilia looked at her confused.
"In any case, I'd rather not reveal my abilities to you all. Leave us alone, and I'll begin curing her." He said,
Lucas would rather not show his true capabilities towards all of them here. He'd cure her, yes, but revealing what he's capable of is out of the picture. Knowledge is power, so preventing that power from falling into their hands would be prudent. He'd just convince Kuroferuru to keep quiet after all of this, somehow…
He'll figure it out,
Shirokuto tilted her head. "That isn't part of the deal,"
Leaving them alone had its own risks. What if he does something to her? What if he took this moment to assassinate her? What if he plants some sort spell made to gather information or some other ailment? It had too many risks, and Shirokuto would not even consider leaving them be.
"I'm sorry, but, as her doctor, I cannot leave my patient in the hands of a stranger." Greilia said,
She was of the same mind. As a doctor, she was morally obligated to look after her patients. It was who she was, what she is. She won't let them be under any circumstances, especially if it risks the patients health more than it would. There's always a risk when it comes to medicine, but even for her, this is a little too much.
"As her doctor, you should understand that I am the only one who can cure her here. The methods you've employed, the magic you've tried, it won't work." He said,
He didn't say it accusingly either; he said it as if it was fact. He knew something they didn't. That ailment that plagued Kuroferuru is Destined Death. A mere copy, sure, but a copy of a death said to be capable of killing gods. The fact that she still isn't dead speaks volumes of her capabilities. His Lord used an incantation, a copy, but since it was his Lord's, he had no doubts that it came closest to the original. As someone who fought Malekith, The Third Elden Lord is someone used to Destined Death.
"And how are you so sure?" Greilia asked,
Her tone wasn't mocking, merely curious. As a practitioner of medicine, she wanted to gather as much information as possible to cure this ailment should it strike someone next time. Unfortunately, such information isn't so easily given away. Even if they couldn't replicate the healing process, he'd rather not show them what their true capabilities were. They had a weapon that could take them on, he wasn't going to reveal that so easily.
"That is for me to know," he curtly said, turning to the black goat as he did.
"Regardless, my stance remains firm. I will not cure her unless you all leave us be." He said,
"If you won't cure her here, then the deal is off. You'll be trapped deep within enemy territory with no way out." Shirokuto threatened,
"That is a sacrifice I am willing to make. Especially if it means reducing your numbers…" he threatened.
A tense silence followed, all parties were glaring at one another. For what seemed like an eternity, it looked as if a battle was about to take place. Shirokuto readied a spell, Lucas readied his own incantation but before anything could happen…
"Shiro…" Kuroferuru stuttered out, the first word she was able to sound in days. Shirokuto widened her eyes, Greilia as well. Sitting up with all her strength, she called out to her. "Leave us…"
Shirokuto widened her eyes, "But…" she tried to protest.
"I'll be fine…" Kuroferuru meekly let out. Her eyes did the rest of the talking, pleading with her sister to be left alone. Greilia looked conflicted. If it was her patient who asked then who was she to deny such a thing. With a small nod, she turned to everyone and quietly moved them away from the tent.
Shirokuto looked conflicted, but in the end she obliged. Taking one last glance at Lucas, her eyes promised him pain should anything happen to her. Lucas just gave her a dry look. As willing as he was to stay and fight, he didn't come here to start another conflict.
He was here to do the opposite.
Soon enough, Lucas was left alone in the tent with Kuroferuru. She looked at him blankly, her face not having enough strength to even express her current emotions. Walking towards her. Lucas took the moment to inspect her form before he spoke up.
"My Lord has done quite the significant damage to you." He commented,
Kuroferuru would've shot him a blank deadpan if she could. He looked straight into her eyes, blue meeting with crimson as he continued. "I honestly prefer you better this way, your voice is annoying."
"...Shut… up…" she sounded out as she rolled her eyes. Or at least, she tried to.
"Even now, you still waste your strength to retort. You really are a troublesome girl…" He commented with a sigh before he clasped his hands together. "Our deal remains firm, you are not to bother me or my Lord in any way shape or form."
It wasn't a request, nor was it a negotiation. It was a reminder of the deal she and his lord made. Dumbly nodding, Lucas gave his own satisfied nod before he inspected her form. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he scanned the severity of her condition. "So this is Destined Death… how utterly terrifying. My Lady could be cruel indeed…" he uttered out.
That caused Kuroferuru to tilt her head. She's heard of his Lord, but who is this Lady he's referring to? Is the red-haired one perhaps married? Is that why she felt no affection for him? It made sense, but she felt as if it was deeper than that. Also… Destined Death… is that what this was called?
"Regardless, it should be a simple fix. Stay still," he ordered.
"..."
"..."
"Oh wait… you already are." He said, scratching the back of his head before shaking it. Taking on a pose, he outstretched his arms as a golden glow formed beneath his feet. Kuroferuru widened her eyes, she felt a warm sensation wash over her. "Now… I have never used this on a monster before, so there may be a few side effects." He said,
Seeing as how it worked on a lot of things though, it should be fine.
'What…?' She internally thought. Before she could say anything however, he suddenly spoke.
"Law of Regression"
With a simple movement of his arms, the golden glow beneath flashed in a brilliant light. The Baphomet felt a warm feeling overtake her body, and in that one instance she felt as good as the day she left for her mission. Physically speaking, at least. Mentally, she was still pretty drained considering what she's been through.
Moving over, he placed a hand over her chest to inspect her. With her strength back, she couldn't help it. With her usual grin, she spoke up. "Naughty boy, are you feeling me up in my moment of weakness~" she teased,
Immediately, he retracted his hand and robotically turned to her. "Okay you're cured now, remember the deal and leave me and my lord alone. Okay goodbye." he said in quick succession. Immediately, he tried to leave only for a paw to stop him in his place. Turning, he checked to see if it was some sort of trap only for him to widen his eyes.
The Baphomet had a look of confliction, questions she probably desperately wanted answers to. "Wait… I want to ask you a few things first,"
Irritated, Lucas spoke. "If you're going to ask what I did, forget it. I made a deal with your sister to cure you and I did, now let me go so I can return to my lord."
"It's not that, I just… need to ask you something, something only you can really answer." Kuroferuru pleaded,
Lucas furrowed his brows and turned to her. His cold blue eyes gazed at her eyes before they widened slightly. He's fought this girl twice, and met her once before. She's always had this mask, drowned in pleasure and fueled by desire. No matter what he said or did, she would fight him with that same lecherous grin on her face.
He hated that look more than any other. But right now, he's never really seen her this vulnerable. He wasn't really sure what to make of it, he barely even knows her. Their few interactions had been hostile, both desiring to overpower the other.
"...Very well, but I shall not guarantee that I will grant you an answer." Lucas finally said,
She nodded; that was all she needed to hear.
"Where did I go wrong?" She asked,
Lucas paused. Out of all the questions, he thought she'd ask, this wasn't one of them. Normally, he would've just called out to the other Baphomet and have her send him back. He did his side of the deal, it would be prudent if she did hers. But… he was made to be naturally curious, and that question of hers piqued his curiosity.
"Isn't it better to ask your sister or that other baphomet? Unlike me, they naturally have an affinity for you." He said,
She sighed, shaking her head before speaking. "That's the thing, they know and like me. They'll sugarcoat words, tell me I did nothing wrong… an enemy… well, an enemy will point out every mistake their opponent makes."
"And aren't I your enemy?" She finalized,
"..." Lucas was silent.
For a while, Kuroferuru thought that she might've pushed too much. Letting go of his hand, she resigned herself to her bed.
"You're too childish," He began, his blue eyes turning to her crimson ones. She looked up in surprise, not expecting him to answer her at all. "You're arrogant, too absorbed in pleasure to see the wrong you've caused." He continued.
He took a step forward, taking a chair before sitting next to her. 'What am I doing?' He thought. He was out here helping an enemy, criticizing her every mistake and giving her a chance to improve. That's not what he should be doing; he should be feeding her mistakes instead of pointing them out. When an opponent knows their weakness, that weakness becomes nil.
But even so…
"You keep saying how you'll 'drown everyone in pleasure.' You keep claiming that this is a good thing, when it really isn't. When you drown yourself in pleasure, you fail to see the wrong in your actions. You're not facing them; you're running away from it." Lucas continued on,
He was a very logical child. Everything he did was based on logic. From his point of view, this spreading of love and pleasure made little to no sense to him. She didn't look at the consequences she's caused, she didn't think about what her actions could lead to. The lives she's ruined and the truly pure relationships she's tainted.
"The lives I ruined?" She asked,
That can't be. She's helped most of the people she's contacted. Those who were lost, those who were damned. The broken and the despairing were all saved by her. She taught them pleasure, she taught them happiness. Isn't what she was doing good? "The people I talked to, I asked them in their hour of need. My witches, my sabbath… they were all built on the promise of pleasure."
"Are you saying that what I'm doing is wrong?" She asked,
"Yes," he sharply answered.
He had absolutely no sympathy for her. She was just terrible in his opinion, and he was making it abundantly clear that he wanted nothing to do with her. But even still, why on earth was he staying here to go and listen to her request? Was it for the desire to get information, or perhaps something else was at play here?
He took a deep breath, leaning back as he thought of what to say next. "I'm going to take a wild guess here. I may be inaccurate in my assessment of you. But… Here's what I believe you to be, tell me how accurate I am. You want to help people; you want to make them happy. Unfortunately, you mistook pleasure for happiness. You think that 'if I make them feel pleasure, then that makes them happy, correct?" He asked.
She didn't say anything, only clicking her tongue. He absolutely hit the nail on the head, he was completely right with that assessment of his. Being a monster, she never really understood the meaning of true happiness. So she simply mistook the feeling of pleasure for happiness.
He took her silence as confirmation. Sighing, he leaned back and took a deep breath. "If that's the issue, then… I might not be able to properly answer your question." He admitted,
That caused Kuroferuru to perk up, her eyes turning to Lucas as she tilted her head in confusion. Sensing the confusion, he decided to speak up. "I… do not know what happiness is either. I am a doll, my purpose is to serve. I was not made to be happy, only to be disposable. Your problem is complex, and I don't have the power to help you." He said, narrowing his eyes as he thought.
She narrowed her eyes, "If you don't know what happiness is, then why lecture me?"
"I don't know what happiness is, but I do know what it isn't. The actions you took during the course of our little bout told me enough; the misery you've caused to me, my Lord, and Merridith are indicative of your lack of understanding." He answered.
Kuroferuru paused at the mention of Merridith. Out of everyone, she was the most indicative of her failure. Ever since she came into her life, Merridith's life has turned into nothing but pain. Locked in her childlike state, she was forced into isolation. The love she so desperately craved was now out of reach, and in turn, that birthed a new and far more terrible monster.
"Why should I trust your words? You said it yourself; you know nothing of happiness." She retorted.
"Don't trust my words; trust the consequences of your actions. If you truly are free of mistakes, then you wouldn't be lying here and wallowing in your own misery. Without that pleasure, you are as miserable as they come." He said,
Kuroferuru paused, her eyes turning to him as she thought. He was… right; she had to begrudgingly admit. What did she have outside of her pleasure? A loving sister, power beyond all else, and a family she called her own. Did she have true happiness? Perhaps she did, but she didn't recognize it. She mistook it for pleasure, but when that pleasure's gone, all she feels is pain.
Happiness was said to be quiet, serene, a feeling of contentment. but right now, she didn't feel any of those at all. Even when cured and surrounded by those she loved, she still felt empty.
She really was a hollow being.
"...I messed up, didn't I?" She said dryly, a dry smile forming on her face.
"You did, and you should feel horrible and ashamed at the trouble you've caused." He said; harsh as those words were, it was the only advice a doll like him could grant. He was a very logical sort; emotions were barely factored into his decisions.
She just laughed at his words. Her tone was light and held no malice, just slight amusement at his bluntness. "You really don't hold back, even for such a cute girl like myself."
"You have a severe misunderstanding of what the word cute means," Lucas retorted dryly.
"Oh, alright then~ What's your definition of cute?" Kuroferuru asked, leaning forward as he furrowed his brows.
How was he supposed to answer that? He wasn't made to recognize what is and isn't cute. He was made to serve, to kill, not to observe what is and isn't cute.
"Attractive in a pretty or endearing way." That was the textbook definition that he's seen, so that's what he'll answer. The only one who really fits that description for him is his ma- he isn't going to finish that thought.
"Oh~ and am I not that? I'm said to be pretty endearing." Kuroferuru said,
"Whoever said that must either be blind, deaf, stupid, or all three at once," Lucas said with a deadpan.
Outside the tent, Shirokuto, the Fourth-born, and the entirety of the Black Goat Sabbath sneezed. Was it chilly outside?
'If Druella ever hears that, you're a dead man.' Kuroferuru thought dryly before she shook her head. "So I'm not cute to you. Is there any way I can change that?"
"Start with your attitude, and your form of dress, and if you stay away from me for the rest of my existence, then I will officially find you cute," Lucas said,
"Anyways, back on topic… I do have a slight question." Lucas finally said, bringing the conversation back to its original topic.
"Why ask me these things?… out of everyone, I'm the least sympathetic to your plight. That, and I'm the least qualified to answer such things." He said, his tone confused more than anything.
He didn't really understand it. Out of everyone she chose to confide in, why him? She was surrounded by those who cared for her, a sister who would risk bringing him here just to cure her, a doctor who would do anything to help her, and she chose the inhuman doll who would like to see her dead. It was illogical, but many things were illogical about her.
"...I don't know; out of everyone, I'd assume that you'd be one of the people with a lot to say about me." She said,
"Not a lot of positives," He answered,
"Exactly," She retorted. Relaxing on her bed, she made herself a little comfortable. Resting her head on the pillows and taking a deep breath. "Besides, you also had the choice of not answering. But you did. Can you tell me why?"
His brows furrowed, "...I can't…." He admitted,
He couldn't answer a question he had no answer to. His choice to come and talk and help the girl was something he couldn't explain. It was odd; he should've just left her in the dust and darkness. He fulfilled his end of the deal and let her heal the mental wounds herself.
Perhaps his lord is rubbing off on him a little too much. He could've sworn that he was never this soft. Kuroferuru blinked, her head nodding slowly as she understood what he meant. Regardless, she had the answer she wanted, and she felt a little better now.
"I feel a lot better now, thank you~," She said in her usual childish tone.
"...If that's all, then can I leave?" He asked,
"Can't you stay a little longer? I'll make it worth your time~."
"Don't test it, Baphomet." He retorted with furrowed brows,
"Aww~ you took the effort to come and heal me. At least call me Kuro-chan this time." She pouted out, sitting up as she rested her head on her paws. He just groaned in response, an act that made the Baphomet giggle. "Alright, I've decided…."
"...Decided what?" Lucas asked,
"Nothing important," She said with a shrug. He had a strange feeling that it wasn't so small, however.
"In any case, thank you, I mean it," Kuroferuru said with a genuine smile for once, none of the lecherous grins that she usually had on.
Lucas blinked at the sight, his mind not knowing what to make of it. "Uh… you're welcome," He decided to say.
Could've sworn he spent most of that conversation ridiculing and berating her. Somehow that helped her in a way. He supposed that if she kept her end of the bargain then things should be fine.
With nothing left, he called out to Shirokuto and the rest. Once they entered, Greilia immediately moved to check Kuroferuru's vitals.
Her eyes widened, turning them to Lucas with a curious look. "What did you-" She began,
"That is for me to know and for you to discover." He sharply said. Again, he wasn't gonna reveal anything to any of them. His Lands Sorceries shall remain in his hands. He won't let them see, he won't let them know. He already did them a favor; now they should do the same.
Turning to Shirokuto, he crossed his arms before he spoke. "I fulfilled my end; now you do the same."
She just sighed and nodded, "Yes, we'll leave you alone from hereon out unless said otherwise by you or your Lord." She said with a huff before turning to the magic circle. "Now step onto the magic circle and we'll return you home."
With a nod, he stepped into the magic circle before he took a deep breath. That was… quite the experience. He didn't really know what to think of it, but it went relatively smoothly. Turning to the room one last time, his eyes scanned each of the participants.
Before he left, though, Kuroferuru uttered one last thing. "I look forward to seeing you again, Onii-chan~."
"..."
"Wha-"
In a flash of light, he was gone. Shirokuto had her jaw drop to the floor; Greilia looked much the same. The witches from all the different Sabbaths also paused, their eyes widening as Kuroferuru just casually relaxed in her bed.
"K-Kuro, Did I just hear what I thought I-"
"Yes, yes, you did. Why, Jealous?" Kuroferuru stated, her eyes turning to Shirokuto who tilted her head in confusion. Out of all the weird and strange actions her sister's done, this probably takes the cake. Out of all the people she could've chosen as her… well…
"...Are you still sick?" She asked,
Kuroferuru pouted, "No, just a little tired…" she admitted.
"...You do realize that that thing isn't even human?" Shirokuto tried to reason, but Kuroferuru just shrugged.
She didn't really care; he helped her and did so without any real benefit to him or his lord. He did so without reason, an illogical action, a human action. Even if he wouldn't admit it, he was human in her eyes.
"What about your promise to cut contact with him, wouldn't that get in the way of-"
"I promised that I wouldn't bother him; as long as I'm not a bother, then it should be fine, right? I'll just take the more human approach to courtship and do it slowly… as… begrudging as that is." Kuro admitted.
Could've sworn that the promise was to Leave Lescatie and Elt's family be, but she decided to go and stretch the definition a little for her own benefit. Besides, as long as she's discreet then it should be fine.
"But… Why him?" Shirokuto finally said,
Monsters were generally lustful creatures, but even they had standards. Having someone cure you doesn't mean that this person would be a good mate. And in Lucas' case, he wasn't even human. It made little to no sense to her; then again, her sister was one of the most unpredictable people she knew.
"Because, I like him. Is there any other reason I need? Is it not natural for monsters to pursue what they like?" Kuroferuru casually answered,
Besides, the past few weeks have been hectic for her. Her entire philosophy has been turned upside down. Her radical worldview has shifted, and maybe she'll try something new. She'll change her ways, starting with him.
She let out a small smile, 'Maybe this is the start of a new beautiful age.'
…
"-What?" Lucas found himself on the hilltop once more. Looking down, he spotted the magic circle disintegrating. He turned to Lescatie, then to his surroundings. He took a deep breath, sitting down as he processed what that Baphomet said.
"I look forward to seeing you again, Onii-chan~."
…
Shit…
He's made a grave mistake. "...How am I going to tell my Lord? How am I going to tell my Master!?" He asked himself.
'Okay, calm down… you've been in worse situations before. She promised not to come near me, so it should be fine… if not, she'll be contradicting her words.' He thought to himself, sweat pouring down on his forehead.
'Okay, I get it… she's only teasing me, that's it. Just like all the other times, she doesn't really mean it and she's only employing a psychological mind game type trick to get me confused and flustered… wait… flustered?' He thought,
He has never been in a situation like this before, so he has no idea how to approach this. If she meant what he thought she meant, then he was in deep trouble. Hopefully, his words reached out, and she would be a little more docile in her approach if it was what he thought. It would make things easier to deal with.
In any case, this was not the ideal scenario, and this was not what he wanted to happen. He cursed himself; if he had simply cured her and left, then she probably wouldn't have said something like that. But no, he just had to act all illogical and talk to her just so he could try and grab information.
At what cost, however?
At. What. Cost!?
…
He needed to consult someone about this; this is something he isn't used to. No, perhaps this was a good thing. If that Baphomet's focus was on him, then his Lord wouldn't be troubled.
Okay, he was just making ideal scenarios in his head. He signed a Geis contract with Shirokuto, so she shouldn't be much of a problem. The other one, however, did not…
This makes things marginally harder…
"Should I consult my master? No… yes? I don't know…" His brain was going haywire right now. He was not programmed to deal with this type of stuff.
He sighed and stood up straight. Lucas resolved himself; he'd train his magical ability to be on par with them as a deterrent. One thing was made clear, though, after tonight…
He still absolutely hated the fucking Baphomets…
"So this is the witch?" A voice called out, his tone cold and yet calculated. His eyes peered over to the side, gazing at the girl locked up in chains. Merridith's eyes could barely make the man out, his body was large and he wore ornate armor. He clutched various books under his arm, and on his other hand was a large ornate staff.
"She is, Ofnir. I hope that you'd be able to help her." The voice of an old man said, his tone sharp but also filled with worry. The man, now known as Ofnir, turned his eyes to Merridith. He moved forward, looking on at the monster with a calculating gaze. Merridith couldn't comprehend it, no, she just couldn't think in general.
Lust consumed her mind, the only thoughts that filled it were the images of a lost blonde boy. She couldn't think, she couldn't speak, she couldn't even stand up straight. Dark Matter oozed out of her, bringing her more unbearable pleasure as her mind caved under its pressure.
"What a pitiful sight you are," Gideon Ofnir said, his voice bearing a hint of disdain. "I question as to why you even bother with her. As far as I'm concerned, it would be far more prudent to just get rid of her."
"That would be the wisest choice, yes. But my son is fond of her, and I don't wish to ruin the trust he and I share." Harrison Morrigan said, eyes gazing toward Merridith before he sighed. "I know it's foolish, but I heard that you may have the means of curing her."
Ofnir scoffed, standing up as he turned to Harrison. He moved through the room, his hand trailing on the dusty shelf as his gaze turned to the painting above. It was of the Morrigan Household, the one Merridith served and was raised by. From Lady Eliza to Count Harrison. Hathaway was there as well, sitting on a chair with his usual dumb grin.
"You're too soft, Morrigan. This could have dire consequences for you and your family." Ofnir said, placing a hand on the wall as he pondered. "But… as long as you're willing to pay the price, then I shall offer you my services."
"O-Of Course, Sir Ofnir." Harrison Morrigan said, head bowing in subservience. Ofnir sighed, turning to Merridith before he moved. With one swift move, he clutched her by the neck and lifted her. Meredith struggled, her eyes turning to Ofnir as she breathed heavily.
"Curing her… is impossible," He said, eyes moving toward Merridith's body as he watched her writhe in a mix of pleasure and discomfort. "But… limiting the lust in her mind, giving her control of her body, that much I can do."
"Rejoice then, child of lust… you shall be reborn…."
…
A girl jumped up from her bed, her form sweating and her lungs breathing heavily. She clutched her chest, taking deep breaths to calm herself as she tried to regain her bearings. What was that? She couldn't fully remember anything that happened immediately after her turn. It was all a haze, as if her mind was bombarded with nothing but lust. It was… unpleasant now that she had consciousness.
That was her first real glimpse of how she acted and what happened while her mind was still chained by that Baphomet's demonic energy. It was cold, she couldn't think straight, and dark matter oozed from her uncontrollably. She shivered, clutching her arms together as she took in more deep breaths.
She's gone now; she couldn't hurt her anymore. She tried to reassure herself of this fact, but time and time again, she could still feel the horror and revulsion she felt towards herself and for that damned monster.
Even if she's gone, even if she truly wanted to change herself… what she did to Merridith can never be reversed.
Before long, a woman came forward. Her long green hair and warm eyes made for a noticeable figure. She knelt down, her hand gently holding onto Merridith's shoulder and forehead as she checked her temperature. "Edith, are you alright?"
Meredith clutched her body. She didn't know what to think, to be honest. She wasn't sure if she was alright, but she didn't feel any pain, at least. "I-I'm fine… I was just a little weak…."
Sasha sighed, her form sitting down on a chair nearby before she spoke. "You should rest for the time being; leave everything to me for now," Sasha said, causing Edith to pause and turn to the green-haired heroine.
"You don't have to do that, Sasha. I'm perfectly fine now; I can…." She said, trying to get up only to stumble slightly. She blinked, her eyes looking towards Sasha. Her body felt… weak… weaker than usual, at least. What the hell was going on? Something was holding her back, preventing her from moving in her already limited state. Was it a sickness? Perhaps, but she wasn't quite sure.
Sasha immediately moved, gently picking the girl up before resting her on the bed.
"It's not wrong to rest when you're tired, Merridith," Sasha said,
Merridith furrowed her brows. Is she aware of how hypocritical that sounded? The answer to that was yes, yes, she was. Sasha just didn't care. Merridith's livelihood was more important than hers. Being the kind soul that she was, she wasn't going to let the girl continue when there was obviously something wrong.
"I'm not a child, Sasha…." Merridith said,
"But even adults need to rest," Sasha replied,
Merridith sighed once more. Resigning herself to this fate, she laid flat on her bed and looked up at the wooden ceiling. With nothing left for her to do, all she can really do at this point is think. Her stupidity, love, obsession, and indecision led her to this moment. Was it fate? Some sort of grand design or merely a mistake made by human hands, she didn't know.
What did matter now be that she still lived, she was relatively free and she had people who cared for her. That Baphomet took everything away, nowhere left to go but up, she supposes. Turning to Sasha, she spoke again.
"Where's Elt and the elf?" She asked,
Sasha turned to Merridith before speaking. "Primera's outside tending to the kids. Elt went back to the orphanage since there wasn't anyone watching over it."
She was supposed to be the one to go back. It was a relatively short walk if you knew where to go. But since after Merridith fell, she took it upon herself to take care of her. She had asked Elt if he could cure her, but he said that someone needed to watch over the kids. Primera was disappointed that he couldn't stay, but she understood. Sasha felt much the same, but there was no helping it.
"I see…" Meredith trailed off, her eyes turning to the ceiling once more.
She didn't know why, but she had a bad feeling in her stomach. A gut reaction that something was amiss, and not just with how she was but with the nation as a whole. It was strange, do witches have some kind of foresight that Edith was unaware of? She didn't know, but that's what scared her.
If Elt had a nickel for every time an inquisitor broke into the orphanage and then casually made himself at home through a window, he'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice. Case-in-point, a familiar brown-haired inquisitor making himself at home in the said orphanage with a piece of bread he probably took from the cupboards.
The day went off relatively peacefully at first. Elt was walking on his own to the orphanage; thoughts focused on the faint golden glow Merridith experienced. He couldn't explain what it was, and he was tempted to question her for it but held off. He didn't want to spoil the mood by doing so. It was worrying, that much was certain, but he wasn't all that knowledgeable on the technical side of things when it came to the Lands Between. That was usually Ranni's forte; he was usually just the muscle that did what she told him to.
Regardless, with no one at the orphanage, he entered it expecting to be greeted by the orphans. Only to find a familiar brown-haired inquisitor making himself comfortable with the orphans all gathered nearby, confused on what was going on. Normally, an inquisitor breaking into your home was a subject of alarm, but not only had he experienced this before, Elt also knew who it was.
He wasn't mad, but he was certainly irked that Akito had just brazenly let himself in again. He should've expected that much, but damn.
"Kids," He said, turning to the orphans with a warm look on his face. "It's past your bedtime,"
"Ah, but… Big Brother Akito said that he had something cool to show us!" One of the kids said.
Elt turned to Akito with furrowed brows; he just shrugged in response. After a few minutes of convincing, Elt managed to turn the orphans away and back to their beds. With a loud sigh, the then turned to Akito with crossed arms.
"...Do I even need to ask you to explain?" Elt asked, brow raised.
Akito turned to the man, a sheepish look forming on his face before he spoke. "Hey, uh, you gotta fix your windows. Some maniac broke the lock; it could be bad if criminals entered it."
Elt raised his brow. Criminals and the like weren't really much of an issue here. Sasha was well-liked and beloved in the community, and none would dare attempt anything lest they risk the ire of a hero like her and Primera.
Nevertheless, Akito dodged the question. Something was up, he could tell, but he didn't exactly know what. Tilting his head, Elt spoke with a little more authority in his tone. "Why are you here, Akito?"
For the first time, Akito gulped lightly. Elt would've raised his brow higher if he could. Was he really that scary? Sure he was a little irked but knowing the man, and he would only do this thing if there was something important. Maybe his memories had unlocked a more authoritative version of himself. He certainly wouldn't have been able to pull this off with his old self.
"Okay, okay… I'll get straight to the point, But first, promise me that you won't shit yourself," Akito said,
"...Why, what's going on?"
"I know promises mean jack-shit in the Inquisition, but just do it," Akito said,
Elt just sighed and nodded. "I promise I won't shit myself. Are you happy?"
His signature grin formed on his face, and with an irritable smirk, he leaned back in his seat before speaking. "Yep, very satisfied."
"Enough of this, Akito; what are you trying to tell me?" Elt said,
Akito paused, his eyes narrowing before he thought of what to say. He didn't really plan how he'd go about this. He just barged into the orphanage hoping to catch him here and if not, stay until either Sasha, Primera, or Elt returned. Luckily for him, the latter returned because if the former two came back then he'd probably be missing a pair of balls by now.
"Okay, I'll get straight to the point." He began, clearing his throat before he sat up.
He reached into his pockets, picking up a red gem before placing it on the table. Elt immediately recognized it; it was the same gem he saw on the Baphomet during their fight. But why would Akito have that? He'll get his answers soon enough.
"Do you recognize this?" He asked,
"If I can remember correctly, it's the gem that Baphomet wore," Elt said,
Akito nodded, turning to the gem before he spoke. "Bingo, if you look closely enough, you can tell that it's emitting a low amount of Demonic Energy. I placed a talisman on it to prevent it from seeping to uncontrollable levels, but you can tell how potent it is with the sight of it alone."
Elt furrowed his brow. "And you brought it into an orphanage filled with kids? Didn't you think that maybe doing that would risk their lives?"
Akito merely shrugged, "If this thing could monsterize people, it would've done so with me long ago. Right now, it might as well just be another red gem."
Elt sighed, "Still…." He trailed off.
"Regardless, where do you think I nabbed this thing?"
Elt raised his brow. He could've grabbed it from the Baphomet but knowing her strength, that would've been nigh impossible for a normal human like him. He shook his head, indicating that he didn't know where.
"I grabbed it from a Kunoichi…." He said, trailing off for dramatic effect. "A Kunoichi that was tailing you."
Elt widened his eyes. Immediately, he got up and moved to the window to check outside. Looking around, he tried to spot the kunoichi but to no avail. He would've gone outside, only for Akito to speak. "You're not gonna find her like that. Trust me; those succubi can slip through castle Salvarision, the Royal Palace, and a heavily militarized camp without even garnering a hint of suspicion. You're strong, Elt, but not even you could spot them like this."
Elt furrowed his brows. He's fought similar types of enemies before in the form of the Black Knife Assassins. They were a formidable group made up of all women. He suffered countless deaths under their hands. Even now, he found it difficult to spot and deal with them, especially in large numbers. They were the ones chosen to kill Godwyn the Golden for a reason, and that reason was something Elt knew a little too well.
"If you're worried right now, don't be. They won't strike you directly, especially if they know your strength. They're keeping their distance for now, but that could change." Akito reassured.
That didn't help at all, "So you're telling me that I shouldn't do anything?"
"No, I'm telling you that they're not a threat yet. You should still deal with them, but there's something you should know about them first." Akito continued. He picked up the gem before placing it back in his pockets. He didn't know if informing Elt before informing Rylan was such a good idea, considering that he knew little about what was happening to him.
But Akito saw Elt as the only one who truly had a chance against the Lilim. He doubted that Wilmarina would've been able to reduce a baphomet to a state like how Elt did. With his strange magic affinity, power, strength, and speed he should be able theoretically be the best fighter in Lescatie. Coupled with his philosophies and stalwart denial of a monster's values, he'd make a good asset for the Order.
"Listen, you're the first person I'm informing about this, so listen carefully." He said, crossing his arms before he spoke.
"There's a possibility that you're being targeted by a Lilim."
…
'...what?' Elt thought, processing the information as best he could. Did… did he hear that right? He was being targeted by a Lilim? No, no, hold on… He turned to Akito, his eyes wide before he spoke again. "Say that again?"
"...you're in denial, aren't you? That's to be expected." Akito said with a sigh. Massaging his temple, he spoke once more. "I'll repeat it more clearly this time. You. Might. Be. Targeted. By. A. Lilim." He said, putting an emphasis on each word to dispel any doubt.
If Elt had less self-restraint, that chair Akito was sitting on would be reduced to splinters. A headache formed on his head, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose as he processed those words. A Lilim…. Marika's fucking tits, a damned Lilim. What's next? Is the Demon Lord gonna come after him? Are the Demigods gonna return from the grave to destroy him again? Who knows? Gideon was here, so it wasn't out of the damned question.
He thought he was done dealing with the monster side of his problems, only to find out that that fucking Baphomet was merely one part of it. Worst still, it was potentially being run by a Lilim. He was confident in his strength, he knew that he should be strong enough to take on the Demigods at his stage, but he was unsure how he'd fare against a Lilim.
He wasn't scared; on contrary to that he was just tired and wanted to rest. Alas, his few days of rest had to be cut short. This new development had hit him like a speeding meteor, and believe me, he knew how that felt. With a sigh, he got up and dusted himself.
"Are you certain?" Elt asked,
Akito shrugged, "Allegedly, I'm not sure how accurate this information is but my informant's pretty reliable." 'most of the time…' Akito dryly added in thought.
"...Okay, so why did you go to me first instead of telling Rylan or your superiors. I'm sure they'd understand the gravity of a Lilim being in Lescatie's borders." Elt asked,
That was most certainly strange. An Inquisitor would usually inform their higher-ups of this development first. A Lilim being near the country is a matter of national security. He may be Elden Lord in the Lands Between, but here he was, a simple common soldier.
A simple common soldier who can fight with the Gods and is one of the most powerful people on the planet, but a simple common soldier nonetheless. Akito shrugged, leaning back before he spoke.
"Do you want me to be honest?" He asked,
Elt raised his brow. "Go on…" He urged.
"Look, Elt… I don't know how to feel about this information, but you are arguably the strongest person in this country." He said, leaning back and crossing his legs as he continued his explanation.
"You could argue that Wilmarina could do something about it, that maybe the combined efforts of the heroes could put a dent in a Lilim's power. You might be right, but that's not a guarantee." Akito continued.
"Wilmarina Noscrim is strong; with that, I have no doubt. But tell me, do you really think that she could take on a Lilim?" Akito asked,
To Akito, there was just no way. He's seen her fight, see what she was capable of, but he knew better than the masses. Strength alone isn't enough to beat the monsters. Those who were weak-willed and emotionally vulnerable were often susceptible to a monster's attacks. He'd seen enough to know that heroic smile of hers was fake, that strong facade of hers was a mere mask. In the face of a monster like a Lilim, she would crumble.
That went for the other heroes of this country. They were all an unsatisfied mess, all vulnerable and susceptible to manipulation. What's the point in having a gun if you can't even pull the trigger, the same logic is applied here.
Elt, however, had a different answer. "She can,"
Akito raised his brow. Was this one of his delusions or is he being serious here? He knew Wilmarina Noscrim way more than Akito did, so it was possible that Elt knew something he didn't. Elt knew her far more intimately as well, he even possibly had romantic feelings for the girl. Not uncommon among the populous, but what is uncommon is for those feelings to be reciprocated. Not that Akito knew that.
"Are we talking about the same Wilmarina here?" Akito asked,
"I don't know, are we? Which Wilmarina are we talking about here?" Elt asked,
Akito furrowed his brow. "The arguably greatest Heroine in Lescatie,"
"Do you really think that? Because from what I can tell you barely have any faith in her." Elt said,
Akito furrowed his brows. What is this? Some kind of Philosophy question? He wasn't here for that, he was here to inform Elt about the Lilim. "Look, Elt, I'm just being realistic here. Out of everyone, you're the only one who has any chance against her."
He wasn't going to deny that. Elt didn't know how strong that Lilim is, but he should at least be able to stand his ground a little. His power has grown ever since his return, but that power alone wasn't enough to guarantee a victory. Akito was right in one regard, physical strength alone wasn't enough. If the person was emotionally weak, then no amount of strength is going to help him against the monsters.
But here was where Akito was mistaken. When it came to emotional strength, Elt was the weakest of them all. He couldn't afford to lose any of those he cared for. He didn't want to let go of the people he loved and cherished. He went through hell and back for their sake since he wanted to go back to them. All this strength, all this power had only made him realize how dependent he was on the people around him.
He would take care of that Lilim, all because he knew that Wilmarina would be sent to deal with her if he didn't.
"I'm not as strong as you think I am…" He uttered out,
"No, but you're strong enough." He said,
Elt nodded, fine… he'll figure something out. For now, however, he needed information. He knew nothing about that Lilim, nothing about the Kunoichi and he knew nothing about that gem. He'll go find Lucas first, knowing he'd either be in Raya-Lucaria or with Mimil, likely the former. After that, he'll go and see if he can access the vault in Raya Lucaria to grab his weapons. And after that…
"Who's your informant?" Elt asked,
Akito paused, his eyes turning to Elt before he spoke. "Wait… do you want to meet her or-"
"I need information, Akito. Who better than your informant." Elt said,
Akito blinked, a sigh escaping his mouth. Poor Kara, best not get into Elt's bad side. If Akito could reduce her into a stuttering mess, he wondered how Elt would fare. Considering how scary he could be, it would certainly be a sight to see.
"Well-" He began.
"So uh… Master," A young boy's voice called out, his tone light and somewhat nervous.
Here he stood, beside Mimil Miltie as she fiddled away at a few magic circles. She had worked tirelessly day in and day out to try and understand the strange sorceries of the Lands Between. With Elt's permission, she managed to nab a few books and was extracting information from it at a rate that would make even the most skilled sorcerors in the Lands Between Jealous.
Her prodigal mind was certainly one to fear, especially when it came to learning new information.
"Not now, Lucas, I'm working." She said,
Lucas, gulped. In order to spare his Lord the trouble and added headache, he instead decided to dump all of his problems on his master. She should be able to handle it, he thought. After all, she should be used to dealing with monsters so knowing how to deal with a monster that had declared you their mate should be up her forte.
That's his logic, anyways. He knew it to be flawed but he was just deluding himself at this point. He was just trying to find a way to salvage this extremely unsalvageable situation he found himself in. After all, how the hell do you deal with a monster as volatile as that goat choosing you as its mate? It was just unreal for him, and he wasn't programmed in dealing with something like this.
"It's uh… I'm afraid that it's of great importance, Master." He said, lightly clearing his throat.
Mimil paused, her eyes turning to the boy before she spoke. "Explain…"
She had never seen him this nervous before. The last time he even came close to this was when he was with his Lord. Even when facing a Baphomet, he didn't lose his composure. So for him to be stuttering and being nervous like this, it made her slightly worried.
Lucas looked around, his eyes darting as he tried to figure out what to say. "...Okay, Master… I will present to you a hypothetical and completely untrue situation, and I want to know your thoughts on the proper course of action."
Mimil raised her brow, "Go on…"
"Okay… Let us say that an unnamed boy who we shall name… blue was approached by a monster of great power who we shall call white. White proposes a deal for Blue to follow: Blue will cure White's sister, we shall call her Black, and in return White and Black will leave the boy alone. Here is some information on Black. Because of a past experience, Blue knows that Black is often very volatile and troublesome and is possibly unable to keep promises…" He began, clearing his throat as he placed his hands behind his back.
"Now… Hypothetically, not saying any of this is true, but what if Blue cured Black and ended the deal there? Black then asks Blue to stay and talk while Blue had no reason to. But for some unforeseen reason, he decided to stay and speak anyways. They converse, Blue insults Black and calls her an impatient wench who deserves to die, she just laughed it off… like an idiot." He continued,
"In any case, with the deal done. Blue was set to return home but before he could be sent back, he heard something completely unthinkable from Black. If he heard that correctly, it appeared as though she had declared Blue to be her mate…" He said, scratching the back of his head as sweat poured down.
"...In that instance, what should Blue do?"
Mimil paused; she processed his words before a vein appeared on her head. That was not a good sign; nope, certainly, it wasn't. She took a deep breath, her hand reaching towards her staff before she spoke. "So what you're trying to tell me is that you met with a monster."
"-No, this is purely hypothetic-"
"And then you made a deal with said monster to cure the Baphomet we tried so hard to get rid of." She continued; there was now a faint glow on the staff.
"Master, please, It's just hypo-"
"And because of that, you've now been declared as that Baphomet's Mate. All because you accepted a deal from that damned monster without consulting me or Big Brother!?" She asked,
Mimil was a prodigy; that much could be considered. Among her long list of skills was her ability to read between the lines. It's how she maneuvered through the cutthroat politics of Lescatie's upper echelons. Lucas' thinly veiled explanation was something she quickly saw through. The fierce sweating and body language were enough to confirm that much.
She shouldn't be too surprised. Lucas was simultaneously the smartest person she knew and the dumbest idiot she had ever seen. Such a paradoxical existence was something unique to the boy alone. He was smart when it came to academics, but when it came to politics and the like, he was sorely lacking. He lacked common sense, and that lack of common sense had just come to bite him in the ass.
Lucas had to be smart about his next response. Considering the glow on Mimil's staff and the size of the room, it was possible that he was about to get blasted to kingdom come.
'Okay, you've been in worse situations before. This should be relatively easy to deal with…' He thought to himself.
He stared at his Master, unable to think of what to say before… "Well… I-"
Author's Notes:
That took a lot longer than I thought it would, damn.
Anyways, Hallo! Whamo Here, welcome to the newest chapter of UTGO that was way past its due. I was busy with college, so I could only crank out a few words here and there. I said in Red Inquisitor that this would be a dual chapter, but the Interlude I was making is still baking in the oven so I'm sorry but this is all your getting for now.
The interlude should come out pretty soon; spoilers, it's about Albain.
Anyways, onto the Chapter proper. Writing the scene with the Baphomets was pretty fun. Lucas just constantly launching verbal abuse at Kuro and her just shrugging it off was fun to write.
Speaking of, I will say this now. As you can see with Merridith, just because Kuroferuru's trying to turn a new leaf she isn't going to be forgiven for all the shit she's pulled. Merridith is still suffering because of her, and what she did to her and countless others is gonna come and bite her. As for how that's for me to know.
Most of the Dominos are still being put in place, but the next chapter (read: interlude) should be the final piece of the domino. After that, well…
You'll see.
In any case, that's all for now. Feel free to leave a review, criticism or any type of feedback. Any and all of it would be appreciated to help with the story,
Have a nice day!
Whamo out!