Hey y'all! I'm back! Okay, I don't own Rising of the Shield Hero, I DO own my OCs and various sneaky plot twists :) So I'm raring to go and there will be some long expected changes to various OCs in this chapter… Mwa ha ha ha ha! You can expect shenanigans, politics, fashion troubles, the establishment of a mercenary troop and more!
Warning! Swearing is gonna happen, gore is less likely but still possible~!
Please review and let me know what you think!
After their talk with the Queen, both Rong and Hazel crashed, passing out and staying out until the next day. Hazel is dreaming of being back in Japan, browsing a cosplay store. She had just taken down an Arturia Pendragon outfit to examine the price tag only for a manikin in a bird fur suit to fall on top of her. Hazel wheezes under the weight, trying to push it off. It proves surprisingly difficult to do.
Huffing, Hazel struggles to lift the damn weight off her chest when it moves.
Manikins don't move outside the Twilight Zone! Hazel thinks in a panic, thrashing in earnest now. A sleepy squawk startles her and she tries to open her eyes only for something itchy to poke into them. Hazel shoots upright, dislodging a giant golden fluff ball, scrubbing at her eyes and spitting out feathers. The fluffy thing protests its new position as Hazel tries to make sense of what she is seeing.
She blinks. And blinks again. Then yells at the top of her lungs.
"Holymotherfuckingshitthere'sagiantbirdthinginhereandits'staringatme!"
Rong awakes immediately, bolting up right only to find her legs trapped under a large scaly creature. She doesn't scream but very carefully extracts herself from under the creature.
"Wha's goin on?" Sher's voice yawns.
Hazel turns to look at her in relief and her face goes slack in shock. Instead on a pre-teen, somehow Sher had aged until she looks about eighteen with all the assets of a teenager. The Lion Demi-human yawns again, failing to notice that her body had developed significantly in the last twelve hours. Sher blinks as she looks around the room before freaking out.
"Ohmygodthere'saDragonandFliolialinherewhat'sgoingonHazel?!"
Hazel points at Sher.
"Start with yourself!" She yells in reply.
"You're twelve! So why do you look like you're almost MY age!?"
Sher opens her mouth, frowns and looks down. Her eyes widen when she sees the changes in her body and she shrieks. Rong just sighs when her other party members continue to bellow questions and cause chaos.
"Good grief…" Rong murmurs.
Thirty minutes later in the stables.
"Okay, so let me see if I've got this straight- Meili, Sher and Kai had the largest growth spurt in history? Because they've 'grown with their levels?'" Hazel asks, staring at Rong.
Rong nods firmly.
"Kai and Meili are both monsters and monsters grow by how much they level. Hence why they are now fully grown versus their former size previous to the Wave."
Hazel nods, glancing at the pair. Kai had grown into what she can only describe as a golden ostrich with bright blue eyes, large enough to ride at that. Meili's scales had brightened, but are still an exceptionally dark purple. Proud horns had started to grow from her temples and she had also grown nearly fifteen feet in length (yes, Hazel measured Meili using a rope and her own body measurements). Both Kai and Meili had transitioned from small and cute to large/terrifying but still adorable.
Hazel considers the idea as both Meili and Kai demand pets, scratching them absently before looking at a very uncomfortable Sher. Between Rong and Hazel they had found clothes that fit the Lion Demi-human but Sher was still very uncomfortable with the situation.
"But that doesn't explain Sher," Hazel points out with a frown.
Rong sighs.
"Part of the reason Demi-humans are considered 'lesser' than regular humans is because they can grow into an adult physically by how much they level. A child can be nearly an adult physically in less than a year if they are dedicated to hunting monsters." She explains again, wondering why this of all things was so hard for the Gauntlet Hero to absorb.
If anything, it is reassuring that Hazel can be stumped by something so natural. Hazel continues to stare at Sher before she finally speaks.
"Sher- have you had your first period yet?" Sher's face turns red in embarrassment.
"W-Why are you asking me a thing like that?!" She yells, jumping to her feet.
Hazel rolls her eyes.
"So we know if we need to help you when it happens or if you've got it handled." Hazel says in a very calm and logical tone of voice.
Sher opens and closes her mouth as her face grows warmer from embarrassment. Hazel decides to press her advantage.
"So, have you?"
Rong can't help but feel pity for Sher as the Lion Demi-human struggles with her embarrassment. Eventually Sher shakes her head, ears drooping in shame and she tucks her tail between her legs. Hazel nods and looks at Rong.
"Looks like we'll need more supplies." She quips, ruffling Sher's hair.
Rong suppresses a sigh as the party starts to sort itself out.
Later that day…
"You know… it's just as well Kai and Meili are here to eat most of this." Hazel mutters as the dragon and Filolial tear apart a warg corpse.
The party had resupplied, with a significant discount from the apothecary in thanks for defending Torfeld, then headed out to the battlefield to deal with the corpses. Villagers had also begun processing the monster remains, but Hazel wasn't particularly bothered by it.
There's plenty to go around- and they took my request to leave the Ice Drake alone in good humor. She muses, adding a warg jaw to her gauntlets.
Rysty and Knokene gobble it up and send her the notification the estimated time to complete processing is an hour. Hazel isn't surprised since she had been tearing off monster parts and feeding the gauntlets nonstop since arriving. So far she had butchered twelve Ice Wraiths, nine Frost Trolls and five wargs. Glancing around, Hazel notes Rong and Sher had taken her suggestion to heart, removing pieces of the monsters that according to Rong would fetch a high price in the markets.
Nodding in satisfaction, Hazel keeps working until she had skinned the entire warg and rolled up the skin for tanning. Shouldering her burden, Hazel lets out a shrill whistle, catching Kai and Meili's attention. She beckons to them with her fingers then points to the warg she had just skinned. Twin expressions of joy and gluttony bloom on their faces as they race over, skidding to a stop right next to her. Hazel laughs as they jockey for the best portions of the monster.
"Meili, you get that half and Kai gets this half." She states firmly, directing the dragon to the rear portion of the warg.
Meili gives Hazel the stink eye. Hazel merely smiles.
"You get what you get and you don't throw a fit." She reminds the dragon in a no nonsense tone.
Meili huffs and reluctantly starts eating, throwing disgusted looks at her and Kai. Hazel shakes her head and walks on to the largest project of the day: the Ice Drake. Despite the heat of the day, the Wave Boss had remained completely unspoiled. Even in death it exudes a chill, though not to the intensity that it had when the Ice Drake had been alive of course.
Hazel doesn't bother to worry about the mechanics since the chill was not threatening injury to her or her party members. With a sigh she sets down her burdens and transforms her gauntlets into Hellhound claws. Then she starts butchering it in sections. Parts are set aside for trade, some for food and the last for Rysty and Knokene.
Blood soaks her clothes despite the leather smock she had borrowed and gore splatters all over her, adding to the already smelly mess she had been before coming for the Ice Drake.
Butchering is one of the smelliest things I've ever done, hands down. She grumbles in her mind as she works.
Rysty and Knokene joyfully absorb pieces of the Ice Drake, a pleased sensation coming from them as she separates the scales from its flesh.
"Yuck." She mutters, sighing when she sees only half of the Ice Drake has been processed in the last three hours.
Hazel stands to move to the next section when she feels the ground tremble. Dropping her things, Hazel jumps to land on top of the dead monster, searching for the source of the vibrations. Scanning, her eyes stop on a dust-cloud following the main road out of the village.
"That much dust…" She mutters, trying to remember what it reminds her of.
Hazel tilts her head to one side, thinking but frowns when she can't seem to remember. She shrugs and jumps down, waving at Sher and Rong.
"Oi! I saw something weird!" She yells at them.
Rong quirks her eyebrows, her fake goat ears twitching. Sher is also curious, watching Hazel's approach with rapt attention.
"What was it?" Rong calls back, setting aside the hide she had been working on.
Hazel strolls over, futilely trying to scrap dried gore off her face as she explains.
"A giant dust-cloud, but get this- there's no wind."
"So?" Sher questions, hacking off another Ice Wraith claw.
"So we don't know what's causing it." Hazel explains, reining in her impatience.
There's a pause then they turn in perfect synchronization to Rong for her opinion. Rong stills, considering possibilities before speaking.
"There are several potential causes. A caravan, for instance, or an armored convoy could create a dust-clouds. A monster swarm is another possibility, but considering the circumstances the most likely answer is the Siltvelt army." Rong concludes, cleaning her knife.
"… Wow, Rong-san, you're really smart." Sher remarks, packing up various monster spoils.
Hazel nods in agreement before a look of alarm crosses her face.
"… Wait, the army? The Siltvelt Army?!" She yelps, face paling.
Rong nods, gathering her tools and her portion of monster remains.
"Correct. They will likely interrogate us for our involvement in destroying the Wave Boss."
"But isn't that a bad thing?!" Hazel points out, flustered.
Rong pauses as she thinks it over.
"Not if we handle correctly. But if we are going to do so, then we all need to keep our stories straight."
Sher looks at Hazel and Rong, confused.
"What are we going to tell them?" She asks, getting to the heart of the matter.
Hazel sighs then looks at Sher.
"That we're mercs for hire, a newly formed company still starting out, heading to the capital to be deployed- for a price, during the Waves. Originally it was just Rong and I, but we picked you, Kai and Meili up from a slaver when we were doing a hitch in Melromarc. Due to discrimination we could not acquire Holy water to dispel the slave crest on you so we came to Siltvelt, aiming to kill multiple birds with one stone. Our objectives as a company are as follows: get paid, Level up at the Dragon Hourglass, remove your slave crest and cement our business reputation as a group that gets shit done. Any questions?"
There's a pregnant pause before Sher does ask a clarifying question.
"Are we using our regular names or aliases?"
Hazel blinks then looks at Rong, who frowns.
"… I don't know- but it might be safer if we do." Hazel hazards, scratching her neck irritably.
Rong nods.
"Ilmatar-san, we should pick names before they arrive, preferably something easy to remember."
She grimaces but thinks fast.
"I'll be Emer- it was the name of a good friend of mine, so that'll be an easy one for me."
Sher and Rong nod in understanding.
"Sher, you're next." Hazel commands, pointing at her.
Sher flushes with embarrassment, stuttering out her choice as the slave crest starts to crackle in warning.
"A-Alexia." Hazel blinks then laughs, shaking her head.
"Okay, I never pictured you picking that one! That's adorable!" Hazel wheezes, chuckling.
Sher's face burns crimson but Rong interrupts before Hazel can tease her further.
"I will use the name Velia. Now, remember, we are the mercenary company Belladonna and we defeated the Wave. None of us will bow out of earning our well-deserved payday." Rong reminds them firmly.
Sher and Hazel nod then head towards town, Hazel whistling for Meili and Kai as they go.
Three hours later.
Captain Faritzel stares at the trio of women in front of him, trying to keep his feathers from fluffing up in agitation. It's not that he isn't grateful to them- he is! Without their involvement, Torfeld village would be gone and the Wave would have continued. But their cutthroat prices make his eyes bulge in disbelief. The first condition- freeing the Lion Demi-human from a slave crest is easy enough to grant, in fact it would be blasphemy if he didn't.
But the following two conditions are what make him want to tear his feathers out!
"No, Captain Emer, I cannot pay you thirty gold!" He finally yells, at a breaking point.
The wolf Demi-human merely raises an eyebrow at his antics.
"This village would be gone if not for us- all we are asking for is the appropriate compensation." She says coolly not breaking eye contact.
He bristles at her insinuation that he is not grateful.
"You will be paid," He grits out, trying to control what's left of his temper.
"But we cannot afford to pay you thirty gold! There simply are not enough funds!"
The mercenary captain sighs before leaning forward, her gauntlets glinting in a menacing way in the torchlight.
"We do not work for free and we expect to be paid for what we are worth. However, I can understand the pressure of maintaining a budget. Twenty gold, paid now, along with vouchers to visit the Dragon Hourglass at a later date. That is as far as I am willing to lower it."
Faritzel forces himself to breath, thinking it through.
She's at least lowered her price point for gold- that I can only be grateful for. But vouchers to visit the Dragon Hourglass?! Admittedly it is an understandable, if calculating, move to ensure that her mercenaries will be able to grow stronger. But they are not part of any of the main clans! And they are not sworn to Siltvelt! I can get them in, but the political and personal repercussions alone-! Perhaps I can pretend to go along with it…
"Of course, we would be happy to tell others of our feats here in Torfeld- success stories are excellent for business, after all. Indeed, we would be most happy to speak of what occurs here in great detail." Emer's voice cuts smoothly through his thoughts.
Faritzel pales and his feathers stand up at the underlying threat.
Give me what I want or else.
The message is very clear- it is not a blatant threat, not even close! But he has no doubt that Captain Emer would drag his name in the mud as the man who would not keep his promises. Under his fear and frustration he cannot help but admire the woman. It is not an enviable position to be in as the Captain of a new Mercenary company- competition is fierce and the profession dominated primarily by men.
To survive as a mercenary, you must be cutthroat yet honorable in your dealings. It is clear from this meeting she understands that and is willing to do what she must to see her folk paid. Faritzel sighs in defeat.
"Very well. To clarify, you desire twenty gold coins, a bottle of Holy water to remove a slave crest and vouchers to visit the Dragon Hourglass of Siltvelt to be paid immediately. Is that correct?"
She nods firmly, keeping her eyes on him as her second in command writes down the terms and presents the paper for their viewing. Faritzel winces at seeing the demands in writing, with appropriate lines for his signature and Captain Emer's. Then his eyes notice a key detail.
"This is-!" He gasps in shock.
"A magical contract." Emer says calmly, leaning back in her chair to study him.
"Should either party break the terms stated, there are severe consequences."
Sweat builds on his forehead as he processes the information she had coolly dumped in his lap.
She's covering all her bases and reducing the chance of betrayal to boot-! Heh, I can say I have lost this round, Captain Emer.
"I see, how prudent of you." He praises, writing his name on the contract.
She merely smiles at him as she signs it in turn.
"You have two days to provide the items stated in the contract- if you do not… well, I'll leave it up to your imagination." She chuckles dryly.
Faritzel stands and bows, his wings flexing as he does.
"I can see you are a cautious woman, Captain Emer of the Belladonna Mercenaries."
She nods in acknowledgement of his compliment.
"I look forward to doing further business with you, Captain Faritzel." She responds in kind, standing.
"… I will have the coin and Holy water here by tonight- the vouchers will take at least a day." He warns her.
Emer smiles in amusement.
"The best things come to those with appropriate patience." She replies.
Faritzel chuckles in understanding, leaving the room. Once the door closes, Hazel stifles a groan as she sits down, resting her forehead on the table. Rong suppresses a snort of laughter as she watches Hazel decompress.
"I forgot how tiring negotiating can be," Hazel grumbles into the wood.
Sher places a cup of tea next to Hazel, patting her on the back.
"I'm amazed! You acted just like a cutthroat mercenary captain!" Sher praises.
Hazel groans in response.
"She is not wrong- you did better than anticipated." Rong tells her, carefully stowing the contract in her belongings.
"Mrph." Hazel replies, lifting her head enough that her chin rests on the tabletop.
[Hero: we have finished processing the monster remains.]
Hazel perks up at the notification.
"Oooh, really? Did you get any good ones?"
[Affirmative.]
"Cool! What are they?"
[Ice Wraith Claw Gauntlets: +14 Attack, 10% Damage bonus against spirits, Skill: Spectral Claws (Locked).]
[Ice Wraith Leather Gauntlets: +9 Agility, +2 Defense, Skill: Ghostly Presence (Locked).]
[Frost Troll Leather Gauntlets: +12 Defense, 30% Damage reduction from Ice-based attacks, Skill: Frozen Touch (Locked).]
[Frost Troll Hair Gauntlets: +7 Magic Attack, 15% bonus for Ice-based magic.]
[Frost Troll Bone Gauntlets: +16 Stamina, +10 Defense.]
[Frost Troll Meat Gauntlets: +8 Magic Defense, +3 Defense.]
Hazel whistles at the list starting to pop up- some of these new gauntlets look really kickass!
[Warg Leather Gauntlets: +6 Agility, +4 Defense.]
[Warg Meat Gauntlets: +10 Cooking, +7 Dissection.]
[Warg Fang Gauntlets: +13 Attack, +5 Stamina, Skill: Summoning Howl (Locked).]
[Warg Heart Gauntlets: +9 Stamina, +10 Command, Bonus Skill- Leader of the Pack.]
She tilts her head at the last one.
Leader of the Pack? What the heck does that do?
Her thoughts are interrupted as the most anticipated series makes its entrance.
[Ice Drake Scale Gauntlets: +15 Defense, +10 Magic Defense, Ice Resistance (High).]
[Ice Drake Meat Gauntlets: +10 Cooking, +13 Magic Defense.]
[Ice Drake Horn Gauntlets: +11 Attack, 10% Damage bonus against High Defense monsters.]
[Ice Drake Bone Gauntlets: +6 Attack, +8 Magic Defense.]
[Ice Drake Fang Gauntlets: +20 Attack, +12 Magic Attack, Skill: Springing Blades (Locked).]
[Ice Drake Heart Gauntlets: +25 Magic Attack, Bonus Skill- Icy Resolve.]
"… Holy shit." She whispers, mind whirling from the implications.
"Hazel?" Sher questions, worry in her voice.
Hazel looks at her, dazed.
"Ah, Sher, Rong… I think that bastard Ice Drake was useful for something after all."
"Huh?"
Two days later…
Hazel stands in parade rest, feet shoulder width apart and arms clasped behind her back, shoulders back and spine straight as a pin. Sher has copied a similar stance, with the addition of her naginata held in a 'rest' position. Rong is in front at a small table, her manner coolly professional as she counts the coins in the reward purse. Hazel and Sher keep their eyes on the Siltvelt army representatives, observing them.
The Demi-human soldiers can barely lower their voices enough to gossip without their commanding officers catching them.
"The second in command is hot-"
"Oh, the captain looked at me!"
"They're all so beautiful~"
"Shhh! Don't let Captain hear you!"
"I wonder if Alexia-sama would give me pointers on my spear work…"
"Like hell she will! She'll be teaching me, not you jackass!"
"Huh?! You want to fight?!"
The soldiers' voices grow louder as they argue and Captain Faritzel wants to scream his frustration.
All my hard work and discipline is gone-! They're acting like Dragons in heat!
He opens his mouth to reprimand them when his counterpart takes charge.
"Attention!" Captain Emer barks, glaring at them.
The soldiers gulp and quickly reform into orderly lines, standing stiffly attention as she had demanded. Captain Emer surveys them and looks at Faritzel.
"Your soldiers need discipline." She states, her eyes cold as she stares at him.
He sweats as he nods jerkily.
"Ah… yes, you are right-!"
"I will leave it to you then to instill professionalism- I would recommend beginning after our meeting is concluded."
He nods again and Hazel strides over to Rong for confirmation everything is in order. They exchange words before glancing at Faritzel in sync- Hazel nods and walks over to Faritzel, offering her hand.
"A pleasure doing business with you, Captain. I can only hope that our relationship continues- if you wish to hire us in the future, we will be doing a stint in Melromarc for the next three months."
He smiles painfully, but shakes her hand.
"We will keep your troop in mind- not just anyone can suppress a Wave with one party. Care to share any hints?" He wheedles.
Hazel laughs softly and gives him a cool smirk.
"Trade secret."
Faritzel pouts then nods, stepping back. He turns to his soldiers, barking orders to pack up and make ready for departure. Hazel gestures for Sher and Rong to fall in step with her as they walk to their inn. She glances at Rong and Sher.
"So now we have been paid- let's discuss necessities and other business. Sher, you're getting that slave crest removed once we get to the room."
Sher looks at her feet, her tail lashing back and forth. Hazel doesn't see it and coons in greeting to Kai and Meili as they jostle inside their stalls. The pair whistle and snarl in response as they shove against each other, trying to be first for pets. Hazel smiles and waves as she continues into the inn, making their heads droop in depression.
After Sher and Rong enter the room, Hazel pulls out the vial of high quality Holy water as Rong locks the door and covers the windows. Sher shifts uncomfortably as she removes her tunic and armor, baring her chest. Hazel's mouth twitches in suppressed laughter when she notes how shy Sher is acting.
So adorable! No! Bad, focus! Okay, Faritzel said to just pour it on the slave crest and it will disappear…
Shrugging, she yanks out the stopper and meets Sher's eyes.
"Ready?"
Sher blinks, her golden eyes filled with- something. Hazel tilts her head, confused.
"Sher? What's up?"
"… I can stay? Even if I'm not your slave?" She whispers, fists clenching.
Hazel's expression changes from confused to understanding. She steps forward and hugs the younger girl before patting her on the head.
"You can stay if you want to- I would love for you to stay, but you have to want to. I won't make that choice for you because it's your life you'll be risking. Any of us can die, Sher, at any time. We'll make enemies and piss off powerful people… so if you're in, you'll be in till the end of this."
Sher frowns, thinking over Hazel's words.
"I…"
Memories flash through her mind: training with Hazel, feeding Kai and Meili, being taught to read by Rong in the evenings with Hazel…
It feels warm with them… like home…
Her resolve firms and she looks Hazel dead in the eye.
"I want to stay."
Hazel nods, pouring the Holy water over the crest. Sher grits her teeth at the pain as it melts away. A notification on Hazel's screen appears.
[Slave Sher removed from Gauntlet Hero's party.]
She opens her screen and sends a party invite to Sher.
[Join Gauntlet Hero's party?]
[Yes?]
[No?]
Sher selects 'Yes' and both Hazel and Sher relax as they see each other's stats on their respective screens again. Rong hides a small smile at how the two are secretly relieved they both still wanted to adventure together.
"Alright, time to plan." Rong gently interrupts them.
They nod and settle on the bed.
"We will need to replenish our potion stock since we do not have a healer. Our gear also needs to be mended and upgraded. And it may be productive to buy riding gear for Meili and Kai or to buy a carriage."
"Do they sell riding gear here?" Hazel wonders.
Rong nods.
"They sell basic riding gear at the stable and they also have a serviceable carriage for sale as well."
Hazel nods, thinking it over.
"A carriage would be nice for carrying extra supplies, but would it be able to handle off-road?"
"They can, depending on the terrain." Sher replies, surprising Hazel.
"Eh? Sher, you know about carriages?"
She rolls her eyes.
"I used to drive wagons in my home village- earned some coppers that way."
Hazel continues to stare at her. Sher starts to feel very uncomfortable with her intense gaze.
"What? Why are you staring at me like that?!" She snaps, tail fluffing up.
"Hmm? Oh, just thinking that having a carriage just got a lot more appealing~!"
Sher bristles and Hazel laughs as a pillow hits her in the face.
"It's decided~ we're getting a carriage and the riding gear~!" Hazel sings, flinging the pillow back at Sher.
Sher catches it, opening her mouth to argue but Rong intervenes.
"Very well- the carriage seemed of decent quality."
Sher rolls her eyes.
"Let me be the judge of that- they can hide all sorts of flaws if you don't know how to look."
Next day…
Kai chortles as his jiggles in his harness, unspeakably happy to have his own carriage to pull. Sher sighs, keeping him still while Rong stays in the back, stowing the last of their supplies.
"Captain! We're almost ready to depart!" Sher calls looking over at her 'captain'.
"Whoo-! Great, give me a moment! Meili, chill out, we're not attacking Kai!" Hazel scolds, pulling Meili's head up to check her rush at Kai.
"Besides, super shitty move to attack your own party members!" She snaps.
Meili gives Kai a stink eye, which he returns with a- is that a smirk? The dragon puffs up with rage- how dare that Filolial smirk at her! She readies herself for another attempt to sneak attack him-!
"Everything is stowed and ready to go." Rong reports, sticking her head out beside Sher.
Hazel grins.
"Then let's go! Back to shitty Melromarc!" She crows.
Sher cracks the reins firmly and Kai needs no further encouragement. Meili, when she sees her rival darting ahead of her, immediately pursues and keeps pace with the Filolial. Hazel whoops as they leave a dust trail behind them.
Meanwhile…
"What? Siltvelt took minimum casualties?!" Aultcray barks in surprise.
The Shadow nods and continues the report.
"Our spy mentioned it was the work of a small mercenary company that suppressed the Wave until they finished the Wave Boss."
Aultcray taps the arm rest of his throne, frowning.
"How did they reach the Wave so quickly to have that great of an effect?" He inquires.
"The spy reports they were already present at the village after arriving the day before. They were merely in the right place at the right time." The Shadow explains.
Aultcray grunts in understanding.
"What more can you tell me about them?"
The Shadow hesitates. Aultcray notices and glares.
"What is it? Spit it out!" He orders.
The Shadow sighs.
"They are a Mercenary company that goes by the name 'Belladonna'- all of their members thus far are female. Three principle members currently, though they were sighted with both a Filolial and Dragon mount. The captain's name is Emer, she is reported to be experienced at negotiation and warfare. Reported to have squeezed the Siltvelt army for monetary compensation as well as vouchers to visit the Siltvelt Dragon Hourglass. Next is her second in command, a woman named Velia- she seems to also have considerable experience and used magic to defend the town for nearly three hours."
"The spy reports she is no push over and was not amiable to bribes or flattery, similar to her captain. Last member is a former slave from Melromarc, a young woman named Alexia- she was purchased from a slaver at the same time as their monster eggs. One of the conditions Captain Emer demanded from the Siltvelt army was a vial of High grade Holy water to remove the slave crest. Alexia appears to be a skilled spear-wielder and lead the village evacuation on Captain Emer's orders."
Aultcray raises his eyebrow at the description of the Belladonna troop.
"There are only three of them? Three?! And they stopped the Wave by themselves?!"
The Shadow tenses before speaking again, dreading Aultcray's reaction.
"They are a Demi-human mercenary troop, sire."
Silence rings as Aultcray stares at the Shadow then he explodes onto his feet with a roar.
"WHAT?! Filthy Demi-human ANIMALS stopped the Wave?! And ONLY three of them?!"
The Shadow keeps his head bowed, staying silent as Aultcray rages. After the king finishes his rant, he resumes his seat on the throne, plotting how to get rid of this new inconvenience.
"The spy reports they are headed to Melromarc to assist in the Wave in a month's time- their impression is the Belladonna troop has no particular allegiances to any one country. They seem to understand the best opportunity for glory and gold is fighting the Waves."
Aultcray blinks then his mouth curves in a cruel smile.
"I see."
Back with the Belladonnas…
Hazel, Sher and Rong all sneeze at the same time. Meili and Kai blink at this odd behavior and try to copy it. Sher and Hazel snicker at the strange sounds they make while Rong smiles slightly.
"I hope we're not getting sick…" Hazel mutters, wiping her nose.
Rong nods in agreement. Sher frowns.
"My ma said if you sneeze that means there's someone talking about you." She remarks.
Hazel blinks.
"But who would be talking about us? Especially all three of us?"
Sher shrugs. Rong narrows her eyes, wondering…
Indeed, who?
And that is a wrap! Send me your thoughts, opinions and ideas! I'm torn between time skipping to get to the capital in Melromarc or spending time doing more badass monster hunting. Also- next party member for the Belladonnas will not appear until after Naofumi's duel with Motoyasu. But I am open to ideas and suggestions! Mostly because I have TOO MANY IDEAS. Hoped you enjoyed it! Until next time~!