Chapter 5: An old friend.
Lescatie, North-Western Region.
...
Under the night sky, the children fell asleep in the enclosed carriage while Sasha and Ash are sitting on the opposite sides near the bonfire. The warrior nun was looking down in shame as the Knight frustratingly exhaled deeply before placing his fingers on his armoured forehead in disappointment.
"I can see the reason the Order is corrupt... but letting the entire kingdom fall into the hands of the Monsters so you can free the citizens from their miseries?" Then Ash furrowed his eyebrows while facing her with an angry scowl before tilting his head sideways in disappointment. "You are a Veteran and that responsibility you hold should know what you're doing... but despite your best efforts to save the kingdom, you weren't aware of their true intentions and go that low?! That is... the most naïve plan you've ever come up with."
After scolding the Priestess, the knight hissed deeply underneath his breath while clenching his fists. He knew there were dissidents among the ranks within the Order of the Chief God of Lescatie. Yet he couldn't believe that Sasha is one of the actual causes for the Fall of Lescatie. At first, he didn't want to get involved in someone's business and ignore the people that spoke rumours about him until he delved deep into the rabbit hole by the time the invasion began.
Then today, he finds out that not only does she reveal her secret to shelter the mamono children until the siege happened. Sasha had been exchanging information with the monsters before everything from there on went to hell and getting into this mess was all because she let it happen.
'By Izalith's damnation, things will get even worse.' His mind spoke in frustration. 'If anyone finds out about this, then the Order will hunt her down as the most wanted person by putting a bounty on her head.'
"F-Forgive me, for I was the sole reason for my kingdom's downfall... I... I..." Then Ash looks up to Sasha. He is still untouched to see her sorrowful expression while tears swelled down her cheeks. "I just wanted to end their suffering, and I wished ... t-that I have never taken this path! I'm sorry... I'm so sorry that I failed at everything!... My actions... are all for naught!"
Right now, Ash couldn't help with her situation and Sasha hugged herself while tugging her face against her knees until she broke down a sob, trying to reflect her actions. He remembered that time when he visited Oolacile in the ancient past when Lordran was still around and understood the consequences of curiosity and foolishness that the people of Oolacile have brought upon in which the Marvelous Chester have spoken of.
'Believe it or not… Oolacile has brought the Abyss upon itself. Fooled by that toothy serpent, they upturned the grave of a primeval man and incited his ornery wrath.' His mind recites his words, coming from the man who hailed from an unknown time. 'What could they have been thinking? But to you and me, it's all ancient history. You have to ask yourself: Does it really matter? Heh heh heh.'
Something similar to that happened to Oolacile when the Abyss sprawled over its citizens and turned them into horrible abominations while in this world how the Demonic Energy did to Lescatie that made the citizens into madmen for the sake of depravity and right now... It doesn't really matter anymore. Once it has been done is done and Sasha is the only fool to believe herself out of curiosity and suspicion in her hopes to bring peace of coexistence, but not without thinking twice about the consequences since the Mamono could not give birth to males which will lead to the path to extinction of both races. He might lose his house in the city, but thankfully he still has his savings, which is enough to pay for a new rental home so he can have a place to stay.
Once she slowly stopped weeping, Sasha wipes off her tears and gave herself some breathing for a few moments before looking up at Ash, where his face still holds no emotion while staring at the fire. Any person would normally be angry and condemn her failure as a heroine because of her actions against Lescatie, and yet... he seems that there is nothing to care for it.
"Ash?... are you... angry right now?" She quivered, questioning nervously and waits for his answer. It felt like minutes have passed, and no one answered. "Please... blame me for everything. A stupid hero like me should be condemned and I will truly hold this mantle of shame..."
"... I've heard many kingdoms that rose and fell... through war, betrayals and disaster," Ash stated while staring at the bonfire and Sasha carefully listened. "My homeland is already gone, and no longer exists."
"I'm... I'm sorry to hear that." Sasha looked down, and yet the Warrior Nun didn't understand. "But why?... Why aren't you angry...?"
"Don't be... I don't have the mood to be angry... it's just the city itself was corrupt to the core from the beginning and all that was the works of the leaders who brought the consequences of their own." He replied before smirking himself sarcastically with a brief chuckle. "But I'm used to straying from one place to another. I originally planned to move away. However, it seems fate itself doesn't want to give me a chance to find a new, permanent home."
The two silently stared at the fire and Sasha felt somewhat a relief in her mind. She might regret her earlier actions and the Knight just didn't care anymore. He was such an odd individual. Then her mind wanders into thoughts; from which land did he came from? None knew of his origins, while the colour scheme of his armour is like that of the Order Knights and their soldiers, but it's of foreign design and the flaming crest on his chest armour is unrecognisable among other Order nations or the neutral kingdoms. But why does she have a feeling that his armour is... ancient?
"I've been wondering... Ash..." Then she began asking in curiosity. "From which land do you hail from?"
"Where I'm from...? Well... I've been travelling quite a lot on my previous journeys before coming here," Ash spoke honestly, but that was a half-lie. He's been a lowly knight who was discharged from military service and then travelling through places from one to another until his death upon entering Lordran. Thus becoming undead by the curse and locked up in the Northern Asylum for some years to come, but his memories still remember his origins. "My homeland is the Kingdom of Astora. The land is known for its people of their creative craftsmanship and lived in an advanced society compared to other nearby kingdoms."
"Oh?... that sounds quite a nice place." Sasha made a small smile before asking once more in curiosity. "But what happened to it? Did it become part of the Demon Realm? If I guess I'm correct..."
"No... it fell into ruins by an unspeakable curse and I'm certain that the Demon Lord herself doesn't realise what it is," Ash answered in a grimace before tilting his head sidewards, then he continued to explain. "That land is already filled with darkness and none lives there anymore... it is a dangerous place where monsters are still roaming around."
Then Sasha raised her eyebrow in curiosity. "How so? Monsters couldn't be dangerous and they can't kill men."
"No, not the monsters of this continent nor in any parts of this world... Instead, where I came from. I mean real ones." Then Ash looks straight into her in the eyes with a serious glance behind his helmet visor. "They don't rape men, nor even turning women into Mamono. The only thing they know is to kill anyone on sight with no equivocation and they are without mercy."
Once she listened to his words, the former heroine felt her shoulders slumped and her breathing silent still. Sasha didn't expect his story turned out to be unexpectedly darker. A land filled with actual monsters that kills anyone without hesitancy? That sounds like telling a myth from the days of old where Monsters are still bloodthirsty. Imagining such things that should still exist today would be very horrifying, but there is one thing that came into her mind.
"But that's impossible... the magic of the current Demon Lord turned every monster around the world into girls!" She spoke in a tone of disbelief. "There were no further reports of other monsters that killed anyone for centuries!"
"You can say that, but where I'm from is completely different. The curse did not contain Demonic Energy but-..." Thus then his mouth fell shut, refrain from saying things where he originated from that accursed world. It is better to leave that knowledge untouched. "The... The curse itself has a power of its own and can transform dead people into undead or worse; twisting themselves into horrible abominations that are hardly human anymore. Not even certain animals were even spared."
'Another kind of magic energy to transform people other than Demonic Energy? How scary!' Sasha gulped a lump through her throat while her mind shook anxiously. 'To think of it, such a thing could exist!?'
"But what happened to it?" Sasha asked even further while leaning towards him. "I mean... the Curse..."
"It has ended... someone has already put an end to it." He lied, knowing that he went through and ended the accursed cycle. "I might not know who it was. But the cost was immeasurable, and the kingdoms I knew have already fallen into ruins. Then I hardly knew if anyone has survived. But I might believe that some have ended up somewhere else."
Then her heart skipped. Sasha is silent to hear the fate of many kingdoms he knew have fallen to the horrible Curse that caused pain and misery as she feels the immense sorrow and dread in a form of soft winds brushed her delicate skin that made her shiver. All of those emotions came from their surroundings and the way his tone speaks seriously. So does that mean it really happened? If so, then the Demon Realm's invasion of Lescatie looks like nothing more but a joke!
"That's quite a relief. Then that person must be a hero if he ever comes to Lescatie." Sasha smiled sadly, which made him chuckle a bit before asking once more. "But how did you end up here and what happened to him?"
"Across the sea by boat, only myself, while no one has ever sailed outside of... my home continent before," Ash answered once again with a lie. "I was sailing aimlessly through the deep fog that covers the seas until I hit land and ended my way up in Lescatie. As for the Hero? I don't know where that guy has ended up to."
"And the way of your fighting." Then Sasha gripped her staff tightly. Her mind stirred into her memories of his brutal display of combat. "Was that because of your experience of fighting monsters in your homeland?"
"Yes, indeed." The Knight slowly nodded. "Combat was meant to be taken seriously... not by hesitation or lust."
"I... see, then thank you for telling me." She acknowledged while looking down in sorrow after hearing his background. "I did not realise such lands where you came from exists. It's quite different to hear other stories rather than tales coming from Zipangu or the Mist Continent."
The two sat silently still for a while once more to stare at the bonfire until a few minutes have passed. Ash slowly stood up and went over to the carriage before he stroke the horse's mane.
"We have to go." He said before untangling the horse's lead. "There's not much time until some Mamono patrols might arrive."
The warrior nun nodded and put out the bonfire before embarking on the wagon. Under the dark eerie night, sounds of clopping hooves and the howls of other animals filled the silent atmosphere. She looks up to Ash behind her and seeing him watching cautiously, looking forward through the dirt roads.
'I never knew he went through all that and he never cared for what I've done.' She mentally started herself. 'But... why do I have a feeling that he might be the key to end this war?'
Her eyelids felt heavy and lied down, slowly drifted to sleep.
...
...
...
The birds chirped and the sun rises. Sasha slowly opened her eyes and yawned before hearing some unfamiliar voices that are talking. She turns around and saw Ash conversing with a group of soldiers. These men were garbed in gambeson, green tunics, and kettle hats. Most of them are armed with simple swords and spears until she recognised who these soldiers are.
'We're already in Gaul?'
"Thanks, now the toll's paid, then you may pass." The captain of the guards spoke after Ash handed him a small pouch of gold.
Ash whipped the leash and the horse-drawn wagon moved on. Sasha looked to see around the area where guards were patrolling everywhere and inspect the carriages of other travellers. But what she saw was that most of them were refugees coming from Lescatie and, upon seeing their insignias on their certain carriages. The majority of the refugees comprise Lescatie's remaining nobility and wealthy middle-class.
And worst of all, she recognises most of their faces were official members of the Order, who are well known to be corrupt to the core. She couldn't help but felt disgusted that they left the citizens behind, only to be monsterized under the hands of the Demon Lord's Army.
"Good morning. Seems you're awake." Ash greeted while looking forwards on the dirt road. "The nearest town is Gerth. Be relieved that we got out from Lescatie."
Without another word. Ash slowly glanced back towards Sasha, only to see her having a glaring expression of hate that is facing towards the Lescatian refugees. He raised his eyebrow in question.
'Weird, she seems upset with those people.' Ash wondered himself while looking at them. 'Huh... Their attires and carriage are quite expensive... Oh, now I know why.'
He couldn't help but sigh pitifully at her. Seems like his companion was not happy to see them here in Gaul.
Viola Region, Kingdom of Gaul.
...
...
...
"GUAH!"
"HURGH!"
"AAAAHH!"
On a remote Amazon Village, many bloodied and battered Amazonian warriors lay unconscious across the village grounds. Siegward sends several high-ranking Mamonos into the air with a mighty swing of his massive wooden club until he finds himself caught in a fight against a magic-wielding Amazonian shaman.
"Now, now milady, I think you should-" Then Siegward got interrupted once he caught a glimpse of her magic attack and narrowly rolled away from her projectile. "Well, that isn't very nice of you to let a gentleman talk?"
The shaman hissed before waving her staff before casting another spell. Before Siegward took his chance to charge in, two Amazon warriors appeared from the flanks.
'Blast!' His mind cursed mentally.
The white onion knight quickly stepped aside to avoid the blades coming from the first Amazon and blocked a throwing knife with his shield.
Then he heard the sounds of magic projectiles flying directly at him. Fortunately, he blocked it with his massive club to use it as a shield and the two Amazons warriors attempted to flank him from all sides but his quick reactions caught the Amazonian warrior who raised her dual knives in the air until he quickly flexes his massive Club and smashed her in mid-air, sending her corpse to a nearby hut. The second one appears behind him in her attempts to take the chance, hoping her knives would strike him.
*TOK!*
But her knives met something else. Instead of flesh, she looks up and saw her knives jammed into a wall of wood right in front of her.
"Not on my watch."
The Knight of Catarina mused himself before raising his club before slamming against the Amazonian to the ground, causing her death.
"Whoops! Sorry about that." Siegward apologised and then he turned back to the Shaman. "Oh! I think I forgot about someone. Ah yes. You!"
The shaman scowled and attempts to cast another spell. However, Siegward pulled out something from his belt and it was a wooden ball with an igniter.
"Well then. Have at thee!" The Onion Knight said with a jovial smile behind his helmet while throwing an improvised firebomb.
The firebomb hits its mark before it ignites in a fiery explosion and the shaman shrieks in pain when the flames burned some parts of her skin before a massive club that grounded her on the floor that took her out. The Onion Knight exhaled deeply before raising his club and rested it on his right shoulder.
"Boy, I was in the middle of a pickle alright."
Siegward remarks while scanning his surroundings. The village is strewn with the unconscious bodies of Amazonians everywhere. Some are laying dead, killed by accident, but that was the least he was worried about. The only thing he is worried about is to see the fate of youngsters who were caught under a crossfire. Fortunately, in his relief that he caught the sight of a couple of Amazonian Warriors in a distance hillside to escort the young Mamonos out from their village.
"I hope they learned their lesson... but still. I have a job to do."
The Catarinian Knight inspected some huts to search for the missing men until he came to a wooden building that was larger than the houses across the rest of the village. A single warehouse and noises of groaning captives.
"Ah, so this must be where they put them inside."
Once he stepped in and saw men locked up in wooden cages, most of them moaned in exhaustion and discomfort due to cramped spaces.
"Ahem, excuse me, dear lads!" The men slowly raised their heads and caught their attention to an onion-shaped knight. "I believe your rescue came in a nick of time."
Once the imprisoned men heard his voice, they slowly stood up in joy and relief came over their minds.
"Hey look, It's Siegward!"
"The Onion Knight of Gerth, we're saved!"
While men cheered jovially for their saviour, Siegward could not help but smile behind his helmet. A knight's duty is always a duty.
Upon their rescue, soldiers from the nearby town came later on within half an hour to inspect the village before witnessing the carnage that was brought by the Onion Knight. The captain was thankful that he did not succumb to the Amazonian charms or their weapons containing demonic energy while going in solo. As for the Amazonians, they were brought into a carriage and locked behind cages made of special materials by the soldiers, while observed by some certain mysterious individuals with long trimmed ceremonial hats and hard leather vests.
"Thank you for helping us! I doubt if there is anything we can ever repay you." The Army Captain thanked the Onion Knight with a proud smile. "Many Adventurers were sent here by our request, but none have ever returned."
"Oh, don't be! It was my duty anyway, to help anyone in need. Hahahaha!" Siegward laughed with pride. "Well then, I'm off to meet my family in Gerth whilst my wife is waiting for me."
Once he departs, the captain overheard his soldiers speaking quietly in their regards to the Knight of the Catarina Family.
"Hey, isn't that guy the Onion Knight?"
"Yeah, he was quite famous in Gerth and in nearby towns."
"Have you ever wondered why his armour is shaped like an onion?"
The captain couldn't help but felt irritated while placing his fingers against his forehead. He clears his throat before shouting an order.
"Alright, you 'lots, enough with your mumbling!" He yelled, and the soldiers stood still to maintain their discipline. "We still have to escort the missing people back into town or else you all ain't having your salaries this month! Do you still have anything to say anything else?!"
"N-No, sir!" the soldiers replied.
"Good, now back to work!"
...
"It has been years since I came into this world," Siegward mumbled to himself while walking down the road. "I wonder what Ash is doing back then. Which begs the question is: Did he already finished his quest?"
It has been a few hours have passed, and the sun slowly descends from the skies. Siegward was still thinking and mumbling at the same time while walking down the dirt path.
"I do sure hope so..." He said subconsciously in conclusion. "Ah... it's been a very long time indeed."
As the clanking sounds of metal filled the serene sounds of the surrounding environments. Crickets made their usual noises and birds chirped in the trees. He stopped his tracks before looking up to a wooden sign that says:
Welcome to Gerth
"Finally, home sweet home!" Siegwards spoke up jovially. "I wonder what has Jennifer cooking for supper tonight?"
...
The Kingdom of Gaul, Town of Gerth.
...
It was late evening, the town itself slowly turned silent while a few citizens lit up the lampposts and shops were closing. There were already lesser activities around the town, and one carriage strode down the cobblestone path. In a certain house, a wooden door slowly opened with an eerie creak until several children barged through and entered the building.
"Children, please be quiet!" Sasha hushed loudly. "It's nighttime and a lot of noise may wake up the neighbours nearby, so behave."
The children understood and nodded before walking around the house and most went to the living room. Sasha heard the door closing and turns around to see Ash, still in his usual armour, before placing a large sack at the side of the narrow hallway.
"Well, this will be enough for a single month." He said before asking her. "Have you heard of any Mercenary Guilds around this town?"
"Well, there seems not a single mention of a mercenary guild around." She shrugged nervously. "But I heard there is a local tavern that accepts to give out paid jobs and other contracts by their clients."
Ash mused at himself with relief. A lack of Mercenary Guilds isn't good, but luckily, such a Tavern that accepts job contracts from clients can still be a good thing to gain a source of income.
"Oh? Then what's the name of the Tavern?"
"It's called the Horseback Inn," she explained with a smile. "They say it's the best tavern around the town known for its high-quality brew called a Siegbrau, or so they said."
Thus, his mind clicked into something. Do they have a Siegbrau here in this world? That could not be a coincidence since the Siegbrau's are famous in the world where he came from and only the best high-quality beers can be only produced in the Kingdom of Catarina due to its jovial nature, festivities, and high confidence in their passion for culinary arts and taste. While the Siegbrau is highly valued in other kingdoms, it's common in Catarina.
But the thing is, it can only exist in his world, and the beer he tasted in this world is somewhat worse than average. None of the taverns he went through in Lescatie mentioned the name. Ash then tilted his head sidewards to shake off those thoughts.
He might be overthinking too much and decide a plan for tomorrow where he should take a visit to the Inn by morning.
...
Lescatie, North-Western Region. Demon Encampment.
...
Eristia slowly opened her eyes and groaned in pain. When she sat straight up, she felt something wrapped around her head and her elbows.
"Where... where am I?" she muttered to herself in question. "W-What is this...?! AGH!"
Suddenly, she felt pain coursed through her head and saw blurry visions of memories about sword clashes and shouts. What happened? She doesn't remember how or when it happened to her.
'What's going on?' Her mind silently uttered. 'How did I end up like this?'
Once she stood out from her bed, her foot felt a sudden ache and accidentally fell. Outside the tent, Cloe heard the commotion inside and slithered her way inside.
"C-Commander?! You're awake!" Cloe gasped once she saw the succubus struggles to get up. "Please don't get out of bed unless you're fully healed!"
Shortly after the Echidna scolded her patient. Eristia groaned in pain while groggily standing up until Cloe sighed deeply in stress and helped her to get up on her own feet. Then Eristia expressed her concern and confusion towards the doctor.
"Where am I?" Eristia asked. "What happened to me?"
Cloe stood dumbfounded at her question. Her patient would have normally known what happened to her unless it did something that made her forget.
'It's probably her concussions she received while falling down the cliffs.' Cleo's mind remarked as she now realises that Eristia was suffering from amnesia. She sighed. 'She did miraculously survive, but at the cost of her memories.'
"Do you remember who you are?" Cleo began questioning.
Eristia raised her eyebrow in question. "The name's Eristia Vitral and I'm... a succubus?"
'At least she remembers her own name,' Cleo sighed in relief before explaining the details. "You're in the Infirmary as part of the Demon Realm Army Detachment Camp in the North-Western Region of Lescatie. We've found you wounded and unconscious."
At that moment, the succubus went wide eyes in surprise.
"Do you remember anything?" Cloe then asked.
"I... I do not remember." Eristia replied until she felt a tinge of pain in her head. "Guh!... I-... I don't know what happened to me."
Cleo couldn't help but felt saddened. It would take time for her to remember anything before she could mourn for the deaths of her comrades and her dear husband. But oh boy, she was wrong.
"Urgh!... ARGH!"
Eristia then felt pain and groaned in agony as her hands clenched around her head. Cleo stood in surprise and tries to hold her down to restrain her patient.
Within Eristia's mind, several pieces of memories flowed. The first pieces of her memories show she was once a human being and an orphan with an unknown family background of the Vitral Nobility. She became a member of the Order, as she was chosen to be a heroine by the Chief God and trained her life for combat from childhood until she was turned into a succubus at that point.
Then she remembers a man, a man she deeply loved.
"Y-Yuriy..." Eristia silently uttered.
She remembers her former self was cold, nothing to care about someone, and she was prideful of herself. Until she met Yuriy after rescuing him from the monster girls in the forest during a patrol and developed feelings for him once they explored the ruins to find the legendary sword of truth.
"Yuriy..." Eristia then calmed herself down.
Cloe noticed the situation has calmed down and slowly let her go. Remembering how it happens might be a painful sensation for both body and mind. This might be one of her greatest fears in treating her. But the silence was cut short when her patient saw another memory of him.
'Wait... what is this?'
In her mind, Eristia saw a flash of the last piece of her memory. She witnessed a blade stabbed Yuriy through his chest by... a Silver-Blue Knight.
"No... that can't be happening...!"
Her eyes turned dilated and went wide in horror. She screams in agony and horror. Now Eristia remembered how she ended up. Cloe cursed herself and restrained her patient once more with her tail. But Eristia flailed her one free arm and bit her teeth into her scales in retaliation, trying to let her go.
"C-Calm down!"
"WHERE IS YURIY?! I NEED TO SEE HIM!"
The monster girls outside of their tent heard the commotion and two dark knights entered the tent to see Cloe holding down Eristia. The Echidna cried out for help.
"LET ME GO! UNHAND ME! I WANT TO SEE MY HUSBAND!"
"I need you two to restrain her! Hurry!"
The two dark knights nodded and grabbed the succubus by her arms. The Echidna quickly grabbed a syringe before injecting it through her neck. Eristia grits her teeth and screams in pain as she tries to fight back until her mind went dull and her eyes went blank. Her body slowly calmed down with a few spasms and Cleo heard were a few soft whimpers escaping from Eristia's lips.
"N-No... No!... I... need... to see him..." The young succubus felt her arm trying to reach out for the exit. But it was futile as tears swell down her cheeks. "Please... this... can't be happening...!"
"Put her on the bed, quick." The Dark Knights nodded at her request.
Once they placed her on the bed, the Echidna slowly caressed her while the fallen heroine continuously whimpered for his name. The Dark Knights watched their commander with worrying expressions.
"Yuriy... my husband..."
"It's alright... it's alright." Cloe spoke soothingly with her motherly act. "Everything's going to be alright."
Once the situation has calmed, Eristia slowly closed her eyes and fell asleep. The dark knights watched the Echidna slowly let her go.
"Is she going to be alright, ma'am?" The Dark Knight asked worryingly.
"She knew what happened on the day before," Cloe replied with a saddened expression. "I need you to stay on guard and keep an eye on her. She still needs her peace until the situation has calmed down."
"Understood." The Dark Knights nodded before they've left the tent.
Cloe exhaled deeply before looking down at her patient. Eristia's mental situation might be stressful and hoped that she will recover from her loss. Thus, that begs the question is that whoever the Silver-Blue Knight is, was not to be underestimated. If Eristia would come to him for revenge, she will probably die as a result. Which is one of her greatest fears.
"Gods..." Cloe spoke anxiously. "What should I do...?"
...
The Kingdom of Gaul, Town of Gerth.
...
It was sunrise, and people opened their windows and move on to their usual livelihood. Ash looked around to see humans and mamonos alike lived around as if it were normal. Strange, the mamono he saw the likes such as Lamia's, Bears, Ogres, and heck, there are even Wurms slithering around the town, but that begs the question.
"Strange... never seeing them acting this way."
Most of them are single, yet they didn't have their husbands walking around and they were surprisingly docile. The mamonos seemed to be jovial and aren't lustful once he saw how motivated they were during working and don't have their mood for having sex. That seems to be out of touch from their usual nature that it was written in the Encyclopedia. The Silver-Blue Knight kept walking until he passed a nearby chapel and the doors were opened before he observed inside the building to see followers of some cult were praying.
"Preach ye' faith under the guidance of the light to search for one owns the sun." A Priest spoke with passion while expressing his arms outwards and reached up into the air. "And thou art be blessed that the sunlight shall shine over forevermore."
His words struck a nostalgia in mind, and the priest made a pose that seems strikingly familiar. Isn't that a common preach for the followers who worship a covenant relating to the Sunlight?
'They have their own Sunlight Covenant in this world?' Ash's mind spoke up in surprise. 'But that's not all, even they were also converted?'
Ash couldn't believe his eyes that there are even a diverse species of mamono are taking prayer masses in the chapel along with the humans. But how was that even possible? Most of the mamonos are very lustful beings that weren't interested in joining human religions except the Sabbath, the Fallen Faith or mamonos being worshipped like gods in Zipangu and other certain regions.
"Wow, I never knew the Order of the Sunlight accepts mamonos to be their followers." Said someone in a familiar feminine voice. "They were as decent as the Order but different... I never have seen any mamonos to be like this, even the supposed lustful ones are so docile."
Ash spun around and saw Sasha is examining the preaching followers in the chapel. Wait, how did she find him here?
"Uh... how did you find me here?" He asked with an eyebrow rose curiously.
"I followed you all the way here." She smiled teasingly, with an innocent face. "You were noisy in the morning that it woke me up. So I decided to give you some company since you don't know the way to the Tavern I've mentioned earlier."
"Huh... well, thanks?" Ash shrugged his shoulders in uncertainty. "Guess I forgot I'm still new in town."
Sasha giggled before guiding him through the pathways of the town.
"Isn't this town great?" Ash glanced his eyes towards Sasha, seeing how cheerful she looked. "Humans... monsters... they seem to get along with each other."
"It even surprises me how docile they were," Ash added another statement. "Not the usual mamonos that lived in the rural regions."
...
An hour passed by before the Knight and the Nun finally reached in front of a tavern called the Horseback Inn. It was a simple two-story building made out of wood and its logo hanging out on the sign depicted ahead of a horse with a green background.
"This is it," Sasha stated before Ash stepped in.
Once he opened the door, the building inside was quiet. He saw a few guests sitting there at their tables while eating their breakfast. Ash and Sasha took their seats at a nearby table before a certain brown-haired waitress walks in.
"Welcome to the Horseback Inn! How may I serve you?" She asked jovially. "Hmm, by the looks of it. Aren't you two new in town?"
"U-Uhm, yes we are," Sasha replied nervously. "How did you know?"
"I've seen familiar faces of people I knew for years." The Waitress smiled. "Not many people come into this town since we're in the middle of a rural region until refugees from Lescatie came by... say, aren't you from Lescatie?"
Sasha slowly nodded in reply. "Ah, so that explains your attire. Then you must be from the Order?"
"She's a former member," Ash responds with a muffle behind his helmet. "We've been in a... complicated business with them."
"Huh, well, that's really unfortunate for her. The Order in Lescatie won't simply let their members quit." Another voice spoke. Both of them turned their direction towards the bar section and saw an older woman, a Barkeeper, leaned over the counter as she sighed in pity while tilting her head sideways before turning to Sasha. "If you've left the Order and knew that you quit without their recognition, they would highly likely send inquisitors over and branded you as a heretic... and we don't want them seeing around here in Gerth. It might cause a lot of trouble."
Once she finished talking and ended with a haughty laugh, Sasha looked down in discomfort. The young waitress just made a small cough to gain their attention as she pulled out a pen and a pad.
"So then, may I have your order?"
"I would take a couple of crockets and scrambled eggs with bacon." He ordered while the Barkeeper wrote it down. "And an Ale, a Siegbrau please."
"Oh? Our family's brew has spiked your interest, haven't ya?" The Barkeeper smiled jovially towards the Knight and the Waitress turns to Sasha. "And you?"
"I would take the same order." The Nun smiled while waving her hand. "But I will gladly take warm milk."
"Of course." The Waitress nodded before heading toward the kitchen.
A few minutes have passed, and the two heard the kitchen is already brimming with sizzles and steam. Then Ash heard a conversation behind him as a group of men talking about rumours.
"Hey, have you heard about the Barkeeper's husband?" One man said. "A few days ago, the Onion Knight himself has succeeded in ridding off the Amazonian Village by himself and freed the missing men."
"Hahaha! An Onion Knight? How laughable." Another man in his teenage years stated while laughing his ass off. "How can be someone so intimidating if he has an armour shaped like an onion?"
"Don't underestimate the image of his armour, young lad." Sitting beside his left, an older person in his prime years stated with a warning. "His armour may be shaped like an onion but I see his way of fighting is out of the ordinary and the way he handled his weapons was light as a feather and yet deadly on his own."
The way they've described that person is familiar, way too familiar that, in fact, it sounds like a typical Knight of Catarina. Only the thought that he was the only lonely person here for a few months in this world. Then could it be that the others were transported here as well?
"Here you go! One Siegbrau!" The waitress said cheerfully while placing a mug on the table. "Hope you like it~!"
Ash stared at the brew for a few moments and opened his helmet visor half-open before grabbing the mug and then slowly taking a sip. His eyes widened his eyes in surprise. The taste of the brew is unmistakably the Siegbrau itself! Even without the taste of Estus. The Knight placed the mug on the table before turning to the waitress.
"I have several questions..." Ash asked before the waitress leaned forward. "How... or who made this brew?"
"Oh, that? The one who made the brew is my father." She replied with a questionable expression.
Then Ash made a small gulp. "His name?"
"His name is Siegward Catarina. He helped to run this Tavern for years." The Waitress answered sheepishly. "If I'm guessing that you're familiar with him."
The Knight stared at her in bewilderment. He couldn't help but smile. That jovial bastard was here after all, and he's actually meeting his daughter right in front of him! But how did he end up here and was he reverted into a human being as well? It makes more questions than answers.
"Breakfast is served!" A Cook called out from the kitchen window.
Once they received their breakfast, the aroma itself was fresh and Sasha was enticed by its mouthwatering flavour. She did not expect such an ordinary-looking food would taste much better than in Lescatie, nor in other places, she has visited. Ash, on the other hand, knew that this is the Catarinian styled breakfast. It was tasty for sure because of the additional spices and salt. Nothing exotic about it since it is commonly eaten back in his world. But in this world? It would be rated for the wealthier class only.
"So where is your father right now?" Ash asked as the Waitress raised her eyebrow curiously.
"He's somewhere in town." She replied. "Father went to the market to buy food for a special menu."
"I see, thanks..." Ash acknowledges with a nod. "Pardon me if this is sudden, but what is your name, by the way?"
"Sieglinde." The waitress introduced herself. "The names Sieglinde Catarina."
Ash remained still for a while after hearing her name. Sieglinde? That couldn't be a coincidence, isn't it? The last person he knew who bears that name is a female Catarinian Knight, who pays a visit to find her father in Lordran before she left after Siegemeyer's demise on Ash Lake.
"Ash Cyrus and my companion here is Sasha Fullmoon." He introduced himself along with Sasha before shaking hands with Sieglinde. "Nice to meet you."
Meanwhile, Jennifer was standing behind the counter and giggles once she saw her daughter is shaking hands with the stranger in his Silver-Blue Armor. Sieglinde swore that her mother is watching her with a smug that made her a wild nervous blush on her cheeks.
"My~ What an odd fellow~" The Barkeeper teased her daughter with a sudden smile. "I wonder what kind of man is she interested in?"
"In your dreams, mother!" Sieglinde grunts silently in embarrassment while glaring over at her mother. "I have someone who has my interest."
While Ash watched the commotion ensue, he took another sip to drink with his ale. In the meantime, Sasha heard Jennifer's and Sieglinde's exchanging their words about having a partner before her eyes turned to the Silver-Blue Knight, who's halfway drinking his Siegbrau. She felt her heart thumping, which made a small blush on her cheeks while fidgeting with her fingers. Once he finished his mug, he looks up at the Warrior Nun and raised his eyebrow once he sees her face becoming... nervous?
"What's wrong?"
"... Uh? Ah! N-nothing! Nothing's wrong!" She flabbergasts with a nervous smile while trying to shake off her thoughts. "The food is great, after all!"
"You're... acting weird." Ash expressed his confusion until he waved his hand. "But whatever you had in mind... just leave it be inside your head."
Sasha then looks down, feeling embarrassed that she felt strange to think about having a partner. But such a feeling is unusual for a maiden of faith such as herself. Once they're done with their breakfast. Ash paid the bill before exiting the tavern.
"Goodbye and thanks for coming~!" Sieglinde waved her hand to the two guests.
After they're out. Ash navigates his eyes to each path to where to go.
"We should find a market." He crossed his arms while thinking. "Do you know some directions?"
"Hmm... I heard it's this way." Sasha guessed while pointing in the direction. "I'm sure there are a lot of people heading that way."
"Right, now we're heading for it."
...
Once they stepped down the path, they took. The Warrior Nun was awed by looking into the shops where owners sell unique souvenirs and other products. She even saw a succubus is wearing decent clothing while selling some ordinary plant products that didn't emanate Demonic Energy, which is uncommon to see like this every day. The Succubus is all alone by herself and based on her mood; she doesn't see any man that strikes her fancy and no matter how many handsome-looking men passed by. But the strangest thing of all is that she doesn't emanate demonic energy or any hints of mana.
'Strange... I have never seen a succubus acting like this,' Sasha spoke in thoughts. 'Unlike the other mamonos here who have demonic energy stores in them... her life energy seems... empty.'
The succubus shopkeeper made her a concern while Ash observed the behaviour of other mamonos that are being usual with their sexual behaviours. It must have been probably the law of this kingdom where the mamonos could not marry a man without their consent. But they're very well known that they can't contain their lust for every 24/7, so there must be something that repressed it.
"Ah, so we're here."
His words interrupts her thoughts and looked around. She saw a large plaza, which is the marketplace. It's bustling in a life filled with humans and mamonos alike that sells mostly food products and some unique items. Apparently, she did not detect a single hint of Demonic Energy in the midst of this crowded place.
"So, what do you want to buy before we head home?" Ash asked her. "Pretty sure the children might wake up and get hungry."
They toured around the market and started buying groceries until at some point that Sasha needed something to wear before discarding her old Order Cleric Uniform since she was unofficially self-declared an excommunicated member rather than being sentenced to execution by the Inquisition.
"Um Ash, I want to buy this," Sasha spoke while showing him a clean blue-white kirtle and a white cloak hanging on the store. "I just... don't want to wear this uniform anymore."
He looks back at Sasha in surprise. It is clear that she will no longer work with the pious Order anymore after being branded as a traitor. But as long as that uniform she is wearing might attract some unwanted attention. Especially from the Order that sends agents from the Inquisition Branch into neutral states to eliminate former members, which will make him a headache if they come to deal with him.
"Sure." Ash handed over a small pouch.
...
Once they walked out of the market plaza and took another path toward home until they suddenly heard a commotion going on in a nearby place. Ash glanced his eyes over towards another area where he saw a mob of people protesting in front of the Sunlight Chapel.
"What's going on?" Sasha spoke worriedly until she widened her eyes in disbelief, knowing who they were. "What are they doing!?"
"Seems like the Order isn't fond of foreign covenants," Ash spoke with an unimpressed expression while furrowing his eyebrows.
A group of Order fanatics were jeering and shouting offensive words towards the Priest of the Sunlight Order while shielding the followers behind him from pebbles and Order Books.
"Please, calm down!" The Priest stood in defiance in front of the Order mob. "What have we ever done to your well-being?"
However, his attempted negotiations were cut short as a single pebble was thrown directly at him and narrowly missed his head by a couple of millimetres. The Sunlight Priest noticed that the religious fanatics of the Order were becoming even warier.
"'Yer religion is nothing more but a sham!" shouted one fanatic while raising his fist. "Nothing more but beyond heresy!"
"Praising your faith under the guidance of the Light?! That's even more of an affront towards the Chief God!" Another fanatic added a mockery. "How long would you praise for such a heathen religion of yours that never mention a god but in pure faith?!"
Their words have stung a nerve among the followers behind. A sunlight follower who is a mamono with holstaur traits, grits her teeth in anger but the priest held her back.
"No, don't." He begged. "It will make it worse."
"B-But they're calling us heathens!" She yelled in anger. "We can't let them hurt anyone around this town!"
"I know, but you mustn't stray your path from finding your own sun." Then the Priest faced the Zealot Fanatics with a determined expression before telling his speech to the followers behind him. "These people are lost and lack guidance of their own light. Don't be like them."
Sasha couldn't help but watch in shock once she saw one fanatic grab a wooden club before raising it against the Priest. The Order should have been better than this. No, she wished that they could have been better. Then she noticed Ash was about to grab the hilt of his broadsword to interfere with their conflict in much of her horror.
'Oh no, please-!'
But then in a nick of time, when the club was about to hit its supposed victim. It was suddenly blocked by a blade which is usually bigger than his club before the fanatic looked towards a knight in his unusual Onion-like armour while carrying a bag full of food and kitchen necessities on his back. The fanatic growled at him that dared to interrupt him.
"Ahem, pardon me, mister. Isn't this a violation against your beliefs and the books tell that thou shall not go against thy neighbour?" The knight spoke in question despite his jovial tone. "Why can't you just leave them in peace when they did no harm unto thee?"
"Wh-Why, you damn heathen-UWAA!"
Ash stood still as he couldn't expect to see him again while Sasha and the followers of the Sunlight Order widened their eyes in surprise towards the Knight in his Onion armour and took action. Siegward swung his Zweihänder and disarmed the fanatic from his club, sending it flying high into the air before slamming the blunt edges of his sword against on top of the fanatics' head until small drops of blood seep out and laid down to the ground, crying out in pain. Soon after that, several soldiers came around to see the commotion while Sasha and Ash saw a group of Gaulian soldiers arrived and pushed the Order fanatics away before they scrambled and fled while arresting one injured.
"You're under arrest for inciting violence and arson!"
"Please, no! Spare me!"
"Take him away into prison. We have to keep sure about the activities of these refugees in check!"
"Yes, sir!"
Once given the order by their captain. The soldiers left the scene while handcuffing the fanatic. After throwing him into a wagon, the guard captain bid the priest farewell until leaving the area.
"Th-Thank you for protecting us, Sir Catarina!" The Priest sighed deeply in relief. "If it weren't for you, then this would have been a bloodbath and resulting in my death."
'Oh! So that must be Sieglinde's father!' Sasha's mind then clicked into realisation. 'But what's with his unusual onion-like armour?'
"Oh, don't be! You'd better be safe once ye' see the like of them." Siegward made a proud smile behind his helmet. "The town is nowadays rowdy with these unusual refugees from Lescatie, causing nothing but trouble."
"I-I see. Then I'm glad to be informed of this current trouble in this humble town of ours." The Priest nodded while giving thanks before heading back into the chapel. "May the sunlight shine upon thee, Siegward."
Once their conversation has ended, Siegwards turns to face his direction towards an unlikely couple nearby. However, one of them stood with a familiar appearance.
"Oh? That's weird. I never recalled an Elite Knight from Astora to be here." Siegward spoke up, dumbfounded. "How did you end up here... or is my mind making fun of me?"
For a few moments have passed. Ash then decided to break the silence.
"It's been a long time, friend." That voice, Siegward's mind, then clicks in utter surprise.
"That voice! Oh!... oh dear." Siegward widened his eyes in sudden disbelief. "Ash? Is that you?"
"Come on... Siegward, it's me!" Ash then pulled his visor up, half-open, by revealing his mouth to make his voice even clearer. "The usual 'Saint' you've called me?"
At that moment, the Onion Knight widened his eyes in disbelief. After many years since he was transported into this world, saving the town several times and having a family for eighteen years up until suddenly to this day; an old friend stood before him and was still the same old knight as he was.
"By Gwynevere's chests... it's been a long time."
...
Chapter 5: Ends
Historical Notes:
Crockets: It's a medieval cheap white bread. Commonly eaten in Medieval France and were called as "Croquettes."
Kirtle: A medieval garment usually worn by women. It depends on shapes, sizes, length and colours. Sometimes men wore them too unless that is designed for men.
Update: The reason for this revision is due to the existence of the Five Factions existing in the story. Also everyone, don't make the reviews such a fuss, It will attract unwanted attention.