Chapter 28: Rookie.
Court Alf, Theocracy of Al-Mar.
...
"Two days have passed since the Red Wyvern Crisis has settled down. The city will be fully restored within the next couple of months, according to the factors." Asura Mythra stated while reading down the scroll. "The refugees were returning to Al-Mar once the restoration is completed, and I've received an additional message written by Difina, the Great Songstress. She said the White City of Marriage must be at utmost, heavily fortified in a case for future attacks from unknown invaders."
"Hoh~? Are we really turning the Theocracy into a fortress?" On the other side of the meeting chamber, a Nereid gave out a peculiar pout towards Mythra. "Difina has gone mad, and she decides a plan for our merry group of Islands will soon be turned into military states like the Nations of the Order and the Federation? I mean, look at Lescatie before it got demonised by Druella!"
"We know, but we aren't fanatics nor paranoid compared to theirs." To the left side of the Nereid at the meeting table, a Merrow, wearing a pirate outfit, interjected. "Thus, we have to ensure the safety of our islands from those foreign threats. Unfortunately, our new enemies are indeed on another level. They're ruthless and they can withstand our mana, then level down a city without warning."
"Well, at least I'd give a credit to the city's defenders~!" At the opposite side of the Merrow, a Siren spoke up with a happy, yet fidgeting tone. "They're the ones who bravely fought back!"
"Indeed, if it weren't for them, then the city would have fallen." From the Siren's right side, a Flow Kelp nodded at the Siren's statement. "Imagine when Al-Mar is indeed fallen, then the rest of the islands will soon follow."
"But the city wouldn't know to fight back these beasts." The six Songstresses of the Court Alf turned their attention to Arial, who had spoken in a firm tone. "If it weren't for Deren and his friend, Anri... The Red Wyvern and the Lightning Drakes would've obliterated everything all across the city... and the people will look up to me as an irresponsible Diva."
Asura Mythra rolled up the magic scroll while giving out a sigh while the Merrow turned her gaze towards the glass windows of their meeting room within the Main Temple and saw a peculiar knight in a particular Silver-Green Armor, was drilling the soldiers to their shape.
"That man... you said he is the rumoured Lion Knight," she muttered while a slight blush appeared on her cheeks. "His name is Deren, isn't he? He seems like a pleasant gentleman~"
"Psst! Lady Eustin, that man is married!" Levin whispered loudly, her voice catching the attention of the ears of Arial and the other songstresses. "Trust me, why don't you ask him later?"
"Ahem!" Levin felt her heart freeze in trepidation as she turns to Asura with a nervous smile while sweat beads roll down on her forehead. "Levin, please... we're in a middle of a meeting."
...
In the middle of the busy streets around the market districts of Al-Mar, Ifrit walked along with Anri while the surrounding people are working together to rebuild the places which have been laid into heaps of ruins from the precious wide-scale attack. As the friendly mood was coming back to normal throughout the city, the people were excited and joyful to see the heroes who have slain the Red Wyvern, was walking among them. Some jolly bunch greeted them with good fortunes. Once they left the cheerful crowd behind them, Ifrit asked several questions to know much about him and the existence of a distinct group of humans he once mentioned.
"Wait, your actual mother... is a black harpy?!" Ifrit widened her eyes in incredulity as her mouth gaped wide open. "There's no such way that your mother's a mamono! You must've been adopted!"
"I knew you wouldn't believe my words... but trust me." Anri chuckled a bit while pointing himself with a thumb. "My family were just like the people of the Five Factions. You'd probably heard of the Astora Family, did you?"
"N-No, not the slightest clue." Ifrit tilts her head slightly in confusion. "So are you saying... there is a group of humans who can breed with monster girls, which can make kids of both races... without getting monsterized?!"
"Yeah! If you're going to meet them, then I'm sure you'd like to live with us," Anri replied, with a smile behind his helmet. "But you gotta beware. Life outside isn't like in Al-Mar where you can have public intercourses whenever your want, no matter if takes at night, and privacy is always needed."
"Oh... so their ways of living are just like humans, right?" Ifrit raised a brow as she answered. Anri nodded in return, which makes the mermaid sigh, slightly disgruntled. "Jeez, that sounds boring."
"Also, physical protection is always of utmost importance, while magic protection is out of the question," Anri informed further while raising his index finger. "If you've desired to copulate with a man from the five factions, you'd get pregnant on your first try for having unprotected sex, no matter if your magic power is high. It happens for every monster girl who's done it without prior knowledge. For example, when a single Dark Mage raped a Sorceror of Vinheim while he's sleeping, then boom! She got pregnant with a child."
"H-... HUH!? Hold on a minute! That takes more than that to impregnate a mamono!" Ifrit shrieked out loud in disbelief, catching the attention of some monster couples nearby.
The mermaid began thinking in fear of having thoughts of unprotected sex with her crush, who's currently standing right in front of her, will conceive a child outside of their wedlock might take it as an act of irresponsibility. In fact, almost all mamono will appreciate having children very early on, but their fertility was very low and making children is difficult while taking responsibility for it.
"Is that true what you're saying!?" Ifrit asked further.
"Yes, indeed. When a monster had sex with a male person from the Five Factions, it doesn't actually strengthen her, since we lacked mana. Instead, the embryo will suck out invasive monster mana from inside unless you have to feed it with nutrients." Anri explains to Ifrit, and his knowledge made her reeling back in fear after hearing this recent message she has ever heard of. "I know what you're thinking. It always happens for them to conceive a child, regardless of what type of mamono you are... or not. So take responsibility and that always came first."
"S-So... no lovey-dovey unless I want to have a child?" The mermaid spoke up, disheartened, and Anri nodded once more. Then Ifrit fidgeted with a blush while looking away from Anri. "U-Umm... Well, I guess... I don't mind about it... After all, I always wanted to have a child since I was young."
"Hahaha!... I didn't know how determined you are... such is a goal for a monster girl, a wish of having a kid," Anri laughed out loud while he raised up his index finger and wave it. "But remember this... your first-born child will always be a human being."
At this moment, Ifrit stopped her as her eyes grew shocked by this recent information. "... Wait, so you're saying I will give birth to humans if I did?"
"Doesn't matter what gender. Either the child will be a son or a daughter." Anri explained. "Or both when they're fraternal twins, and there are cases of mamono who were born with a human twin sibling."
"Wow~! That sounds awesome!" Ifrit said dreamingly, expressing her joy as if shining glitters around her face. "Human children! Who knew I will one day be a mother to human children!"
"Huh... so, which person are you then interested in?" Anri asked curiously.
"Fufufu~ It's a secret~!" Ifrit chuckled mischievously while hiding her blush away from Anri. "So, from where did you hear the story? About a Dark Mage who got pregnant easily by a Sorceror?"
"From a friend of mine, and yes, it's based on a true story from his parents," Anri replied sheepishly while scratching at the back of his head.
...
Kingdom of Gaul, Town of Gerth.
...
"... Haahh~! I could've told Reginald sooner..." Daniella exhaled with a downcast demeanour while sweeping the floor in front of the tavern's doors. "Perhaps I'll tell the apology whenever he comes back so I wouldn't miss my chance."
It's been a couple of days have passed since the incident. The Town of Gerth was fully recovered after the attempts of the Lich, who tries to capture the settlement in order to take over the Viola Region. Although, only a few buildings were damaged from the fight between them and the undead and very few civilians went missing, which led Siegward to go out on a quest to find the missing people once the town guards discovered the tracks where the undead had fled.
"Ugh! Why did I say such foolish things!?" Daniella lamented as she shakes off her thoughts from what she said about him sympathising with the enemy that led to his spite towards her foolish ambitions. "Does he prefer a girl who treats herself as an ordinary woman...? Mmgh! I'm a mamono... why should I, a being full of lust and depravity, should abide it?... I thought all human men were fallible to the beauty of monsters and thinking with their dicks."
"Perhaps that is what he wants." Daniella felt her shoulders yanked as she spun around to see Jennifer leaning against the entrance with a smug on her face. "Since you're a mamono, then why don't you act like any other women around the town?"
"... Why should I?" Daniella pouts while gripping her broom. "My mom taught me how to charm men I like."
"Listen Daniella. I've known Reginald for quite some time since he was a kid and he's used to seeing mamono every time and knew their antics." Jennifer explained as she crossed her arms as her smile went downwards. "As time moves on, he became more cautious and goes extreme whenever a mamono tries to abduct him without viable reason. After all, Viola is a big frontier region which has a lot of wild monster girls running around."
"But why...? Even he's used to seeing mamono, then he should know our ambitions aren't that evil!" Daniella cocked her eyebrows, both in confusion and dismay. "I mean, we were looking for a husband and nothing else would do harm!"
"That, we know. Unfortunately, abduction by mamono wasn't uncommon, and their actions will have consequences." Jennifer explained with a heavy sigh. "You already knew his mother is a vampire... no?"
"He mentions about it. But I have no clue if his words speak the truth." The dhampir murmured. Confirming her senses of the truth coming from Jennifer. "From what you're telling is true... then why would she allow him to harm others?"
"Well, that's because of Hawkwood, his father. His mother is more scared of her husband than anyone else." The Inn Keeper answered with a satirical remark, which made the dhampir reeling back in bewilderment. "Heh... I remember the young Regi and Elen telling their experiences about their father giving their mother an angry look whenever she makes sexual innuendos and pleasure stories to her own kids."
"What!? But... I don't see a reason why-"
"I know. But kids who're too young to know how procreation work is something that almost everyone here in the Federation won't appreciate. This is why Reginald and Elen were annoyed whenever their mother brought something up for perverted reasons or just being desperate that her kids won't marry early on, which is in contrast to the mamono society." Jennifer interjected, with an unimpressive frown. "I taught my kids in a way when they're old enough and it's only for doing trust. Unlike the folks in the Demon Realm, you just do it straight without facing consequences, and I don't find that fair. But if you're going to marry a man who that will bring consequences around you... then are you sure to have such responsibility?"
"I... I don't know... All I know is to follow my heart and desire. What I want is love..." Daniella responded, as her gaze cast down, expressing regret. "But making Reginald fall in love with me is more difficult than I imagine."
"The young lady, what did your parents teach you on how to get a man?" Jennifer asked in concern. "I'm pretty sure it's all about charming a man, abducting them or just... both?"
"You're not wrong... It's how we do because we're monsters." Daniella said, shrugging off her shoulders. The dhampir admits the former heroine was much more knowledgeable about the mamono than other humans of the Order. "It's crucial for us monsters to get a man easily. My father was human, and he was abducted by my mother while he was on the job to collect herbs, then he fell in love with her when they met their eyes without refusal. It's kinda like that."
"Oh jeez... straight out from a love fairy tale. You guys are truly miserable when it comes to them, huh..." Jennifer then gave out another sigh while slapping her palm against her own face. She wasn't surprised that the monster's view of love for finding a man will be short and simple, but doing it with Sieglinde's childhood friend like Reginald is another story. "I will give you some advice... do him a favour of what he wants and pique his interests."
"I... what!? But how? That's complicated! I don't want to be rejected by him and I don't want to see him being mean to others~!"
"That's what he is as a person. He's only mean to others for a good reason... sometimes not, hence of his nature being a swordsman. Look, all you need to do in one first step, you have to know him first." Sieglinde lectures while raising her index finger. "You can't wait for him to be charmed by your antics that you desired him and get straight to the point of having sex before knowing each other later on. He doesn't want that! If I were to do that to Siegward back in my old days, then he would've rejected me for doing it because that doesn't suit his tastes."
Daniella fidgeted nervously. "Then... what's the tactic?"
"Tactic? It's simple! Just talk some sense to him like a normal girl and not be an overly expressive whore who does only jiggling your ass and boobs for him!" The Inn Keeper spoke up sternly. "Do it like normal and without the extreme values of monsters inside your head!... Although, I'm not against all of your values since there are soft ones. But do it in the right way... like a kind girl who can tolerate his values and he will appreciate you for that. Like I did with my husband before my marriage."
The dhampir felt a lump through her throat while a light blush appears across her face. 'I... I was taught in the ways like a monster would do to a man... but not in the ways like an ordinary human can. Perhaps my mother would've taught me anything other than mere charms and seduction.'
...
Kingdom of Gaul, Lower Regions of Viola
...
[Subjugation: Numbers of Monsters have increased around Fior Village. Required helping hands to exterminate them. Reward: 7.500 Gold]
Ash scanned his eyes through the Quest Sheet until he raised his gaze up, looking at the bright blue skies where a flock of birds flew over while someone was snoring beside him. Was none other than Sasha. The priestess was sleeping while her head was laid up by his left arm, serving as her cushion. At some seats of the wagon, Reginald was maintaining his bastard sword for any notable damages on the blade while his sister, Elen, was polishing her crescent knife.
Arcturus and Elaine were asleep since their departure after their one-day-long journey to Fior Village. For Junayd and Gerome, the two adventurers went together with the Knights of Mirrah in a different quest to eradicate hollows that were active in the Eastern Frontiers while Sif stays behind at Gerth to take care of the orphans and protect the entire settlement from any potential attacks of raiding monsters.
While heading for their next mission, the group brought an unexpected new member...
"Yaaahhn~ Are we there yet?" Olivier yawned as she woke up from her sleep. "This journey takes almost a day to get there."
"We're almost there, don't worry," Ash said as he turn his glance to the musketeer. "This mission will bring you some new experience to deal with actual monsters."
"Huh? Real monsters? Don't tell me you didn't know that I've faced so many of them in my time as a Heroine in Lescatie?!" Olivier retorts with irritation and confusion, breaking out from her lady-like personality as if the mercenary knight had insulted her pride and status as a Heroine of the Order. "Just what kind of person are you for tell me where I cannot deal with some monsters?"
At that moment, Ash couldn't help but smile behind his helmet out of pity for her unexpected arrogance. "Trust me, this will be different."
...
A couple of hours have passed and the wagon just reached the village of Fior. Ash saw the village had changed from the previous weeks. Now it has a group of soldiers of the Gaul Royal Army guarding on top of the palisades along with the local village watchmen. The men stood on guard until they saw their arrival just brought joy among the local guards and Goran was happy to meet some familiar faces.
"Ah! if it isn't Sir Ash and Lady Sasha! Welcome back!" Goran happily greeted them while shaking hands with the Silver-Blue Knight and then turning his attention towards Reginald and Elen. "Even the two young lads are here as well! It's been a few weeks and the villagers are happy to see you all in this fortunate reunion! And-oh my, you have some new party members with you?"
"Yes, a lot has happened in our journey," Ash replied with a nod before raising his thumb to the three members behind him. "Introduce yourselves."
"Greetings, the name is Arcturus Astora. Nice to meet you." Arcturus greeted him politely.
"Elaine Astora. Greetings as well!" Elaine introduced herself with a confidential grin on her face.
"Olivier Amaltia, a well-renown Hero of the Order." Olivier greets with a polite bow gesture of a noble. "It's nice to meet you as well."
"Ooh~! Two Knights of the Sunlight and another Order Hero!" Goran expressed with glee. "I didn't know you brought three powerful individuals in our village to protect us from those monsters!"
Once they entered through the gates, the moods of the villagers were enlivened by their arrival. They began praising them with cheers to the all familiar priestess, her knight, and the two young warriors. They also welcomed the three new members of the group as well. After their introduction and the cheers of the jovial villagers, the group entered Goran's cottage and explained the situation.
"The numbers of these Hollows are rising and the forest is becoming even more dangerous," Goran explained with a worried look on his face. "Scouts have spoken that they've moved out of the Crucifixion Forest."
Ash then leaned further. "Then how many are there?"
"Their numbers and their strength alone are enough to bring down an entire village." Goran sighed deeply. "Also, there are reports about new types of monsters that had appeared as well."
"So what do they look like?" Sasha then asked curiously. "Can you please tell us how do they describe these new monsters?"
"Well... hmm, they say it's hardly human and much taller than a hollow," Goran explained the details. "They carried sharp wooden staves. Others looked like a caster that can spread poison and there are some who have no weapons, but they are ferocious beasts that can rip anyone's head off."
Then Sasha turns to the Silver-Blue Knight. "Ash, do you have any clue?"
"Hmm... say, do these things have heads that look like a Goat?" Ash asked the Village Chief, Goran replied with a nod. "As expected, we're going to deal with Ghru's later on."
'Hollows? Ghru? I've never heard about these monsters before.' Olivier then raised an eyebrow after hearing their conversation. 'But the way how Ash sounds like... he's serious on the topic.'
"Alright, now we know what we're dealing with." Ash slowly stood up and shakes hands with Goran. "Thanks for informing us."
"You're welcome and take care of yourselves." Goran returned a friendly bow before the group began leaving the Cottage. "Beware! The forest is already teeming with those beasts!"
...
As the sun from the horizon went down until the orange skies were taken over by a cold, dark void, it glittered by over a million stars. Olivier stood on the palisades and watched over the empty fields filled with silence until a Village Watchman came to her side.
"Looks like you're new around here, lady." The Watchman spoke while he leaned his view out in the open. "A lot of things have changed over the past few weeks. We've heard the latest news coming from the capital about new monsters are roaming through the lands... and killing anyone on sight."
"I've never seen one of these new monsters, and the only ones I've fought were Mamonos," Olivier replied while raising her brow, curious about the conversation she's having. "So what do these new monsters are like? I've asked Sasha to know who they are, and she's only described them as horrible creatures that can't be understood."
"Well, lady, over there is your answer." The Watchman points his spear at the outskirts until the Heroine noticed several shadows lurking under the dark. Then she glimpsed at the red eyes which appeared under the dusk. "These guys only appear at night and return to the forest within early sunrise. Actual monsters, don't you think?"
Olivier's face morphed into a morbid expression once the hollows came near the palisades. She couldn't believe at what she was witnessing were the most horrid monsters she had ever seen in her life. Their rotten, misshapen faces alone could be enough to bring fears and nightmares into someone's dreams, and their moaning wails send chills down her spine.
"Miss Olivier?"
"HIIEEK!"
Olivier yelped in surprise as she felt a hand catch her right shoulder and then spun around while she was ready to draw her rapier. But her eyes grew to see Sasha looking at Olivier with a worried look. The Musketeer calmed down her anxieties and straightened herself up with a sigh of relief.
"Olivier, are you alright?" The former priestess asked. "I know it's your first time to be on this sort of mission."
The Musketeer remained silent for a moment before she turn her gaze down at the hollows with a disgusted scowl.
"Sasha... are these the monsters we're fighting against...?" Olivier spoke in a shaken tone, gulping a lump down her throat. "Don't tell me... You've gone through this... right?"
"Ash had warned you a day before, and this mission isn't easy," Sasha said, confirming her suspicions that the musketeer wasn't just ready, but overconfident. "These hollows differ from monsters we knew."
"I-... I see then," Olivier acknowledged as her hand reached down to her rapier, ready to draw out of fear. "Then we must eliminate them right now."
"No, you musn't!" Sasha interjected as she stopped the musketeers from taking action. "Don't underestimate them, there are other kinds of hollows among them which nearly killed me when I had my first encounter."
"N-No way! You're the most experienced hero out of all of us that no monster would've harmed you!" Olivier reeled back in disbelief. "You could've wiped them out easily with your holy blessings!"
"Don't be ignorant! It's never easy to fight them all alone." Sasha replied while shaking her head sideways before continuing. "These monsters are unpredictable and they have enchanted equipment which renders the Blessings of the Heroes nearly useless. So I'm telling you to stand down and think. Don't even come up with conclusions to engage them all on your own."
"... Hmph, fine." Olivier scoffed while releasing her grip from the hilt of her weapon. "Just what happened to you, Sasha? You weren't like this and your pride as a hero seems to be... gone."
"Olivier... A lot has changed since Lescatie fell and these otherworldly monsters came soon after that." Sasha replied while giving out a deep sigh. "My journey with Ash has changed me and made progress in discovering something new. Then I gained new allies and with them, we can take back Lescatie when there's a chance."
"... Huh, this perplexed me... but I understood. It surprises me when you had changed from your usual hero personality... somehow." Olivier guessed while raising her brow until something caught up in her mind. "Say... I've been wondering... you've been very close to the Silver-Blue Knight named Ash Cyrus... tell me, what do you find so special about that Mercenary Knight?"
"Oh, him? W-Well, he's really stoic, silent, and often stubborn, yet he has a heart," Sasha fidgeted nervously with a light blush on her cheeks while trying to look away from Olivier out of shyness. "Despite he isn't chosen by the gods, he is a competent knight. Selfless and did not seek glory and fame. To me, he's an actual hero for everyone in need. A knight who wouldn't mind about facing the awful consequences and he's always been ready for it."
'Huh?... Isn't me or does Sasha sounds like she had feelings for him?' Olivier's mind spoke up in surprise as her face morphed into a deadpanned look. 'Talk about the Holy Maiden of Lescatie, she's an apostle of the Chief God and yet, she does show signs of affection towards Ash Cyrus... does that mean..."
"Then I have one more question, Sasha," Then Olivier asked. "Jennifer once told me that Ash took a vow on your oath to protect you... is that true?"
"Y-Yes, I did. Ash is really lonely, and he feared about one thing which he might lose me one day." Sasha answered admittingly with a nod. "Thus we made a vow so I can be together with his side and he became my knight from now on."
"Wait, really!? So he became your personal bodyguard?!" Olivier gawked in disbelief. "I... I can't believe a hero like you would simply pair up with some foreign stranger... just like that?"
Then Olivier leaned near Sasha and whispered into her ear. "So by the way, from which lands does he hail? Judging by his armour, he looks like an Order Knight that is out of place."
"... Astora... his homeland is the Kingdom of Astora," Sasha answered calmly. "Ash described it as a refined land of brave knights and skilled craftsmen."
"Hmm... sounds like a fantastic place to me," Olivier remarked with an astonished expression. "But where does Astora lies on the map?"
Sasha then replied with her smile turned down. "It isn't found anywhere on this continent."
"I see, then it's a faraway land, I suppose." Olivier guessed curiously. "Maybe we can pay a visit to that Kingdom."
"I'm sorry, but I hate to say this about that kingdom." Sasha tilts her head sideways with a saddened look on her face and looks up to Olivier. "Astora has fallen into ruins by a cataclysm, a deadly curse which made these monsters."
As Sasha explained, pointing her finger down at one of the strolling undead hollows. Olivier felt a sweat bead roll down her face in realisation; to think that an entire Kingdom was wiped out by the undead monsters and other nightmarish creatures.
"Astora is now a land filled with hollows, not like any Demon Realms of this continent." Sasha continued before making a small cough. "However, he states the Demon Realms are nothing compared to a land filled with death and bloodlust, where odds are neither in someone's favour."
"Goodness, you sounded like you're not in the mood right now," Olivier stated nervously, feeling worried about the anxious mood of the priestess. "I mean, you went through a lot in more dangerous places."
"Yeah... The world is indeed cruel~" Sasha couldn't help but make a comical look of loss with streams of tears flowing down like a river. "I just wished I was having a nap to wake up from this nightmare~!"
Olivier just stood there, dumbfounded, after seeing Sasha's comical statement until she heard someone walking up to her and spun around to see Ash Cyrus, who was looking down for possible abnormal hollows that might pose a danger to the village.
"... It's getting late," Ash said to the two Heroines. "We'll leave the village. Tomorrow by sunrise."
...
Viola Region, Eastern Frontier.
...
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Wait, you're saying that your friend barged through all floors of the Fallen Tower?" Lucena gawked in disbelief after hearing Junayd's tale while the group sat around the bonfire. "And killed a God? Damn, unlike Ares, who got her ass kicked twice in a row. I think that's quite extreme."
"Heh, no kidding!" Junayd chuckled before tilting his head sideways. "This new tale might bring the pride of Order Heroes down to shame."
"Well, those heroes might be prideful and strong." Junayd then heard Lucrezia scoff while crossing her arms, feeling annoyed by the mention of Order Heroes. "Always aiming to strive for fame and glory while people around worshipped them as some sort of divine adherents or whatever they perceive them."
"Let me guess, terrible reminders with these folks?" Gerome guessed, and Lucrezia nodded. "By Gwyn, what did you just do to get on their unpleasant side?"
"What I did?... All I did was to do nothing and minding my business... until they raised a sword because I exist for being a monster." Lucrezia sighed. Her head fell downcast in admittance. "In one harbour town in Northern Gaul, I was confronted by a pair of wandering Order Heroes."
"Oh yeah, we totally remember that incident from over a month ago," Adelmar speaks out with a cocky smile on his face. "That guy and his female partner were the absolute worst. Trust me, seeing those types of so-called "Heroes" never shut up while in battle."
"Just two heroes?" Gerome raised an eyebrow. "Then they threatened you for just being a monster?"
"Not just only that, those two blokes threatened to destroy a town while oblivious that they're standing on a neutral territory." Lucrezia groaned with a frustrated look, reminding their incident from a month ago. "Thank the Lords we whipped their butts out and force them to apologise to the mayor. A pair of nuisance, really."
"I guess they're just green or being fanatics." Gerome then tugged off his shoulders while making an annoyed look. "I mean seriously, who would anyone in their right mind brainwash their young kids to become Heroes without knowing a single meaning for their own purposes, just fighting in their losing battle for nothing?"
"Who knows? They keep spouting heretics and heathens on anyone who defied them." Lucena shrugged with an uncomfortable reaction. "I heard there was an Order branch in Lescatie where they trained Heroes and deprived them about the meaning of love while they cared themselves with their own social status."
"That sounds utterly ridiculous, but now I know why it was being invaded." Junayd then chuckled while his forehead was placed on the palm of his right hand. "Sasha's homeland is really that special... No wonder why the Fourth-borne invaded the kingdom. Not just because it hunts down mamono within their turf, but everyone is unhappy by the corruption that is teeming there."
"Well... That might be an explainable reason, yet that Kingdom isn't currently making any moves against monsters outside of their borders. Talk about their lack of understanding of the sovereign rule." Lucrezia explained her reasonable statement while cocking her eyebrows, dumbfounded after hearing Junayd's statements. "My father told me this once: "It takes time for people to change themselves." I mean, Lescatie would've saved themselves without being interfered, but they turn it into a Demon Realm instead."
"Well, unhappiness is one of those things that attracted the Lilims to conquer. Spreading out love and understanding for something insincere, right?" Adelmar chuckled with his own sense of humour as he spits out a single straw from his lips. "When I was still a squire, I thought they could only take over kingdoms which actively hunt down mamono might be reasonable. But conquering a nation while its local people were only unhappy by minor things? Get real, they're way too soft!"
"Huh, weird... but not us?" Lucena questioned in wonder. "We hunt them down too, right?"
"You'd forgotten about the Demon Lord won't make any moves on us," Lucrezia answered to her younger sister. "We're basically the wandering judges and executioners to kill them when they deprived someone's life."
"Speaking of which..." Adelmar interjects while his ears picked up movements nearby and saw a party of three Order Heroes coming out from the shadows. "Well... looks a bunch of Order Heroes just came out from a hellhole."
"Oh shit," Lucena then widened her eyes as she looked over to her older demon sister. She raised up her pair of crossed fingers and begged silently. "Please don't escalate! Please don't escalate!"
"Huh? There are people here...? Ah! You there! Is that a demon on your side!?" One Order Hero, a swordsman-class, agitatedly unsheathed his sword before pointing towards Lucrezia. "How dare you trick these innocent people!? Your vile existence shall end here, you damned creature!"
"Ugh, I knew this will happen." Lucrezia sighed in disappointment while looking down. "Why won't be there any Order Hero who isn't a douche?"
"Whoa! Take it easy there, pal! She's our friend here who did no harm." Gerome then stood up while raising both of his hands. "We're just chilling around the bonfire and did nothing against you."
"Silence, heathen!" Another Hero interjected. Gerome turns to the left and saw a Priestess with an ornamented staff came to the Swordsman's side. "We don't take lightly on monsters, especially when you're allied with them!"
An Order Ranger then appeared and stood on the right side of the Swordsman while drawing her bow towards Gerome. "Wait, that symbol on your armour... is that...!"
"That symbol of the sun! You must be from the heretical Sunlight Covenant!" The Priestess scowled while raising her staff. "I heard there is a family in Gaul where humans carry the blood of monsters!"
"Well, excu~use me, Priestess! Did we ever raise swords unto you?!" Gerome's voice raised, growing irritated by hearing their accusations. "Come on, can you just chill out for a second!?"
"Those who carry the blood of monsters..." Gerome then turns his gaze to the right and saw the Order Ranger is about to release her arrow. "Shouldn't be reasoned with us! Wind Sparrow!"
"Duck!"
In a nick of time, Junayd pushed Gerome's head against the ground before a corporeal bird-like entity flew over them at high speed and missed the target before it vanished under the dark forest. Adelmar unsheathes his rapier in one quick swoop and vanishes from their sights, thus he reappears behind the trio of heroes until their wrists received nasty gashes of deep bloody cuts in one swift move which forced them to drop their weapons. They all kneeled on the ground and groaned in pain.
"By the Lords, don't you three have any polite manners to greet a group of harmless strangers?" Adelmar spoke up with a bitter tone while looking down coldly at the defeated heroes, which soon their faces morphed into fear. "Now look at you... You're all prideful and high on your horses, and now? You're all pissing your own pants."
"H-Hiiek!" The Priestess shriek out in fear.
"H-How is this possible?!" The Hero Swordsman cried out while clutching his hand. "Y-You all lacked mana, yet you did something that isn't normal!"
"G-Guh! This shouldn't be supposed to end this way!" The Order Ranger grits her teeth in fury while struggling to stand up. "Just burn in hell you heathens-"
Then, Adelmar has heard enough and his mind snapped with rage which loses its cool until he raised his boot. Giving them a painful lecture.
*BAM!*
"Urgh!"
At a fast lightning speed. The Order Ranger felt a foot kick her right in the stomach. She clutched her arms together on her belly to ease the pain, but it was too much.
"You lacked discipline," Adelmar spoke harshly before looking at the swordman. "Also, you..."
*BAM!*
Then the Mirrah Knight kicked the Order Swordman Hero across the face before sending another one on top of his head, bringing the Heroe's face against the ground, and knocking him out of unconsciousness.
"You lacked manners," Adelmar said before turning to an Order Priestess, who's trying to crawl away. "Oi, Oi, Oi, Oi! Hold on a fucking minute. I didn't say you were done."
"N-No! Spare me!" The Priestess cried out for mercy as Adelmar came nearer. "Please have mercy! W-We've overlapped our sense of judgement! Forgive us!"
"As for you..." Then he raised his foot before kicking her against the cheeks. "Learn to think and when you should keep your mouth shut!"
*BAM!*
"Guah!" The Order Priestess screamed as she fell back to the ground. Then she stood groggily up while clutching her head in pain and ran on her heels. "W-We're sorry!"
The Order Ranger brought up the unconscious Hero Swordsman over his shoulder and ran off into the darkness. Gerome felt a sweat bead rolling down on his face while Junayd gives out a sigh of pity. Lucena felt uneasy after witnessing her older brother who had just done and Lucrezia has an uncaring look on her face.
"We'll remember this!" The voice of an Order Ranger spat back as he ran until they were out of their sight. "The Holy Knights of the Order will be out of your head!"
Adelmar then sheathed his rapier back in his scabbard and then turned his glance to Gerome with his arms crossed.
"Well? These brats are nothing but a nuisance." Adelmar spoke up bitterly. "I know not every hero was trained with showing respect. But these guys were the worse."
"I... uh... yeah, you're probably right." Gerome admittedly while nervously scratching the back of his head. "So umm... who likes some roasted marshmallows? Anyone?"
...
Demon Realm Nation of Lescatie.
...
"What? Aedra has been defeated?" Druella, who is sitting on her throne while in question, leaned towards a Redcap. "Then you're saying there was a Lilim on their side?"
"Yes, it is her. The Ruler of Arum Sedis!" The Redcap quivered with a fearful tone in her voice. "She brought her down and the Silver-Blue Knight finished her off!"
"Ilassa... that rebellious brat!" Druella then grits her teeth in spite. "Don't tell me my little sister is fully aware of my plans?"
"W-... We're not aware of this..." The Redcap replied anxiously. "And we failed to take over Gerth."
Druella then closed her eyes and took a deep breath while clasping her hands together with a calm exhale. Thus the lilim expressed her disappointed glare at the mamono and raised her hand.
"Such incompetence..." The lilim of the extremist faction calmly stated coldly. "You're dismissed."
The Redcap acknowledge and quietly left the throne hall. As the main doors were shut closed, another figure behind the shadows appeared beside Druella and was revealed to be Francesca, the former Princess and the current Queen of the Kingdom.
"Oh dear, the plan didn't turn out as we expected," Francesca stated with a defeated sigh. "And I thought the monsters could easily take over any places that we wanted."
"Taking over an Order Nation is easy-peas for us Lilims, but the Kingdoms of the Federation were nothing but a pain in our asses because of the Five Factions." Druella pouted with n irritated look as she placed her chin on top of her fist. "If it weren't for the mysterious arrival of the Carthus Clan, and Solaire Astora and his son, Artos... then Gaul would've been a Demon Realm from now on."
"Have you ever tried to capture someone from the Five Factions?" Francesca raised her eyebrow. "I mean, we could study them and find our ways to monsterize them. It's been over a century and yet, there is no answer to this problem?"
"Pfff... Hahaha! Capture them? Monsterize the hell out of them? That's nothing more but a pipe dream!" Druella laughed out loud, which caught the Queen of Lescatie off guard. The lilim then wiped her tears from her constant laughing. "Ha~h! Do you really think that's any case possible? I mean seriously, the Sabbath tried its best, but it achieved nothing."
"W-What do you mean?" Francesca took a step back.
"Their experiments ended up in failures, resulting in the deaths of many witches and baphomets," Druella replied with a serious look. "There had been mysterious rumours of Witches that had turned back to ordinary human girls. It's been a few days since we've seen how Sasha turns back to her pre-transformation state in the magic mirror makes sense in that mystery!"
"Wait, not even Baphomets could handle the situation?" Francesca reeled back in shock. "While you're telling the Order is no longer a threat to us, and now you're telling me about the existence of these people could anytime kick out butts!?"
"Well... yes, they can," Druella admitted while making an embarrassing pout as she pressed her fingers together as she looks down with an innocent look. "We could've beaten them when they just formed the Alliance, but my mother wouldn't allow another conflict because my older sister had sustained serious injuries and they had beaten a goddess of fighting... twice in a row."
"Druella... Don't you realise what we're really up against!?" Francesca yelled out in frustration. "We're in an even worse position than we could imagine! That knight, Ash Cyrus is a Godslayer who has slain the Fallen God, and there might be some among them while they have a rebellious Lilim to their side! Then what did you just do!? You just requested Aedra to conquer Gaul's Viola region?!"
"I... uh... I believe I made an oopsie..." Druella tries to speak up after Francesca vented out her frustration, knowing full well what it is about. "I've mistakenly made a dangerous move... Teehee~?"
"Ugghh~! I can't take this anymore... Your Highness, you almost caused a war." Francesca felt her head spins with fever as she tries to massage her temples. "Who would've thought that turning myself into a monster could've been a lot worse when these people have greater chances to kill us all!"
"Please don't tell this to mother!" Druella then begged Francesca. "We'll plan our ways to defeat them! I promise!"
"... I'm not sure how your plans will work." The Queen groaned in displease before producing a small letter and handed it over to Druella. "Speaking of which... here's a letter for you."
"Huh, from who?" Druella grabbed the envelope and opens it to read the letter. Then her forehead produced sweat before sliding the letter back into the envelope and made a nervous cough as a pitiful excuse. "Well... I think it's just some trade deals from a merchant."
"Trade deals?" Francesca scrunched her brows in question and gave the Lilim a strict glare. "That letter has a Noble seal on it, and from what I remember... it belongs to an Undead Noble Family of the Northern Region."
'Ah crap, she's sharp.' Druella made a nervous smile upon reading the letter. 'How could I explain this?'
[Dear Druella,]
[TWO DAYS HAVE PASSED AND WHERE THE HELL IS MY DAUGHTER!?]
[Signed by, Atrea.]
At this moment, the Fourth-borne sighed once more. "Atrea wouldn't like to hear about this..."
...
East-Northern Gaul, Region of Loire.
...
It is sunrise and several carriages bearing the crest of the Order had just passed through borders after paying the entrance fees for the border guards. Jack held a map of the entire kingdom of Gaul and gazed further down to see the cross mark on the name of a certain Frontier Town named Gerth.
"So Viola lies further south of the country." Jack perked up to see his partner, Royse, who was playfully twirling her blade. "Once we get to Gerth and eliminate her, we can get her head back to Valaria."
"But travelling through the region isn't easy," Royse then stared back at Jack, to which she replied with a blank look. "I've heard new types of monsters appeared in that region much more frequently than in Valaria."
"At least we've been honing our blades against those monsters in the dungeons for quite some time," Royse spoke up with a sadistic smile. "It was a glorious experience since the last expedition, and I feel better at fighting them."
"We weren't called the 'Black Blades of Valaria' for nothing," Jack stated with a bored look in his eyes while staring out of the carriage window. "I wish we could head back home as quickly as possible to earn riches from these dungeons."
Once he finished talking, their carriage came to an abrupt halt until Royse perked up her ears as she catches the sounds of screaming men. The two assassins got out to see the commotion and saw two Hollowed Balder Knight just have slain a couple of Inquisitors and one Order Knight.
Jack raised a couple of throwing knives and threw against the Balder Knight at a point-blank range while Royse vanished from thin air. One Balder Knight charged forth, but Jack ducked and slid underneath between the monster's legs while drawing his twin knives, slicing the Hollow's knees apart before he finished it once he got on his feet and jabbed behind its skull upon the Hollow's backward fall.
Royse appeared behind the last Balder Knight which caught the Hollow off-guard. The female assassin leapt forth and brought her short sword down into the Hollow's neck, and kicked the undead through the belly and the dead body rolled through the ground.
Shortly after their minor battle against the hollows, several guardsmen and one inquisitor came up to assist the Hero Agents. Jack waved his hand, showing signs of no physical damage.
"It's alright, we're fine." Jack smiled. "We've taken care of them."
"Milord, taking this treacherous path would bring us to peril." The Inquisitor speaks with worry. "Are you certain that this is a safer route?"
"We've questioned the locals." He replied while wiping out the blood from his blade with a pure white handkerchief. "All other routes are filled with monsters except this one... the chances of encountering them are low."
"Just take up the holy book and pray for the Chief God," Royse spoke up while dusting off her pure blue skirt. "I'm sure our Lord will guide us to safety."
...
Shortly after departing from a minor skirmish with the hollows, the Inquisitors left their dead to rot behind before more monsters would show up and cause immense casualties. Jack remained vigilant as he stared through the windows in case of another monster attack.
"Hey, Jack... have you heard about the rumours which have been circulating before and after the Fall of Lescatie?" Royse questioned her partner. "People in Gaul and refugees mention about a certain knight who actively hunts down mamono without the intervention of the Gods and Heroes alike."
"Heh, does that person really exist? It's probably a myth they've come up with." Jack chuckled deeply with a wry smirk. "No person would overwhelm a monster without divine interventions... So, who is this knight they've been talking about?"
"The people called him the Silver-Blue Knight." Royse then explained with a serious tone while scrunching her brows in concern. "They say he's a foreign mercenary knight who comes from a far-off land. He never backs down to kill his enemies, especially... even when they are former heroes."
"Now that's a complete hogwash rumour I've ever heard of." Jack's eyes then frowned in spite. Hearing such stories is indeed blasphemous to the ears of the Order and sounded like an affront to the heroes like themselves. "Who would believe such things?"
"They say... only when anyone sees him and his silver-blue armour with fluted plates is the real deal," Royse replied while leaning forth. Anxiously clasping her hands together like a desperate prayer. "He was first seen in the Lescatian frontiers before the invasion began, and he reappears again when the refugees in Viola region who also seen him subjugating the mamono."
"Hmm... maybe there's a chance that this knight is probably given by the blessings of the Gods," Jack stated as he lazily places his right foot on top of his left knee. "But using his powers against heroes is something that the Order wouldn't wish to see and somehow the Gods hadn't got rid of this guy yet?"
"That, for whatever reason he has, was unknown. Neither this knight is at the side of the Demon Realm." Royse wondered curiously. "If he exists, then is there a chance to recruit him? He'll be a valuable asset to win the war against the Demon Lord!"
"Pfeh! Hiring a foreign heathen? Forget it!" Jack spat with an unamused look while crossing his arms. "I don't know what god he worships. It might not actually be related, nor does it have a connection with our Chief God."
Then Royse questioned. "And what should we do if we find him?"
"I dunno~ If he were to interfere with us. Then we'll just kill him on sight." Jack then formed an evil smile across his face. "I had enough of these "Vigilantes", they're a nuisance, fake heroes who bring their so-called "Justice". They're nothing compared to our true senses of justice that we, the chosen Heroes, held for."
"My~ Looks like you're going to have some good time when we're about to meet him." Royse agreed with a sinister, pompous grin. "I wonder... what this Silver-Blue Knight is capable of."
...
Lower Regions of Viola, Fior Village.
...
"Alright, we're up and set," Reginald said as he sheathes his Bastard Sword in his scabbard and slung it over his shoulder. "You also ready?"
Olivier heard Reginald and nodded after donning her new set of leather armour over her chest and wearing pants with metal kneecaps, which provides her with some protection from environmental harm.
"Thank goodness for this chainmail," Sasha said to Olivier with a smile while inspecting the armour underneath her white cloak. "I had this when Ash requested me for adequate protection."
"You had chainmail for the entire time?" Olivier points out in confusion. "Such a creative way to protect yourself from attacks... besides stabbing."
"At least it makes me flexible." The Priestess replied while straightening up with pride. "After all, it's an improvised chainmail with Titanite reinforcement!"
"... Titanite?" Olivier scrunched her brow further, which makes her even more confused. "What's that? Is it a new type of ore?"
"Oh, I guess you hadn't heard about it... or?" Sasha guessed until Olivier responded as she tilts her head sideways. "Then you'll visit Andre after this and he'll explain to you what it is."
"Huh, so it is a special type of ore that no one has ever heard of... I bet it can also improve weapons, right?" Sasha nodded in reply to Olivier's question. "I see. Then that means it might be helpful when fighting monsters."
"Hey, you two! Are you both finished?" Olivier heard Elen while the Dhampir entered the room. "You two better hurry up! Ash is expecting you to be finished preparing your gear right now."
"Oh, in a sec!" Sasha then grabbed her staff and broadsword before the two left their room.
After their gear arrangements, Ash led the group once they depart the village. Goran and the handmaid waved their hands to bid them luck to the adventurers. Then half an hour had passed with no enemies encountered. They arrived at the borders of the Dungeon of Crucifixion Forest. Olivier then sensed a wave of uneasiness and dread emitted in the air, which made her spine freeze up.
The Heroine Musketeer felt her powers and senses within her rattled like crazy as if her connection with the Chief God has been severed. Sasha noticed the pressuring look on Olivier.
"Don't worry, just stick with us." Sasha held her shoulders firm. "Just don't let get lost in this forest. Understood?"
Olivier felt a lump go down through her throat and nod. "U-Understood."
The group made their way deeper into the area. Since almost everyone in the group has gained combat experience from their previous expeditions in the Dungeon City of Lothric. Only this time, their new rookie within the companionship was about to experience the hell of horrors that awaits her.
Then, within a sudden, a gong-like sound startled the musketeer as the eerie musical tone echoed through the forest.
[Crucifixion Forest]
Olivier read the word on the air while raising up her brow in confusion. "... Crucifixion Forest?"
"It's been half a month since we came to this place," Reginald stated nonchalantly while unsheathing his bastard sword. Then he points towards a group of tall lanky figures coming out behind the trees. "And looks like we got a warm, welcoming party."
Ash raised his hand to a halt and noticed the hollows coming on their way with wooden pikes pointed towards them. And saw another group of hollows coming at their right flank. Then he raised his crest shield and his broadsword at the ready to defend while Sasha held up her staff to make sure her blessings should support them. Olivier reads her surroundings from left to right and felt her hands were shaking while slowly unsheathing her rapier.
"rrrRRRRAAAAAAARRGH!"
"Shit, there's a Lycanthrope!" Elen cursed as she gripped her greatsword while warning the rest. "Better watch out for their claws! They're freaking sharp!"
"Understood." Arcturus and Elaine acknowledge while getting into defensive positions
The sounds, the moans, the uneasiness. The Order Musketeer sensed her skin crawled, and she was startled by the inhuman screech. Then Olivier saw a hollow, whose's much taller than the rest, and made its way past through the undead mob. This creature is unlike anything she had seen before. It has red glowing eyes and its appearance alone is absolutely frightening, which emits its ferocious feral aura.
"Everyone on me!" Ash then raised his sword to give out an order. "Let's take them out!"
...
Chapter 28: Ends
Authors Note: This chapter will be updated in case of any Errors and Typos will be rewritten. Also, for Monster Hunter's recent review... Hmm~ Nyees, that will come soon at the Finale Arc.