I feel I should explain myself a bit regarding the last chapter. Firstly, for those unaware, there is a bona fide strengthening method in canon that involves the party members trusting their Cardinal Hero which gives them more power. My Rising Hope passive from the Spear of Hope basically modifies that to include anyone who believes in the holder at the obvious downside of potentially being broken and inflicting Sundered Hope. Hope can be a pretty fragile feeling after all.
Secondly, I introduced Despair's Pike when I did because of Glass. I wanted to try and avert the "heroic second wind saving the day" cliche by making it so that while Chazon could match up to Glass, it still would be insufficient to outright defeat her. There's also the fact that I pegged Despair as affecting the souls of others. Glass takes damage from Naofumi's Soul Eater Shield despite it only stealing SP from Motoyatsu and I showcased that with Despairing Aura.
That being said, I'm aware that perhaps I should have someone reading my story before I post new chapters. As such, if anyone wants to be a Beta-Reader for me, throw me a PM and we can talk it over.
It was business as usual in Lerno Village as the villagers milled about. More traders from various places had arrived to trade for more BioFruits and other items while also admiring the Aetheryte Crystal in the Square.
However, in the shadows of the village, some figures watched the entrances of the town, looking out for the fake Spear Hero to show up. They were to try and subjugate him using any means necessary and either kill or capture him. With their fellow believers on the way to take control of the village and its resources, they also got a lay of the land for an easier take-over.
They've been dropping like flies recently. A lone woman has been finding and neutralizing them to keep them from doing their job. Keeping them from assassinating the Spear Hero. The Shadow looked at her latest victim. "To think you all believe the church's lies so blindly… you've nobody to blame but yourselves."
She looks at the Aetheryte Square, where she recently teleported in herself. None of the church's lackeys knew about the main function of the crystal that served as its center. They were focused more outwards, expecting the spear hero to arrive the logical way. Knowing that there are only a few more left, she sets to work once more, hoping that Chazon's party can arrive and rest for at least one night before being forced to head out once again.
As the villagers and traders went about their business, they were all startled when the Aetheryte Crystal let out a noise and a red light began circling it. Everyone's status magic informed them that a carriage was teleporting in. After everyone cleared out of one spot, the entire carriage appeared in a bursting grey bubble, revealing it to be the Spear Hero's carriage.
Chazon looked around and waved apologetically towards the nearby villagers before addressing his party. "We'll head to Damalus' place and rest for the night before setting out tomorrow. Besides, there's something I need to tell you all in private."
Kardia noted his grim face. "You heard something that spells bad news for us?"
"Yup… let's just say that we'll have a LOT of civilians in the crossfire if we stay any longer than tonight." Nobody liked the sound of that at all and made haste towards Damalus' house.
Damalus and Glenn were both at Rino's house and greeted the party warmly, but the atmosphere turned grim once Chazon got everyone settled down. Rifana flicked her tail around nervously. "What… is this bad news you have to tell us? I kind of wanted to spend some time in Lerno…"
"There's an army of church knights on their way here." Everyone gained horrified looks as Chazon shook his head. "Because they have full-on deemed me as a "fake hero" and saw fit to try and remove me by any means necessary. Apparently, thanks to us surviving the last wave, they're now hell bent on taking me out… and anyone affiliated with me."
Glann leaned forward onto his hands with his eyes closed. "Then they seek to wipe our village out?"
"You guys can finagle something once we've left. You can say something along the lines of "not knowing that I really was a fake" and trying to play ignorant."
That made Damalus shake his head. "Nobody here wants to throw you under the carriage, lad."
"They have to if the village wants to see another dawn." Kardia said somberly. "We're dealing with fanatics here. If they think that you guys are willingly aligned with their enemies, they won't hesitate to have this village burned down."
Rifana whimpered at that. "Just like… what happened to my village…" Kardia gave the weasel a comforting hug.
Amber and Obsidian looked at each other with worry "Why do people believe our Daddy is bad?"
"Because their beliefs clash with what Chazon-kun's doing and they don't like that at all." Rino tried to explain, holding the hands of both kids.
Chazon patted Merlay on the shoulder apologetically. "Sorry you got caught up in this mess, despite only being my party member for a short while…"
"It was my choice to join you fully, Chazon-sama. Besides… I know you're not the kind of person these zealots think you are." Merlay gave him a reassuring smile.
"We can still try to rest in the village for one night, but the moment we have a mishap dealing with the church, we leave immediately." Chazon looked around before nodding at Damalus and Glenn. "I suppose in the meantime, we can catch you up on what's been happening."
After learning about everything that has happened, Damalus shook his head. "You all have been through a lot, haven't you? Some nobles really are the worst. Good riddance, I say." He was not happy with a noble trying to turn his daughter into a sex toy.
"Papa… you're an apothecary, you shouldn't say that." Rino frowned at her father.
"Sorry, Rino, but I agree with Kardia's sentiment on the subject. Mercy given is not always well spent." Glenn closed his eyes at those words. "But… never should we get too used to taking lives either."
Chazon nodded before getting nudged by Kardia. "Didn't you leave something out, loverboy?"
Chazon and Rino blushed heavily as the two adults looked at each other in confusion. "What did you leave out, lad?"
"I… was trying to have more tact with coming out with this… Damalus, your daughter and I… are a couple now!" Him and Rino hide their faces in embarrassment, much to the amusement of their other party members.
Damalus sat there with a shocked look as Glenn chuckled at the sight. Eventually the apothecary recovered and laughed mirthfully. "Well I'll be! My baby girl has grown up enough to have a man to love now! If only your mother were here to see this." He sniffled a bit while wiping his tears of joy away.
"PAPA!" Rino cried out with indignance.
Chazon did some deep breathing as everyone around him laughed, some cheer coming back into the atmosphere. After he calmed down, he got Glenn's attention. "Naofumi told me you knew directions to a hot spring town in the mountains. I wanted to take my party there because I've yet to treat them to anything for being such amazing people… and an amazing family to travel with." He got a bunch of smiles from those words.
Glenn smiled at that as well. "Indeed I do know. To the north in the mountains is a settlement whose economy and culture is centered around the self-same hot springs. It's also a fairly remote place. Unless the church knights know ahead of time that you are there, you'll be safe for long enough to relax."
"The ancient forest where Reine Skala lives is on the way… perhaps we can make a quick stop there and talk with him about something I'm curious about." Chazon looked at his spear when he said that. Rino knew why he wanted to see the dragon guardian and hoped that the deity could shed some light on it all.
Damalus thought for a moment before he remembered something. "Chazon-sama, we have a third BioFruit tree growing in our fields now. Purple and looks like a grape bunch, yet a single morsel can fill someone up exceedingly fast. One bunch fed three separate families for lunch time."
"Guess my modifications to those seeds bore fruit, so to speak. Yeah that's how I designed those Purple BioFruits. Extremely filling and nutritionally dense at the cost of growth speed."
"Then we'll give what we still have of the Purple BioFruits to you as well as plenty of the Red and Yellow ones, Chazon-sama. You'll need all the rations you can get while on the run from the church." Damalus stroked his mustache somberly. "I wish we could do more for all of you, but it's out of our hands now. Rest up so you can leave bright and early tomorrow. Glenn and I will address the villagers on what's happening after you leave."
"Thank you, Granddaddy! I wish we could spend more time with you, but perhaps after everything is calm." Obsidian said that wistfully, but there was hope in his eyes.
Merlay bowed to the two older gentlemen. "Thank you for all of your help. We will come back to you guys once Chazon-sama's name is cleared and there is no more danger from the church. I know I'm a stranger to you two, but-"
"I trust you, lass. I know you're no fanatic… and Chazon-sama is definitely a good judge of character, so I know my trust isn't misplaced." Damalus laughed heartily as Merlay blushed a bit.
Kardia clapped her hands together. "Then let's make our pre-travel preparations while there's still daylight left to burn. Once we're done, we must sleep to rise early in the morning to leave for the ancient forest and the hot spring town." Everyone nodded at that and scattered to begin preparations.
"Chazon-sama… could I actually have you come with me?" Rifana shyly said as she tugged his hand. "There's… something I want to pick up before we leave if that's alright with you."
"Sure, lead the way."
When they reached Lerno Vilage's tailor, Chazon realized why Rifana wanted to come here. The tailor had managed to complete the new flag that Chazon custom-ordered for Rifana: A flowing green and red flag that bore both the shield and the spear in perfect harmony. Rifana was gleeful at the sight. "It looks amazing! I just hope Raphtalia and everyone will understand why I modified the flag…"
"I'm sure they will, Raphtalia especially. We'll keep this in storage for now, but when the time is right, we'll fly this flag for you." Chazon pets Rifana on the head and she smiles happily, tail wagging.
"I've been considering asking Glenn-sama to make this Lerno Village's flag myself. That way, if the village of Lurolona gets rebuilt, we can become sister villages!" The tailor spoke as if that was a dream she had held on to for a while.
"Glenn will address you on that tomorrow, but for now, you might want to shelf that plan until… a more appropriate time." That got a confused look from her, but she nodded anyways.
After getting a few bushels of BioFruits onto the carriage, the party retired for the night. Rino had dragged Chazon into her room to sleep with her, which caused no ending of teasing from everyone else due to the implications. Despite that, all they did was cuddle together as they fell asleep, content in each other's presence.
In the next morning, Chazon and Rino moved to get everyone up. However, they were held up when they reached Kardia, Rifana, and Merlay's room. "Kardia-chan! Rifana-chan! Merlay-chan! Are you three awake in there?"
"Yes, but… something happened in here that you're not gonna believe… or you could believe, I don't know." Kardia's voice seemed a bit befuddled.
"What happened? Did you find something this morning that wasn't there last night?" Chazon called through. If push comes to shove he could leave to gather Obsidian and Amber, who had gone to sleep with Damalus, while Rino helped Kardia with her problem.
"Yes, actually." Kardia opened the door in her battle mage attire. She looked normal enough. "Look at what I found on my person.
She turned around and revealed a third tail. This one with a royal purple tip, presumably representing earth. Chazon folded his arms. "Remind me… how many affinities are there in total?"
Rino thought for a moment. "Counting healing and support… there's 9 in total. Are you thinking she's going to have a tail for each affinity?"
"Yup." Called it. How am I getting all of these special party members? Unless it's more so having to do with my nature as a Cardinal Hero.
Kardia looked a bit worried. "You don't think I'll be treated like-"
"None of that around me, Kardia. I told you before and I'll say it again: you won't become a monster, no matter how many tails you grow. All of us will be there for you." Rino, Merlay, and Rifana nod at that.
"All of you… thank you… I'm truly blessed to have you as my companions…" Kardia sniffled a bit before wiping her eyes and looking up with a determined look. "You're right. I won't turn into a monster!"
"That's the spirit, Kardia-chan!" Rifana gave the kitsune a joyful hug.
After a quick breakfast, everyone loaded up into the carriage and, after some more farewells, the group headed north. The first stop was the ancient forest where Reine Skala lives. Chazon wanted the dragon's knowledge on the Corruption Series so that he knows just what is infecting him.
Along the way, Rifana noticed a rather large bag with a note from Erhard. Apparently he included three gifts alongside the supplies he gave them. One was a Siderite Shield for Rifana. He noted that because of Melromarc's dislike for the Shield Hero, his shields have just been gathering dust. He figured that giving a powerful one to Rifana would make her a better defender.
Second was a single glove embedded with enchanted jewels. Erhard got the Caster Glove from Mahoya and passed it on to Kardia since she was having bad luck finding a proper staff. The advantage to using a glove over a staff is the lack of bulk and the fact that the wearer can be holding anything in that hand and still cast spells.
Lastly was a pair of gloves that increases the wearer's strength by a hundred-fold. He mentioned Chazon wearing it in case Obsidian can't pull his carriage anymore so he could wear the gloves and pull the carriage himself. He made sure to set them aside for Obsidian to use in his human form anyways so that he isn't as vulnerable in said form.
Everyone noted that none of the monsters attacked the carriage as they went through the forest. Chazon smiled at that. "Guess he wasn't kidding when he said we were always welcome here. It's a peaceful place when you're not getting attacked."
Merlay looked around in wonder. "You mean this guardian can influence the monsters here to not attack?"
"More like the spirit of the forest itself has accepted us. Reine Skala is the guardian with the ability to commune with the Ancient Oak that rules the forest." Rino corrected with a small smile. "Apparently killing a single, invasive boss monster was enough to earn eternal gratitude."
Rifana thought for a moment. "It would make sense. If an apex predator that could hunt and kill everything in an ecosystem were introduced, the forest's balance would be thrown into chaos."
"Daddy! Some of the bird monsters are flying with us!" Obsidian pointed out the Swooping Eagles that were flying above and beside the carriage. "They look so graceful!"
"Yaaaay!" Amber started flying alongside the Eagles, who didn't mind her presence. Chazon kept a wary eye on the Ancient Celkkos since he noted some of them eyeing Amber with hints of hunger.
After some time, the carriage entered the clearing surrounding the Ancient Oak and made for the entrance. After disembarking, everyone approached the barrier, which Reine Skala noticed. "Ah, Spear Hero Chazon. I bid you and yours a welcome back to the ancient forest. Do you wish an audience with me?"
"If you are willing to have us, there are some things I wish to ask you before we continue on our way." Chazon said up to the top of the tree. Merlay was even more amazed that a guardian saw fit to speak inside her mind as well.
"But of course, though I get the feeling I know what you wish to discuss. I also am aware that you have little time, so I will come down to you instead." With those words, there was a roar from up top and the dragon flew out of the tree. His pure-white scales glistened in the afternoon sun as he landed and took note of Obsidian. "You have a Filolial King companion with you as well?"
"Nice to meet you, mister dragon! I'm Obsidian!" Obsidian chirped joyfully, much to the shock of everyone except for Chazon, who was wondering why everyone was so surprised.
Reine noted the spear hero's confusion and shook his head in amusement. "Filolials and dragons share a deep innate hatred of each other. While I had many hundreds of years to grow out of it, I'm surprised a filolial as young as little Obsidian here holds no hatred for me."
Obsidian cocked his head in confusion. "Why would I hate you? We just met and I heard about how you gave daddy the means to save Kardia-nee from an illness."
"Obsidian, we would have thought you would hate Reine Skala all the same JUST because he was a dragon." Merlay noted first. "Why is it that you never developed that hatred?"
"More than likely because of how much love and affection he had growing up from Spear Hero Chazon. Being raised by a hero wouldn't be enough to rid a filolial of their innate hate… but because of how he was nurtured, it was most likely subconsciously removed from his mentality." Reine let out a huff. "I'm afraid we derailed why you're here. What is it you wish to ask me?"
Chazon nodded before breathing a few times. "What do you know of the Corruption Series and how does it differ from the Curse Series?"
That made the white dragon close his eyes. "The Corruption Series… something I've only seen in my life twice; once on a legendary weapon user and once on a vassal weapon user. I'll try to keep my explanation brief as to not hold you for too long.
"The Corruption Series consists of 7 individual corrupting aspects or emotions: Rage, Hate, Despair, Arrogance, Fear, Bloodlust, and Cruelty. Hate is the main component of the Series, but all aspects vye for the position of "most corrupting" emotion, meaning you can't have a weapon that mixes, say, Rage and Hate. That would create Wrath, which is a Cursed Series aspect.
"How the Corruption Series differs from the Cursed Series is that Cursed Series attacks do… well curse damage, which is very rare and difficult to resist or remove. Corruption Series deals corruption damage in addition to the element that particular series is associated with. From what I can gather about the two Series, they are mutually exclusive. Because you unlocked Corruption, you cannot unlock Cursed."
Chazon nods grimly at that. "And both series can cause… unfavorable changes in personality." Rino held his hand at those words.
"Yes. Certainly you'll experience a change in character when using a Cursed Series weapon and will corrode you the longer you use it. But outside of that you won't change much outside of more subtle changes.
"The Corruption Series, however, will change you more the longer you remain afflicted without unlocking a Purity Series aspect to balance your soul out." Reine nods at the Spear Hero. "I can tell you don't have to worry about it for now. Your soul is in balance. However, I understand that you'll be forced to use everything at your disposal to survive in this world, which is why I grant you a boon."
Reine Skala touches his tail to Chazon's armor and his status magic is updated to the fact that he now has Corruption corrosion resist bonus (high) on it. "This will let me go for longer without becoming fully corrupted?"
"Yes, but do not take it for granted. Additionally, I wish to bestow upon you some of my scales for you to fashion into armor for all of your party members." With that, another orb of light comes out of the dragon and floats over to Chazon, revealing its contents to be a plethora of Purity Dragon Scales.
Kardia bows to the dragon. "We thank you for the information and your gift. We'll be careful going forward regarding the Corruption Series."
"We'll do our best to make sure Chazon-kun doesn't unlock any more corruption aspects." Rino added, squeezing his hand softly.
"There are no guarantees in life, but I feel reassured that he'll have friends and family to help him during trying times. Now go and bring peace to the land. The exit you want is over there, so take it to reach your next destination." He uses his tail to point at an exit before flying back to the top of the tree, intending to contact a certain Queen through the Ancient Oak.
Everyone loaded up back onto the carriage and Obsidian took off in the direction Reine Skala pointed in. Merlay gave the rest of the party a puzzled look. "Is the Corruption Series related to why Chazon-sama had that grey blizzard around him? Even from outside of it… I could feel the overwhelming despair emanating from it…"
"Yeah… and Despair was what led me to unlocking the Corruption Series to begin with. You heard of the duel at the castle not long after the second wave?" Merlay nodded. "I was forced to fight Naofumi in regards to Raphtalia being his slave. I tried to lose in a way that felt natural… but it back-fired and they tried to take her away from him regardless. Thankfully it turned out alright in the end, but that was my darkest night… especially what happened afterwards…"
"We got through it all though, Chazon-kun. That's what matters." Rino made sure to sit with Chazon to comfort him as they recalled painful memories. Chazon smiled at her, grateful for her presence. She was doing her best to make sure he didn't wallow in it for too long.
He made sure to put a scale into his spear for the weapon.
Purity Dragon Scale Spear (Level 75 required for unlock)
Equip bonus: All stats bonus (extreme), Light resist bonus (high), Curse resist bonus (medium), ' Dragon Thrust'
Special effect: All stats up (very high), Healing potency up (high), HP regen up (medium), MP regen up (medium)
After a full day traveling, only stopping for one night, they were able to reach the hot spring town. Rifana noted the smell in the air. "The baths here smell wondrous! I already feel relaxed."
"Yaaaay! Hot springs! Hot springs!" Amber chanted happily.
Chazon looked around the town and noted the architecture. I really like the look of this place. Besides, I've never been to a hot spring before, so it'll be an interesting experience for all of us.
They found an inn that doubled as access to one of the many hot springs. The old woman manning the front counter was pleasantly surprised to see so many guests arrive. "Haven't had this many people turn up since the Shield Hero showed up. Welcome!"
"The Shield Hero was at this particular one? I heard from him how wondrous it was, so I'm glad we found you. Two rooms for 5 adults and 2 children." Chazon withdrew his funds, ready for the total.
"Oho? You're acquainted with the Shield Hero's group as well? Ever since his companions brought back a Silver-back Boar we've been doing very well for ourselves! Tell you what, I'll only charge you for half of the whole bill!"
Rino widened her eyes at that before nodding gratefully. "Thank you so much!"
It didn't take long for everyone to go out into the hot springs. It was apparently divided into three sections: one for men, one for women, and one for private sessions.
The only ones in the mens section were Chazon, who had his spear in bracelet form, and Obsidian. This is so relaxing… I remember relaxing in hot tubs back in my old world, but this beats the crap out of all of them. He noted Obsidian practically swimming around. "Obsidian, this pool is meant to relax, not to swim around in."
"Sorry, daddy, but I can't help it! I just want to splash around in the water!"
Must be a bird thing… even as a humanoid. Chazon shook his head and slid further into the water. Still though… this is really relaxing… I'm suddenly so sleepy… He quickly realized that he was falling asleep. "What am I doing? I can't fall asleep in the water like this!"
Obsidian noted his Daddy's problem and splashed him with water. "Why don't you play with me, Daddy? That'll keep you awake!"
Chazon stared at Obsidian for a bit before grinning. "You're on!" The Filolial King let out a surprised laugh as Chazon dove towards him. "Watch out! Daddy's gonna getcha!"
"Hahahaha nooooo!" Obsidian started swimming away from his rapidly approaching father as they played around in the water.
Rino smiled as she heard Chazon playing with Obsidian. "This really was a good idea."
The 5 girls were relaxing in the women's section. Amber was just floating around with the happiest look of bliss on her face, Rifana looked like she was slipping into a coma, and Kardia started attacking Merlay over her breasts, paying no mind to how her 3 tails were no longer puffy and looked more like Rifana's tail.
"Rino-sama." Rino looked up to see a mischievous glint in Kardia's eyes with a beet-red Merlay behind her. "I've gotten a good feel of Merlay-chan. Now it's your turn!"
"Eeeeep!" Rino started swimming away as Kardia gave chase.
Merlay went over by Rifana, tuckered from what Kardia was doing to her. "I thought… Kardia-chan was more… serene than this…"
"Believe me, she can be plenty mischievous when she wants to be, especially when it comes to bathing for some reason." Rifana said tiredly. "Amber, are you okay over there?"
"I'm just fiiine, Rifana-neechan." Amber sounded like she was melting away. "I never felt this relaxed."
Kardia never managed to catch Rino thanks to her agility, even with water slowing her down. She never bothered with Rifana since she knew the weasel wouldn't put up much of a fight in her current state. "I wonder if Chazon-sama will get the idea of trying to peak in on us."
Merlay squeaked in embarrassment, but Rino shook her head. "Give Chazon-kun a bit more credit than that. Besides, he's too busy playing with Obsidian to think of doing that anyways."
"Eh… honestly, that man is kind of boring sometimes. He needs more thrills in his life regarding stuff like this."
"Kardia-chan, no." Rifana muttered, eyes still closed. "Chazon-sama is an example of a good gentleman."
"And what is your criteria for a gentleman, Rifana-chan?" Kardia asked incredulously.
Rifana finally did more than just act like she was falling asleep: recoiling a bit with a blush. "W-w-well… my father w-was a g-gentleman. My mom always said so, so it must be true!"
"Hmm?" Kardia gave her an unconvinced look. "So… would that mean you're willing to marry Chazon-sama because he is the way he is?"
"He has Rino-sama! I'll admit that my childhood dream was to marry one of the Cardinal Heroes, but I'd never steal someone else's significant other!"
Rino tugged at one of Kardia's tails which caused the kitsune to squeak. "That's enough out of you for today. I don't know if the heat is making you more bold than normal, but we'll refrain from this kind of thing in the future, yes?"
"Fine… none of you are any fun in these scenarios!" Kardia sat down with a pout.
Merlay's mood was turned down a bit when it came to Chazon being in a relationship with Rino. She wasn't jealous in the slightest, but there was a sense of longing for what could have been. If I wasn't so cowardly to leave him in the beginning… Would we have had this kind of relationship if everything else was the same?
After everyone got out of the tub and re-equipped, they all decided to solve some troubles around town. While most were minor inconveniences, the townsfolk were no less grateful for the Spear Hero's party being there.
Chazon did take Merlay and Kardia with him to deal with a monster insect hive that was built too close to the town, but it was taken care of handily. The Spear Hero noted the now-desolate hive and analyzed the honey. "Looks like this stuff is edible."
Merlay winced as she looked at the rather green honey. "Are you sure? Looks toxic to me…" She let out a surprised yelp when Chazon licked some of it off his finger, only to see him smile. "Is it actually that good?"
"Somehow better than normal honey. I got plenty of bottles in my inventory from potion usage, so let's gather as much as we can." He withdraws a load of bottles and hands them out. "Besides, I might try honey-pickling some of our BioFruits."
"It would help preserve our fruits for longer periods of time while giving them a sweeter taste." Kardia admitted as she started bottling the light-green honey.
During that time, they heard rumors about the Shield Hero kidnapping the Second Princess and killing her escort of knights. Some church knights even showed up to "show" what had happened during that time, but it was clear after they left that nobody believed them. Especially so when Chazon took point and addressed them about it. Support for Naofumi was as strong as ever in that town, though they did hear of a noble in the nearby area still denouncing the Shield Hero.
As evening began to fall, Chazon opted to go for a private session in the hot springs. Bathing with Obsidian was fun, but he wanted to try relaxing for real this time around. The old woman told him that he already had a reservation, which confused him greatly. "Nobody else is reserving it anyways, so I don't see why not."
"Very true. Thank you for your hospitality. I'll always remember this place."
"I heard about what your party has been doing around town. It makes me happy that heroes like you and the Shield Hero really do care about us small-folk. It makes giving you the discount feel all the more worthwhile." She laughed at that.
Chazon, opting to go in with his towel out of habit of always wearing swimming trunks when going into hot tubs, got into the hot spring and relaxed once again. I'd better be careful. Any more of this and I'll never want to leave.
After he spent some more time soaking, he heard a soft gasp behind him. "Chazon-kun?"
Chazon sputtered and slid down further into the water. "R-Rino?! I wasn't expecting anyone else to come in here!"
"I-I wasn't told you were in here either."
"I'll get out so that you can get in and relax-"
"No, please… let me join you." Chazon finally looked and saw she had a towel wrapped around her, much to his relief. She got in and sat down beside him with a content sigh. "I'm glad we came here in the end. Not often you can relax in natural springs like this."
Trying to fight down the blush of having a nearly naked Rino beside him, Chazon looked at the orange evening sky. "Yeah. It's a shame we have to keep moving tomorrow. Perhaps when everything dies down, we'll come back."
"Yeah." There was a moment of silence before she put her head onto his shoulder. "Chazon-kun… what do you think of me?"
"Where did this come from?" Chazon gave her a questioning look.
"It's just… you became my boyfriend after I kissed you. while I know you declared that you loved me at that time as well, I feel like I forced you into that position out of-"
"That's enough, Rino. I thought you were my keeper, not the other way around." She looks up at him as he smiles at her. "We've been through a lot together, both good and bad. You've helped me so many times both in my duties as a hero and with my emotional instability. You never once abandoned me because I was too overbearing during my darker times. I'll forever be grateful to you… and I'll never regret falling in love with you."
"But…" It was clear there were still some doubts on her mind.
"Then let me ask you, Rino. Would I have unlocked Love's Javelin if I didn't truly love you?" She looked back up at him with wide eyes as he hugged her. "The only reason I held back until then is because I didn't know what your true feelings were and didn't want to make things awkward between us. But let it be known… I genuinely love you, Rino, with all my heart."
He said all of that, but his heart was pounding out of his chest. Oh no no no, I don't know how long I can control myself for. Rino's so cute, yet I don't want to go any further until she's mentally ready as well!
"Chazon-kun…" She goes up to kiss him on the lips which he returns, grateful for the mental out she gave him. Unbeknownst to him, she was having her own internal panic-attack over the situation.
Nearby at the front counter, Kardia went up to the owner and smiled at her. "Thank you for humoring my request."
"Not a problem! I have no qualms with strengthening the bonds between two lovers, especially during trying times like this when there's a lot of doom and gloom going on." The owner laughs. "Heck, I'll even turn a blind eye to any… hanky-panky they get into while in there."
"I doubt they'll go that far yet. Chazon-sama is very much someone who respects the wishes of those he cares about. He won't force Rino-sama into something like that until she's completely ready… though I wouldn't mind what you suggested either." Both women giggle at that.
Back in the private baths, Chazon and Rino were cuddling in the hot spring, trying to force down their urges, when Rino noted something odd. "Chazon-kun… do you feel a breeze coming from somewhere?"
Chazon looked around and noted that there shouldn't be any wind. "I do. Hang on, sorry to interrupt our time together."
He gets up to check the area out and Rino starts blushing at his figure. He… he really is hot! If this keeps up, I really will want to do very naughty things with him… I'm not mentally ready for things like that!
Chazon checked around and he noted a very off-color stone in the wall. He pressed it… and the entire wall suddenly slid back, revealing a passage into the hill they were on. "Rino… let's get geared up and gather everyone. I want to check this place out quickly. Hopefully it won't take long." Rino nodded at that and rushed out, though Chazon blushed as he caught a glimpse of her. Her towel had partially uncovered her.
She… has a very nice butt… is it bad that I'm thinking of her in that way shamelessly now? Oh get it together, man!
After everyone was clothed and geared up, they informed the owner of their discovery which surprised her. "I never knew such a thing existed. You have my full permission to explore it."
The entire party went into the cave. Chazon brought out the ultrabright firestarter and used it on his Torch Spear, which resulted in him gaining the Ultrabright Torch Spear. The white flames increased visibility dramatically. "Stay frosty. We don't know what's in here and chances are it's been unused for a very long time."
Kardia was a bit displeased that the lovebird's time together was cut short, but she kept it from her mind. Merlay looked at the stone surrounding them and frowned. "For a passage that may have never been used in a long time, it certainly lacks cobwebs or… signs of disuse."
"Honestly, that worries me more." Rifana noted with a shiver. "That means someone uses this tunnel enough to warrant upkeep, meaning that we could very easily be discovered."
"I don't like it in here… it's too cramped." Obsidian noted with his own frown.
"Really? I think it has potential to be fun!" Leave it to Amber to look on the positive side of things.
Eventually, the group comes across a dead end. Merlay shook her head. "If this tunnel really isn't abandoned, then this is the door leading into something else. The question is, how do we open it?"
"Probably the same way we got in." Rino saw another odd-colored stone and pressed it, causing the wall to slide open. "Whoever designed this tunnel wasn't overly creative."
"Maybe, but- uuuugh this smell!" Chazon noted it first and everyone soon knew what he was talking about; a repugnant smell hit everyone's noses and made them recoil.
After a few seconds, Rifana and Kardia developed horrified looks. "We know this smell… all too well." Kardia looked around and noted some iron bars. "Chazon-sama… could you swing that torch over here?" He did so and everyone was horrified at what they saw.
Staring back at them in fear from the recesses of the cell… were a couple of battered and broken demi-humans hugging each other. They had stumbled upon someone's slave block.
Merlay wanted to vomit. "Is this… the kind of conditions slaves live in? If so… this is horrible…"
Chazon looked around and saw 3 other cells in the room. There were 2 or 3 demi-humans in each one. His disgust grew with every battered and abused child he saw. "The sleazeball who lives here has a lot to answer for…"
"I concur… but we can deal with him, her, or it in the future." Kardia looked at the locks. While sturdy enough to deal with weakened Demi-human children, they aren't very well built; a quick earth spell broke the lock and opened the door, allowing her to approach the children. "Don't worry… we came to save you!"
Chazon noted what Kardia was doing and nodded at Merlay. "Open the other locks and let them out. No child deserves this kind of treatment…" Merlay didn't even hesitate as she broke the two locks Kardia didn't.
After all of the children were out of their cells, they were giving the Spear Hero worried looks. He got down and petted two of them on the heads. "Don't worry… I won't harm you. Let's get you somewhere safe."
Rifana saw the slave brands and gasped. "We don't have a way of breaking their slave seals! The moment they're discovered gone, the seals will take their lives!"
"Is that how they work? Damn it!" Chazon clenched his fist in frustration, though he calmed down when he saw the scared looks from the children. Thankfully Amber came around to cheer everyone up.
Kardia thought for a moment and confirmed that all of the slaves were present, too many compared to the number of Yggdrasil's Drought uses left, before turning to Rino. "You said your affinities were light and healing, Rino-sama?"
"Yes… OH!" Rino knew exactly what Kardia was getting at: the purity magic that comes from combining healing and light magic. There was just one hitch. "I… don't know how to combine my own affinities…"
Obsidian thought for a moment. "Couldn't you try out a spell that somehow combines the two?"
"Obsidian has a point. Try casting a spell using a combination of key words from your two affinities to combine both your systems." Merlay nodded at Rino. "Here, I'll guide you as you attempt to cast it."
After some guidance from Merlay, Rino was prepared to put her special affinity combo to use. "Okay… here it goes." She approaches the first child and puts a hand over him. "As the source of thy power, I the Spear Hero's companion command thee. Decipher the laws of nature and cleanse my targets. All Zweite Healing Cleanse!"
A pulse of light magic laced with healing magic burst out of Rino's hands. It consumed most of her MP, but every single demi-human it touched was cleansed of their slave brands. Kardia nodded as every single child gasped in surprise at being freed from their brands. "The owner will have been notified of his contract terminations, so we'd best be going quickly. I'd rather not stick around for the bastard to come searching for his slaves."
"Don't worry, I have a plan for that if you'll help me, Kardia. Everyone else, take the children back to the hot springs and get them washed off." He got a round of nods at that and everyone escorted the children down the secret passage. "Kardia… could you set up a trap for me?"
"What kind of trap?" Kardia tilted her head in confusion before gasping at the grenade that Chazon handed to her. "You want to make some kind of explosive trap?"
"Yup. Have a piece of string attached to the pin and when the noble tries to open the secret passage, the walls will pull the pin and have the grenade go off. Perfect way to get rid of the noble."
Kardia smiled mischievously. "A fitting end for a grotesque pig… I like it! Let's make sure to make it especially obvious that his slaves escaped through said secret passage." Chazon nodded at that.
After some time, the noble who owned the slaves stormed into his slave basement in a rage with some church knights. "Where are all my slaves?!"
He noted that every single cell was opened forcefully. One of the knights gasped. "They must have used the secret passage to the nearby hot springs to escape somehow!"
"I swear, if I find whoever stole my toys away from me, I'll make sure they get the harshest of punishments!" He opened the secret passageway and entered, only to note a small, metallic clink against the stone. Looking down, he saw some kind of round object sticking out of the wall. "What the heck is this-"
The noble and his knights thought no more.
Back at the hot springs, after passing by his party members doing their best to wash all of the demi-humans, he approached the owner with more coins. "Take this as my apology. Looks like we aren't staying the night after all."
"Could you explain what's going on? It's suddenly a lot noisier out there." Chazon beckoned her and she saw a whole bunch of former slaves getting washed off in the hot springs. "What in the…?"
"That passage led to a slave cell block owned by the nearby noble. We just liberated all of the slaves that were held and we wish to get out of town before the church knights come here. I wanted to pay you as a way of apologising for the mess we're making of your hot spring…"
"Say no more." The owner pushed the coin bag back at Chazon, much to his confusion. "I've never been a supporter of slavery myself. Seeing all these demi-humans and how abused they were… how filthy they were… it boils my blood." she turns and nods at the Spear Hero with a smile. "You're a hero to these kids and I'll never charge you for that. Go quickly once you're done. I'll buy you as much time as possible before those knights try to find you."
Chazon looked at her in shock before nodding. "I owe you a debt that can never be repaid. Thank you." He bows.
"Save your thanks for when you get those kids somewhere safe. I'd recommend going further north to the Reichnott Territories. I hear they practice demi-human rights there, so you can find them a new home there."
"Confirmed. I was going to head that way anyways." Chazon went back outside. "As soon as you kids are clean, we're getting out of here. Obsidian, are you okay with pulling everyone?"
"Leave it to me, Daddy! I'll make you proud!" Obsidian struck a confident pose, which made Chazon smile.
"Why…?" Chazon looked at the demi-human boy with dog-like ears and tail. "Why are you saving us? I thought the Spear Hero was-"
"Is it wrong of me and my party to save children like yourself from such a cruel fate? Everyone deserves a chance at living their lives how they want, no matter who they are. I don't condone using that chance to become evil or criminal, but I'd rather let children like you have that choice when it was never offered to you."
The boy stared in shock before him and a bunch of other kids suddenly started hugging him, crying their eyes out. Rifana and Kardia nodded at that; the spear hero that saved them never stopped with just them.
And at that very moment, Chazon exuded an aura of kindness.
Purity Series: Kindness unlocked
Lance of Kindness I unlocked
Equip bonus: MAG bonus (high), MDEF (high), Healing potency bonus (high), MP regeneration bonus (medium), Water-aspected attack (medium), 'Kind Waters'
Special effect: MAG up (high), Healing potency up (high), MP regen up (medium), Purity (Tidal Currents)
"Come on, let's get you all on the road to a safer place. It might take a while and we might be sleeping in the wilds, but I promise we'll get you somewhere safe" Chazon pets the heads of the two nearest children. Everyone follows him out to Obsidian's carriage, got him hooked up, and proceeded north to get a head start on any potential pursuers.
The owner of the inn smiled before doing some breathing exercises. She was prepared to bullshit more than she has ever bullshitted before when the knights came around to question her.
Analyzing…
Corruption Series progress: 2/7
Purity Series progress :3/7
Status: Pure