Well, I got a lot done yesterday! Before I was winging it, but now? I'll be winging it in STYLE~
I'll have more of an idea of what I'm doing from here on in.
To you Icysnowsage, thank you. You've helped me get a lot of my thoughts in order. I hope for your continued support of this story, as well as all of you.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Alright, enough of this sap! ONWARDS!
Naofumi Iwatani awoke once more to a world bathed in light, yet there had been many a difference. For one, the dark and earthen wood surrounding him did well to defend against the light of the world, there was no pale lady in white… and next to him had been a woman cast in shadows her blouse opened to reveal her chest.
"Raphtalia!" He shouted as he rose quickly, disturbing the woman next to him, "I should have known… I need to get out of here and find-"
"Master?" The woman next to him called out as she took his arm. The contact caused him to flinch in fear as he was pulled back down, "Master are you all right?"
"Wh-who… who are you…" He asked as his eyes widened and teared up, "She said she'd be here… she said Raphtalia would be here…"
Feeling hurt, Raphtalia reached out only for her master to gasp and back away further from her, his tears threatening to flow, "No! Don't touch me… women are…" Before he knew it however, Raphtalia had his head wrapped in her arms, a hand running through his hair before she pulled away.
"Can you only believe a slave who cannot disobey you?" She asked as she took his hand and placed it upon her bare chest, "You are my master, remember?"
"No… this is a trick…" Naofumi gasped out as he struggled against his emotions.
"Please calm your fear…" To Naofumi, the woman before him had changed into a child… the child he purchased so long ago. The world around him had filled with light once more as she neared him, "Even if the world turns their back on you… I will always be here with you…" The child tackled into him, pinning him to the bed as she declared, "I will never abandon you!"
The now smiling child had quickly disappeared, in her place, a woman with raccoon ears and dressed similarly to the girl he knew to be Raphtalia. To Naofumi, this couldn't have been the case… could it?
"I believe in you, Master Naofumi~"
Despite her sweet words, Naofumi couldn't help but back away again, "Whoa whoa whoa! Wait! I don't even know who you are!"
Pouting, the woman tackled into him again, "It's me! Raphtalia!"
"No way, no way! Raphtalia's just a kid! You… you're…" Despite his protests, he couldn't help but smile softly as hope filled his heart, the woman from his dream appearing next to the Demi-human and smiling down at him softly, "Raphtalia?" He asked quietly as he reached out, the Demi-human before him taking his hand and placing it upon her chest.
"Master Naofumi…" She replied happily as she took him in warm embrace along with the pale lady.
For a brief and subtle moment, Noafumi felt a grand calm, the woman from his dream now in the corner of his eye as she smiled at him.
Naofumi only held the woman in his arms tighter, the world through his eyes bathed in gold, "Thank you…"
Meanwhile…
"LORD ITSUKI! WHAT FOOLISH THING ARE YOU SAYING!?" The armored giant of the Bow Hero party shouted, voicing the rest of the party's complaints.
"It's just like you heard, Mald. I'm disbanding the party," Itsuki replied, much to the outrage of his band of fighters, "Don't take this the wrong way, I'm not making this decision lightly."
"Sounds like you are," One of the group's spellcasters argued, "Sounds like you're pushing us away because your ego won't let you see past a few lost lives."
Itsuki only sighed, already having unlisted everyone from his party… save for one. A separate screen showed the location of this party member as well as her information, 'Ryshia, just wait out by that blacksmith a little longer…'
"You're all free to join any of the other heroes-" Jeers and outrage were his only reply to this as he continued, "Or you can join the Castle Guard. As Mald can tell you, just having participated in the waves next to a Cardinal Hero guarantees you a high position within their ranks."
"Is this really the best decision?" A sword hand asked, their question echoed by all those present… unfortunately their call had fallen on deaf ears as Itsuki calmly made his exit…
Also Meanwhile…
"Hey! Has anyone seen Rino!?" Motoyasu called out as he began his headcount for his party, the many women present staying absolutely quiet, "Oh come on, Rino! Riiino~ Short, skinny as a twig, wears a robe with a bunny tail and a hat with bunny ears? Rino!"
"I think she went with Princess Malty earlier, Lord Motoyasu!" A rather plucky maiden replied as she raised her hand up only to flinch as a woman next to her elbowed her ribs.
"Mein? What would Mein want with Rino?" Motoyasu asked himself rather audibly, the other girls now shifting about awkwardly, "Hm… I hope it's nothing too serious. Her fake bunny get up really brings out that much needed flair to the team..."
"Fake?" Another of the girls asked as the party looked at their Spear Hero as if he had grown a second head.
"Anyway, Mein said we should get ready to leave soon so I'm sure they'll turn up eventually!" He said as he struck a heroic pose, his knuckles resting on his hips as he winced and gasped from the aches and pains he still carried...
Even More so Meanwhile...
The child, Wyndia, was quite spirited. She spoke of the day Gaelion had taken her under his wing, she spoke of how he welcomed her to his home… but mostly,
"Do you like monsters too? I think monsters are really great!"
Mostly, she spoke of monsters.
"Do you have a favorite breed?" She asked excitedly, "I've never seen a slime yet, but they looked really cute in the book Papa... brought... me…"
"Gaelion," I stated calmly as she nodded with such great sadness written plainly upon her darkening face. It was in these moments that River would fly from her perch within my crown and land atop Wyndia's head in an attempt to console the girl. She would smile, but her sadness never truly faded even as she held River close.
"You… killed Papa, didn't you," Wyndia had said more than asked.
"Gaelion yet lives, his mind holding tightly to the memories left behind by his heart," I replied calmly.
"Do you… talk to him?" The beast child asked timidly.
"Our minds are connected by an unbreakable bond, should I so wish, I may summon him at my leisure."
She gasped and turned to look at me excitedly, "You can call Papa!?"
I had nodded, but it would be foolish to summon Gaelion now that we were finally within Melromarc castle town. The gatekeepers held frustrations for my impromptu exit, but allowed us passage regardless.
Wyndia had cowered under their gaze, hiding even as we passed by the many people of the town.
"Do you fear these humans?" I had asked as we neared Bargram's tavern, her response came in the form of her face rubbing against my breast as she nodded, "Keep your head down then, we will be meeting with my party in the tavern one of them owns."
She did as asked, even as I opened the door to the rowdiness within. As I entered, I had spied partner mine devouring a mass of meat, the Shell Bearer on her right with Raphtalia.
Master? You've returned with a child? She had stopped eating immediately as she caught my presence and quickly looked to me and Wyndia. Wyndia. Gaelion. This child was under the dragon's care. It matters not, all that matters is that we ensure the child's safety.
As I neared, Naofumi had seemed to say something to Fera only to be reminded of her lack of voice… that was until he spied me. Hardened eyes locked onto my own, yet there was a darkness missing from his gaze. Raphtalia had taken his hand in her own as she smiled at him, the Shell Bearer returning the smile softly before his eyes returned to me once more.
"Naofumi. May we speak?" I asked as the room became quiet.
"Somewhere private, or is this fine?" He asked carefully.
"I would not wish to disturb the debauchery of Bargram's patrons," I replied easily.
"Room's still yours, laddies," Bargram stated as he walked up to us, an apron round his waist and a chef's hat upon his head, "Call it a thank you for the Wave."
"Thank you Bargram," The giant only nodded as he smiled.
We had privacy sufficient, only our two parties present along with Wyndia.
"Alright, Hollow, I'm listening…" Noafumi said coolly as he sat upon the bed, Raphtalia at his side.
"Is everyone gone now?" Wyndia had asked as she peeked over her shoulder, flinching under Naofumi's gaze, but lightening up when she took note of Fera and Raphtalia.
"She's a Demi-human…" Raphtalia gasped out.
"Ah, I see," Naofumi spoke up as he closed his eyes and crossed his arms, "You're planning on binding another Demi-human and you don't want the royalty to know."
"In actuality, I wished to ask for you to care for her," My words had shocked those present, Wyndia and Naofumi the most.
"Woah, hey!" Naofumi shouted, "Do I look like a daycare to you!?"
"Mister Hollow! I don't want to go with the scary man! I want to stay with you and Papa!" Wyndia cried as she hugged me tightly.
"Papa?" The Shell Bearer and his Vassal asked in tandem.
"Her father, Gaelion. He is a dragon I have subjugated," I replied much to their shock.
Master, I agree with Naofumi. He can not care for another as he is and if I am reading your memories correctly, Gaelion has entrusted Wyndia to you.
"Look," Naofumi sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose, "I'll gladly show you where you can get her Slave Seal painted, I was going there anyway."
"S-slave Seal!?" Wyndia shouted in fright, Fera pointing to the crest upon her armor.
"It is what shall allow you to commune with your father's mind," I replied, easing the girl's fear.
"O-oh… c-can the lady talk with Papa too?" Wyndia asked as Fera gave a nod, "What's he say?"
Fera blinked in surprise before closing her eyes in focus. Opening them, she attempted to speak only to sigh as her words failed to form. Instead, she pointed at Wyndia before placing her hands on her chest and then forming a cradle as she rocked her arms back and forth.
Wyndia only teared up, River floating down into her hold once more.
"Woah, weird bird," Naofumi commented.
"Lead, Naofumi. There is much to be done."
Noafumi had led us to a seemingly abandoned alleyway, the shadows along the walls appearing to devour the light that fell within.
"Alright, should be a little-"
"WAIT!"
Fera, Raphtalia and Noafumi quickly turned around with weapons drawn. Behind us had been the Arc Bearer, weapon holstered. On his left had been a young woman in simple armor, the girl had flinched at our group's action and started to shiver in fright.
"Itsuki!" Naofumi shouted as he took a step forward.
"Naofumi…" The child before us replied softly, unsure of himself and his actions, "I'm not here to fight any of you or to take your slaves."
"Mind hurrying it up?" Noafumi asked, "Neither of us know how long the next wave is and we really shouldn't be wasting time with you."
"I need to buy a slave…" Itsuki said weakly, looking away in shame.
"Could… could you repeat that?" Naofumi asked in shock as our group withdrew their arms.
This may still be a trap, but I am willing to hear his words. Of course, Fera.
Our group continued forth, Itsuki explaining his reasonings as well as bringing certain rumors to light for us.
"Could any Slave Owner raise an empowered Demi-human? Is it exclusive only to Demi-humans? Or is it because we're heroes?" The child asked quizzically. "Don't get me wrong, I really don't like the thought of owning a slave, but if the rumors are true about how poorly they're treated…"
"I think it's noble that you're willing to take at least one Demi-human into your care," Raphtalia said with a smile, "I would have died in my cage from illness had it not been for Master Naofumi."
"Really?" Itsuki asked in shock, "That just makes things more complicated then they already are."
"Lord Itsuki?" The woman at his side spoke up worriedly.
"Oh, right! Everyone, this is Ryshia. She's girl I saved from a corrupt noble…" His bright eyes dimmed a little as he dropped his gaze in shame, "Not much of a rescue… not when I started treating her like a pack mule."
"Oh no! No no no!" Ryshia shouted as she started to wave her arms dismissively, "I needed the training, and it made me really happy to be of use to the party!"
"Hah, sounds like you already had a slave to begin with!" Naofumi taunted, "Don't tell me, she already has a slave seal on her, right?"
"Master Naofumi!" Raphtalia shouted chastisingly only to settle as Naofumi gave her a kind-hearted smile, "I understand the other heroes hurt you, but please don't make such jokes."
"Mister Hollow, your friends are weird," Wyndia mumbled, her head hiding underneath my cloak.
"Are you hiding a child?" Itsuki asked, appalled and shocked.
"Wyndia does not like humans," I replied, Itsuki humming in discontent.
It was not long until our group had come upon a massive circus tent, a small and rotund man in noble's clothing standing before the tent as if waiting for our arrival.
"Right on time it seems," He said with a smile, "Please, come right in everyone..."