AUTHOR'S NOTE: I procrastinated and watched way too much Haikyu these past few days. Enjoy!
CHAPTER 6
As the sun rose, dawn was on them all too soon. The party continued towards Carne, planning to get there by the afternoon. They stayed in yesterday's formation, Nfirea would gather herbs and materials, while the others would guard him and hunt any monsters that came too close. Every time Ninya and Icarus made eye contact, she would blush and glance elsewhere. This didn't go unnoticed by Icarus and with a sigh, he eventually went over to Ninya, who was currently looking away. When she looked back, Icarus was right next to her.
"Why do you keep looking at me?" he whispered.
"U-Um, you're the first person other then my family to have seen me naked. Even the others don't know that I'm a girl."
"Why haven't you told them yet, are they untrustworthy?"
"No, it's just that I'm afraid they will be mad at me for keeping secrets from them..."
"I understand, but I think that they would rather have you tell them then for them to find out on their own."
After the conversation, Ninya no longer stole glances at Icarus, and she simply walked by the wagon, lost in thought. The sun was high up in the sky when Carne came into their vision.
"That's strange, there wasn't a wall last time?" Nfirea exclaimed.
A sturdy wooden palisade was surrounding Carne, the trail lead up to a gate, and several figures could be seen patrolling. As they got closer, the squat statures, green skin, and the features all told them that they were goblins. Before anyone could ask any questions, they saw a girl with braided blond hair ran up to the gate.
"Nfirea?" she called out.
"Enri, are you okay, Do you need help? What are these goblins, they look far stronger then normal ones."
"I'm fine, these are summons from an item I got from a mysterious savior a few days ago."
"Aren't those the goblin summons from the [Horn of the Goblin General]? That item was only used by low level players to buy them some time for their spells. But then again, this world is quite weak, so they probably have few natural opponents among other goblins."
"Hey guys, since there's no issue here, why don't Enri and Nfirea go into Carne together to stock up on some supplies while we go venture into the forest? We could clear any surprises and hunt extra monsters along the way, its a win-win for everyone." Icarus proposed.
Sounds of agreement were heard from everyone around, and Icarus didn't miss the blush that came onto Nfirea's face when he had proposed the two of them go into the village. They hurriedly walked thorough the village and exited towards the forest. Enri and Nfirea had left with the wagon, and it was just the adventurers left. There was a path up a slight hill overlooking Carne, and Icarus chose that one.
"How about you guys go in from here, and we'll go up the hill trail?"
"Sure, let's meet back here in about one hour, does that sound good?"
Everyone split up and hurriedly went their separate directions. Within Carne, they were inside a warehouse storing supplies, Enri and Nfirea worked together to load supplies onto the cart.
"U-Umm...So, Enri, who was that mysterious savior you were talking about? What did they save you from?" Nfirea was curious as to what had happened to her.
"I-It was just a normal day, and when I was heading back, I heard screams and loud noises. The scent of blood was in the air, but there was s-so much... and the fires and the screaming...my dad died fighting a knight to buy us time. I grabbed Nemu and ran, but knights caught up. I-I got slashed, and it hurt so bad...I thought I was dead, but then a man came and killed the two knights, I think he was a magic caster."
"Really?! What's his name?! what did he look like?!" Nfirea spewed questions like a volcano. Enri gently smiled, Nfirea was always like this, he was smart and talented, but he wasn't physically strong. As a child he had always loved the tales about heroes, people who could use powerful spells or swing around massive swords with ease. He looked up to them, he wanted to be able to fight with his body, to protect those he loved, that was what she loved about him. She continued her story, as she also knew that he would keep pestering her if she didn't spill the beans.
"He had silvery hair and piercing blue eyes. He wore these cool flowing robes, black and gold. He gave me a red potion, which healed my wound ,and two horns which I used to summon all those goblins you saw earlier."
"Silver hair, he sounds like a description of an angel. Wait, black robes, no, an angel wouldn't wear black robes. Oh, so she was healed with a red potion...wait a second! Red potion? Magic caster? No way...Light?!"
"Enri, I need you to come with me right now, I think I know who you're talking about!" he grabbed her wrist and ran, leaving the boxes behind, completely forgotten.
"Eh, He's here? Where is he?" Enri asked, but no answer was given.
Discussions about Icarus were also going on at the same time, in two other places, in Nazarick, and the Slane Theocracy.
...Kami Miyako...
Kami Miyako was the capital city of the Slane Theocracy. Located near the south of their territory, it was very secure, as it had never been attacked. The Slane Theocracy was one of the strongest nations, but their views and ideologies made them separate from other nations, To explain better, if the nations were each a member on a sports team, the Theocracy were effectively the ace with a terrible personality. Within a massive cathedral, six adorned chairs, and a single elegant throne surrounded a round table. Each had a single person in it, but no one spoke, and the silence became all-encompassing.
"I-Is it true?"
"The Sunlight Scripture was decimated? A single person annihilated an entire Scripture?"
"Didn't they have a sealing crystal with a seventh tier spell? Does that mean the person is capable of eighth tier magic?"
"No, Thousand Leagues Astrologer view was blocked, but before it ended, she remembered what happened. She is saying that it was mostly likely a powerful artifact or item."
"How did she lose connection?"
"She said that after destroying Dominion Authority, the humanoid figure walked closer and then her view was blocked, like a door was slammed shut on her."
"Could she have been detected? Maybe they were working with a partner that had snuck up on her and used an item?"
"I'm not sure, we don't have enough information, but they're definitely strong. There are only two options, a God-Kin, or a monster king. If another God-Kin has been discovered, we must bring them over to our side at all costs. I would understand why he would attack, if I had great power, and a bunch of soldiers starting surrounding me with summons, I would attack too. But, if they're a monster, we will need to prepare for its attack. If necessary, we will bring 'her' out. She is our strongest soldier and one of our last resorts."
"Yes, indeed...let us pray to the Six that it's just an angry God-Kin..."
"Either way, we are in the dark, let us get some light. Call the Black Scripture back from the Holy Roble Kingdom, send everyone except for 'her' to investigate."
"Understood, and by the way , Yvon, you need to find more members to fill in the losses, your Scripture is all but gone."
Chuckles were heard, and everyone left the meeting, after all, running a nation was a busy job.
...Nazarick...
ON the 9th Floor, Demiurge marched to Icarus's chamber, he remember the plans they went over.
"Albedo is in charge of administrating Nazarick, Sebas is heading to the Re-Estize Kingdom to make connections, Shalltear was assigned to infiltrate the Slane Theocracy, Solution was given the Baharuth Empire and several Hanzo units have been deployed to spy on the top of major nations further away. I wonder if I could ever be as cunning as Lord Icarus, I could never go out into the field and gather information. I wish I could be of use, but there must be a reason why I'm sitting here, I just can't fathom it as I am right now."
Albedo had started using the residence of Icarus as her own. Demiurge felt a twitch of displeasure as he felt that living with a Supreme Being was insulting, it was like saying that they were equals. But Icarus had agreed, as he wouldn't be back for several days, and Albedo secretly told Demiurge it was so she could get closer to Lord Icarus. It was all in order to make a heir for Nazarick. As he entered the bedroom of the Supreme Being, under the bed sheets on a massive canopy bed he saw a squirming lump wriggling around. He stayed, and eventually the lump noticed his presence and a horned head, with long flowing black hair popped out. It was a naked Albedo, face red and panting heavily. Her collarbone and shoulders were visible, and only a thin sheet, loosely grasped by one hand, hide her perfect body from Demiurge's gaze.
"Albedo, don't you have tasks that you need to do?"
"D-Demiurge, this is very important." Albedo was out of breath, and it clearly showed from her heavy exhales, and rosy cheeks.
"Rolling around in Lord Icarus's bed is important?" he questioned in amusement.
"Yes, I'm putting my scent on Lord Icarus's bed, so he may be reminded of me, and I'm also getting a lead on that flat-chested vampire bitch. If I recall correctly, among the 41, Lord Peroronchino was the most knowledgeable about these types of things. He would constantly talk about '18' or 'eroge', and these terms would leave the other Supreme Beings speechless."
"Ah yes, she's right. I don't understand these sayings, but they must have profound meanings, to think that just a simple expression could have such complex meanings and leave such a profound impact on others."
"Well, don't stay too long, I'll be going, we have a lot to do, in order to give Lord Icarus the world."
Seeing Demiurge leave, Albedo dived back into the sheets.
...Carne...
"I need time, and I don't have any. I'm supposed to be a strong adventurer, should I subjugate this legendary beast? I doubt the beast would be useful, but wouldn't that be good for my reputation. Hmm, yes."
"Nabe, let's go subjugate this Wise King of the Forest. I heard that it was in the center. I'll go find it, you need to make sure that the Swords of Darkness don't find us."
"Yes, Sir Light, I'll be going now."
"Still being formal..."
They split up, and Nabe cast [Invisibility, and soon detected the Swords of Darkness. Whenever they would start straying towards the center, she would make distractions and lead them away. Charging towards the center, Icarus saw a big blur approaching him. He jumped out the way and the blur crashed into the ground kicking up dirt. Hearing this, the Swords of Darkness started cautiously approaching towards the direction of the disturbance. Narberal hurriedly messaged Icarus.
"Lord Icarus, they heard that. They're coming toward your location. They'll be there in under five minutes!"
Nabe panicked, as her failure was going to disturb the plan, but Icarus calmly assured her and told her to come to him.
"Shit, that stupid oversized furball! I can't let them see me like this, I'll have to finish this quickly."
As he looked closer, he saw it was a massive hamster, with a long scaly tail. A squeaky voice rang out.
"I am the Wise King of the Forest! Prepare to die!"
Hearing this, Icarus's eye started twitching again. He didn't know how strong it was, if he went too far, he might kill it. But it didn't give him time to think as it shot at him. But he simply sidestepped it, and he heard a sickening crunch, and turned just in time to see a tree fall.
"A strong trespasser you are! Enjoy this fight, I will!"
With little time left, he simply released his strength. The massive hamster's furious face, morphed into one of fear. The shiny figure that had trespassed on its territory, it was overwhelming him just by standing there. It wanted to run but it couldn't. A beast at heart, in the face of a higher power, their instincts were to either flee or bow.
"...P-Please, spare me! I'm sorry..."
"I need reputation, great achievements and merit build reputation."
"If you will join me, I'll spare you."
"V-Very well, Accompany you, I will."
"And they're back to normal..."
"Hurry up, we have to be somewhere soon."
The strange duo weaved through the greenery, with Nabe hidden and following. As he returned to the strength of a fourth tier magic caster, he started the questioning.
"By the way, why are you here, are there others of your species or are you alone?"
"Looking for a strong male mate, I have. Alone, I am."
"Oh, so the Wise King of the Forest is just a lonely girl- wait a second, wait a DAMN second!"
"Um, are you a male or female?"
"I am a female."
"...You realize females are queens, not kings, right? How did you even get that name in the first place?"
"I saw a group of trespassers, fought them, I did. Gave me the name, the last one did."
"...You need a new name..."
As their conversation ended, the trio exited the forest. Nabe had canceled her spell, and stood next to him. This was a trio you didn't see everyday.
It was like it was timed, the way he heard heavy footsteps coming towards him, and he turned, noticing two rapidly approaching figures.
"A-Are you Icarus, the savior of Carne?" questioned Nfirea, out of breath.
"Eh? H-How did they figure it out? Let me ask them...but I can't sound like I was surprised."
"Heh, how did you figure it out?"
"It was mostly just a guess, but it was the red potions. Enri said the helper gave one to her, and you also gave one to the woman a few days ago. I've never seen them before, and my grandpa treats them as if they were mythical objects, so they're not exactly your common pebble."
"So that's how they figured it out? I guess that can't be helped. Never thought that they would make that connection with only two potions."
"I had originally only hired you to figure out where you had gotten those potions from, I'm sorry about that.
"T-That last part wasn't necessary..."
"But, thank you! Thank you for saving this village, and the girl I like!"
As he said this, he realized his mistake, as the girl he liked as right there next to him.
"A-Ah...no Enri, I...It slipped out..."
Enri stared at the blushing youth. She had felt the same way, but she never knew how to express it to him. Due to Nfirea's talents and ability, he would definitely be an important person in the future, she was just some girl in a shoddy little village. She had treasured the times where they had talked and laughed, the simple times. After her parents had died, she realized just how easily life could be taken away. They had never hurt anyone, but others had came and slaughtered them, for reasons still unknown to them.
"Nfirea, I really like you too...but I'm scared, life is so easily snuffed out. I-I don't know if I can stay with you, I might just die and leave you all alone, like my parents."
She didn't blame her parents, noone did, but it was the truth. They had died, leaving her and her sister without parents, she didn't want that possibility to happen to Nfirea. But she wanted to be with him, to have conversations under the night sky, to blush together, she wanted him so badly.
"Fuck, she's sad. No Icarus, it doesn't matter, she doesn't matter...FUCK! I can't stand seeing her sad. Is it her parents, could I resurrect them, I could. I'm getting information, yeah, I'm getting information...it's not because I care about them..."
"Enri, follow me. Nabe and Wise King, stay here."
Without another word Icarus started slowly heading towards Carne, Enri and Nfirea following.
"Icarus-"
"As far as anyone is concerned, I'm still Light, the traveling adventurer."
"U-Understood. Was that really the legendary Wise King of the Forest? Where are we heading towards, anyway, weren't we supposed to meet with up with the others soon."
"This will be quick, where did you bury the dead?"
"Um, the graveyard for the victims of the slaughter is over there, back near the front of the village." murmured Enri, pointing near the gate.
"Go gather everyone, every last one of them."
As the lovebirds went off together to gather the people, Icarus continued on, and he wondered why he had never noticed as they had entered. The village had lost nearly half of their people. As he got closer, he discovered that the term 'graveyard', was putting it nicely. In a small open field, there were dozens of areas with fresh soil present. Then he realized why he had missed it, there were no headstones, no identifications. The only marks were small rocks, where the headstones were supposed to be. Some pits had the occasional small trinket or flowers decorating their stone.
"BASTARDS! Oh...heh, Slane Theocracy...Count your days, I'm coming for you all."
The villagers were curious as to why Enri and Nfirea were frantically herding them towards the graveyard. As they came closer, they saw the armored adventurer standing there. As the villagers approached, he gave them a single question.
"...If I return them to you, will you tell anyone?"
Everyone stopped in shock, as if the question was an iron wall. Nobody could believe their ears.
"...Um, ye-yes we won't tell anyone else..."
"Do you promise?!" he insisted with force.
"Y-Yes! We promise!"
"Very well...I'm not sure if this will work, but take them out of their graves..."
They snapped out of their daze as they now had a task to complete. They used their bare hands and shovels to retrieve the corpses. They completed the tasks quickly, as the graves were shallow.
"They don't have any headstones or coffins, they don't even have a single FUCKING thing to let their souls rest! They're literally just acting as fertilizer!"
Seeing that everyone had taken out the cadavers of their relatives or neighbors. After excavating them, the residents slowly stepped back, a few meters behind Icarus. He decided to proceed, against all logic.
"This is stupid...why am I resurrecting them? There's no benefit, this will most likely leak, and the plans will be ruined by unnecessary attention. So why, why, WHY the hell am I saving these people?! Do I feel bad...I can't sit back and do nothing. They didn't deserve to die. I can't accept that, I won't!"
"[Mass Resurrection]"
As soon as that was uttered, the lifeless bodies started to move, and with a collective gasp, life returned to them. The formerly dead screamed, as the last thing they had remembered was pain, then nothing else. The people of Carne just stood there, unmoving. While not impossible, resurrection was an exorbitant task, that could only be used by, and on, the most valuable and important people. It simply wasn't meant for saving measly little peasants, and in such numbers. Enri was the first one to run, and she ran wildly, almost stumbling, towards her father and mother, who were staring at Enri in mute shock. They had died, they knew that much, so why was their daughter here? Why were all these people just staring at them?
"Enri?"
Hearing her parents say that, was the straw that broke the camel's back. The residents ran over, screaming in anguish. Tears of joy streamed down in an unrelenting torrent from their eyes. They slammed into their kin, and wrapped them in an unmovable embrace, afraid of losing them again. Seeing this, Icarus smiled under his helmet. As he turn to leave, he felt a hand wrap clasp his gauntlet. It was Nfirea, who was shaking.
"Why?"
Everyone looked back at their new savior. He remembered his first days of YGGDRASIL, he was hanged up on and about to be killed, until an armored white knight had saved him. Touch Me, a World Champion and the reason why Icarus had still played the game. As Icarus saw the people of Carne, he thought that if YGGDRASIL had facial features, he would have probably looked at Touch Me like they were looking at him right now.
"Noblesse oblige, it's a saying." he repeated the words of his old guild mate.
"Where did you hear that from?"
"It originated from a land called France. It says that those who are more privileged than others should treat the less privileged with respect and generosity."
Without another word, Icarus left to rendezvous with the Swords of Darkness. Nfirea was taken by surprise, but quickly ran and caught up to him. After they met up, the Swords of Darkness were shocked at Icarus feat of subduing the Wise King. The sun slowly sunk into the horizon, paint the sky canvas a bright orange as they headed back for E-Rantel. Within the village, the villagers finished their reunion, and the village elder hurriedly questioned Enri.
"Who was that?!"
Enri knew that she shouldn't tell, but she decided to tell them, as she couldn't believe it either.
"That was Icarus. Our savior from a few days ago."
The villagers fell silent as they digested this information. She hurriedly reminded them of their confidentiality agreement, which they all assured her that they would stay quiet about. On the trail, Icarus thought:
"I don't care, I'll charge forward without fear. I'll do whatever it takes, even if I go to hell, if there is one. If I can protect those that I care about, I'll even fall into hell with a smile on my face!"
XXX
Currently Known Equipment and Abilities:
EQUIPMENT
-[Holy Set] (Legendary Class Armor Set) (Archangel)
-[Judicus] (Divine Class) (Archangel)
ITEMS
[All Seeing Eye] (Relic Class Item) (see all 6th tier or lower traps/read all written languages)
SPELLS
-[Cruel Contortion] (4th tier)
-[Implosion] (8th tier)
-[Mass Resurrection] (10th tier)
AUTHOR'S NOTE: What are the members of Nazarick going to do within the three surrounding nations? I hated how the people of Carne died, so they're now all alive. 08/02/20
-ASAI