Chapter 5: The Strongest Man, The Half-Fiend and the Strongest Village Part 1

Foreword: Thank you to sanchez. for the review. Much blush much wow, they are also the 10/10 best at communicating their feelings, subtlety is an art they are so great at, they need never employ! Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy whatever happens next!

Story Start: Finally after what seemed like a very long trip, Adlet said to Fremy, "we should be arriving at the village in just a few minutes!'

Fremy felt she had to ask, "Adlet. Tell me about the people of note you mentioned."

Adlet thought for a moment, then said, "first there is Yazzan, the guards around this place always seem to be of the scummier variety yet Yazzan is their captain and quite reliable normally if they cause trouble he is not far behind to whip em back in line. Next is old man Gariss, he owns the tavern around here, he is a rough individual who reminds me a bit of my master except if he was too busy kicking the rears of those who made trouble in his tavern. Rumor has it that Gariss actually ran with master killing fiends some fifty years back. Regardless Gariss is brash but once he takes a shine to you ya should be fine and life around here will be easier. Finally we have Garren and Manuela Finscale, they own the local clothing store. We will probably have to make a stop there later. If we are lucky we will get there when Garren is in and Manuela is out!"

Fremy felt compelled to ask, "why do you not want to run into Manuela?"

Adlet replied, "well...Garren is just a great man all around and Manuela is a good woman. She is just very energetic and is more than I normally wish to deal with."

Fremy looked at Adlet and said, "so you just can't deal with very energetic people, says the super energetic strongest man in the world, I bet you just can't deal with her because she is a woman."

Adlet denied this, "I am not bad with women!"

Fremy replied by moving her face very close to Adlet's face. Adlet immediately retreated backward and blushed from the proximity causing Fremy to put on a slight grin and say, "bad with girls."

Adlet sighed and the pair approached the village. The village was really closer to a town in size, it had yet to be renamed as such. Two guards stood outside the village with three more a ways back playing cards under the shade.

One of the guards, a larger man who tried to give off an air as if he was better than everyone around him, said, "halt! What do we have here, if it isn't Adlet Mayer the self proclaimed strongest man in the world. What are you doing back here ya runt, I thought ya ran off to go get killed, hehehe, I am hilarious."

Fremy tried too late to hide her pink eye and the other guard who was shorter with a thin nose and a shrill voice said, "hey look at this, we got ourselves a freak, the runt just happened to drag in more trash kekekeke."

At this point the larger guard shouted and the other three guards came over to join in on what was going down. Each throwing various insults at the pair of braves. "You somehow get a girl and she is broken." "You might want to get a different prostitute Adlet, I know some people don't think thighs are an important quality but I sure think legs are, ahhahahaha." "I heard you were supposed to kill monsters not make out with em!"

Fremy watched, trying her best to control her temper. Fremy watched as Adlet smiled and said "Would you horrib-I mean kind gentlemen mind letting us through so we may go about our business in the village?" Fremy could see that while Adlet seemed to be holding himself back fairly well, his now white knuckled grip on the reins betrayed the smile he projected.

One of the guards replied back, "ohh sure Adlet, we just need ya to leave your girly monster next to you with us. That way we can...inspect her thoroughly, to make sure she won't do anything wrong to the town." The man gave a cruel smile that made no effort to hide what he planned to do.

Adlet could have tried to use the brave crests they still bore as a way to show Fremy was no threat but all desire to reason with these men had faded. Adlet was sure they mostly did this to try and get at him since he and the guards had always clashed. Yet none of that matter, at this point, Adlet couldn't see any reason to let these men live and moved his hands to his pockets to make that happen.

However, before Adlet did anything a loud voice from inside the village and rushing out to meet him shouted, "hold up Adlet!" A older man in his early seventies possibly eighties wearing the attire of a guard much like the basic armor the other guards were wearing. However this man's armor was a deal finer, it seemed to be the armor worn more by a veteren, well worn but well designed for the user and very cofrotamble whereas the other guards seemed just to wear their armor like uncomfortable jackets or vests; he had the face of someone who was perpetually tired. The man ran up to Adlet and said "sorry I was busy running errands for the leader of the village but luckily I was nearby otherwise it seems you would have killed all my men."

The guards looked at the man and the shrill guard said to him, "Captain Yazzan, we could have dealt with this brat!"

Captain Yazzan gave him a harsh look which stopped him from saying anything else. Yazzan said, "none of you could have dealt with him even if you had an actual reason to fight him. Adlet is one of the braves who somehow managed to seduce another brave and furthermore is the only successful student of Atro Spiker, anyone who can deal with learning that mans techniques has my respect and fear." Yazzan turned to Adlet and said, "I sincerely apologise for this, allow me to set my men straight." Yazzan then turned back to his men and said, "what are you idiots doing! Just the other day the leader explained that Atro Spiker himself sent a letter for a certain individual to not receive any harassment and yet what do you guys do? You brilliant men think it would be fun to harass the very person you were told not to by a legend among legends that lives only a few hours from here and has no problem coming down here to slaughter some stupid guards who can't even follow simple orders!" Yazzan started shouting orders, "you two stay at your posts, you three jokers who think they can play cards on duty can go to every other guard in the village and explain Ms. Speeddraw's arrival and tell them that if anyone gives her or Adlet Mayer any amount of trouble then I will personally break their legs and drag them up that mountain so Atro Spiker himself can use you to test various horrible weapons."

Adlet having calmed down since Yazzan's arrival, added, "ahh, I always wondered why I heard so many screams of pain and terror in the middle of the night?"

The guards quickly ushered Adlet and Fremy inside and ran off to find the other guards, their faces pale with terror.

Yazzan led Adlet and Fremy into the village walking beside their wagon and talking, "I apologize again for my men's actions, they won't dare mess with you again, I will make sure of that." The older captain's smile conveyed a sense of danger that even made Fremy shiver for a moment.

Fremy asked a question, "Sir, why do you keep men like them around?"

Yazzan sighed and responded, "I tried, more than once, must be my bad luck but each time I just ended up getting worse men, I have just decided to do the best with what I got. Those guys aren't the best but they have shaped up over the years and rarely act like thugs except when they interact with someone they really don't like." Yazzan gave an eye at Adlet and continued talking, "also you don't have to be so formal Ms. Speeddraw, anyone who saves the world is someone I would wish to call my friend, plus…" Yazzan motioned for Fremy to come close and he whispered in her ear, "Adlet has had a miserable life, he deserves someone to make him happy, I hope you do well!"

Fremy pulled away with a slight blush which caused Adlet to tilt his head in confusion, while Yazzan just gave a hearty laugh.

Yazzan said to Adlet, "when you have free time I will buy ya a drink and ya can tell me about how you saved the world."

Adlet said to Yazzan, "I don't drink, dulls the mind"

Yazzan was not particularly impressed with this mentality, "are you saying the strongest man cant hold his liquor?"

Fremy looked at Adlet, crossed her arms and said, "you aren't allowed to be an alcoholic, I won't allow it, absolutely not!"

Adlet smiled and said, "you heard her Yazzan, my hands are tied!" Adlet laughed which caused Yazzan to laugh as well.:

After some time Adlet said, "we have some shopping to do so we will split off from here, thanks for the help Yazzan!"

Yazzan began to take his leave with an exaggerated bow, "I hope you take some time to swap some stories with an old man, until then, Adlet, …" Fremy interrupted him and said, "Fremy, just call me Fremy." Which caused the old captain's smile to widen more than was thought possible as he took his leave.

Adlet looked at the shy looking Fremy and said, "guess you liked the old man huh?"

Fremy changed the subject, "so where are we going first?"

Adlet laughed and said, "okay I will drop it, anyway first we have to pick up supplies for my next project. We need to go to a clothes store and get some more clothing. I don't know about you but I think wearing the same clothes for over three months is my limit. We also need to get some more groceries. After that I need to send a letter and then barring anything you might want to do, that is all."

Fremy looked around and then pressed herself up to Adlet and said, "I don't think I will have a reason to stay long." Fremy had noticed the many looks they were getting as they passed, no one had yet gone out of their way to insult them or make open acts of repulsion but Fremy recognised many of their looks as to mean, "what is a freak like her doing here?" Fremy had seen that look before when she had to go into a town to acquire her head covering after she was betrayed by the fiends. While the look was not shared by everyone it put Fremy on edge, she knew this would happen.

Adlet too had noticed these looks the moment they had entered the village and had also noticed that while most, not all of the faces were pointed straight at Fremy, he still wasn't the most liked even after saving the world. Adlet gave his normal smile and told Fremy, "ignore them, they are either too afraid of what they don't know, or too foolish to change their mind that not everything the fiends make is evil."

The pair went around the market acquiring various metals and materials, they then went around and gathered the various groceries they needed. Those they interacted with looked at Fremy normally with some worried glances or straight up fear but Fremy stayed silent which allowed for Adlet to distract them from her presence and get the shopping done. Fremy felt like she was just a burden but Adlet kept asking for her opinion on which vegetable looked best or what smelled best and other small things like that. She was thankful Adlet was kind enough to try and make her useful even when all she was doing was causing trouble with her presence.

After they finished up their shopping they arrived at an establishment that's sign read, "Lovely Clothes". Adlet always thought the name was a bit on the nose but it fit the owners so he got over it.

Adlet wheeled Fremy into the store where a person stood behind a counter at the back wall of the store. The interior of the store was lined with shelves and displays of various clothes for all ages and styles with a set of stairs leading up to what would be the Finscale's home. A chime rang as the pair opened the door and the women behind the encounter said, "welcome to Lovely Clothes, what beautiful clothes can I get for you to-day…" The person's speech stopped as she got a good look at the pair in the doorway. The person at the counter was a women in her late thirties, she had blond hair and blue eyes and wore well designed and fashionable clothing, she gave off the aura of a mature woman, until she saw Adlet.

Adlet realising he ran into the wrong Finscale muttered, "crap, it had to me Manuela." Fremy looked nervous as by the time they could blink Manuela was already up in their faces and talking very quickly, "ohhh my gosh, is that little Adlet. My gosh it is you little Adlet how long has it been, a year, two years? I always said you wouldn't die a boring death and so far I haven't been proven wrong. But really I was shocked to hear not only did you become a brave and help save the world but you stood up to a king then you carried a half-fiend across the entire continent and now you are back here in my shop! Ohhh little Adlet how you have grown, look at that scar, how manly. Ya know I am one of several who think your boasts of being the strongest have merit now!" Manuela smiled as she buzzed around Adlet and Fremy only really looking at Adlet at the moment.

Adlet with a surprising level of shyness said, "thank you Manuela. How does everyone know about me and Fremy?"

Manuela just laughed and said, "Adlet come on that is obvious. You saved the world, paired up with the most controversial person on the continent, and then walked across the entire continent with her on you back. Horses exist ya know, some people even send word by bird, it travels much faster than your feet. Everyone knows the story even if the details are a bit strange, but when there are seven or eight braves instead of six then the story gets fuzzy." Manuela looked down at Fremy almost as if she had just noticed her for the first time and said, "speaking of which is that her, yeah the crest on your hand, you must be the legendary Fremy Speeddraw, the saint of gunpowder and the brave killer. Really Adlet sure knows how to pick em."

Fremy looked a little offended at the mention of her title as brave killer. She was honestly less offended and more sad that this woman probably judged her for it.

Manuela, seeing this, jumped back in shock and said, "woah sorry , where are my manners? I am Manuela Finscale, a widow and the owner of Lovely Clothes I hope we can be friends and I hope I can find you something beautiful to wear!" Manuela put on a lovely, warm smile that shocked Fremy.

Fremy trying to keep up with Manuela muttered, "w-what, friends? Don't you think i'm a…" Fremy stopped short as Manuela got real close to Fremy's face which made both her and Adlet uncomfortable. Manuela said, "your face. No your eyes, they are, they are…" Fremy waited for Manuela to tell her what a freak she was and how strange her eyes were but instead Manueala said. "Your eyes, they are amazing! I haven't run into someone with two different eye colors, they are beautiful, ohh just thinking of trying to match clothes to your eyes makes my heart race, normally eyes are fairly easy but yours are so unique it will be a challenge! I am so excited, please let me help you find clothes I beg you!"

Fremy blushed a little and shyly and quietly said, "please." Adlet let out a sigh of relief that he didn't realise he was holding in and smiled, Manuela was being Manuela as always. Adlet kept quiet but resolved to talk to Manuela later about what she had mentioned during her introduction.

Manuela smiled brightly and excitedly grabbed Fremy's wheelchair by its handles and wheeled Fremy to the back where there were places to change and try on clothes. Manuela said, "let's go! This wheeled chair is really nicely made, did Adlet make it? What was traveling with Adlet for three months like? Are you and Adlet in love, how did it happen? Don't you use guns, where is yours? What is your favorite color, is it black? Do you and Adlet plan to have kids? Do you have a plan for what you're going to do after saving the world? Did I say your eyes are super cute?"

Manuelas rapid fire questions continued as she rolled Fremy to the back. Fremy just looked helplessly at Adlet as she was wheeled away, Adlet somehow felt like he had thrown Fremy to the wolves and silently apologised to Fremy as he waited.

In the back Manuela helped Fremy try on several different outfits. Fremy was not the most forthcoming and mainly only answered questions related to clothing but sometimes let a personal answer slip, which Manuela jumped on and asked a dozen following questions which only caused Fremy to regret her response. As they tried outfit after outfit, Manuela asked fewer and fewer questions and before Fremy knew it there was a tension in the air that had not been in there. For some reason Manuela's smile had changed and there was a hint of danger in it, similar to Yazzan's earlier but nowhere as obvious. Finely Manuela said in her same light tone, "ya know I hate fiends. They kill and slaughter for no reason except because they hate humans, they are horrible monsters every last one of them is what I believe. They destroy countries, cities, towns, villages, families, loved ones, friends, they even took something dear from me. They are horrid beings that should be annihilated, and , it just so happens you are one of those fiends aren't you?"

To be continued in Chapter 5: The Strongest Man, The Half-Fiend and the Strongest Village Part 2

Afterword: Strongest Village, more like worst village! Ohh come on it's not that bad, it has great people like Yazzan and…umm...Manuela, okay maybe she doesn't count. Okay so far the name might not be the most accurate but give it some time it will probably get better, probably. Regardless I couldn't call it, the racist village or the hateful village, I have a naming scheme to stick too ya know, I can't deviate, my editor would get mad. Okay this just in I don't have an editor, I am still just crazy. Hmm that would explain all the typos…

Why this chapter shorter than the last? Because I am a cruel man and I love my cliffhangers. Note to self, end chapter having characters dangling on a literal cliff. Anyway I could have made this chapter longer but I decided to save it for part two and maybe part three, I don't know how long the stuff I plan to write will take but we shall see.

Is Manuela best girl? Why yes she is best girl, in her heart.

Is Manuela on crack? No she is just eccentric, and possibly ADHD, but ya know it is the same thing in this kind of setting.

Is everyone going to try and kill Fremy? No...maybe...probably not everyone, just ya know...most people.

You actually wrote a profile down? Yes I finally got around to it, if you want just a bit more info about me than ya can go ahead and check it out (I think I did it right?)

Till Next Time!