(T and M versions the same on this chapter)

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: The fourth wife of Momonga... Aura?

Enri smiled as she looked at Nfirea. He wasn't looking at her as he was harvesting the valuable herbs he'd need to contuine his research into potions that Momonga had asked him and his grandmother to do. As they had no real lookouts other than a few random villagers they were surprised to see a young and heavily injured goblin run from the forest.

"Goblin!" one of the villagers called out as he readied his stick at the child. The small goblin fell back against a tree frightened, the villager poked him with his staff.

"What's a goblin doing all the way out here huh?" he seemed to be ignoring the fact that that it was a child and hurt. but there was no answer because a huge black wolf came leaping from the forest and tore the villagers head off his body. The fountain of warm blood sprayed into the air as Nfirea and Enri looked on in horror.

"Th...That's a Barghest!" Nfirea whispered as he and Enri hid behind a tree. The black wolf with a magical chain hanging around it was backing up the goblin, as he could just eat the recently slain villager, this hunt was for sport and not food...

"Enri... we have to get out of here!" Nfirea whispered but she looked at the frightened child and dead villager.

"We can't just let that thing kill him... can we?" Enri whispered back. Their close location to the herbs was keeping them off the radar of the wolf.

"It's just the two of us! What can we do... I know some magic but nothing that will help us live if that thing comes at us." Nfirea pleaded, but the look in Enri's eyes was that she wanted to help the poor goblin. Aginst his better judgment, Nfirea grabbed Enri and pulled her away. He knew she would hate him for this... but she would be alive to do so.

"We're leaving Enri... that goblin will buy us the time needed to escape," Nfirea said with regret in his voice, he would like to save the child but it was hopeless to do so. they heard his screams as the barghest tore the small goblin to shreds, sending him to join his family.

"Run Enri... run!" Nfirea cried as he heard the rattling of chains coming behind them. Nfirea had guessed that the Barghest would eat the child or the villager but it did not, it had caught a whiff of Enri and was dead set on tracking her down.

"Nfirea... I... I'm not going to make it!" Enri called out as she looked back and saw the wolf barreling down on her. She was right... the Barghest would be in pouncing range of Enri at any moment. Nfirea played out his next move in his head... he'd die but there would be a chance Enri would live.

"Enri... no matter what... keep running!" Nfirea said as she ran next to her, the chain growing louder and louder. She looked ahead running as fast as she could till she heard Nfirea say something odd.

"Enri... I've always loved you." Nfirea called out as he turned to meet the Barghest. Enri's eyes went wide with fear as she realized what he was doing... and what he's just said... it was the proclamation of a man who knew he would die. She wanted to stop but the look in his eye from behind his hair was "don't you dare stop running!" she had no idea what to do so just did as told and ran she ran even when her breath was gone and her legs burned. She ran even as she heard Nfirea cry out on pain... the tears formed in her eyes when his screams of pain suddenly stopped abruptly. She knew Nfirea had just given his life for her.

"Nfirea!" She called out as she ran. The village was starting to come into view... she could make it.

Nfirea stood in front of the black chained wolf. He arms were shaking from fear but his legs were as solid as trees. he had decided that this wolf would not pass him... no matter what. The Barghest jumped at him with his mouth open, the exact move Nfirea was hoping it would do.

He jumped at the wolf with his hand outstretched, aiming at the black hole of the throat of the lunging Barghest. His small thin arm disappeared into the mouth of the wolf. As they were jumping at each other Nfirea arm slid all the way down the Barghest's throat. He was face to face with the beast as it had his entire arm up to his shoulder in it's mouth. However, before the Barghest could bite down Nfirea cast a spell.

"[ACID ARROW]" He fired the acid from the hand that was deep in the gullet of the wolf, injecting the acid straight into it's the stomach. The wolf retched but chomped down removing Nfirea arm in the process. Nfirea screamed at blood gushed from his wound. The Barghest reeled back in pain as it's innards were dissolving from the inside out. However, Nfirea was not finished. With his one remaining arm, he put his hand up to the vomiting face of the Barghest and cast [ACID ARROW] point-blank into the open eye of the wolf.

The beast would have cried out in pain if not for the sludge of blood and acid that feel from it's open mouth. In a fit of anger and rage the Barghest slashed out at the boy that had wounded it. It's claws found their mark across the chest of Nfirea, tearing his chest open and spilling his guts onto the forest floor. And thus, Nfirea Bareare died. His final attack had hurt the wolf to the point where it did not wish to continue this game and it turned to leave ack where it came from, allowing Enri to make it to her village.

"What?" Momonga received a message from a mercenary called a Hanzo that he told to keep an eye on the village.

"The one known as Nfirea Barea was killed protecting the girl called Enri Emmot when they went out to gather herbs." Momonga looked at Jin.

"Nfirea was killed protecting Enri." Jin got to his feet.

"What? Dead? How?" Jin was awash with questions.

"I don't know the specifics but i think we should go there right away to find out what's going on."

"Should we take back up?"

"It sounds like it was a wild animal attack, just us will be fine." Momong said casting [GATE] to Carne. They were there in seconds. Enri was in her father's arms crying. After she'd calmed down she told Suzuki and Jin what had happened.

"You wanna..." Jin asked Suzuki who nodded.

"Yeah, I'll go bring him back..." Momonga said so only Jin could hear him. Momonga walked toward the woods where Enri said they had run from, soon enough he found Nfirea's body. It was missing an arm and he had been disemboweled...

"What a terrible way to go..." Momonga said clicking his tongue. He wished he'd been in his overlord form to see this... the boys mangled body really made him sick to his stomach. Suzuki reached into his robe and took out the highest level resurrection staff he had. With this, the boy had a higher chance of coming back as it would only remove a couple of levels as opposed to five. The spell was cast and Nfirea's body mended itself, even his arm was replaced by the spell.

"Huh? M...Momonga?" Nfirea blinked as the world came to.

"It's okay, Enri is safe because of you, but you've been through a lot. So take it easy." Momonga said as he picked Nfirea up in his arms.

"Oh, Master Momonga... by the way here..." He weakly said taking a blue potion from his pocket.

"I...It's not red like the ones you showed me... but I think I'm getting close," he said. Momomnga took the potion and examined it.

"That's very good... very good indeed." Secretly Suzuki was just glad he would have a return on the spell he just used and used [TELEPORTATION] to return them to the town.

"Nfirea!" Enri cried out throwing her arms around him and hugging him so tightly he thought he'd be killed again.

"I brought him back from the dead. As such he will need lots of rest." Momomnga explained to Enri.

"Dead? Brought back?" her eyes went wide when she understood the level of magic he'd used to bring her friend back to her. Momomga nodded as Jin was inspecting the Death Knight that they sold to the Village. It was wearing armor that was not it's own... at some point, he villagers must have gone and purchased normal armor for it as it's original armor was broken by Gazef Stronoff. It looked far less menacing as it rembled a normal knight in poorly made iron plate armor, even this crappy armor must have sent the village back quite a bit. it still held it's black Flamberge and Black Tower Sheild however.

"Still it's weird though right? A Barghest this close to the village?" Jin remarked to Suzuki as they sat and watched the joyful reunion between the two. The Hanzo walked up to them.

"It may be due to the removal of "The Wise King of the forest" the villagers have noticed an increase in monster activity close tot he village even since you took the one called Hamsuke out of the forest. Momomga nodded.

"Very well, Jin would you mind staying here just keep their minds at ease? I'm going to investigate this forest with Aura's help." Momomga explained as he sent for Aura to join him in the forest.

"Lord Momonga!" Aura greeted him warmly. She looked at him and blushed a bit.

"Lord Momonga's Dark Elf form is beautiful!" Aura explained. He forgot that she would always compliment his Elf Body when she saw him in it.

"Is it?" is what he would always say and they would laugh.

"The reason I've called you to this forest is there's something going on and I'd like to have your help checking it out."

"Sure thing Lord Momonga!" Aura said as she whistled for Fenrir, her strongest pet. It ran up and they both hopped onto its back. It took them into the forest. Aura sat in front of Momonga who put his hands on her shoulders.

"So what are we looking for exactly Lord Momonga?"

"Well there was an attack earlier today by a monster... if something is moving in on the "wise kings" territory we'd do well to take it out," Momonga explained.

"Well, I have my pets spreading out now, so when they find something... I could just have them clean out the forest and there would be no need to even."

"Yeah, but that's not fun is it?"

"So what should my pets be on the lookout for? Something strong?"

"Strong... no, probably something around Hamsuke's strength. I'd also like to see what kind of monsters they are."

"Are they so important?"

"Aura, of all the NPCs I'd expect you to understand the want of obtaining rare animals." She looked back at him and smiled.

"I am just not as kind as you Lord Momonga...I care about rarity as well I guess... it's just that nothing in this world could be considered strong, so at this point, rareity is all there it " Aura shrugged.

"So um, do you really think it's okay for Mare to be married to that woman?" Aura asked.

"Well, when I talked to him about it, it certainly seemed like something he wanted, and it's not really in my nature to deny the ones I love anything," Momonga chuckled. Aura looked away quickly.

"Is... is that so?" Aura nodded and looked ahead, she still hadn't received any word from her pets but was keeping an eye out. She did notice however the unusual quite of the forest, that was a bit odd she thought. Even when looking up in the sky no birds flew overhead, there was defiantly an imbalance she thought.

Suddenly she felt her Lord move his hands down her back and placed them around her waist. A jolt of a surprise but also... another feeling ran up her back.

"Lord Momonga! What's the m... matter?" She wondered why he was suddenly groping her waist. Her blood pressure shot up and she felt her face turn bright red.

"Oh sorry I was just thinking you have a small waist... are you eating properly?"

"Yes Lord Momonga! As you've ordered I've been eating three times a day, and getting the right amount of sleep too!" Aura smiled up at her Lord. Seeing him as a Dark Elf like herself defiantly made her feel he was more relatable, and she thought how handsome he was, not that she didn't also love his real body, this one just...

"That's good. Eventually, you will have a relationship like your brother has found." Aura blushed again and looked away slightly.

"Eh? I think it's too soon for Mare to be in an adult relationship... we're only in our seventies after all..."

"True, but for boys at his age... it can be different than girls... um, do you even understand what I am saying?"

"Indeed Lord Momonga... um, you are talking about sex, right?" Now it was his turn to blush a bit as he wasn't really talking about THAT aspect, more of a relationship.

"So... you know about sex then? I am a little surprised how did you learn of it if you don't mind me asking?" She was burning red now and she had to tell him.

"Um, that time when we went to go get the Frost Dragons..."

"...Yes?" there was a hint of worry in his voice.

"Well um... That night you and, uh, Lady Albedo had... um... you left the door open and I saw it." She explained looking away embarrassed.

"Eh? You saw... oh... OH! Um... how mu..."

"All of it... from when she jumped on you to when you put your penis in her..."

"OKAY! Um... Aura... that... we... uh..." Her Lord seemed to be looking for the right words to say but he seemed redder than she was. Finally, he placed his face in his hands and moaned out loudly.

"Aura... I am... sorry, you, um... nobody was supposed to see that, I..." He was impossibly disappointed at himself... this was a failure as a parent, no matter how you cut it.

"It's okay Lord Momonga... um, It taught me a lot of things and uh... I think of it quite often..." she whispered that last bit hoping he would not hear...

"Aura you wouldn't let me erase that memory would you?" Her eyes grew wide in fear.

"If... if Lord Momonga says I must... but in honesty... it's not a bad memory..." She was pointing her fingers together in a way that made him think of Mare's bashfulness.

"No, I would never... sorry to make you think I'd ever do that, I'm just... wait... you think..." He stopped himself as that particular subject wasn't one he wanted to talk about with her. He had tainted his friend NPC on who knows how many levels... Hitomi would never forgive him! Then there was Jin... JIN.

"Um, Aura... what you uh, just told me... can I please ask you never talk about that with Jin? I would prefer you..."

"I already told him..." Momonga was mortified beyond belief... this is why being a sexual deviant was bad... it corrupted the children! This was still Jin's fault with his annoying [POLYMORPH] spell! Momonga undid his polymorph and returned to his overlord form. Aura was surprised by the sudden change. Thankfully his panic attack was stopped as his emotions became dulled once more and he could think straight.

"Just... I am not proud that you saw that Aura and would like to keep this between us... and I guess Jin..." Aura turned away and nodded.

"I wasn't planning on telling anyone anyway... even as it was incredible to watch."

Incredible? That didn't sound like a good description.

"But um, as we are already on this... subject. Is there anyone in Nazarick that you like? What is your type?" Aura smiled up at him.

"I love you and Jin the most Lord Momonga!" Momonga laughed a bit.

"Really? That makes me happy, and I'm sure Jin would agree!"

"I... In truth, I would like to be Lord Momonga's fourth wife!" Aura said looking away and blushing again. He patted her head affectionately.

"Eh? Oh, I see... EH?" Momonga had misinterpreted her meaning of 'love' she was talking about... wait she had used Jin's name in the same sentence... was he thinking about this too much?

"Um, well... that may be an issue." Aura's ears drooped down and she frowned.

"I am not attractive to Lord Momonga?" The sound of hurt was evident.

"N..no it's not like that Aura... I just... don't plan on taking any more wives is all! yes, that's it, four wives would just be too many... plus, only Albedo is allowed to bear my children, I'd hate to rob you of motherhood someday." he said nodding at his on the fly excuse to not hurt her feelings.

"I see... so then I missed my chance to marry Lord Momonga..." she muttered to himself. Why was he in this situation! All he wanted to do was make sure she was eating enough!

"Um, so long as you understand it's nothing personal Aura..." She nodded but still seemed to be bummed out. While he would liek to humor her... she was a child in every sense of the word, he could never see her as anything but his daughter... even if she saw him in another light.

"Are you okay?" She shrugged and nodded but her body language told his she wasn't. In his mind he sighed and wondered how he could help her... but he'd basically just "shot down her marriage proposal" a minute ago... there probably wasn't much he could do to make her feel better yet.

"Um... but you would never uh... marry Jin right?" Aura shook her head.

"Lord Jin is... different to me than you are Lord Momonga... um while if he ordered me to his, uh, bed... I would probably obey. But I know he doesn't see me like that... he would never ask me to marry him... he's sort of like my litt...eh big... um... he's like my brother... and I'm sure he sees me the same way!" Aura said with a smile. Then she became alerted to something.

"Oh, my pets have found a cave with many creatures all gathered together... that might be our disturbance," Aura suddenly reported. Momonga was thankful for the change in the subject. They arrived at the cave and sure enough, as they entered there was a foul stench of rotting meat.

"Ugh... it stinks in here!" Aura complained as she waved her hand back and forth in front of her face. They soon came upon some Ogres eating.

"Hello... sorry for intruding..."

"SKELETON! SMASH!" They screamed as they lumbered at Momonga and Aura with clubs above their heads. Momonga sighed and shook his head.

"You try to be cordial but...Aura please step back." He shook his head. She blinked away far behind him.

"[AURA OF DESPAIR]" his death aura instantly killed all of them with minimal effort.

"Okay, let's go see what's further in?" Momonga continued down the cave as Aura followed his her hands behind her head. As they traveled deeper they came on some trolls, but they were weak and unimpressive.

"Hello, I am Lord Momon..."

"SKELETON! SMASH!" The trolls reaction was the same... it would seem a dialogue would be impossible with these brutes."

"[AURA OF DESPAIR]" Again they dropped dead as Aura slowly walked up behind him.

"GRAHHH WHO IS YELLING?" A voice, ironically, yelled out.

"Hello... I am Lord Mon..."

"ENEMY SKELETON! WHY IS YOU HERE?" Momonga sighed and started over.

"Hello... I am Lord Momonga, first, let me apologize for barging into your cave but I..."

"DIE STUPID SKELTON!" The troll with a weird blade and armor yelled and stuck out at him. Momonga simply caught the blade, he acted as if nothign had happened.

"... was investigating this forest when we learned of this gathering... it seemed intersting." The Troll tried to pull the sword back but Momonga held it in place and it didn't budge at all.

"Huh?" The troll was more concerned about his weapon not returning to him than the word Momonga had said. Just as he gave the blade a hard tug Momonga let go and he flew, comically, back as if someone had let go of a rope during a tug of war.

"Yarr!" he called out as he crashed to the ground with a large impact. He clumsily rolled to his feet angrily.

"Not... normal Skeleton! You Litch? Magic? That's why!" he seemed to be talking to himself more than Momonga.

"I have long surpassed the rank of Litch, but i won't get into semantics with you... just understand I am not one to be trifled with."

"HA HA! I am the Giant of the East! Why would I fear dumb litch?"

"Giant of the East? That seems like a rather embellished title... you're hardly a giant, just a troll."

"You insult me? Die Stupid Litch!" he swung his blade again, failing to learn his lesson. Once again Mononga caught the large blade easily.

"This is getting boring... Aura please leave the cave." Momonga asked and she vanished to comply.

"Alright... I don't know how many creatures you have hidden here but I also don't care, you are all so boring."

"[WIDEN MAGIC FIELD, CRY OF THE BANSHEE] A huge area of effect death spell activated as an ear piercing scream rang out and echoed all through the cave killing every living creature that stood in the cave.

Aura waited and soon her Lord came out with a host of zombie trolls and Ogres.

"You made them all undead?" Aura asked looking at the impressive number of low-level undead that followed Momonga out of the cave. There was even a weird naga looking undead. Aura had seen it trying to use invisibility, but she saw it easily.

"Yes, seemed a waste to let them just rot... I think I will station these undead around the forest to protect villagers of Carne when they go hunting or gathering... just a few guards in the town is clearly not enough.

"As Expected of Lord Momonga! You are kind and wise!" he patted her head a few times and she instantly smiled brightly.

"I like your smile Aura," it was the best compliment he could give her, She gave him an ear to ear grin. Suzuki was glad there was no "weirdness" between them.

"I will have them patrol the areas in the first around the village, that should be enough as I think these were the reasons for the disturbances in the first place.

"If you say it, then it is true Lord Momonga!" Aura said as they rode back to the village to report about what had been found and that they were the new protectors of the forest surrounding the village, while the villagers were a bit worried about having undead trolls about, they trusted the man who had saved their village and agreed to trust their guard.

"So, easy stuff then?" jin asked noting Suzuki was in his overlord body again.

"Did you take damage?" Momonga shook his head.

"No, I ended to buff for, um... well it doesn't matter, let's just get back to Nazarick, by the way, how is the boy?"

"He's sleeping as expected... he'll be fine, Enri will take good care of him..." He chuckled a bit but did not elaborate thankfully.

"Well, crisis dealt with anyway." Jin looked at Aura.

"Sup brat?" He asked smiling.

"Not much dummy!" She laughed back and kicked his leg semi lightly. he took a playful swing at her but she ducked it and lightly punched his stomach a few times like a boxer hitting a sandbag might. Jin let out a loud laugh as he put his hands up in surrender.

"Okay okay... I give up, you're too good!" He laughed as she gave a V for victory sign.

"Pffft! I know it!" She cockily announced as they stepped through Momonga's [GATE] to return home."