New World
On the Road, Southbound
The journey south was uneventful for the first day and night for the two wondering ladies. Few words were spoken between them. Cereza to busy coming to grips with her actions the previous day and the situation that they have found themselves in. Meanwhile, Albedo could only offer her quite support to her Lady, unsure how to get Cereza to open up and not feel useless.
The trail the two followed continued southward for the first day, before taking a more westward direction following the forest line besides them in the evening. During the night a new row of trees started to appear on the south-eastern horizon before turning into what looked like a smaller, less dense forest as the trail returned to its southward march.
It was on the second day of non-stop walking that Cereza first felt the effects of the sun light on her skin. It was an unpleasant, ghost like tingle on her hands and other areas of exposed flesh, annoying and ticklish but not painful like her previous experience.
No food or blood was enjoyed into the second night. Nor was it wanted by the two for different reason.
It was on the third day, with the path now tracking due east along a small river running alongside them did Cereza started to fell a level of discomfort, growing to a dull pain as the day continued. Nothing as deep as her first experience, but enough that she started eying the forest on either side as an option to get out of the light. But the fear that there could be something in there, or more prey a small part of her mind whispered to her, stop Cereza from acting on it.
One thing that Cereza could take pleasure from the journey was the life that she saw around her every step of the way. The rolling green hills, the forest and trees skirting the horizon with the running water in the creek besides her and Albedo. The old world, her old life, none of this was around anymore; just decay and desolation.
Albedo companionship also brought her a level of joy and hope. But years of isolation with only NPC did however make it hard for her to talk to her. As a result, not many words were spoken, nor deep responses returned by Albedo, something that would change hopefully. But it did reminded Cereza how the two would walk around Nazarick when she needed help working through her day. The adding of the two-way conversion with the Nazarick entity for the first time just made the experience even more calming and effective.
Yet the missing presence of Pandora's Actor and Shalltear beside them did dampen her mood.
That thought would often lead to multiple what if topics popping into her head, in particular what she would do if the whole of Nazarick had arrived? Would she have been able to handle controlling the horde of evil that lied within the Tomb? Or would she join in the bloodshed that they would enact on the world once it begun?
Questions that she didn't want to know the answer too. She only hoped that being the Guild Leader truly meant that they would follower her to whatever end she chose.
Then again, she hoped that she could change her 500 evil rating as well, a shiver ran down her spine thinking of how that attuite may change her outlook on life. If to would affect her similarly to her change strength, speed and intelligence had already.
More problems for her to resolve Cereza thought to herself as the sun started to set behind them.
The sight of smoke on the horizon pulled her out of her tumbling thoughts. With twilight raising up from ahead setting the backdrop making the sight of smoke clear too see.
Cereza turning to Albedo spoke softly "We will walk and rest up ahead at the village tonight, see if we can find out where we are."
"Village my Lady?"
"The smoke up ahead" Cereza said, stopping and pointed towards the smoke on the horizon "Similar to the villages we would raid in Alfheim wilderness back in YGGDRASIL. They were a tell-tale sign of a randomly spawn human village back there."
Drawing her weapon up to her shoulder and Albedo started to grin, showing too many teeth for Cerezas' liking "Then we shall burn it to the ground then and display their corpse for all to see."
"You will do no such thing Albedo" Snapped back Cereza "We do not know their strength, numbers or who they may belong too and their strength. No, we will not be pissing off the big fish in this world till we know we can take them."
The hurt that crossed Albedo fair face from her sharp remark pained Cereza, but she stayed firm drawing on her experience of leading the Guilds more childish members.
"We lack information, we lack resources, and we lack minions to do our bidding." Continued Cereza, slipping into her persona of Guild Leader "So you will put that weapon away and behave yourself, even if they insult or threaten us Albedo. You will follow my lead; you will not raise arms without my direction. Is that understood?"
"Yes, my Lady" Albedo responded quietly; her eyes down cased as she put her weapon away.
"We will act like two maidens whose cartage was waylaid and we escaped." Cereza said after a quick thought on their cover story "You'll act as my handmaiden and I a minor noble of low standing." She added on quickly.
"I'm sorry for snapping at you Albedo" Cereza said softly after a moment of silence between the two as the started back up their walk.
"My Lady it is rightful that you chastise me. As a merger servant I could not foresee your plan or foresight."
Nodding to herself to move her mind forward Cereza started up her march "Speaking of foresight, here take and wear this earring. It will clock your wings and horn from the sigh of basic humans, we don't want to start a fight before we are ready".
Night had fully set in as the two finally reach the village. It was clear on first inspection that the village was not the largest nor was it the most riches of places to be, yet it was the first bit of civilization that the two in counted that wasn't openly hostile.
Small single-story shacks could be seen forming the outer rim of the village on the northern side, likely for the inhabits to live in by the looks of them. With a few larger buildings forming a makeshift main street following the trail that the two where on for the previous few days.
Three buildings where most notable to the ladies as they surveyed the village.
The largest building in the village could be seen from their spot along the road with a clear sign with two beers clashing along with some unknown scripts below. It is a simple wooden building, two stories tall with windows equity spaced on the top level. The façade on both levels was plain while in the front with the side walls have a number of large bay windows. Each easily big enough for a small booth or seating area.
The second build while only a single story had much larger in footprint situated next to the river. Out of it spawned a makeshift wooden bridge crossing the water before connecting to another smaller building with a large open area with logs stored and stacked in various piles and in different stages of a process unknown to the two.
Last to be noticed, yet closest to the two, was a small yet clearly military outpost. Flat and open where the buildings, with a clear training ground skirted with various pieces of equipment and gear stored away. Lights could be seen in one of the building of to the side and a slight noise reached the sensitive ears of Cereza.
The two made their way down to the village in silence. As they got closer the Cereza made out a number of villages congregating to what she believed to be the inn or tavern of the town. By all appearance, the lot looked like simple folk, possible loggers and hunters given the materials stored at the large building by the stream.
None of them should be a problem to the two if it goes south like their encounter with the dark elves a few nights ago.
What did concern her a bit however was the clear guards that were in the yard eyeing them off as they approached.
Those on the other hand could be a concern to the two if they were well trained. Or if they were in frequent communication with a larger base nearby.
All these thoughts swam through Cereza's head as she led Albedo closer to the village.
I hope I my plan of acting like two maidens works... A stray thought when through her mind, breaking some of her weak confidence that she showed Albedo before. I don't want to another episode.
She shelved with those memories coming back up again. But it was too late to turn back now, a pair of guards were slowly making their way to them stopping at was likely the boundary to the village.
The one on the right was a middle-aged man. He was dressed in light leather armour with a helmet over his head, a sword rested on his hip while in his hand was touch showing features of a caucasian man with dark eyes and beard.
The second one was dressed in a similar attire san the torch. He was a clearly younger man, without the scars and beard of his older comrade. Yet his eyes held a deeper suspicion as he eye the two ladies.
As the pair made their way up to them the one on the right called out "Bit late for you two ladies to go wondering? Who are you and what business do you have here?"
Sensing the slight increase in heart rate of the two guards Cereza was momentarily caught of guard by the question sent their way. A quick shake of her head she responded.
"My maid and I were travelling through the area north of here, but our carriage got ambushed by some dark elves last night" Cereza said slightly shying away from the two guards. "Our guards stand back to let us escape."
"hmm" the guard on the left said, "where were you attacked?"
"Just as the road turned east" Cereza said slightly flustered, now hoping that they didn't question her too much.
Another hmm from the same guards all she received before he faced his companion.
"Jenkins, let the boss know that there has been another attack, closer this time by the old hunting ground" he said then turned back to the two ladies "My name is Leo, come you must be staring. I take it you two lost your belongings in the attack?"
Turning as he asked his question, the now name guard Leo started to make his way to the village. His companion waited for the two to pass him before joining them on the walk back.
Happy that they were not being questioned any further about their past and even more pleased with the leading question, Cereza was counting her luckily stars.
Or maybe luck stats? She questioned as she started to gather thoughts on how to best answer the guard. Maybe they do more than just increase drop chances and specials crit chance in this world. More things to test, great...
"Unfortunately, yes most of our gear was left behind. Fortunately, we did get manage to get some extra clothes, but not much." Cereza eventually answered. "But no money nor food, we didn't have time, they were getting closer to use and one of the guards was just killed and…"
A scoff from behind interrupted her was quickly followed up with "well at least your look pretty then, where do you hide those clo.."
"Enough Jenkins, don't you have somewhere else to be" Leo interrupted.
Which was good fortune for the guard, as Albedo started to make a move to draw her weapon. Even though it was against her Lady's order, her programming from YGGDRASIL to protect the Guild Master was a deeper and more power force than words.
Sensing the dismissal Jenkins parted with the group and made his way to the barracks on the side of the path.
"Sorry about him, he a bit of a shithead sometimes but he is a good soldier. Something we need around here." Stated Leo with a slight down tune as he continued to lead the ladies towards the tavern. "We have been attacked by the Dark Elves scums several times the last month alone and we have lost a good number of troops and even villagers; more are still recovering and resting."
Picking up on the depressing tune from the guard but also needing information Cereza asked with as much tack as she could "What… what do you think is causing the attacks?"
"We think that something might be driving them out of the forest. The mages for the Council of Gatenbarg think that another of the race of 'players' has turned up." He said with deep heaping of sarcasm "Then again, they always say that. Fucken morons."
Leo finished with a mutter as they finally made it to the tavern. Opening the door, he waited for the two to walk in before following up.
'Players' as in a Race? questioned Cereza as she followed Leo through the door. Does he mean that other players from YGGDRASIL have arrived here and are known? Are they still here?... Fuck I hope they don't have their guild base here too. Fuck more to worry about.
Cereza's musing was broken as she entered, it was clear as she cased her eyes around that the tavern was gear towards the locals of the village and not new customers. The barmaids running around greeting their patrons by name as they handed out drinks and food. Friendly banter was flowing around freely between groups, even the empty tables were filled with personalised mugs and stylised chairs. Slowly Leo lead Cereza and Albedo to a quiet corner in the back right of the bar up a small set of stairs to a ledged area with plan tables and chairs scattered along the ledge.
"There we go, wait here a moment and I'll get Jessie, one of the maids, she will bring out food and drink for the two of you." Leo said as he helped the two to their seats before making his way to one of the maids "Cannot let two lovely ladies starving, have this one on me."
The sound of wood cracking brough Cereza gaze away from watching Leos' retreating form to see Albedo gripping the table violently. Her eyes glaring daggers at Leo.
Unsure of the issue Cereza asked, "Albedo my dear, what has gotten into you?"
"These… these animals should be bowing to you, my lady. Not slighting you and treating you like some common noble." Albedo replied with clear distain in her voice. "And to offer up only a common tavern and wench for service…. Its incomprehensible to treat a Supreme Being in such a way."
"Yet it is how they treat their nobles, which tells us that they respect them" Counted Cereza as she eyed the maid that Leo walked up to. "As I said to you early, we need to information if we are to make headway in this… town? Country? Wherever here is…" She trailed of focusing on the maid.
The maid was neither pretty nor ugly, a rather plain girl of middling height with long pale hair and dark blue eyes. She looked around the age of 19, a young girl growing into that of a young woman.
It was clear that she was a well known figure in the tavern as a number of the patrons waved as she went by them heading to the what must have been the kitchen opposite them.
"The second thing we can learn here is how the populus behave. For instance, they are not an aggressive bunch of people, giving us a good chance that they will not start a fight. One might almost say that they are friendly." Continued Cereza.
A mutter of awe was all that answered her comment. Unhappy that Albedo didn't add to what she had said Cereza asked, "And what could we gleam from that, my dear".
Fighting a flush that threated to break out of her face Albedo took a moment to collect herself before answering "we can take over these peasants swiftly and they can learn their place at your feet…."
Albedo start with gusto before trailed off in her answer as the face of the Supreme One didn't look encouraging, in fact it looked slightly annoyed.
"No Albedo, it means that we might be able to rest here for a while, get a better feel of where to go next. This is a haven for a short time." Cereza answered with a slightly disappointed tone. "I might even have a chance to… to learn how to feed too if we are careful. Though I would like to do it on the last night here if I can help it."
As Cereza finish the young maid reappeared from the kitchen carrying bowls of food towards them.
"Here you go my ladies, might not be up to your usual standard but it will do the job" the maid said "I am Jessie by the way, come see me when you want your key to the room that Leo got you. Such a nice man he is".
"We will take you up on that" was all that Cereza could answer.
As the maid turned away, she gave a slight smile to Cereza, who was sure if had a bit of fang to it. Or at least she hoped it did as it would explain the odd feeling that she had been getting from her.
The snapping of the cutlery broke Cereza glazes as her focus returned to Albedo whom was glaring death at the retreating form of Jesse. Having none of it, Cereza quickly instructed Albedo to eat her meal.
The smirk that she got in response was more than unsettling.
Turning to her own food Cereza slowly played with the mixture of what looked like the stew model from YGGDRASIL. It was an odd texture and waterier than what she food she had in her old life, but before long she grabbed a spoon full and brough it to her lips.
It was plain and bland to taste.
A moment later it dawned on her that as an undead she didn't have any taste outside of that of flesh and blood.
Her disappointment wasn't as bad as she expected on that realisation. Her secret hope of trying the food in Nazarick might have been slim to begin with was now gone. But she continued to eat to not appear out of place, the same couldn't be said of Albedo who after a month full nearly had a fit and if it wasn't from the recent reprimanding from her lady she would of made quite the scene.
Giving up on her meal lest than halfway through Cereza got up and signalled Albedo to follow her as she made her way to the maid.
Noticing Cereza on her way Jesse quickly set down her tray and fished out a key "I hope it was to your liking my lady".
"It did its job" was all that Cereza could think of to the question as she stopped in front of Jesse. "However, my maid and I would like to be taken to our room. It has been a long couple of days for us."
"Of cause, follow me my lady".
As Jesse passed her Cereza got the distinct whiff of death off the maid, putting her on edge as she followed her up the stairs to the second level. Quickly Jesse turned down the short hall and opened the room that was in the back corner of the building and stepped in keeping the door open for the two ladies as they entered.
Even before Cereza could turn to Jesse as she and Albedo had entered the room the door shut unnaturally quick and in front of Albedo who was now positioned in front of Cereza was the kneeling form of Jesse.
"How may I be of service Lady Valkia?"
As she spoke Jesse raised her head, her now blood red.