Chapter 20 - Celebration and Plotmakings

Day 40

Leanbox - Red Ring Table hall

"It's so big! I never knew the Basilicoms had places like this. It's so wonderful!"

Attending the party to celebrate their successful jobs against the monsters, Compa and Neptune looked around with excitement as Compa made her comment. Soren and IF looked around too, but with a more reserved attitude.

"What's wonderific is all this food! Look!" Neptune led the party over to the buffet table as she eyed the food. "They seem normal, but I bet they taste unreal! My mouth won't stop watering!"

"Better not drool Neptune, else you give the other attendees the wrong impression." Soren smirked as he sampled a dish. "Eemm, interesting."

IF just sighed as she whipped out her phone. "…Anyway, there are a lot of commoners here. Where's the goddess? You seen her, Nep?"

"Nope. I bet she's sprinting down from Celestia to thank us as we speak." Neptune took a dish and started piling up her plate.

"Uh, I think she's already on Leanbox, Neptune. That Evangelist did say that she, along with White Heart and Black Heart, already descended due to that Overlord." Soren told her, before asking, "By the way, what does she look like? Arf never went into detail about any of the goddesses."

"Well, from what I've heard, she has long blond hair and blue eyes, wears a predominantly green dress, and has a, um, a really nice figure." IF seemed to hesitate at that last part before she gave a cough. "Uh, I'm gonna go scout around, so stick with Compa and Ren, Nep. Don't get lost."

As the others watched IF walk off, Neptune took another bite before saying, "Iffy's a businessy stiffy. But I should learn from her. We gotta find out about the Key and Jewel Core Fragments, too!"

"And where do you suppose we should start?" Compa asked.

"We'll start by asking around. But first, the yummy food!" Neptune quickly reasserted her focus on the food, making Soren sigh.

"…Oh well, might as well enjoy ourselves before we ask around, right Compa?"

"Right."

Time passed, and eventually, Neptune, Compa, and Soren started to ask the attendees about monsters, though the latter two did have to drag Neptune away from the buffet table. Some way or another, Soren lost track of Neptune and Compa and was busy trying to find them when he suddenly heard IF's voice.

"Huh? So this is a big waste of our time? …Ugh, I suddenly feel exhausted."

Looking around, Soren somehow spotted IF among the throng of people, but she wasn't alone. "Huh, that's the Archbishop. What's he doing with her alone?"

"It's wonderful to hear you were anticipating her attendance so much…" Soren started to make his way over to them when Yvoire's next words stopped him in his tracks. "Even if you are a Guild Moderatist…"

"Uh oh, that's not good…" Soren quickly moved in a way that he wouldn't be spotted by either of them, yet still be in listening distance.

"…I'm not ashamed of it, but you ran a background check on me? That's only a teensy bit creepy." IF said, folding her arms.

"So, you are who I think you are. I was uncertain since you were accompanied by some…unique companions." Yvoire motioned to the exit with his hand. "Why don't we find a good place to sit down and become…better acquainted…?"

IF looked skeptical, but eventually complied wordlessly, following Yvoire out of the hall. Soren bit his lip and muttered, "Crap, I better follow them. Knowing the Archbishop's attitude towards heretics, who knows what might happen?"

Outside…

Soren managed to trail the pair without being spotted, and hid behind some bushes as he muttered, "Alright, time to see what the Archbishop is up to…"

With IF and Yvoire, the latter started off the conversation. "The Guild… A gathering of heretics who abandoned the other CPUs and chose to live on Lowee ten years ago… This was after our Basilicom's purge. I hear Guild Extremists fight against the Basilicoms. Lowee's CPU must have it hard."

"…It's as I heard it. Leanbox's Archbishop discriminates heavily against heretics and Guild members. Strange though, that you don't seem to have much of a problem with surface humans…" IF mused with crossed arms.

"They don't know much, thus are capable of being converted. Heretics, on the other hand…"

"Still, just because you live in a certain land doesn't mean you have to worship that land's goddess. People can choose."

Soren looked between the two and muttered, "Huh, makes me wonder if freedom of speech and all that really exists between the landmasses, now that I think about it."

All of a sudden, Yvoire shouted, "How is that natural?-! You were born on Planeptune, yet you refuse to acknowledge Lady Purple Heart? Even if it is a rival goddess, such blatant insolence is unacceptable!"

IF's eyes narrowed as she eyed Yvoire. "Is that why you tried to kill them? Masking it under something 'noble' and calling it a purge?-! Even Pope Hakozaki was willing to just exile them, but fortunately, you failed. Most of them got away and created the current Guild in Lowee!"

"And now those same Extremists are putting pressure on Lowee's political leaders." Yvoire scoffed, before waving his hand. "Hmm, enough about other lands. For now, I'll turn a blind eye on the Guild's actions and appreciate this chance encounter."

"That…doesn't sound right." Soren leaned in a bit closer to listen.

"What's that supposed to mean? You called me here knowing full well I'm a Guild member. You intend to kill me, don't you?"

IF's words put Soren on high alert, making him reach for his gun, until Yvoire said, "Absolutely not. You're not from Leanbox, but you worship Lady Green Heart most vehemently."

"Really now…so it's Lady Green Heart that IF worships. Interesting…maybe there's nothing to worry about." Soren relaxed a bit, but kept his hand on his gun just in case.

"That said, I must ask a favor. Your one companion, the little excitable one…Neptune. I need you to get rid of her."

"Alright, I spoke too soon." Soren tensed up again, gun in hand.

IF looked totally shocked at that as she looked at Yvoire incredulously. "What?-! That makes no sense. Why would the Basilicom under Lady Green Heart want Nep out of the picture?-!"

"I cannot tell you yet, but without a doubt, that girl is one of our Lady's greatest nemeses." Yvoire replied.

Soren tried to wrap his mind around that last sentence, but all he could come up with was, "…Huh?"

"Sooner or latter, our Lady will punish her personally, but I would prefer to not force her to taint her own hands."

"So you want me to do the deed instead?" IF asked, "Tell me why Nep is Lady Green Heart's nemesis! I can't consider killing her wi-"

"Upon success," Yvoire interrupted, "Our Lady will personally come to give you official membership as a citizen of Leanbox… You'll no longer be a heretic, freely able to proudly worship Lady Green Heart. All ties to those immorals will be cut."

"I'm part of the Guild by choice. It's not just a gathering of immorals like you believe. They worship, just like you!"

"Isn't it hard? Hiding your beliefs from people out of fear? Denying your existence? …Ignoring your heart? I bet not even your companions don't even know what your beliefs are. Do you like hiding things from them? Are you not tired of shouldering all that guilt alone?"

"As much as I'm starting to hate this guy, he knows how to play mind games." Soren hissed, hand lightly squeezing his gun.

IF was silent as Yvoire continued to prod. "You've only known those companions of yours a few months, correct? Your faith and love for the goddess is eternal." That's when Yvoire fished out a vial out of his pocket and held it out to IF. "Please think it over. Once you've decided on the correct path, slip this potion into one of Neptune's meals."

Soren squinted to get a better look at the vial as IF looked at it. "…I need proof. Show me evidence this is truly what Leanbox's CPU wants!"

"As I said, there's nothing I can share with you yet. But, if you insist… It may be a good idea for you to meet our Lady in person for confirmation. I'll organize a meeting for you right now. It should help you make the right choice." Yvoire was about to walk off when he remembered something. "By the way, about your companion, Soren. Do you know anything about his beliefs?"

"Why? So you can try to convert him? What if he already believes in Lady Purple Heart?"

"I doubt that's the case, else it would've shown up in his profile."

"Hmm, well, as far as I know, he doesn't really believe in any of the CPUs, but that's mainly because Planeptune's Basilicom blacklisted him from entering, which I assume gave him a bad impression. Other than that, I don't know."

"I see… Thank you for your information. I will take you to see Lady Green Heart now."

Watching the two walk towards the Basilicom, Soren slumped, trying to process what he just overheard. He kneeled there in disbelief when he remembered that he should be inside the Hall with Neptune and Compa.

Back in the Hall…

"Heya Ren! Where didja go? I can't find Iffy either."

Soren managed to find Neptune and Compa, who just finished talking with a couple. Nep still had a plate of food in her hands and there were a few crumbs around her mouth.

"Neptune, you have some crumbs around your mouth. As for where I was…well, I needed some fresh air. I'm not used to big gatherings like this. Oh, and I, uh, haven't seen If either…"

"Geez, Nep-Nep…" Compa took a napkin and wiped Neptune's mouth. "You shouldn't eat so much."

That's when they heard a comment pointed in their direction. "Aw, that's so cute. A mother and father with their child."

"But aren't the parents a bit young…?"

"I'm sure they just aged very well. I mean, the mother looks very fashionable."

The three paused hearing that as Soren muttered, "Parents…child…?" If one looked hard enough, they would see the word 'parents' with arrows pointing at Compa and Soren, with 'child' being pointed at Neptune.

Neptune waved the word away as she pouted, "Hey, I'm not a child. I don't look like one, right?"

"…You don't want that answered Neptune."

Compa looked flustered as she looked down at herself. "A-A mother? I'm too young to be a mother! I don't look like one, right?"

"Well…you do have the boobies for the role." Neptune replied.

"A-Aauuu…"

"Hey, don't make comments like that Neptune." Soren hissed, "Don't worry Compa, you look too young to be a mother yet. Anyway, has Lady Green Heart arrived yet?"

That's when one of the Sanctified showed up and announced, "Excuse me everyone! I'm sorry for the bad news, but it appears that Lady Green Heart won't be attending. Some important matter has come up that requires her attention."

"I bet…" Soren muttered as the attendees groaned at the news.

"Aww, this sucks. Oh well, I'm sure we'll meet the goddess some other time." Neptune sighed, "Let's go find Iffy and head back. I'm full right now."

"I doubt we'll be seeing her for the rest of the night though…" Soren muttered.

"Huh? Did you say something Ren?"

"Uh, no, it's nothing. Lead the way Neptune."

Day 41

Leanbox - inn

"Is something the matter Ren?"

"…Wha? Oh, no. Everything's fine If."

It was a bit early in the morning, and Soren was busy fiddling with Yukihira after having breakfast, and IF seemed to be busy with her thoughts. However, Soren was shooting IF looks, due to remembering what he overheard last night. Too bad he wasn't good at being subtle about it.

"Alright, what is it Ren? I can feel you're looking at me."

"Uh, you're just imagining it, If. By the way, where did you go last night? Neptune and Compa got worried when we couldn't find you."

That question made IF a bit flustered as she said, "Uh, well, the Archbishop asked me to do something for Lady Green Heart, that's all."

"I…see." Soren knew that IF was lying, but didn't pursue it, though there was something that he needed to check out later. However, that thought was blown out of his mind when Neptune and Compa entered the room, with the former having her eyes on IF.

"Heya Iffy! Where'd ya go last night? We were worried that you ran off without telling us!"

"The Archbishop asked me to do something for Lady Green Heart last night. Sorry that I left without warning Nep, but it was important."

Soren raised an eyebrow at that, but didn't say anything. However, he made a mental note to check on something as soon as possible.

Leanbox - net café

"Hey Compa, don't you think Ren is acting a bit weird?"

"What do you mean by that Nep-Nep?"

At Lillia's net café, the party was there doing research about monsters, with Soren talking to Lillia, while IF surfed the net. Neptune and Compa were supposed to search too, when Neptune's question came out of the blue.

"I dunno, it's like Ren acts funny when Iffy's around. Hmm, maybe he's starting to have a crush on her?"

"Uh…I don't think so. Now that I think about it, Soren seems…anxious when Iffy's around, like he's thinking about something."

"Who's thinking about what?"

At that moment, Soren showed up with a plate of chocolate chip bread, something that made Neptune's mouth water. Compa looked at the bread too before she regained her composure. "Oh, uh, it's nothing Soren, just talk between us."

"If you say so…" Soren put the plate down on the table, and Neptune was about to pounce on it when Soren said, "Oh, and the bread's for everyone Neptune, so don't eat it all. Got it?"

"Right, right…"

"Yeah…Compa, you watch her, okay?"

"Okay, Soren." Compa kept an eye on Neptune as she started munching on bread, before she asked, "Hey Soren, is there something bothering you about Iffy?"

Neptune and Compa saw Soren freeze for a moment before looking over to IF, who was getting frustrated looking at the computer screen in front of her. He then lowered his voice to a whisper, "Well…it's just that If's been acting a bit weird ever since she disappeared from the party last night. I can't help but wonder if there's something going on that we should be worried about."

"Really, Iffy's been acting the same old, same old to me." Neptune said after swallowing the bread in her mouth. "Still, she did look at me a bit funny during breakfast for a bit."

"Uh…let's shift the topic to something else." Compa thought about it for a moment before she came up with a discussion topic. "What about a clue about finding Key and Jewel Core Fragments?"

No one could say anything for a minute until Neptune suddenly said, "Well, all we know is that the Key Fragments are supposedly guarded by the same monster type, from what Histy told Ren, and all the Jewel Core Fragments we found were inside monsters… Wait, I remember something…"

"Oh, what are you three talking about?"

IF had enough of the computer and went over to the table the others were sitting at, taking a piece of bread in the process. Compa noticed Soren stiffen a bit, but other than that, nothing else was out of the ordinary as he replied, "Neptune's says she remembers something."

"That's right, I remember all the monsters that had Jewel Cores were all angry red in color, and that they were really aggressive and stuff."

Everyone thought about it for a bit before Soren slapped his head. "Ugh, that's right. Can't believe I missed that little detail. The first monster I fought that had a Jewel Core Fragment was like that too…"

"Huh, that makes sense, now that I think about it. Good job Nep."

"Yay, does that mean I get more bread?"

"No."

"Oh boo…"

"Iffy, did you find anything?" Compa asked, shifting the subject again.

"Only a job request. Hopefully we'll find something this time."

"So basically we'll pretty much not find anything?" Soren asked.

"Most likely. Makes me feel like I'm on a wild goose chase." IF then turned to Neptune. "Hey Nep, can't you like, contact this Histoire or something?"

"Nope, don't know how." Neptune replied, reaching for another piece of bread when Compa slapped her hand.

"Hey, you had half the loaf already Nep-Nep, leave some for the rest of us!"

"Aw, but I'm still hungry!"

"You keep eating like that and you're going to get fat! How are you going to fight monsters if you're overweight?"

"There's no problem! Fighting monsters will burn energy, so none of us will get fat!"

"Yet you eat the most out of all of us. Makes me wonder where it all goes." IF commented.

"Alright everyone. Once I finish up talking with Lillia, then we can go, alright?" Soren declared.

"Okay, I have a few more things to check on the net anyway." IF swapped a few bread slices and carried them with a napkin back to the computer she was using. Soren just nodded before going his own way, doing the same thing IF did with his own bread. Neptune and Compa looked between the two as the latter spoke up.

"Soren's definitely acting a bit weird, but I think it'll resolve itself."

"We'll see Compa, we'll see. As for now, choco bread, come to mama~"

Compa gave Neptune a slap on the wrist before the latter could touch it, then pulling the plate closer to her. "No, this is mine Nep-Nep, you ate most of it anyway."

"Oh boo…"

Notes: Alright, I have officially ran out of steam for this fic. I'm gonna have to change my goal from finishing this fic by the end of the month to the end of the year. I tried channeling my inner muse, and it blew out as a result. With that said, I'll have to go on a hiatus until the start of April to recover. Among other things, that will give me the chance to build up on finished chapters, as well as refresh my brain.