Eostia: Harem Quest

by EostianScribe

The Gods have given mortals the power of The Gamer as a pass time. A hobby. A means to compete and relax. One goddess, however, sees it as a means of salvation; starting with one world. As such, she rolls the dice... (Harem, Citrus and Eventual Dark Content Warning)

26. Act II-Ch VI: Going Hog Wild

[ - Author's Note - ]

Well, this chapter ended up longer then I expected. As in over twenty six thousand words. Really, I should know by now that anytime that I want a good fight scene that I'll be going over my usual word length. Oiy. Oh well. On a nice bit to report, over one thousand followers on FFDotNet now! Woot! In addition we are closing in rapidly on two hundred thousand views! Nice!

Anyway, Prim, James and the gang meet the Onglaves who are the rulers of Greenwave and the Hunt for the Hog Queen begins. There's enough words in this chapter as it is, so let's just start it up.

[ - Act II - Chapter VI: Going Hog Wild - ]

One question I get asked about Eostia, whenever I am outside of her borders and speaking to the educated, nobility or merchants curious about my nation of origin is why is nearly all the banners of the notable, noble and royal houses shields? And yes, nearly all of them are shields; only Celestine Lucross' is not a shield. And even then it's circular pattern could easily be set unto a shield. A usual second question, either right on the first's heels or after the explanation, is why are so many so fancy or busy in their patterns. Even the emblem of the Seven Shields Alliance is a round shield; the nation does not usually use flags like many other nations; rather they just set their banner onto a flag when the need arises.

Banners such as House Arcturus, Blitzhaus and the banner of Geofu's leadership are all quite elaborate and colorful, often difficult to replicate with ease. Indeed, many soldiers fighting under them use more simplified version's of their lord's emblems on their own shields, armors or banners. At the same time houses like Noxdecus, Leosol and Galeraven are, comparatively, simple.

When needed to be set into flag form the Eostian flag has the left third of it as sky blue over which the banner of the house in question is set in the color's center. For the rest of the flag half the height in the center is white and a quarter above and below it is a pale gold. At times a bannerless flag will be waved; either for simplicity or because multiple houses are gathering under it. The bannerless flag and one baring the emblem of the Seven Shields Alliance are the two typically used when at war or dealing in foreign relations.

But back to the questions at hand, the answer much like many Eostian traditions dates back to it's founding and the Aegis Alliance Accords.

After ending the Wars of Succession by force Joanna of the White Cloth brought all the lords to a single location to discuss what would become the Aegis Alliance Accords. A firm rule stated for the meeting, however, was no one could enter with a weapon of any sort. However to ease fears of attack on anyone gathered there all members that were attending were allowed to bring a shield. Like many other houses the nobility bore their heraldic emblems and patterns on their shields and they would often set them down before them on their tables as they sat.

After the Accords were signed and the Council of Lords formed the rule of no weapons (Save guards provided by the crown) stayed in place. Overtime the lords would set their shields on stands or in front of their tables to be seen and some would decorate them to be more impressive, artistic or to try and turn them into a statement about their house or holdings. Others would keep their shields mostly unchanged such as House Hurguard who would come into ruling Elrus in 259 AF which was little more then a half red and white shield with a diagonal zone of horizontal stripes separating the two colors.

When immigrants such as the halflings and easterners arrived and began entering, forming or being asked to lead noble houses they would follow these traditions. Indeed, it is a rule that an Eostian noble house must have a banner and that banner must be in the shape of a shield; or at least something shield shaped. Celestine Lucross is the only exception to this rule, and even then it is only an arguable one.

That said, I do enjoy these many, colorful banners; rich with their own history and ideologies. In a lot of ways it represents what Eostia truly is; many differing and varied peoples coming together for common goals and common goods. Even if the noble houses bicker and argue half the time that they meet.

You can only expect so much from them, in the end.

~Dominic James Pencraft, The Eostia Historia

[-]

"Right simple to install this thing, ain't it me'lord?" A man asked as I nodded. Said man bore an eye-patch over his right eye and short, blonde hair. He had a roguish grin as he held the booster stable for me as we hovered over the Colt Ridge Adventurer's Guild as I secured the device in place. He wore a black, buttoned up shirt under a purple vest, a set of white slacks tucked into black boots. He was a Wizard named Rictor Verka, although he had a trait that let him use rapiers making him a pseudo Spell Blade, really. He was the local administrator for the guild and was rather friendly in helping out as Prim and Carmen hovered nearby.

We agreed to visit the Onglaves but as the guild was in town and the Onglaves lived away from it we decided to finish work here first. As the booster was being installed I took the time to ask Rictor about the bandits; apparently while not unheard of these style of attacks have really picked up the last two weeks as their leader became bolder and bolder. Greenwave had always been a bit lousy with bandits but it was more so right now.

A new leader appeared some months ago and formed a band referred to as the Scouring Boars who called herself 'the Hog Queen'. I don't know what sort of woman (Or person for that matter) would equate themselves to a hog, but this woman did. Supposedly she was a former minor noble but Rictor claimed not to know the story, at least not in full. Regardless once done we floated back down to the ground and stepped back to look. A quick check with my Voxlux showed that I could connect to it with ease, but I didn't activate it. It wasn't my place, that would be the local lord's place, of whom we intended to visit.

"Well then, I think that's secure and done." I said as I turned to Prim and gave a nod and smile. "I think, then, we are best served by visiting the local lord and maybe explaining the details to him." I said as she nodded once.

[(⸜∕ ) Place Booster in Greenwave]

Two down, one more to go. Well, for Ur, at least.

"Indeed." Prim said, clasping her hands before her chest and smiled with a nod to me. "We can afford sometime to browse Colt Ridge's shops, but I also think we should soon ride out to meet the-"

"It's true! You are here, your highness!" We heard as we turned, horse hooves approaching. I had ignored the hooves earlier as this was a busy city but the voice calling out called attention to it.

The horse was a large war stallion and covered in a copper colored scale armor with a brown cloth hanging off the front with the House Onglave Emblem on the front of it. What I could see of the horse itself was it was a rich, brown color. Riding on it was a woman in what I assumed to be mana armor; a matching, copper colored scale with brass edging shaped into a bikini with two strings moving to hold on small shoulder pauldrons and matching armored panels on the back of the forearms and shins, attached to dark brown gloves and boots. A brass choker was around the neck with a white, diamond shaped spell stone set to it and a matching stone set to the center of a thin, brass circlet on the forehead. Round, white spell stones hung off each of her ears. At one hip was a simple rapier with a brass D-guard and dark blue handle hanging off the left hip. On her back was a shield and while I couldn't see what was on the front of it it was in the shape of the Onglave emblem.

At six foot even the woman was very tall for her gender and had a fit if slender frame with C-cup breasts and nicely flared hips. Her hair fell to mid back in straight, chestnut waves with a bang over the left side of her face and the right bang tucked behind an ear. Violet eyes was set to a clear face of clear, smooth skin. Once she was close enough she dismounted the horse she rode in on and moved to kneel before the Princess.

"I had heard you have come! You are here to help us then?" The woman said.

"Lady Valora, I apologize but... Could you explain? Preferably on your feet." Prime let off at the woman now kneeling before her.

(-)

Name: Valora Onglave
Title: Lady Knight of Greenwave
Class: Warrior
Level: 19
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 54
Status: Healthy, Grateful, Awed

Romance Rating: 80
Corruption Rating: 2

Known Traits
[?]
[Bolster Armor] Your armor seems to be stronger then if another wore it. +10% to all resistances of your current armor.
[Strength From Resilience] It seems your resistance to damage fuels your might. Gain 2 Str. Additionally for every 5 points in Con gain 1 in Str (Rounded Up)
[Elemental Conduit] You can channel elemental magic into your weapon with greater ease. Any Combat Art that imbues a weapon with an elemental effect has that elements damage increased by double
[?]

First daughter and second child of Gerald Onglave and only child of his wife Terrwyn Onglave, she was the 'spare' to her brother's 'heir' and as such decided to turn her attentions from learning politics and statecraft towards combat and defending the people. She believes that it is the duty of the strong to protect the weak and as such cultivates the strength needed to be a protector. However with the death of her brother to sickness she finds herself as the new heir of Onglave and her training in battlecraft has ill readied her for statecraft.

(-)

That boosting trait is now noted.

After a moment Valora stood up, looking confused. "The Scouring Boars... S-surely it is the reason you are here; the bandits that have caused us such havoc... Is that not why you are here; that you have heard of the people's plight and rode out to assist us?" She said as Prim blinked at her for a moment before sighing.

"I am afraid to say that other business has brought us here. One we would discuss with your father." She said softly. "I have not heard of these... Scouring Boars; however now that I have I will not turn a blind eye or ear. I would hear who they are and, if able, assist in dealing with them."

"I imagine they're the bandits attacking those people on the road we stumbled over." I said, inserting myself into the conversation as Valora looked to me. "If they're causing this much havoc then maybe we should see about intervening."

"I would not argue normally." Prim said as she turned to me, Valora's head turning back to the princess. "But I do need to remind you that it is your work that we're here for as it is escorting you that is my first duty and to help see to your work."

"Well nothing says I can't take a second job while we're here." I replied with a grin as she giggled.

"I thought as much." She said before turning back to Valora. "Valora Onglave; do guide us to your home. I would speak both of why we're here to your father and hear the plight you are dealing with."

"Thank you, your highness... I will do so right away!" She said saluting before moving to mount her horse (I wasn't surprised that the shield had the Onglave emblem on it; although it was copper in coloration with etchings of the house symbol on it and brass colored trim. I was surprised that at the french bikini style cut of the armor's bottoms; given this world I expected a thong. We quickly moved to the carriages in order to follow Valora. "We ride to Castle Greenwave!"

[New Quest Gained: This Little Piggy]
[New Objective: Learn about the Hog Queen]
[New Objective: Locate the Hog Queen]

Ohh, new quest.

[-]

Castle Greenwave was a bit notorious for it's defenses. Like much of Greenwave there was a lot of tall grass outside of it; waves of swaying green as the winds blew to and fro. Some of it included razor grass but that mattered little to anyone wearing heavy enough clothing. No, rather it was known for a scattering of spell stones hidden in the ground. How deep, where and so on wasn't known to all but a few. What was known that once activated they would create a series of potholes; foot round holes that were a foot deep each. Thirteen hundred years ago a Balanar King decided charging Greenwave Castle was a good idea. Needless to say they dealt with a lot of broken legs (Human and horse) during their attempted charge and it's aftermath. Worse, the tall grass did a very good job of hiding these holes and their appearance. Once the siege ended the spell would be reversed and the holes would fill themselves in.

The castle itself bore one set of outer walls but also boasted twelve towers along it that housed ballista and a level built above it with catapults. The central keep also had a full sized trebuchet to fire outwards to any invaders. While a shadow of Fortress Ur's power it was not a stronghold to trifle with. There was no moat but I imagined there would be other defenses to deter attackers.

We were waved through the front gate and led to the keep right away. The central keep was built with a wide first floor with battlements, a smaller second floor with battlements, a smaller third floor with battlements then a very tall, rounded tower in the center. Even if a force got into the walls I could see them shuddering at how many arrows this castle could output in combat when fully staffed.

Valora waved us in and sent a maid off to alert her parents of our arrival. Soon we would be whisked off the the castle's throne room which, aside from a few guards, was empty besides three people sitting on three, golden thrones with green cushioning on the seats on a slightly raised platform in the back. The room was plain, gray stone save a few Onglave banners hung about and a green carpet leading to the throne's platform and statues of knights on horseback in a line along the sides of the room.

Valora led us in; myself, Prim, Carmen, Troya, Miria, Makoto, Aeris, Riri and Ur'Akara. Once we stood before the platform Prim curtsied softly as Valora moved to stand next to the man on the center throne on his left between he and one of the two women seated on the other thrones. "Duke Gerald. Duchess Justica. Lady Terrwyn. I apologize for sudden appearance and interruption. And while I did state it in my last letter to you I would reiterate at how sorry I am at the loss of Hector. While not my closest friend he was a reliable one."

The man on the center throne smiled and nodded once. He bore a brown goatee that was four inches long and curled upwards near the tip. His hair was neck length and came down in spikes framing green eyes. He wore a rich, black colored tunic with green stripes going down the sides from the shoulders, matching the color of the sleeves with the Onglave Emblem in the center of the chest. He wore black pants with gold stripes on the sides tucked into dark green boots with black soles.

"Princess Prim... I thank you for the kind words and welcome you to my home." The man said. "I apologize for missing your party, but given the circumstances..."

"Think nothing of it." Prim said softly, shaking her head. "You were in mourning. I would not ask you to attend knowing you were in such a state. In this regard you owe no apologies to me or anyone else."

(-)

Name: Gerald Onglave
Title: Good Duke of Greenwave
Class: Lancer
Level: 41
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 56
Status: Healthy, Mourning, Relaxed

Known Traits
[?]
[Spearpoint] Your spear thrusts have a better chance to punch through armor. -3 Piercing Resistance to all targets when thrusting a polearm at them
[Ironclad] You wear any metal armor like you were born in it. +10% bonus to all Resistances for Chain Mail, Scale Mail, Splint Mail and Plate Mail.
[Wise Leader] Your leadership is known for it's patience and wisdom leading to better decisions then usual. +5% wealth to your realm
[?]

The motto of House Onglave has, since it's inception, been 'The common man must not serve the noble man. The noble man must serve the common man'. And Gerald is one of the line's largest believers in this ideal, having fought on the front lines in Garan time and again as the call comes. While saddened by the loss of his eldest child he knows he must prepare his second eldest child for her new role; as the Heir of Greenwave's Duchy.

(-)

"I also thank you for the kind words." The woman to Gerald's right said as she smiled sadly, setting a hand to her chest and bowing slightly in her seat. "Hector's loss still weighs heavy on my heart and I am still aching from his death but your letter to us uplifted me greatly."

This women bore bright, platinum hair with a slight purple tinge to it that was down to the mid back. Her body was curvy with D-cup breasts and wide hips. Warm blue eyes looked over to us as they looked over us. She wore an emerald green dress that fell to the ankles with long slits on the sides, but held cut outs above, below, between and the sides of the breasts with the cloth over the left breast boasting the Onglave emblem. Black, heeled shoes were on both feet and a set of gold bangles with a red spell stone on the back of each, matching the one on her golden choker.

(-)

Name: Justica Onglave
Title: Wise Duchess of Greenwave
Class: Sage
Level: 34
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 53
Status: Healthy, Mourning, Calm

Romance Rating: 75
Corruption Rating: 6

Known Traits
[By The Light] All Holy spells are increased in effect by 10%
[Sage's Holy Fire] While fire spells are not a sage's usual tool you've found a way to use them. You can learn Fire spells; however 50% of the damage is converted into Holy

[?]
[Aura of Splendor] Your body leaks softly with holy mana; you passively heal anyone within a thirty foot radius of you.

The first wife of Gerald Onglave and mother of Patrick Onglave and the now late Hector Onglave she was originally an orphan raised by The Faith in the poorest sections of Stonewall City. Finding magical potential in her she was taught the blessed arts of holy magic; an art she took to to spare others from suffering more then needed. It would be healing a then Heir to Greenwave that she would fall in love.

(-)

"I must agree." The second woman to the man's left said. She bore short, bowl cut brown hair and a set of purple eyes. She was slender in frame with B-Cup breasts and slightly flared hips. She wore a dress with a long loincloth in the front; pale green in color with the Onglave emblem over the front of it. Unlike her counterpart her dress only had cut outs above and below the breasts. Thigh high black boots were on each foot and a bangle with a red spell stone was on her right wrist but the left one was covered in a bronze colored bracer with an attached, black glove with bronze armor on the back and knuckles.. Other then that she bore no jewelry. Leaning next to her throne was a broadsword with a green handle in a black and emerald colored sheathe. "While Hector was not my own son he was almost as close as one. His loss was hard on the whole family, Valora most of all."

(-)

Name: Terrwyn Onglave
Title: High Lady of Greenwave
Class: Knight
Level: 33
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 57
Status: Healthy, Mourning, Curious

Romance Rating: 76
Corruption Rating: 5

Known Traits
[Ironclad] You wear any metal armor like you were born in it. +10% bonus to all Resistances for Chain Mail, Scale Mail, Splint Mail and Plate Mail.

[?]
[Knight's Holy Fire] While imbuing weapons with fire is not a knight's usual ability you've found a way to use them. You know a variant of Blazing Weapon, but 50% of the added damage is Fire and 50% of it is converted into Holy
[Aura of Defiance] You leak arcane mana into the air around you that fortify allies; +2 to all Resistances of all allies within thirty feet of you.

Second wife of Gerald Onglave and mother of Valora she was adopted by a house of minor nobles when bandits attacked and destroyed her family's wagon when she was a two year old child. She would cultivate martial strength to get revenge on all banditry but after falling in love and become the second wife of Gerald Onglave she refocused her efforts on defending the common man, however her desire to stamp out highwaymen remains still.

(-)

"If I may ask, what brings you to Greenwave, Princess?" Gerald asked, extending a hand as he spoke to Prim. "While I do not know if the rise of our... troubles have reached your ears, I do not think you would ride to Greenwave to assist us; not without prompt or sending request."

"While we are concerned of this problem, seeing as we encountered it on our ride over, you are right." She said smiling up to them. "I am playing escort to my friend James Noxdecus as he engages in a great work commissioned by the Eostian Crown." The duke's eyebrows raised as he glanced to me. I smiled back and coughed softly into my hand to clear my throat before beginning to speak and explain of the Voxlux and the installation of the Boosters. The ruling family showed various levels of surprise and asked a few questions that I would answer as best able.

"Of course as we have finished installing a Booster here in Colt Ridge I will provide ten Voxluxs for you and yours to use as you see fit." I told the Duke, watching his eyes perk up a bit. "And you can order more as to meet your needs; Celestine will be subsidizing purchasing them and the boosters. In fact if you want to purchase and install other boosters in other cities in Greenwave later on then you are more then welcome to do so."

While targeting the boosters could, in theory, harm or cripple the communications network I was setting up the reality was the range of the boosters was quite high, all things considered, and the PA function made them useful for the local lords. If they installed their own then you could have two or three, hell, four or five in one territory. Hell, this tour of Eostia would see me installing twenty four of them but it was not only possible but plausible that number could swell to six to eight times. Once the numbers of boosters reached triple digits (And with the bulk of them likely inside city walls and high atop public buildings that would be well patrolled) knocking out the entire network, even in a segment of Eostia, would be a nightmare.

To be fair it was still going to be sometime before that critical mass was reached, but if the number of boosters installed reached around two hundred then knocking them all out would be next to impossible unless one took all of Eostia. There is something to be said about numbers, in the end. Regardless I should broach the banditry problem with a bridge from the Voxlux conversation.

"Mungale's forces have employed the Voxlux once I was able to start production in earnest." I explained to them. "It has helped curb highwaymen and bandits quite a great deal." All four of the Onglaves perked up at the mention, Terrwyn most of all. "Scouts, watchmen and patrols can call in and report bandits right away and have reinforcements sent quickly. It hasn't ended our bandit issues, of course, but it has heavily curbed them. Given what little I know of your situation I imagine you'd find it quite useful."

"Indeed, indeed, I can see how rapid reports can give us a near instant view of a situation... Even if we can't stop an attack we can track down the attackers quickly..." Gerald let off, cupping his chin. "Bring them to swift justice. Prevent them from taking more life..."

"Indeed, it would be a boon when facing the Hog Queen." Terrwyn said with a nod, crossing her arms under her bust. "How swiftly we could end her reign of havoc..."

"Who exactly is this... Hog Queen, exactly?" Miria asked, taking the question right from my mouth as she set her hands on her hips. Gerald sighed deeply and seemed to slump in his seat and both of his wives shared a look with each other and their shared husband.

"Her name... Her real name is Ebba Arkwell." Gerald said with a sigh. I thought of the name for a moment before something flashed in my mind.

"Wait; the kidnapped daughter of one of the minor lords in Moara?" I let off. Moara was a barony to Greenwave's north east. While Greenwave had a thin border with Camafran to the west (Pinched in by the borders of Moara to the north and Delconna to the south) all of Moara's western border was along the Eostia/Camafran border. Moara had a minor feud with Greenwave centuries prior, but over time it died out; namely about one hundred years ago when Moara changed from a slave state to a limited one then to an abolitionist state forty years ago. While Moara and Greenwave aren't exactly best friends right now they have a solid relationship. As I recalled Gerald's mother came from Moara's ruling House Sunfield and was cousins with Baron Brendon.

"You heard about this?" Miria asked me and I turned my head to shrug at her.

"Kinda. I knew it happened but news never reached me about what had become of her. This was... A year ago, I think?" I said, thinking for a moment.

"A little less, but yes." Gerald said. "To explain; while over the last century our relations with Moara had greatly improved but there were still... Bitter feelings here and there. And Ebba had a feud with Christa Verdant; a daughter of another minor noble, but one in Greenwave." He began, sighing. "The two sniped and made rude remarks at one another for years. While neither knew magical or martial disciplines they had dragged each other into catfights over old wounds others would see healed and mended. Exactly how this feud began I do not know, but things started to simmer down some two years ago. It seemed like a peace would come between then, uneasy at it was."

"So... What happened?" Prim asked, tilting her head. "By your tone I assume something made the feud resume, if not in the same intensity then a worse one."

"What else could cause such an explosion of hatred between two women who already don't like each other?" Justica inserted with a dark, bitter chuckle. "A man, of course. One both of them had fallen for hard and he was a man neither would share with the other."

"Indeed." Gerald said with a deep sigh. "He was a young free knight making coin at the guild; doing good and trying to be a beacon of light. Kendis Bredcoat was his name; fine lad. Honest as far as I could tell... And either uninterested in the two women or... Oblivious to their attempts to charm him. Either way the feud began anew. They competed to be the first to kiss him, the first to woo him, the first to bed him. I'm not sure how far either got but Ebba decided to... deal with her enemy... With a bottle of acid."

"Oh my goddess!" Prim let off, gasping as Gerald nodded. Even I went slack-jawed; that was one hell of an escalation between anyone for any reason.

"Ebba was arrested and put under house arrest in luxury quarters in the city of Mekao near the Moara border and was being held until a trial could be readied. Christa survived the attack but... Well, she was forced to wear a mask to... Hide the damage to her face; months of treatment from healers have helped repair some of the damage but she is still scarred horribly. Her brother, a mage in his own right, decided revenge was on the table. He hired a band of mercenaries and had Ebba kidnapped from her quarters and brought to a hidden lab and... Well... Well, she was made into a... a chimera."

"Are you shitting me!?" I let off (Quite loudly as you might imagine) as Prim gasped (Not at me, for the record) with Aeris and Carmen going pale. "To use that kind of magic on another human being is... Bloody hells, it is fucking inhumane at the best of times!"

"To do that... Gods..." Carmen let off, as she shivered.

"Forgive me, but mayhaps someone could enlighten those of us not as educated in the disciplines of magic and spellcraft what a chimera even is and what is so disturbing about it?" Makoto asked, looking at me with concern. Prim turned to look to me and gave me a nod, giving me the floor.

"It is... I suppose the best way to put it is the result of an off shoot of enchantment magic in the classification of transmutation." I began, doing my best to keep my voice calm. "It's much like how building a structure with wood and stone has the some shared philosophies behind them but require a few different methods relating to different materials. However where as with enchantment you merge magic into an object to give it an effect in transmutation... In this sort of craft, you fuse two things together." I said, my voice quivering a bit; and I haven't even heard the full story. "I'll spare the exact details, but this isn't something you do on a whim. It takes the proper ritual equipment, the proper materials, proper runes... And proper knowledge. No school of magic teaches transmutation; it is forbidden to be taught in any academy beyond 'it exists' and while it's not outlawed there's a massive push for that. Her brother must have been deeply involved in something questionable before this had happened."

I took a moment to take a breath before carrying on. "To make a long story short a chimera is one of the things you can create with transmutation magic; it's a being made from two other beings." I said as realization reached Makoto. "There are two kinds of chimeras. The first is called a 'patchwork' or 'stitched' chimera, where parts of one or more bodies are attached to another to make a new being. Centaurs, as an example, are a product of this type of transmutation. The other is 'fused' or 'blended' chimeras; where two or more beings are mixed together; like stirring ingredients into a batter or dough. The resulting being takes on traits of everything used to form it and makes something new. Wolfmen, as an example, are a result of this; a fusion of wolves and men."

"Gods... Yes, I can see why such a thing would be horrifying..." Makoto let off, rubbing her chin with a thumb and forefinger. For me the fact that enchantment and transmutation are, for lack of a better term, sister schools of magic means I find this extra disturbing. And if they are sister schools then transmutation is the redheaded step-child. Except it deserves to be beaten. Regularly. With a baseball bat. With nails in it.

"There are a few, sparse mages allowed to experiment with transmutation." Prim injected, her own voice wavering a bit. "But it is under heavy supervision and for the purposes of medical knowledge and research only; forming chimeras is banned. It is a crime punishable by death unless good and proper reason can be shown that it was done with both consent and to help the person turned into a chimera."

"Of course if you just blend two random animals together then you just get the axe." I added with a sigh. "That's how we ended up with jackalopes, after all." Yes, someone made a batch of fucking jackalopes in this world; three parts rabbit, one part antelope and one part cat as a fusion chimera. Yes, one part cat. They were unleashed south of the Great Serean Lake by a mage who wanted his name to go down in the history books for creating a new creature. Who was he? I dunno; his name was omitted on purpose. The jackalope was very much like it's rabbit cousins; the only two differences were the deer like antlers on the head and that it was omnivorous. Like rabbits it mostly ate grass and other plants, but it would also hunt for food; mostly small rodents, birds and even small fish. I'm told they're pretty nice pets too, although Eostian law requires that your jackalopes be spayed or neutered.

"Indeed." Gerald said with a sigh. "She was made into a fusion... With an orc." He said as I sucked in a breath. Orcs in this world were not the greenskins you'd see in World of Warcraft, Warhammer or likewise settings but were of the 'pig orc' variety. It's said that pig beast men like my friend Edmund were related, if distantly, to them. I could see how the nickname 'Hog Queen' would come up now...

"Sadly Ebba wasn't recovered until it was too late and she was... Fully changed." Justica said with a sigh. "She looked like... Well, a pig woman, to put it simply." She said with a huff. "She was... Rather despondent when she found she had no means of changing back."

"That is not feasible?" Makoto asked as I shook my head, turning to face her..

"No; that would be like separating the yeast and flour from each other in baked bread." I told her. "It's impossible. At best you could merge her with human women over and over again until she becomes mostly human again, but she'd never be herself again and I have no idea what that level of fusion could do to a person's body, let alone their mind. Oh, and doing that would mean killing several women, so it's extra messed up and horrifying."

"While Ebba wasn't a... horrible person I would hesitate to call her a person of high character, even before her violent acid attack or the change she suffered." Gerald said with a sigh. "After the change... I don't know if elements of the orc's personality or instincts warped her or it was... Her mind breaking from what she became but she turned cruel. Despite attempts to assist her or at least contain her she broke away and escaped to the hills. She reappeared some six months ago, leading the Scouring Boars. She's been attacking people on our roads since then or attacking people in villages and around towns. We know they are selling women captured over the border in Delconna slave markets and the Aegis Accords limits my responses once they're past my territory in the barony."

"We have, of course, increased our patrols along the border there to intercept anyone trying to drag victims across." Valora said, hands moving to her hips as she sighed. "But it's only patching a problem that festers. We must hunt the Hog Queen down to protect the people."

"Surely you've agents seeking them." Troya said, speaking up. "Scouts, spies, lookouts. You must know where they are, surely?"

"We've a good idea, yes." Gerald said with a sigh. "They hide out in the mines in the north. They were depleted years ago and the Boars use them to hide in... But there in lies the issue; few people have a good map of the tunnel network in the hills these mines have created." He said as I hummed softly, rubbing my chin. "They are able to rapidly retreat into the tunnels and out various back doors into other mines or even the woods. We can nail a few of their number, but the bulk of them escape."

"We estimated their number to be around fifty to sixty men at a time. Maybe seventy." Justica injected making me whistle softly; that was pretty large for a bandit gang. "It's hard to say. Needless to say we've had issues in dealing with them."

"What we need is to attack their stronghold with a small group. Twenty to thirty or so at most." I mused, voicing my thoughts. "Small enough and with good scouts to deal with sentries and patrols to be able to sneak in close. Of course this force would have to be quiet enough to not be heard, so heavy armor is out. And it would need to be an elite force; able to fight two to three times their number and still win."

"Do you have a plan to find them?" Miria asked as I hummed.

"A tracking spell would be good enough, if we could find one of their number and sneak an object with the spell on it onto their person." I mused, looking to my sister. "But that would mean finding one and keeping him unaware of our intentions..."

"We have tried this before, and we have met with... Better then usual success but they just retreat once the fighting turns sour." Valora said, sighing as she set her hands on her hips. "We lost a man as they collapsed a tunnel behind them."

"Which means we need to have something they will want; something worth the risk of carrying the fight on." Carmen added as I nodded.

"Okay, but what exactly? What are we gonna do, haul a chest of gold along with us and wave it in front of them?" I asked, not sure what to do about that.

"That won't be needed; I'll go." I turned my head to the speaker; Princess Prim herself. "If she does indeed wants female prisoners then I would be too valuable a prize to ignore; she would know any of Eostia's rivals would consider me a valuable bargaining chip." She said. She spoke calmly and yet... You could hear her voice waver a bit. I... I think, no, I know she was scared.

"I know you're a Shield Princess, but I don't feel right about using you for bait." I told her as I fully turned my body to face her. "If you're scared we can come up with anoth-"

"No." She said firmly, shaking her head twice before looking up at me. "I can... I must do this... I decided to take on the responsibility of the Shield Princess. Even if I am afraid I will not... I can not let that stop me. I wish to help and so I shall. I won't back down."

Part of me was impressed with her resolve, although I still worried.

"Regardless of what plans we will come up with..." Gerald injected, raising a hand up. "I think it best if we show you lot hospitality and let you rest. You have come on business unrelated and yet you show such great interest in assisting us. If you can help I would put you to work, but I would also offer your a place to rest your head and a meal to fill your belly. I will have quarters prepared for all of you and we can speak more later."

[(⸜∕ ) Learn about the Hog Queen]

[-]

We were shown to rooms and I took the time to both relax and start spending stat and trait points. First order of business was to see about Strength From Resilience; five regular and twenty universal trait points and I had bought it. My strength was boosted by ten off the bat from that right up to fifty-five. After a moment of thought I then took my one Universal Stat Point and my four Regular Stat Points and dumped them into constitution as well; and with Strength From Resilience that boosted my Strength by another point and meant I was fourteen points away from having enough constitution to grab Mage Knight.

My five sexual stat points were dumped into Recovery; I was sure I'd need that sooner or later. Gerald prepared for us a meal thanks to his cooks and we ate well. We had some good chatter and conversation during supper, sidelining our current worries at least for a time. It was after dinner we got to talking about the intel on the Scouring Boars that was available; their battle tactics, what equipment they had, notable leaders and fighters in the band and one of the most important bits of intel in my opinion.

Their suppliers.

'An army marches on it's stomach'. What this phrase means is simple enough; no matter how large or small, no matter how primitive or advanced, no matter how well disciplined or informal any military force needs supplies. Not just food (For humans and any of the animals they kept) and water (And other, likely alcoholic, drinks) but equipment to maintain and repair weapons and armor or replace them as needed, clothing to put on it's members, coin to pay it's members, tools to build or repair shelters, furniture and so forth, bedding and blankets, paper and ink...

In short; if you wanted to run a military force of any size you needed supplies and while I had no doubt they were more then happy to steal what they could to keep themselves provisioned there was only so much they could steal in the end. Most peasants, after all, didn't carry quality weapons and armor nor the means to maintain them. When I asked if they ransacked or stole from the villages they attacked and what they stole the list was saddening when the first item listed was women, not surprising when coin was the second, then followed by lumber axes and kitchen knives but little else they they would need. They didn't even torch the villages; likely to let it recover to be raided again.

That told me they had a supplier of some description and the Onglaves confirmed the thought. They had, in fact, caught and imprisoned two merchants who were supplying the bandits knowingly and buying some of their notable spoils and suspected two more were doing the same. That was giving me ideas on how to track the Boars, but also maybe an idea of getting more information. If nothing else, it was a place to start looking. And Prim's arrival would leak out of the city soon; if the Hog Queen didn't know Prim was here she would soon, and if I were in her place I'd send someone out to suss out rumors and intel...

Once back in my quarters I took out a couple of spell stones and set to work...

[-]

Next Morning
Duchy of Greenwave
Colt Ridge City Main Road

"Back to town... Why are we always the ones stuck doing these damned errands..?"

"Because we're not raidin' all the time with the others, so no one knows we're with them! Now shush, you don't wanna give us away here!"

The first man huffed as side by side the two rode into Colt Ridge on the back of two horses. The first was a larger man; some six foot three inches tall with a strong, thick jaw, short dark hair and brown eyes. He was well muscled and built for strength, wearing a set of black trousers and a half open, red shirt with his feet clad in black boots. His horse was a somewhat aged brown colt.

By contrast his partner was shorter at five-eight, lithe and boasted brown eyes and dark brown hair in a short ponytail and a hawkish nose. He wore brown slacks tucked into brown boots with a full, blue tunic His horse was a bit younger and white in fur color. Both men had stubble on their face, neither having shaved in days.

"Still rather be out doin' something that's more fun then this..." The first man let off with a groan.

"Stow it, Hedrick. Remember; people can hear your bellyaching."

"Whatever Rocko... So... Where do we start?" Hedrick asked as Rocko pasued for a moment to think.

"Hmm... Well, let's go to the shop first, then the tavern and get breakfast." Rocko said after a moment. "We're here to find out information of what the Princess and whatever that Noxdecus guy is doing here. Maybe find out what they're doing and if we can figure out when she'll be on the road again. Boss wants intel and so we'll get intel."

"Well if food's involved then I guess it ain't so bad..." Hedrick let off, rubbing his chin with a small grin. Rocko sighed and shook his head. Hedrick was a good fighter and hunter but the boss didn't let him join them on their raids; he was new so most people didn't know about his connections to the Scouring Boars making him quite useful for when muscle was needed in town; sadly he was too eager to do something interesting. 'Interesting' meaning fighting, fucking or eating.

Why couldn't he just get a damned hobby?

Rocko, by contrast, was more of a sneak and a useful lookout, scout and at times guard. Mostly, however, he was the one acting as a face for the group to their merchants, informants and suppliers in town. After all they needed to buy and sell and it wasn't like the Hog Queen could come down and do it herself. If anything he enjoyed the challenge of smuggling the supplies back to the base.

"We'll then hit up a few other spots, get the rumors of what's going on; the Guild, the bathhouse and then we'll go to the store and grab some shit to bring back with us." Rocko added after a moment. The public bathhouse was, oddly enough, a good place for rumors if you knew who to ask. Soon the two would stable their horses for their stay before moving off to the Stocked Shelf; a general goods store and the Scouring Boar's best supplier of goods... And buyer of anything good that they could steal. The owner was a notable fence, after all.

Well, to those in the right circles to note it.

The two reached the door and opened it. The outside was the standard plain stone that Colt Ridge favored with a banner under the wooden sign with the shop's name on it under a chest. The banner was a series of curling red and white patterns with an outline of a pirate girl holding up a skull on it in black. The two men saw a haughty blonde elf push off the counter before swaying her hips as she turned and started to walk to the door.

"Ugh... When was the last time you two animals bathed?" The green clad woman let off at them before passing between them.

"Hey!" Hedrick let off as she reached the door. "I bathed! ... This week..."

"Hooray for the bare minimum..." She let off before leaving the door shutting behind her.

"Bitch..." Rocko huffed. "Fine ass bitch, but still a bitch."

"All elves are stuck up." Hedrick let off as the pair walked to the counter as the man behind it examined a ring. "What's that?"

"Oh, just another adventurer selling some loot." The man said. He was an older man, thinned with age but still moving with energy. A halo of white hair was on his head, not even reaching the back of his neck as he looked over to them over his pointed nose. "Spell stone set to it with a small contraception spell put onto it. I wager I can sell it for a decent price." He said before setting it down under the counter. "But enough of that..." He said, moving to the side of the room and reaching under a hanging painting of a nude woman. Hidden under it was a silence spell set onto a spell stone that a small spark of magic turned on; it would keep all sounds made from leaving the room. Any man with an ear set to the door would hear nothing but silence. An anti-scry spell was set to the building but one couldn't be too careful as he moved back to the counter. "What brings you gentlemen? I haven't finished putting your things together yet; I was expecting you tomorrow."

"We'll grab them later today if it's ready by then." Rocko said as he crossed his arm. "But the boss sent us over on something else that's in the rumor mill; or at least we hope. One of the boys saw Princess Prim's carriage on the way here."

"Ahhh... The Hog Queen's taken an interest in her then?" The man said, stroking his chin as he nodded. "Indeed, indeed. I've heard a rumor that she and some others were at the guild. Adventurer's Guild, of course." There may have been many guilds in Eostia but only one was refereed to as 'The Guild' by most. "They put a strange thing on the roof of it. Rictor was helping them, so the guild either paid for it or sanctioned it, whatever it is."

"Eh? You don't know what it is?" Hedrick let off, rubbing the back of his head as the man shook his own head.

"No. I saw it myself; it has a decent sized spell orb on it." The store owner said, leaning on the counter. "Safe bet that it has some kind of enchantment on it; although damned if I know what it is. I've heard rumors, though, from up north. From Mungale."

"Hey, didn't the guys say the Princess was with some lordling from Mungale?" Hedrick let off as Rocked hummed softly. "That House Noxidocerous guy or something."

"Noxdecus." The store owner said as Rocko looked over to Hedrick as well.

"Yeah Hedrick; I said that we were looking into him as we were coming here!" He told his partner with a sigh before looking to the store owner. "What does these rumors say?" He asked as the man leaned in closer.

"That it projected the baron's head up into the air over the city... And let him speak to them..." He said, pointing to Rocko. "And not from the city; he was outside of it. I dunno how such a thing would work though. But if Mungale's lordling is here, safe to say this thing is the same sort of thing in Argon City."

"So, a way to make proclamations directly to people, eh?" Rocko let off, humming. "Hmm... Then the lordling might be a more valuable catch, if he knows how shit like that works. I would bet you my left nut he can do more with it."

"Should we go drag him back to the den then?" Hedrick let off, grinning as he smacked a fist into an open palm as Rocko sighed in a deep, hard manner, shaking his head.

"You think the man came out here without a decent guard? Fuck, if this shit is as big as I think it is then Princess Prim, a fucking Shield Princess, is here as a part of his escort!"

"Oh... So bad idea then?"

"Terrible idea. Not without a damned good plan."

"If I may inject..." The shopkeeper said, raising his hand. "There's something else you should know." Both men turned to look at him as the older male spoke. "The duke's daughter, Valora, met them as well and led them to the castle. It's possible that she's trying to recruit the Princess into helping her find and capture or kill the Hog Queen."

"Hmmm... Could be she's just offering them a bed for the night, but if she is recruiting them to hunt the boss..." Rocko said with a sigh. "We'll dig around some more." He said finally before pulling a bag from his side, setting it on the counter. "Usual payment for the goods, plus a few spell stones we found on the last merchant we jacked. You got it all? Axes, daggers, rope, the food, all of it?"

The store owner nodded and took the bag, smiling. "Oh yes, yes. Give me a few hours and I'll have it ready for you. I'm not expecting the chain mail until tomorrow, however, so if you want that someone will need to swing by then."

"Sure, that's fine. We'll be back, Old Man."

[-]

"That quick?"

"That quick. I dare say, it's lucky I arrived as I did. Any later and I would have missed them."

"Lucky indeed. Good work, Aeris."

[-]

After visiting the Stocked Shelf the bandit pair would make their way down a block, turn a corner and walk another block to the Steel Plate.

The Steel Plate was the best tavern in Colt Ridge and one of the largest. It was well known for good food in good proportions, a clean place to eat and, important to their current job, a good place to listen in on the recent gossip and going ons. It was a bit of a walk but soon they entered. Like the Stocked Shelf the building was made of the same, plain stone the rest of the city employed but The Steel Plate painted the outside door and window frames a nice gold color and outside of the door was two, large, green cloth banners featuring a knight's armor. The roof had crenelations along it, making it look like a small, single floor castle with it's door even having vertical bars like a portcullis. The wooden sign over the door not only boasted the name of the tavern but the image of an armored knight with fork and knife in each hand sitting over a roast on a plate.

Inside was tables covered in black table cloths, good seating, quality (If still wooden) bowls and plates, sturdy chairs and a well made, dark stained bar. Over the bar and mounted on the wall was the chest plate of a knight's armor; the name sake of the tavern. The plate was dented and scarred with use but survived and protected the tavern's founder until he retired. Waitresses went around serving townsfolk, merchants, adventures, town guards and others. The pair would take a seat at a table; one table buffered them from a wall but let them see the whole room allowing them to see and listen in on others. Once a waitress took their order and set mugs of ale before them they began to listen in on the rumors of the day.

Indeed they over heard some talk about referring to the Princess, as well as overhearing a bit of talk of some 'cute noble type guy' with her and that Valora Onglave led them to the castle... And little else. Even as the rumor mill churned they heard speculation and little else of worth.

"Ugh, no one knows a damn thing about this lordling and his fucking orb, does he?" Rocko let off with a sigh. Hedrick huffed softly.

"Well who cares what it does, hmm?" The large man said as he took a long sip of his drink.

"We do you idiot. Or at least the boss will." Rocko let off as he huffed. "The guild isn't going to let just anyone put just anything onto one of their buildings. It does something and it interests the guild."

"Yeah well a lot of stuff interests the guild." Both men turned to see the speaker; someone who just walked in. She was a pink haired catalan with a swaying tail and mismatched eyes. "I mean I saw one of them in the Grand Duchy's capital. Government building though..." Rocko's eyes widened a bit as he waved the girl to a seat with a grin.

"Wench, another mug over here!" He called out as the woman shrugged and sat down. "Well girlie, you sure about seeing that?" He asked as the woman nodded, leaning on the table.

"Yeah. Heard the Princess herself was there, helping to install it." She said before finally sitting down. "Then the Grand Duke's head appeared over the city." She said, leaning back and spreading her arms, as if to mimic what had happened. "Spoke to everyone! From the castle even!"

"Amazing... If the lordling from Mungale is behind this, then it makes sense he'd go to the Grand Duke to show it off..." Rocko mused openly.

"Huh... Hey!" Hedrick let off, pointing to his partner. "Think the guild will tell us more about it?" He asked as their food was carried over by the waitress.

"Maybe. Can't hurt to ask." Rocko said with a nod.

"Boss'll be happy to hear, she'll-Ack!" Hedrick let off, wincing as a foot hit his shin. "Ah, never mind."

"Oh I see, you guys have a boss, huh?" The catalan let off as Rocko tried to hide his nervousness. "Little adventuring or merc group?" He chuckled, not letting it show as her nervousness vanished.

"Yeah, but just a handful of us, nothing special." Rocko said with a grin. "You're... Free to come back with us, meet the gang and-"

"Got my own, thanks." She said as her own food arrived.

"Shame, shame. They'd love to meet you." Rocko said with a shrug. "The boss likes to meet other... fit women, ya know?"

"Ohhh?"

"Oh yeah, and we like to... work with them" Hedrick added with a wide grin.

The trio would eat and chat, the two men trying to learn what little they could of the strange object installed on the guild building and the catalan offering her own guesses. Soon meals were paid for and the two men were back on their way, without a catalan at their side...

[-]

"Well?"

"Yeah, I think your idea will work. I imagine they'll fall for it, hook, line and sinker with their lame invite for me."

"Good work. If they're going to make a play like that to lure you away, Miria, then I've no doubt this will work."

[-]

Aside from listening into gossip their trip to the bathhouse was a chance to wash up, which both did consider important. Sadly their knowledge of the situation didn't expand much beyond what they already had. The guild didn't prove much better; Rictor didn't overly care for them and may have suspected who they worked for so he didn't tell them more then they already knew. They did learn from one of the adventurer's within that the lordling had an eastern, female bodyguard. How he lucked out and got such an exotic bodyguard neither knew.

With nothing else to do Rocko sent Hedrick ahead to the Stocked Shelf while he went to the stables to get the horses. Leading the animals to the back of the store he would tie the horses up before moving to help Hedrick load the horses saddlebags and pull out wide banners for what he called 'the belly bag', a saddlebag that hung under the horse and pressed to it's belly. With banners hanging off both sides of the horse, set under the saddles it would allow him to smuggle a limited amount of items like weapons.

At least it kept the guards from asking about anything.

Once the store owner had everything ready to be loaded up they led the horses out by the reigns. While it wasn't as productive a trip as they had hoped they had learned some useful things so it wasn't a complete waste. If anything they were in good spirits as they moved to the gate... And Rocko noticed something, or rather someone.

A girl. A young one; eleven or twelve maybe. Long brown hair, wearing a cute, baby blue dress, short brown boots and a red sash that was tight around her waist. She was looking about, fidgeting and biting her lip. Rocko hummed softly and walked closer to her, curious. "Oiy, little girl." The girl jumped and looked up at him.

"H-hi!" She let off, squirming a bit. "Have you seen my mommy?" She let off, quickly and cutely. Her eyes darted about as if looking for someone.

"Can't say I would have... What does she look like?" Rocko asked as he moved to kneel before the girl, looking her in the eye from her level.

"Um, tall as you... brown hair in a braid, green eyes... Oh, red dress. She told me to wait here..." The girl replied.

"When was that?"

"...This... This morning..."

"Oooooh..." Rocko let off wincing... But he was also sensing an opportunity. "Well, I can't say I saw a woman like that... But we're coming back to town tomorrow... If you want you can spend the night with us. We just live a bit outside the town, is all."

"Eh?" Hedrick let off, head snapping to look at his partner. "Ah, Rocko what are you-"

"Just... Ah, sorry but can you wait over there for a moment while I talk to my partner?"

"Okay!" The girl chirped, moving off to the side of a building as he asked as he turned to face his Hedrick.

"Are you planning to use a kid?" Hedrick hissed out as Rocko rolled his eyes.

"Hed. It's easy money. Real easy money" Rocko pointed out as he looked to the girl who rocked on the balls of her feet, hands behind her back as she waited. "Do you know how much some of those rich, noble jackasses will pay for a cute, little girl like this? They love molding them into what they want."

"I dunno... Feels, ya know, a bit... Ya know..." Hedrick let off, waving his hands before him as he searched for the right word. "Scummy to do that to a girl that age, ya know?"

"Hedrick." Rocko hissed out, slapping the back of his hand to his partner's shoulder. "We're highwaymen, this is nothing new for us and you know it!"

"Maybe but..."

"No buts, man. It's free money!" Rocko said before moving away from his friend, waving the girl back over, grinning to himself as the girl half skipped over to him. "Like I said, we live out of town so you'll have to ride with us there." Rocko said, trying to ignore how awkward Hedrick looked as the girl chirped out an 'okay'.

Soon the girl was riding in front of Rocko on his horse, riding side by side with his partner Hedrick, even if he was looked about in awkward feeling guilt.

Five minutes later, unknown to the pair another group had left the city, taking the same course as they did...

[-]

The ride to the mines was quiet for the most part, at least until they reached the hills. In childish curiosity the girl (Riri, what a cute name!) would point to something and ask 'what's that' as a child tended to do. Strangely it each thing or spot she pointed to and asked about was close to one of their sentries. Still, she was just a kid; just luck and coincidence, surely. She was harmless, after all. Just a little, innocent kid, really.

They'd take care of the innocent bit later.

Somewhere, watching up on high from the Divine Realm, five gods snickered at Rocko who was fully unaware of what would soon be coming.

After most of an hour of navigating the barren hills with only rocks and the odd boar skull to look at and listening the girl hum and sing small songs along the way he grinned. Hell, as they got closer she even stopped the game of asking 'what's that', which was a bonus for him. "We're just about there... We live just around then bend here." He said as Hendrick sighed.

"Oh goodie!" She let off. "Is that where your boss is?"

"Yeah, yeah it is. She'll be excited to, wait... How would you know abo-huuirk!"

"Huh?" Hedrick let off as his partner made an odd sound and looked over... Only to see a throwing knife in the girl's hand, jammed into Rocko's throat and still in her hand; having stabbed backwards over her head into his flesh. Just as realization hit him the girl's other hand snapped out as she threw another knife. It slammed into his skull, burying it's way in to the hilt and killing him as he slumped off the horse. The girl yanked the bloodied blade from the man behind her, letting him tumble off the beast as she dismounted and took both horses by the reigns, pulling them behind a large rock. Reaching into her sash she pulled a Voxlux from it.

"I'm waiting at the mines now. The entrance is just a bend away." The girl said into the device.

"Good work Riri." A familiar male voice spoke back to her. "We'll be along soon, just sit tight."

[-]

I grinned as I saw another of the Scouring Boar's sentries drop like a sack of potatoes; Miria's aim was near flawless and he never saw it coming as she sniped him from behind a large rock.

The plan had been simple; first sneak an item with a Voxlux spell on it into the stores that the Onglaves suspected of supporting the Boars. I just added a contraceptive spell onto it and had Aeris (Posing as an adventurer from outside of Greenwave, which was accurate) sell the ring to the owners of those stores. The timing was amazing; the Boars had arrived just as she was leaving the second store. Even before they had even asked about Prim I knew we had our guys; it was lucky we had her do it first thing in the morning.

Having Miria approach them was to get a better idea of the characters of the two men in question. Once they offered to hire her I knew they'd take a chance to grab a free slave if the chance came to them. That meant the next part was good to go.

I double and triple checked Riri's willingness (Her loyalty to me aside) to play her part; a helpless, innocent child that could easily be taken advantage of and lured away, using a red sash to pin her tail down and make sure it didn't stand out from under the dress. Sure enough the two (Well, one of the two at least) was more then happy to steal away a harmless little girl to introduce her to the 'joys' of slavery. (If sarcasm was a color, the word of 'joys' in this instance would be painted in a full, rich color of Dripping Sarcasm(TM) and would pop off any surface it was set to.)

Except this one is not so harmless and knew well the 'joys' of slavery and had long since rejected them.

Riri's job was a scout; her Voxlux was open and letting us listen in to her along with Tweedledee and Tweedledum, and thanks to her training she was able to spot almost all of the sentries (Using innocent questions and what would sound like a children's song to let us know where they were) keeping watch in the hills on the route over. The few she missed Miria and Ur'Akara caught sight of. That led to our part; discreetly killing the guards to let the main force approach without being spotted.

The force to deal with the guards consisted of me, Miria, Ur'Akara and one of Valora's men; a man in gray, leather gambeson by the name of Henry Victoria; a distant cousin of Valora's. Miria would snipe any guard she could from a distance. Any that she couldn't snipe at Ur'Akara snuck up one and slew with her arms of choice; a pair of tomahawks in addition to a small batch of throwing axes she carried. She ditched the maid uniform for a more tribal outfit; a deer hide bikini with thick, black tufts of fur attached to the top around the neck. Brown, leather boots were on each foot and she had used a dark chalk dust to draw three, dark gray lines across each cheek.

Henry's part was to shadow Ur'Akara on her kills to make sure there wasn't a second sentry near by and in case there was then he would deal with them; as a rogue he relied on a short bow and arming sword for this task. My task was to watch Miria's back and act as magical support; mainly using Scry and Telescopic Vision to get the lay of the land (Mostly the second; there was a scry shield close to the mines that blocked me as we got closer making using scry impossible, at least until we got inside of it), use a weak gale burst to direct attention somewhere or illusion to distract or hide movement. In addition I was there to act as a healer if worse came to worse.

The main force was being led by Prim. Well, 'led by Prim' might be overstating things as she seemed to be more then happy to let Troya give the orders and just tell her lieutenant what she needed done; Prim just walked in front of the group. Carmen was by her side, of course, as was Makoto, Aeris, Valora, the aforementioned Troya and thirty of Onglave's finest men; twenty one knights, five archers, two mages, a combat cleric and a scout who would be staying ahead of the force. They wore lighter armor then usual (And loaned a set out to Troya) to make a quieter approach.

We'd killed eight sentries on our way over now and soon as we climbed over a hill we could see Riri, keeping watch on the mine's entrance from her spot behind a rock. Once sure all the guards were dealt with I hovered down to the ground and walked over; brushing my feet along the ground to not startle her. I saw my maid stiffen, but she only glanced back and nodded as I moved to kneel behind her rock, slipping a bag off my back, glancing at the two men she killed earlier. "So far, so good." I let off as I passed the bag to her as she nodded.

"Yeah. I checked that it was, indeed, the mine they're using as a base. There are guards inside the mine's shaft so I can't just sneak in." Riri replied as she took the bag aside. I knew she was changing into her gambeson armor that I brought along and would strap on her long knives. I kept my back turned to her; not for privacy but to keep a look out. Not long after Riri was changed did the main force's scout arrive. He gave me a thumbs up and moved back, likely to let Prim and her guard know the path was clear.

It was about another five or so minutes when the main force arrived, Prim at it's lead with her body clad in a large, navy blue cloak hiding her dress and figure with Valora wearing a likewise one. After all, if the pair were seen walking out of town there was a chance the enemy would learn of it. The pair would take their cloaks off, passing them to Carmen and an Onglave knight respectfully. They would move next to me as Miria, Ur'Akara and Henry joined us as I glanced over to the mine entrance as I took in a breath leaning back before looking at Prim.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked her. The plan was simple; Prim would be the first to step out and the first to attack. The hope was Ebba would be too eager to capture her that she'd stick around and not escape the mine through some back door once she heard Prim was here; otherwise we'd need to rely on Miria and Ur'Akara's noses to follow them to their next lair. And no idea how well that would work. She nodded to me simply before taking a calming breath. She was scared, clearly, but wasn't about to back down as she took a moment to prepare.

"Let's do this." She said before moving to walk out. I moved to flank her on one side, Valora on the other with Makoto and Carmen moving to flank us in turn. Before we came into sight we drew weapons and myself, Prim and Carmen drew mana for opening spells. The rest of the main force fell in behind us in two groups; the first half following close behind and the second half lagging (With the other two mages) as a means to prevent the Scouring Boars from getting an accurate guess of our numbers.

The guards at the mine weren't paying all that much attention, likely feeling secure from all the (Now dead) sentries and was a half dozen guys lazing just outside of the entrance and one in it, but as we brazenly walked around and to the mine's entrance they took note almost right away and myself and Carmen sent a collection of Scatter Bolts off at them while Prim just threw a basic fireball. We ignored the one man in the mine; after all the plan was to let the Hog Queen know Prim was here and use her as bait to entice her to stay. If she was as greedy as a, well, pig then she would and we'd have our shot at her.

Our combined magical onslaught had downed the sentries before they could react in any meaningful way (And dented the rocks around them with the bolts that missed) save the man who was in the cave who retreated within. There was still the chance that the Hog Queen would do the smart thing, however, and retreat to another mine. However there was something else I was banking on; that she was now part Aberrant.

Aberrant had an instinct to breed, a strong one. Some, like goblins, could control it better then others but orcs were notorious for not having any such control. And while female herself it was possible that the orc's desire to defile women still existed in Ebba. When you make a new being from this kind of transmutation it was often up in the air exactly what you'd get. There was some control for the one forming the chimera, but even then it was iffy, doubly so if it was the first time making that combination. And given who was doing it and why, well, I doubt much care was put into it beyond 'Make Ebba suffer' for better or for worse.

Given the trouble she's caused, I'd say it was for the worse.

[-]

It didn't take long for the bandits in the mine to go to a status of full alert. The sound of magical attacks raining into the sentries outside was noticed almost immediately and the one surviving sentry was raising the alarm further as he ran towards the Hog Queen, along with an odd declaration; that Princess Prim Fiorire of the Seven herself had come for them on their home turf.

Rather then stand and fight the bandits retreated deeper into the mines and towards their leader with the sentry quickly rushing before her and telling her what was going on.

"Princess Prim and Valora Onglave? Here? Snort-snort..." She let off, cupping her chin softly in her seat. "And with just over a dozen or so odd men and women, eh? Snort... Hmmm... Snort..."

"Boss..." Her black clad second in command began. "We should retreat. We have no idea how many men they have in reserve that they haven't shown off, and Princess Prim is a very powerful spellcaster. However..."

"However... Snort..." The Hog Queen once known as Ebba said as she looked over to him.

"However unless she intends to collapse the mines on her own head she will need to limit herself while in the mines." He said frowning in thought. "If you are determined to take her as a prize, something I still highly recommend against in favor of retreating I remind, then here is the best place to face her. Her magic will still be dangerous, yes, but she cannot use her more explosive and damaging spells lest she end herself and her own companions."

The Hog Queen snickered hard, leaning her head back as she bellowed in laughter. "Aye... Aye... Snort-snort-snort..." She let off with a long laugh. "No... The reality is if we want to live longer lives then we need to know when to cash out. And with snort-snort Princess Prim we can cash out enough to make us all wealthy and live well in Balanar. Snort-snort-snort... Yes, yes. Enough that each man can afford a collared slave of his own."

"That is if we don't steal some on the way out!" One man in the back let off as the men let off a loud cheer.

"Aye, stealing some Greenwave bitches on the way out will be a great and last 'fuck you' to this place!" Another let off, followed by yet another loud cheer.

"And we can rape the duke's daughter too! That's a bonus!" A third let off as the Hog Queen rose to her feet, pulling back an arm before waving it before her once in a grand gesture.

"Then let's roll out the red carpet! Our guests are coming and some of them will be staying... For the rest of their short lives! Weee-Weeee-Snort-Snort-Snort Weeeeee!" She laughed out as the men started to run about and prepare their defenses.

[-]

When we charged into the mines we stumbled over a few scattered bandits that either ran or were dealt with but otherwise we didn't see a main force. My sister and her personal maid were able to track where everyone was going and we marched down with Troya and Valora taking point. Soon we were approaching a chamber and I looked to Miria. She looked to me and nodded as I called a pause and took a moment to draw mana and cast Illusion. Like when we were facing Mandeville I expected an ambush at the entrance as Aeris and Carmen moved to get ready. I used a projected an image of Prim, Valora, Troya, myself and a couple of the knights and had the images walk out to the chamber's entrance and waited.

Sure enough as soon as the images walked into the chamber a heavy net was thrown at them and several spear-wielding bandits charged in and attacked with their weapons doing nothing but hit the air save one guy who really put his all into it and drove his spear through my image, kept running when he hit nothing and impaled one of his buddies as the images vanished.

There is fail and then there is epic fail.

Aeris, Carmen and Prim cast a wind attack each, blasting air into the chamber and knocking the ambushing force away into the chamber. Some hit pillars in the room, some tables or boxes used as tables (Some of those tables were overturned first and one unlucky sod found himself impaled on a broken table leg. Ouch. He wasn't dead, but wasn't getting up at all) and the rest hit the floor. All but a few started to rise up as we rushed into the chamber. I could see four or five dozen odd men waiting for us with weapons drawn, joined by the half dozen men getting back to their feet.

"Damn... I knew it wasn't going to be that easy..." A tall, strong looking man in black gambeson let off. He let off a 'tsk' and glared at us as I shrugged with a grin and looked over to him with Observe.

(-)

Name: Calibur the Cur
Title: Enforcer of the Scouring Boars
Class: Dancer
Level: 16
Alignment: Hostile
Reputation: 34
Status: Healthy, Annoyed

Known Traits
[Ambidextrous] You can wield two weapons at a time with no penalty; and a bonus! +5 Dex and Agi when using two weapons.

[?]
[Knife Nut] You love your knives and you know how to use them. +1 Damage and +2 Dex when using Knives.

Born to Wilbert and Hanna Curriban he was a former lieutenant in the forces of the Barony of Harcal and he was considered on route to becoming a garrison commander until it was found he was stealing funds to pay back a gambling debt. He was dishonorably discharged and arrested and only escaped as the guards escorting him ended up in a conflict with debt collectors also coming for him. Disowned by his family and forced into hiding he joined the Scouring Boars as a second in command, taking the name Calibur the Cur.

(-)

A pig like snicker sounded as several of the men in the middle parted like the red sea on the other side of the chamber as our forces filled the other. I could see two more tunnels to either side of the room so there were retreat options for them but that thought ended as the... woman walked forwards before her men. She looked like I thought; a mix of pig and woman; shorter then I expected but fatter then I expected as well, her obese body barley clad in some fur top and loincloth with armor on her left arm... And in her right was... A thing.

It was less a sword and more a slab of four foot long, flat, rectangular steel that was eight inches wide with one side sharpened into a blade. Rather then a handle a foot long slot was cut (Carved? Filed?) into one corner that formed a handle there large enough to get a meaty hand into and with a strap of brown leather wrapped about it, likely to protect the hand. I had no idea how heavy the slab of metal she was using as a weapon was but I knew it was a lot of weight and she was holding it one handed with ease.

Yeah, this wasn't going to be good.

(-)

Name: Ebba the Hog Queen
Title: Stout Swine of the Scouring Boars
Class: Barbarian
Level: 27
Alignment: Hostile
Reputation: 21

Status: Healthy, Amused, Horny

Romance Rating: N/A
Corruption Rating: 198

Known Traits
[?]
[Transmutation: Orc Fusion] You are fused with an orc and have gained several traits from it. +10 to Con, Str and Agi. You also gain a porcine-like penis and a heightened libido
[Monkey's Grip] You can wield a single, two handed weapon in one hand with no penalty. You may not wield a second two handed weapon along side it, but may wield a single handed weapon, shield or item in your off hand.

[?]
[Acrofatic] Despite your body type, you are more agile then most would expect. +5% to Agi and Dex

Born as Ebba Arkwell of a line of minor nobles in the Barony of Moara she was a lifelong rival of Christa Verdant, a minor noble's daughter in the Duchy of Greenwave. Fighting over the affections of a young knight and feeling Christa's looks were the only thing between herself and this man she used acid to scar her rivals face. In retaliation she was fused with an orc by Christa's brother into a chimera. She then escaped to the hills and killed the leader of the Scouring Legion and renamed them the Scouring Boars with one aim; to make all of Greenwave suffer for her transformation.

(-)

She's level twenty seven!?

Oh fuck me...

This wasn't an utter disaster, to be fair. Troya was at level twenty six, Prim was at twenty three and Valora was up at nineteen. Level alone didn't declare a winner; I had proven that more then a few times so far, but it did mean she was more dangerous then I originally thought. It was best to have Troya and Prim take her on as a team, in my opinion.

Calibur at level sixteen was their second best fighter, with the rest of the Scouring Boars ranging from as low as six to as high as thirteen but the bulk seemed to hover around level ten. This wouldn't be an easy fight by any means, but it was a possible one...

Wait... She also has a...

...

Well, guess I was right on having the orc instincts... I just didn't think she'd get... Something else from it too.

[(⸜∕ ) Locate the Hog Queen]

"Well, well, snort-snort, well... Look at what we have here..." The pig woman let off, snickering at us. "Princess Prim of House Fiorire, here in my humble abode..." She sneered, giving off a 'wee-wee-wee' piggish laugh. "My, my, you're more lovely then I thought you'd be... Such nice, big cow udders on you, Your Perkiness..."

Prim for her part huffed and pouted in a cute manner, glaring back at Ebba. "Surrender, Ebba. There's no need to fight to your death." She said, surprisingly firmly as she pointed her wand at the pig woman who snorted in laughter as glared back. And then, umm...

Well something under her loincloth was, ummm, rising... By quite a bit...

"We'll see snort-snort-snort about how haughty you are when you're screaming under me! Snort-snort, weeeeee!" The Hog Queen let off as I stepped back, my face scrunching up in disgust. Prim paled and gawked as she stepped back with a hand moving over her mouth, a bit of horror coming to her eyes; mirrored by Carmen's. Actually most of the girls around me had some mix of disgust, horror and confusion come to them. As you might have guessed, yes, the Hog Queen's penis was becoming quite erect. The loincloth kept it out of direct view but it was clearly lifting the cloth up with it. And, um...

It was huge. By that I don't mean 'hung like a porn star' huge but rather 'hung like a literal, honest to god horse' huge. If I had to guess it was somewhere between sixteen and eighteen inches long and almost as thick as my arm! I have no god damn idea how that is supposed to fit into a woman! At least not without causing significant harm!

"How disgusting..." Aeris let off at the sight, gagging softly. That was... an acceptable reaction, I'd say.

"Weee weee wee, snort-snort-snoooooooooort weee!" Ebba let off as my vision flashed, zooming in onto her face as she sneered at us. "Welcome to the Pig Pen! Spare the women and the lordling! The rest... Show them to an early grave!" She let off swinging her slab of metal as she pointed the end at us.

_Stout Swine of the Scouring Boars_
Ebba the Hog Queen

My view panned back showcasing many of the bandits around her before another flash and my view returning to normal as the foes started to charge at us from across the chamber.

[New Objective: Defeat the Hog Queen and the Scouring Boars]

Now that my vision was normal once more I cast the spell I had drawn mana for; as did Prim and Carmen. We expected to be outnumbered from the start, and given the close quarters we expected mostly or solely melee weapons from our foes so we had to mitigate the numbers issue as best as we could. How?

Ice attacks.

I casted Arctic Orb (Really, that spell was a favorite of mine now) into the floor ahead of us; as did Prim and Carmen with their own ice spells. The effect was aimed at the center of the room, about a third of the way into the chamber, and the spells quickly covered in a large patch of ice... And the first three idiots who charged us started to slip on the ice and slid towards us, off balance. Miria popped one with an arrow and his two buddies met spear points from our knight escort as they reached the other side. Their fellow bandits managed to stop in time and grit their teeth as myself and Carmen targeted one of the chamber's other exits, Prim targeting the other with her own ice spell as we performed another part of our plan. Slight changes to the spell meant rather then just coating the ground and walls of the exits they made uneven walls of ice rise up and jam the exits up (With Prim's ice wall being much thicker then the one Carmen and I made; girl got mana!), ensuring they were trapped with us.

Troya and Valora moved to either side of the ice patch as the knights divided to reinforce them; the ice patch forced the bandits to attack from smaller paths on the sides, allowing us to jam up their attacks. Sure, they could try and brave the middle, slide over and attack but with no traction under their feet they'd be easy targets. A couple of knights would stay near the middle just in case but Miria, myself and the other magic users along with the other five archers we brought moved to the center.

The bandits, of course, moved to attack on both sides to try and push through our lines, but Troya and Valora were there to greet them with shields and swords.

Mostly swords.

Miria and the archers fired into the bandit's lines. Some of the bandits used shields of their own; mostly wooden but some steel, and positioned to block the arrows as best as they were able. We mages had it a bit easier; myself and Carmen focused on ice spells to hobble and deal with the bandits while Aeris and Prim focused on wind spells, to knock them around, both of which the shields were of little help against. That is at least until Calibur started throwing knives at us; he focused on Valora first but it just pinged off of her with a brief flash of blue mana where they impacted as her mana armor did it's job to guard her making him refocus on the mages only to have Aeris blast them from the air with her spells. Ebba snorted in anger and shrugged.

"Idiots! We can't fight them like this!" She said, turning to the ice wall made by myself and Carmen. "This way!" She called out lifted up that slab of metal she called a weapon (What did it classify as? A sword? An axe? A cleaver? Did it classify as anything!? This is an important question! I NEED TO KNOW THIS!) up with one hand and brought it down on the ice wall, shattering it like it was thin glass.

Damn.

Over half of the bandits were able to pull themselves from the combat they were forced in and followed her, including her right hand man. I flew over the ice with Levitate (With a running start for better speed) and moved to the entrance and aimed my hand to it; drawing mana from my first movement until I got there. Once ready I unleashed it in the form of the Flame Thrower spell, sending a massive stream of fire into the tunnel. Screams met what I did as the knights pushed through the last of the stragglers.

My spell wasn't going to be powerful enough to get them all but I got some. Once the bandits were on the ground (Dead or dying) and everyone joined me we charged down the tunnel, minding the charred bodies (Which I did my best to ignore, ughh...) and came to a three way intersection. "Miria?"

She moved up next to me and sniffed for a long moment. "I think they went every way, but this little Piggy went this way." She said, pointing straight ahead.

"We should ignore the others then; the Hog Queen is our main objective and the Boars could collapse without her." Troya said as I nodded and started to run ahead. The rest of the group followed me to the man (And woman), charging down the tunnel. After a bit of a run I could see light from the exit. As we reached it I had a gut feeling and brought my left hand up, the spell stone on my glove activating and raising up a shield...

Only to have rocks and knives ping off of it. "Ambush!" I called out as Prim pushed her way forwards before holding her hand out, casting an Arcane Shield in the form of a dome for us to exit under protective cover. Once out into the open I gained my bearings once more.

I could see a path almost dead ahead that led down to lower ground, but around us and on both sides of the path were cliffs ranging from twelve to fifteen feet high. Ebba's right hand stood next to her, both of them at the path's entrance at the gap in the cliffs. The rest were up on the aforementioned cliffs, maybe a dozen and a half odd men. I had another bad feeling as we all filtered out. The men threw what they had at us, which amounted to rocks of varying sizes (Although one had a sling. Not a sling shot, a classic sling. There's a reason it was the weapon of choice to down Goliath; primitive as it was it was most definitely not a joke weapon) but Prim's shield blocked them with ease.

I had a bad feeling about this, but I didn't think we had much of a choice but to press on. I drew mana and launched a Scatter Bolt at one side of the cliffs to try and get the men there. To their credit they reacted fast enough, moving to duck then slide or jump down the cliffs, sliding down to ground level and drawing weapons. I noticed that most used clubs and axes with some scattered swords and spears mixed in, but all used a shield of some manner. Getting a better look in open air I could see crude boar skulls painted on the shields in red paint.

"What the-AMBUSH!" I heard cry out... From behind us.

"What?" I glanced back to see a couple of the knights on the ground (Condition unknown) to see the rest of the Scouring Boars pouring out from behind us; maybe even more then we encountered to begin with. She kept reserves, it seemed, but also seemed to direct the rest to follow us down the tunnel to pincer us. I had a feeling this wasn't the Hog Queen's main plan but either a backup plan or a something she came up with on the fly when things weren't going well for her. Credit where it's due, they caught us good and proper... Valora turned about to back up her men as I focused ahead to the charging men, Troya moving to meet them head on as Prim dropped her shield letting other knights followed Troya in.

"Weeee-weee-weee, snort-snort! Some Shield Princess you are Baby Princess Fiorire! You can't catch a weeeeeeee little pig, can you!?" The Hog Queen called out as she turned and ran away, laughing the whole way. I let of a sharp 'tsk'.

"She's trying to rile us up!" I called out as I met a man, shield to arcane shield, grunting before pushing him back, thrusting my rapier and pushing it into eye causing him to cry out and stagger backwards. "She wants us to get stupid!"

"It doesn't matter, she's getting away!" Prim let off as she took to the air with her magic, flying over the heads of the other bandits (And Calibur who smirked, which I took as a real bad sign) as I called out to her. As the now one-eyed man charged me again I just slammed a Gale Burst downwards into his knee, hitting it with the force of a good, stern kick before jabbing my blade into his throat. I was chasing after Prim before he had hit the ground only to need to pause and raise my shield to deflect yet another knife, this one from the black clad Scouring Boar lieutenant.

"Now, now, now..." Calibur said as he moved in front of me, my vision flashing and zooming in on him as he started spinning a knife in each hand as he walked closer to me with a sigh, even as he smirked. "While I'm not a fan of this plan of hers... Well, soon your surrender will be forced once Princess Prim is defeated... But first..." He moved to grip his blades in a reverse grip, taking a combat stance as the view zoomed back slightly. "I'll deal with you myself, Lordling."

_Enforcer of the Scouring Boars_
Calibur the Cur

My vision returned to normal as I grit my teeth and let my arcane shield drop, drawing my parrying dagger into my other hand, spinning it once as I pointed my rapier at him. There was a brief pause...

Then we dashed at one another.

[-]

Prim flew over the ground, looking at the terrain. Rocks, rocks, more rocks, smaller rocks and larger rocks... There was the odd, gnarled tree here and there in view but it was mostly nothing but rocks on the hillside, sloping downwards before flattening out into a large area. The path from the mine led there and would split into two ways, southwards towards Colt Ridge and one northwards to a place she could only guess. She looked about but couldn't see the Hog Queen and given the brown and tan rocks about in the area she was forced to admit that the pig woman could camouflage herself very well here.

She couldn't help but feel frustrated and not just at the escape of her quarry. She was the youngest and newest of the Seven Shield Princesses and felt she had a lot to prove to her peers. If anything being sucker punched by Halbert in her own room made her feel weaker then she admitted. She let herself be taken aback by his sudden appearance at her door, his odd words and never saw what was coming until he knocked the wind from her lungs; years of service from the man making her fall into a default of trust despite the very obvious reasons not to.

Weak, dumb and useless. That was what her frustrations made her feel like as she huffed, floating in search of her foe.

Despite all of this, however, she didn't miss the sound of earth moving and rock scraping to rock as she turned. She saw a smirking Ebba as she lifted a rock the size of a barrel of ale over her head and with a cry she threw it at the airborne princess. A wave of her hand and a single Magic Missile blew the boulder apart... Only to see Ebba leaping up from behind the rock as it was blasted to pieces (And she was some thirty feet up in the air!) weapon in both hands and held over her head. Prim yelped and held out her hands forming an Arcane Shield about her to block the blow. Despite this defense the impact of the pig woman's swing with the heavy, slab of a weapon still knocked her to the ground. She grunted, forced down towards the ground, able to avert a crash as she landed on her feet with the help of her spells.

Ebba landed some twelve feet from her with a loud thud, grinning at her as she rose up to her full height, snorting in laughter. The two stood across from each other, the Hog Queen grinning to the Princess and Prim glaring back at her. Ebba shouldered her weapon as she moved to lower her stance, readying to attack. Prim lifted her wand to position, taking a slightly higher stance as she watched the Hog Queen for her next move. Ebba grinned and pushed off her planted feet to dash to Prim...

Who in turn yelped at the surprising speed and agility of the pig woman who brought up her weapon, reinforcing the shield around her that blocked Ebba's weapon as it came crashing down onto it. The pair grit their teeth as the magical shield held, aiming her wand at the pig woman and launching a Magic Missile through the shield at the Hog Queen only to see the piggish woman jump to the side in a cartwheel (And flash her over sized, piggish cock, eeeewwww...), landing on her feet and despite her size back flipped away several feet before pulling her weapon behind her. Prim fired a Scatter Bolt at her in response as Ebba's weapon started to shine with a dark, red glow.

The Hog Queen grinned and charged, smirking a bit before jumping and twisting her body over the oncoming attack of silver, magical bolts, tucking her head in and landing on her shoulders, rolling up to her feet as she swung the blade at Prim. Having a very bad feeling of the coming attack Prim maintained her shield even as she dove out the side of it, exiting the protective shield... Only to hear a sound akin to shattering glass after she exited the magical bubble that shattered from the impact of the weapon. She quickly realized as she returned to her feet and turned to face her opponent that Ebba had learned a Combat Art that was designed to break through magical shields; meaning that just hiding behind one wouldn't work.

Prim levitated over the ground and hovered backwards, flicking her wrist and sending from the tip of her wand Magic Missile after Magic Missile as Ebba simply used her massive slab of metal to block the attacks, letting them ping of the side of it, creeping forwards before dashing in once more, weapon held ready to block before pulling it back as she got close enough to attack. Ebba grinned cruelly, making sure to swing the flat part of her weapon at the opposing Wizard; after all she didn't want to cause her damage.

Well, not too much damage anyway.

Prim's eyes widened, a sight Ebba drank in before she fell making the pig woman look down as Prim dropped to her back, her Levitation spell catching her before she hit the ground, the slab of metal swinging over empty air. Ebba lifted a foot to stomp but saw the wand pointed at her too late to dodge. She pulled her weapon back before her to block as a pillar of wind slammed into her, sending her blasting back and upwards. Prim quickly floated upright and watched her foe's arc.

Ebba let off a surprised and angered squeal as she flailed for a moment before managing to tuck in her flabby body, flipping upright and landing on her feet with a loud thud. She stood up fully and shook out her head before glaring at the Princess who drew in mana, both sides considering their next moves.

[-]

Things were... not going as well as I had hoped.

In my battle with Calibur we both scored hits but he didn't do much more then nick at my armor and I was sure the same could be said in return. I stabbed at him with my rapier before stepping in and using Rapid Strike to jab my weapon at him at high speed only for him to use his blades to deflect the rapier or even the forearm bracers of his armor; leather as it was it was enough to protect him from my sword as long as I didn't get a direct strike. It was mana cured leather, after all.

He struck my sword hard to knock it wide and stepped in, swinging a knife in an underhanded grip. By contrast I deflected the blade with my parrying dagger, knocking it to the side, blocking the other knife with the D-guard of my sword before I kicked him in the chest, staggering him back as we both panted from our efforts. That was how our fight devolved, overall. We were both wearing down, but neither could get a telling blow; he was more then able to deflect my spells and blade and his balance was impeccable enough that while icing the ground could surprise him he was able to adapt quick enough. We were in a deadlock.

The rest of the fighting was going better, but not by much. The bandits only had gambeson armor at best so the better protected knights were making headway but the initial surprise of having them pop up from behind us had allowed them to drop at least seven of the knights to the ground, unmoving. Dead, dying or out cold, I couldn't tell you; I had my hands full with Calibur. Worse, I could see Makoto on the ground and not moving, and I couldn't do a damned thing about it because Calibur kept me busy and even then Prim could have been biting off more then she could chew (She was of the 'Ssquishy Wizard' archetype after all, they operated best with a guard); a bit of dread gnawed at me as a longtime friend turned fiancee was in danger and a new, good friend and guard was wounded on the ground. Given the situation I had to leave Makoto in the care of the knights, my friends and the combat cleric.

We circled slowly for a long moment as I clicked my tongue in annoyance. I also dreaded what Ebba would do to Prim if she got the upper hand. Ebba was a higher level and as I knew magic alone wasn't enough to fully tip the balance against a strong foe. If I could get to her I was sure the scales would fully tip to our favor. Calibur likely thought the same; hence why he was blocking me and I didn't want to give my back to him in the slightest. I needed to do something new. After a moment I decided to try getting more aggressive in the hopes that would knock him off balance.

I used Blazing Weapon first, my rapier coming alight with the fire mana. Adrenaline Rush and Reflex Boost followed. I had been using both in tandem during the fight as I could before, but Calibur was able to keep up so I assumed that he had a boosting ability of his own. Still, I had a couple of tricks up my sleeve left to play, after all.

He seemed to get a little more wary of my weapon as I attacked this time. Once more he blocked with his blades, but as I got one at an angle he couldn't use his blade to block it he swatted it with the back of his left forearm... and hissed in pain, smoke coming off the plate of his gambeson as I used Piercing Strike with my parrying dagger. He brought both blades up, blocking my dagger as I used Focus Punch next, using the D-Guard of my rapier to strike at his face (He was too close for me to stab effectively). The guard was the only part of my rapier not on fire but I expected it to be enough without it.

For his part Calibur took the hit well; turning his head and leaning with the blow as he pushed back, turning and rolling over his shoulder... And throwing both knives at me. I brought my left hand up and used the shield in my spell stone to deflect them harmlessly but he drew two more knives and leapt up. Said knives started to glow an odd, dark red. I had a bad feeling and quick casted a Gale Burst, knocking him back, watching him land and throw a still glowing knife at me as I brought my shield up before me...

And watched as it pierced the shield with the tip of the blade nearly poking my nose, stopping as the guard of the knife hit the shield.

Meep...

I tilted the shield as I dispelled it and let the knife drop, watching Calibur draw another. A glance showed me Makoto was being pulled to the side by our cleric to (Relative) safety which eased my mind a tad when I saw him cast a healing spell on her; there was no point in healing a corpse mid-combat so it meant she was alive. I turned my full attention back to Calibur.

Well then... It's time for Plan C.

[-]

Prim yelped out as she dove to the side once more, the pig woman's weapon impacting the moderate sized rock that had been behind her, cleaving it into two pieces.

Prim was starting to think that going after Ebba alone wasn't the best idea in the world. To say the fight wasn't going all that well was rather accurate; the Hog Queen was much faster then her fat, porky figure would let one think, and she swung that solid slab of metal about like it was nothing more then a normal long sword. What few hits she had landed were for the most part either partially or fully blocked, dodged or deflected and what little got past was tanked with ease by the obese warrior. She herself had mostly dodged the pig woman's attacks or blocked with a short lived shield but had taken some damage; mostly from rocks flung at her by Ebba that struck her arms and legs; painful but none hit hard enough to disable her.

No doubt the Hog Queen didn't want to damage her merchandise.

Prim swung her wand as she casted a wind spell into the ground before her, sending dust, small pebbles and debris up at Ebba who hid her face behind the massive slab of metal that was used as a weapon as the pig woman charged at the princess once more. Prim leapt back, throwing a wide Scatter Bolt in her direction but watched as the Hog Queen swung her weapon wide, knocking most of the bolts aside and taking one on the shoulder, causing a bleeding flesh wound... Only for Ebba to swing her left hand in a meaty haymaker, catching Prim in the chest, only having the briefest moment to brace as she was sent flying backwards and hit the ground roughly, rolling several times down the path and a slight slope before coming to a stop. Coughing hard she rose to her feet slowly, facing her foe, staggering back. She tried to prepare a spell but coughed and fell to one knee.

"Weee, weee, weeeeeeee, Snort-snort-snort... On your knees, eh? Good place for such a pretty girl with cow udders." She said, setting the tip of her weapon to the ground, walking forwards and letting the slab of steel drag along, enjoying the scraping sound it made. "You'll be there on those knees a lot in the near future..."

"Don't... bet cough-cough, bet on it..." Prim let off, coughing once more and standing up as she stepped back. She bit her lip in thought as the woman stalked closer and closer with each step. Finally she had an idea. She would need to bank everything on it... And it would require altering her spell while she was maintaining it; something known to be difficult and she wasn't fully sure her skill was up to it. Still she had no better ideas in that moment. Gripping her wand in both hands she held it before her, point upwards as she cast as powerful of an Arcane Shield as she could around her.

"Ha! You dumb little cow bimbo! Didn't you learn your lesson earlier, Princess?" Ebba let off, the dark red glow coming back to her weapon as she charged. "Nothing and no one will save you from me! Nothing! And No One! Will Save You! FROM MEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" She squealed out loudly, lifting her weapon up high as she came into range and...

Watched as Prim leapt backwards out of the shield just before her weapon entered without shattering it. Momentum behind her Ebba kept going, entering the shield and slamming face first into the inside of the shield and bouncing off of it. Ebba, before her change, was somewhat educated in the ways of magic even if she could never use it herself and knew what had just happened; Prim cast the shield spell as normal, but as the moment she had stepped out of it she was able to flip it's properties about; rather then allowing things from the inside go out and block things from the outside from coming in Princess Prim had inverted it; allowing things from the outside to come in and blocking things from the inside from coming out.

She watched as Prim lifted her hands up as flames came before them, aiming them to the shield. The Hog Queen's technique had ended, the glow on her weapon dying and it would be a few seconds before she could use it a second time. She was trapped in the shield and at the mercy of the woman she had been fighting until now. Ebba whimpered in fear as she looked outside of the shield at Prim; the tiny girl giving an oddly mighty glare to her. "Nooo..."

"I do not need saving." Prim spoke firmly as she looked Ebba right in the eye, speaking each word firmly as the flames in her hands grew larger. "And I most definitely can say that I do not need to be saved from the likes of you."

"...mother..." Ebba squeaked out softly just before flames spilled out from Prim's hands and filled the shield, turning the inside into a ball shaped, blazing oven. The pig woman squealed in pain, horror and outrage as more and more flames filled the shield.

It was a long few seconds before the shield broke apart, Prim yelping and stepping back as a loud clang sounded as a red hot slab of steel hit the ground followed by the agonized, piggish squeals.

"REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! REEE! REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Pained, rapid squeals sounded as the Hog Queen ran away, arms flailing. Prim was amazed that the woman was still alive from being inside of the fire filled prison... Right until the smells of fatty, spoiled pork filled her nose, causing her to gag.

She managed to turn around and brace herself with a hand on a rock before leaning over and throwing up what was left of her last meal. It was her duty to defend the people of the realm...

No matter what she suffered because of it...

And she was suffering that smell.

[-]

Good news! The knights and my group were winning their fight!

Bad news! Makoto still wasn't moving and I wasn't sure of her condition beyond 'healed by cleric'.

Worse news! Calibur was still being a pain in my ass and in my way of both saving Prim and checking on Makoto.

We were still in a deadlock and it was still going nowhere fast. So it was time to try and take a risk yet again.

I didn't like that idea, but if I was to get around to giving Prim back up then it was time to take risks!

I jabbed at him with my still blazing rapier for a moment, Calibur blocking them as I waited for my moment. He slid back on his feet, ready to dash in to add some momentum to his attack. I used Power Shot followed by Snap Throw, launching my parrying dagger at his head with a flick of the wrist. Calibur really did not see that coming and barely managed to block it as I followed my thrown weapon with a Piercing Strike, rushing him with a thrust of my rapier. His other blade lifted up, deflecting my sword as he prepared to stab me with the other knife, but I just pressed closer, even as the guards of our weapons met as I pressed my gloved hand to his chest.

Calibur stiffened in shock for the briefest of moments; after all my weapon had reach on his weapons and I closed in to the point my weapon was near useless and his was very useful. I'm sure he knew something was up from this move of mine; I could see it in his eyes in the split second between my hand pressing to him and what resulted from it.

He would be right; I cast Earth Shaker from my hand.

Despite the name the spell was not an Earth based spell nor was it limited to just being used on the ground; it was an arcane spell that could be used on any surface I pressed a hand or foot to; the ground, buildings, rocks...

People.

The effect was like being rocked by a wrecking ball, minus the ball slamming into you. His whole body shook like a he was going through a sudden, massive earthquake and rattled hard, staggering back as the knives slipped from his hands, stumbling back to maintain his balance as he tried to recover.

I didn't give him the chance to recover, however, as I just stabbed him the heart and through his whole body with my still burning weapon, the Blazing Weapon spell helping pierce his armor and out the back as I twisted the blade inside of him. He let off a garbled sound before falling backwards, dead before he hit the ground, smoke steaming out of the hole I left in him leaving a stench of cooked flesh in the air.

"Calibur's dead!" One of the bandits let off as I took a moment to pant and get my breath, walking over to pick up my parrying dagger. Now that Calibur was finally dead I could chase after Prim and Ebba and...

"REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! REEE! REEE! REEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" I jerked to look at the path away from the mine as I saw something on fire running to us and squealing loudly and-

Oh my fucking Kentucky Fried Chicken, it was the Hog Queen!

Most of her clothing had fallen off, likely from the fire that was covering her top to bottom, her hands reaching forwards as she cried and squealed in pain. I think she was running forwards to be able to keep breathing and not let the fire eat all the oxygen in front of her before she could intake it. From head to toe she was burning like a bonfire (Even her piggish cock was fully coated in flame, ewww) and reminded me of those stunt actors who wore those thick suits to be lit on fire for various stunts. The main difference was, well, this wasn't a stunt and I could see her pink skin was burned and blistered where it was visible under the coat of flames. I made a face and spun the Unicorn's Horn into a reverse grip, taking aim and drawing mana. It was clear Prim won and the kill was, by all rights, hers. This wasn't me kill stealing.

This was a mercy kill.

I fired off a Magic Missile and struck her in the side of the head, blowing a part of her skull off and brains out. She would collapse to the ground, dead as could be.

[(⸜∕ ) Defeat the Hog Queen and the Scouring Boars]

"Oh gods, the boss is dead!"

"Run for your lives!" The bandits let off; those still able to fight turned and started to run towards the path; I was standing next to that aforementioned path but it was clear they were ignoring me in favor of escape. The knights started to give chase, but the lighter armored bandits were making more ground; helped as the bulk of them dropped their weapons and shields. Any will left to fight was broken and they were in full retreat...

Right up until the point that a massive gust of wind blasted into the area between the cliffs, knocking many of them back and even some off their feet and making all of them stop dead in their tracks. And then as I turned to look I sighed in relief as Prim stepped out.

Her dress was a bit dirty and she had a few little scrapes and bruises on her limbs, and some dirt on one cheek. She huffed a bit as she stood at the center of the path, she planted her feet and held up her left hand and drew mana to make a volleyball sized fireball into her palm.

"I, Princess Prim Fiorire of the Grand Duchy of Ur, now hereby demand your surrender." She said in a tone, firmer then I thought the tiny girl ever could. "And right now I am in no mood to be tested." She added as I saw the bandits back up from her. Most of them glanced to the still burning body of the Hog Queen.

None decided to carry the fight on. They all surrendered and the few still holding weapons dropped them right then and there.

[Defeated List]

18 Scouring Boar Raiders x185xp=3330XP
22 Scouring Boar Bandits x 145xp=3190XP
27 Scouring Boar Highwaymen x 150xp=4050XP
Calibur the Cur=1200xp x 1.25 Kill Bonus=1500XP
Ebba the Hog Queen=1800xp x 1.25 Kill Bonus=2250XP
+20% Dark Horse Bonus
Gain 17184XP

Level Up!

You are now Level 16!
+1 to Dex, Acc, Mnc, Agi & Mag!
+1 to End!
+1 to Rap
+2 RSP & SSP!
+5 UTP!

Achievement Unlocked: Makin' Bacon
You (Kinda not really?) defeated the Hog Queen

Achievement Unlocked: Of Higher Calibur
Defeated Calibur the Cur

Achievement Unlocked: Commander's Sorrow
Suffer the first loss of people under your leadership.

That last one made me wince.

Shit... Oh shit...

[Quest Complete: This Little Piggy]
[Gain +1000 XP]
[Gain +2000 XP to All Stats]

Stat Up!

+1 Str, End, Dex, Acc, Lck, Pow, Ple, Wil & Cap

[-]

The knights quickly bound the surviving Scouring Boars once they had surrendered. They would be brought back to Colt Ridge so that they could be tried fairly. I expected a lot of jail time and maybe more then a few executions. Once that was done Valora led some of her men into the mines to double check that there were no more bandits. Turns out there were three; all guarding ten women locked in cages. Clearly they were being held to be sold later on in Delconna; saving them was uplifting to the knights given the cost...

It turns out Makoto took a club the back of the head and dropped for half of the fight; she would be fine and the cleric had done well in tending to her injuries. Aside from an order of bed rest once we were back in Onglave she was coming out of it in good condition, something that was a big relief for me; enough of one that I gave her a large hug (I noted but ignored her blush, given the situation). Riri took a few nicks and had a nasty bruise on her shoulder that was also healed up. Aeris and Carmen had let the knights guard them as they attacked with magic. Troya had a gash on her forehead that had closed nicely with healing spells, but even then she seemed to be able to ignore the wound; her helmet had been knocked off in the melee I suppose. To my relief my people, my friends, were going to be fine.

Nine of the knights couldn't say the same; all cut down in the fighting. As I understood it, three of them were among the first to fall from the rear ambush. Another twelve amoung them bore serious injuries and one needed their arm to be given intense healing lest it needed to be removed. Another, well, might have an unusable eye. We won, but it was at quite the cost to the knights of Greenwave.

Prim also seemed to be disturbed by the death and damage done to good people. It's one thing to risk yourself; it's another to risk and lose those under you. The bodies were covered and left in the mine; others would be sent to retrieve them so they could be given a proper burial later on. We were unable to take them back with us at the moment; not while managing the injured, the freed women and the prisoners.

On a (Somewhat) lighter side note was that despite taking the better part of an hour for us to prepare to leave... The Hog Queen's corpse was still on fire. No, I am not joking.

I can only guess that the fusion of human woman and pig orc aberrant had made her secrete an oil that was highly flammable and managed to fuel a fire for quite some time.

Seriously, her whole body looked like charcoal now and was still burning without pause. I had no explanation for it. Nor for the smell.

Ugghhhhh...

The horses the Scouring Boars were using were drafted to carry the four most injured soldiers. One of the captured girls, maybe thirteen by the looks of her, also couldn't walk because of a twisted ankle and I would give her a piggy back ride back to town. She was quiet the whole way back but given what trauma she was likely subjected to I didn't blame her for being a bit dour and depressed.

The freed women in general were quiet at first, even as Prim tried starting conversation, but as Colt Ridge came into view they became a bit more chatty. Talking about people they missed, things they were excited to be able to do again, what they'd try for the first time they hadn't before... Their spirits were slowly rising so I was just going to be happy for them. I was sure it would take months, if not years for the mental and spiritual wounds to heal fully (Or at least as fully as possible) but they had the chance to do so now. I was confident they'd be fine.

One of the scouts ran ahead to let the guards at the walls know we were coming and to report in. I expected that we could get the Scouring Boar survivors to their cells with little issue before going back to Castle Greenwave for some much needed rest. I failed to remember one small fact however.

There's the speed of sound, there's the speed of light and then there's the speed of news.

The moment we stepped through the gates of the city we were met with screaming cheers and adulation. I was a little taken aback when both sides of the streets were lined with the city's citizenry granting us applause and cheers. You could even see people on balconies and hanging out of second story windows, waving out at us (And some of the women on said balconies and upper windows were flashing their breasts at us as well. Not a joke) with Valora at the point of our grounp she took a moment to move further ahead of the rest of us. She drew her sword and pointed it upwards before bellowing out to the crowd.

"People of Colt Ridge, Princess Prim has slain the Hog Queen! Rejoice!"

A louder cheer went up and I took a look back. Prim, for her part, was blushing a storm in embarrassment from the sudden attention to her deed, lifting a hand and waving to the crowd in a polite fashion with an honest, if awkward, smile. Troya took the attention well, just smiling, as did Carmen. The prisoners looked like they were trying to shrink in on themselves, truly and fully defeated; suffering the crowd's joy at their failure must have been salt in the wound. The freed women just looked happy and relieved to be free and be in a safe city now.

The prisoners would be taken to a dungeon in town and thrown into cells until their trials. The women were brought to Castle Greenwave with us where they would be taken care of before being taken home, where ever that was. The girl I gave a ride over was sat on a table and gave me a small smile as I ruffled her hair. Then myself and my entourage along with Valora met the Duke and his wives in a sitting room. Aside from being served tea and snacks we started to give our reports and compare notes as we got a chance to sit down around a large table.

It should go without saying that the store owner who was supplying the Scouring Boars was caught and dragged into custody for further interrogation. I was told the man's store would be confiscated by the duchy although what would be done with it and it's contents were up in the air. I imagined the supplies would be taken by the crown, whatever they had no need for would be sold and the building sold to someone else.

Terrwyn fused over her daughter for a bit as we gave our accounts of the raid on the mines, including the death toll on their knights forces. Gerald let off a groan as he heard of the casualties his men took in the operation and shook his head.

"Wearing the crown means ordering good men into danger again and again." He said simply. "It never gets easier but one who wears a crown must do so for the good of his realm and it's people." Justica would reach over and take his hand as Terrwyn turned in her seat, setting hers on his shoulder. "The price of our knight's blood for our people's safety was steep... But well worth the price. These men will be remembered and honored for their sacrifice. And the Scouring Boars who surrendered will be held to account for what was done to the people. Justice shall be served to them, cold and bitter."

"It is a shame we were unable to join you." Justica said, sighing softly. "Or at least myself; perhaps something more could have been done to help the men." The royal trio decided to not come despite wanting to do their part (And being such a high level to make the fight much easier); their departure would have been noted regardless of the reasons and there was no telling if word of their movements would get back to the Hog Queen. We suspected there were a couple of lookouts that we weren't able to capture but they wouldn't be able to do much. There was always a chance one of them would try and make a new bandit gang but if they were smart they'd dig up whatever valuables the Boars still had stashed away, cashed out while they could, leave Greenwave for the rest of their lives and keep their heads down. While any remnants of the Scouring Boars might get chased down I think it was a safe bet that as long as no more trouble came from them they'd end up forgotten, although they would never be forgiven.

"Still, we should be glad this villain's reign of terror is at an end." Terrwyn added as her co-wife nodded. "I am sure there is someone out there who will try and reach the levels of Ebba's infamy but I have a feeling it will be quite some time before anyone capable of it will be able to do so. And if they are foolish enough to try we will be awaiting them."

"Given the events here, it may behoove us to collapse the mines." Justica suggested as she cupped her chin in thought. "With the Scouring Boars defeated it should be safe to do so and prevent future bandits from using them as a base of operations."

"Hmmm, I hadn't thought of that..." Gerald said, crossing his arms and looking upwards as he contemplated it. "Hmmm... We can discuss it later. What is important is we won this day." He said, setting his hands down on his seat's arm rests before looking back to us. "The Scouring Boars are dead, captured or in hiding, likely fleeing as well. The people are safer today then they were yesterday. Let us celebrate today; the victory we won, the lives of those we lost and the peace we've gained." He smiled and gestured to Prim next. "To that end, I thank you all for your help; you most of all, Princess Prim Fiorire. I regret that I there is little more that I can offer then my continued support to you and your family." He then looked to me next. "And James Noxdecus, you made the ease of tracking and trapping these criminals far easier then we could have managed on our own and your Voxlux creations will assist us in ending banditry further. You can be assured I will be speaking with your father about closer ties between the Duchy of Greenwave and the Barony of Mungale."

"The support was never in doubt. And we are glad to have been of help." Prim said, bowing in her seat slightly.

"And the added ties are always welcomed, Duke Onglave." I said bowing myself before leaning back in my seat. "And it's good to know someone like the Hog Queen won't be hurting good people anymore."

"All right then." Justica let off, loudly clapping her hands once. "Formalities are done and we've all given our reports. Until tonight when we have a nice little victory feast I think it's best we allow our guests time to themselves. After all, while their wounds have been tended to they all do need to decompress, change and bathe." She said before looking to Prim in particular. "No offense, Your Highness... But you are dirty and your hair is a mess."

Prim giggled nervously and brushed some of her hair back. She had fixed it a bit on the way back, but it did have some dust in it and it was a fair bit ruffled up; nothing ten minutes with a brush and spray bottle couldn't fix. The dirt on her face was cleaned off, but less so with her dress.

I myself needed to wash as well; I felt a bit sweaty as well.

[-]

After washing up I dipped into the tub and relaxed for a moment before going into my stats. I dropped all my sexual stat points into Rapid. As for my two regulars I dipped them into Dexterity. I had a long ways to go to grind up several of my stats, but Magical Power was at the level needed for the class upgrade and both Agility and Endurance was closing in on that level.

Next I opened my Class Skills. Since I last looked at it I had three points to spend and dropped two into it. I now had four to spend. What should I spend them in?

I decided to slap one more point into Quick Reflexes and cap it out; in the end faster casting speed would do me a lot of good and the extra weapon speed was a good bonus on top of that. I put the other three into All in Balance. I used both swordplay and spells to fight, so boosting the damage to both was better then one or the other, at least as far as I could tell. At least it would never be useless.

Once washed and changed I read my books for a bit before it was time for the feast. And it was an impressive feast! Compared to the one held in Mungale Manor post-Mandeville butt kicking it was held in a much larger room and had a lot more food and drink. I would take a seat off to the side for most of the festivities but I would have a few people come by and talk with me; a combination of the knights who came with us, giving thanks and talking about how tough a fight we got through and maids who also came by who were wanting to hear how things went down, wanting tales of derring-do I guess. I told them how it went down, although most of my experience was of a duel with Calibur which was a slog of a fight. Not as bad as fighting Halbert but a slog nonetheless.

No, really, Halbert was still the toughest fight I had to deal with so far. Wesland was much more powerful of course but I had numbers backing me up there and Gregory to tank.

Makoto had also came over my way once the flock of maids had moved on and sat with me for a time as we had a bit of an idle chat. I of course took a moment to ask how she was feeling and she assured me she was perfectly fine, if still nursing a small headache from the fight. I was just glad she was okay and told her as much, as she smiled back... Maybe blushing as well, it was hard to tell in that light.

The biggest crowd gathered about Valora who was retelling the fight and given her swinging motions was even replaying them to a point. Knights, maids and other servants along with her parents and, er, Justica (What did she count as? Co-mother? Aunt? Step-mother? I needed to know this! I mean I had a quest to build a god damned harem here! I really did need to know!) and given the rapt attention she was given she was telling a pretty good tale there.

Soon the food was readied and everyone called to a place at a table to eat. Good talk, cheer and food were had by all. I was enjoying it, even if I was on the sidelines; I felt drained in ways that weren't just physical. After the meal there was, of course, dessert (If you guessed it was ice cream you'd be right!) followed by dancing. I relaxed and watched more then anything else. I could see Riri chatting with the maids, Makoto, Troya and Aeris talking with the knights with two of the men hitting on my elven friend very openly and making about as much headway as a pair of snails, going uphill, in winter, through molasses.

Which is to say none.

Prim was currently pulled into conversation with the good Duke Gerald and the good Duchess Justica. Terrwyn was speaking to the side of them with her daughter who was nodding in rapt attention; I could only guess at what it was they were talking about but motherly advice if I had to make a guess. I decided it was a good idea to call it a night for me, I excused myself to a couple of the butlers and left for my room. Once there I stripped down and changed into a set of boxers and moved to the window to look outside. The room I was offered had a view off to the side of the castle, granting a view of the long, tall grass beyond the walls.

I think part of what was hitting me then was we lost people. Sure, not my people, not people I knew but good people nonetheless. And while I didn't overly care for them given my distance there were people who knew them, cared for them and loved them. It was a failure... And given the nature of the world, one that in hindsight I'm surprised I had avoided until now.

I would get over it... And I did know that in time the cost of my attempts to save Eostia could only rise, but I could handle it.

I didn't have much of a choice, really.

As I thought over things a loud knock sounded on the door as I blinked and turned to it. "One moment." I called out, taking a moment to grab a shirt and slip it on, buttoning it up before moving to the door and opening it up and seeing Valora on the other side still in her mana armor, although sans weapons and shield. "Valora? How can I help yo-whooooa!" I let off as she grabbed me by the shirt and started to push me back, kicking the door shut with her heel, while I had my hands pinwheeling a bit as she kept going until I was pushed down on the bed, the woman moving to mount my pelvis and sitting down, hands pinning down my shoulders. All while smiling warmly, I might add.

I blinked up at her.

She blushed down at me.

I looked up and waited.

She blushed down at me.

I sighed. "What are you doing?"

"Ummm... Sexually conquering you?"

"So why are you just sitting on me?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Well?"

"...Umm... I'm... not... I'm not exactly..." She squirmed a bit, biting her lip for a moment. "I'm not exactly sure what to do now... I, uhhh... didn't really think this through." She let off, smiling in nervousness as she shifted over me giving off a soft giggle.

"And why exactly did you want to sexually conquer me?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest; which must have looked really weird if a third party peeked in on us.

"Um... y-you know... To... try it... Once... And, um, you're... kinda cute and all..." I looked up at the squirming, blushing girl who clearly had an idea of what she wanted to do, but no idea about how to really do it. I sighed and pondered for a moment on what to do before coming to a decision.

"Ya know there is one downside to trying to conquer something and failing, right?" I told her as I moved my feet, finding a good spot on the bed frame to plant them. She let off a little 'huh?' just before I pushed up and lifted her off me as I grabbed her by the biceps and rolled us over, pressing her down to the bed, my knees between her legs. She flailed before she hit the bed as I moved my hands to grab her wrists, pulling them over her head and pinning them down with one hand, leaning over her with a grin. "If you're going to go off and conquer you risk being conquered."

"Umm..." She squirmed under me for a long moment, blushing as she looked up to me. "Mercy?"

I thought about it for a moment before grabbing the upper part of her mana armor and yanking it up, exposing her breasts.

"Nope!" I let off cheerfully, cupping a breast in one hand, squeezing firmly as I leaned in, kissing the other nipple before biting it softly and tugging on it with my teeth, earning a moan from her lips. I started to alter between suckling and nipping at her sensitive nub as it's twin was pressed on by my thumb and pushed down into her flesh as it was rolled about firmly and steadily. Now and then I'd speed my thumb's motions up to make her squirm and moan only to slow down once more.

"I, ahhh, I suppose this is, ohhhh, what happens when you attack withoooooooooooout quarteeeeeeeer..." She let off, shivering a bit as she squirmed under me, legs wrapping about my hips as I felt her rubbing her groin up into me, my hips moving to return the favor. My cock, stiffening under the shorts I wore, ground into her crotch although the mana armor bottoms she wore did a fair bit to limit the feeling to us both. That said she was grinding up with need, and I had no reason to stop her. I gave her a soft bite on the nipple before letting go and sitting up.

As I sat up I grabbed her top first, pulling it off of her fully and softly tossing it off the bed, her gloves following. I grabbed her legs to pull them up as she unlocked them to allow me to lift them upwards. One boot came off followed by it's twin before I grabbed the bottom half of the magical bikini armor and stripping it up and off of her body. Before she could respond further I lifted her legs up further, doubling her body over as she was pressed down to her shoulders, ass up in the air as her legs hung over her. I gave her ass a firm smack as I smiled to her, following with giving the other cheek a swat as well.

She yelped with each strike and squirming as her sex, already moist when her bottoms came off, lightly drooled as I rained down a few more swats on her ass. Nothing terribly hard, but playing up the 'conquest' play that was going on. I kept going for a few moments, waiting until a pale pink colored her ass and her womanhood was openly leaking before pressing two fingers to her pussy and jammed them in, pumping her firmly and with a good pace.

"Oooooh, fuck... That's... Ahhh, yo-you really are going to, ahhh, conquer me, huh? Ahhhh!" She let off, moaning deeper and louder under me. I slipped my hand out and gave her sex a swift, crisp smack with my open hand, making her give a soft shriek and jump before I plunged my fingers back into her wet hole. I wasn't normally this rough out of the box (At least I don't feel that I was) but something about her initial challenge made me want to give it to her. I picked the pace up for a long moment, seeing her quiver under me for a moment before she came, squirting softly around my fingers, gripping down on my fingers as she cried out under me...

And I kept going making her moan longer and higher in tone, quivering harder under me, gritting her teeth as I rammed her sex more and more with my digits. When I finally stopped I grabbed her hips and turned her about, making her drop face down onto the bed, quivering a bit as she panted, trying to recover. As she did I took my own clothing off, tossing them aside. With her lying down prone bone I moved over her, my legs straddling hers as I lined my cock up with her womanhood, pressing into it firmly. Her sex welcomed my dick warmly, opening the tight folds enough for me to wedge myself into her; driving half way in with one stroke, her pants cut off by a deep moan as I pushed in deeper. I kept going until my pelvis met her backside as I set my hand on her back between her shoulder blades before I started to pump my hips.

I started slow at first, as usual taking a moment to get a good feel of my position and how far I could move my hips (Both in general and before I slipped out of her) and once I had a good feel of it I started to pick up my speed. I groaned softly as I used both my body weight and hips to slam down into her, ramming my cock in and out of her, listening to her gasps and moans as she shuddered, pinned under me as I added more and more force.

She arched her back up a bit, at least as much as she could given her position and how she was pinned down, as I forced my cock in and out of her harder, picking up the force as I groaned over her. After a moment I decided to change things up a bit, my hand moving off her back and reaching over, taking her by the hair with a handful of her locks before slowly pulling back as she lifted her chest up off the bed, moaning harder as I slammed my cock into her.

Her pussy clenched down hard not long after I pulled her by the hair, feeling her cum around my cock and making me grit my teeth as I rode it out; trying not to peak myself. She shivered and lightly convulsed under me as she rode her pleasure. I panted a bit and waited for her to settle down and once she did I grabbed her by the hips and pulled them back, adjusting us until her knees were under her.

I gave her ass another firm spank before pulling on her hips, rutting into her as she shrieked out, clearly not fully recovered from the last peak she had. It took a moment before she started to rock herself back into me, mewling as she panted under me. After a moment I moved once more, grabbing each of her arms under the elbows and used them as handles, pulling on them as I started to slam into her pussy harder then before, getting a loud and deep moan from her once my pace picked up. I slammed into her harder and harder, groaning over her as I worked my dick into her.

As I closed onto that peak that I had managed to delay I rammed into her harder and faster, panting as I grit my teeth, hearing her moans and cries of delight seem to peak before I pulled her hard into me and slammed in as my balls squeezed down and spewed up into her with my full load. I shivered for a long, long moment as spurt after spurt of cum shot up into her waiting hole, letting it claim all the seed it wanted. She quivered as I let go, letting her fall face and chest first into the bed, panting as her hands moved to grip the sheets recovering. I was still stiff but needed a brief moment to recompose as I looked down to her... And got an idea.

Once I had recovered after a moment I moved to my feet, squatting over and aiming my cock to her body once more... But to a... different hole. "Ahh, what are you doing?" She let off, looking back and up to me.

"Conquering you, of course." Despite my words I just prodded her anus with my cock and didn't press in, giving her a chance to beg, ask, deny or accept what was coming. She bit her lip and said nothing but after a moment rocked her hips up at me softly. I smiled and patted her hip as I pressed down into her, groaning as my cock popped into her as I slowly drove down into her. Unlike before I wasn't being rough; I wasn't being gentle exactly, but I wasn't going rough. She groaned under me as I shivered, her ass gripping me hard as I fucked her in the back door.

I had my hands on her ass, gripping it as I pumped that rump groaning as she shivered and moaned under me. I could see one of her hands move under herself, knowing it was going between her legs to toy with her sex as I groaned out over her swatting her ass once more. I could feel her rock her hips up into me as I started to add more force to my thrusts, shivering harder over her. Finally I leaned over her and rolled us onto our sides, making her gasp out. I pulled her upper leg up, spooning her from behind now as I rocked my hips into her ass, nearly all of my dick inside of her.

With a hard grunt I slammed myself the rest of the way into her hard and triggered another orgasm in her as I shivered roughly behind her. Despite my best efforts I came as well, pumping a second load into her to match what I pushed into her sex earlier. I pulled her to me, back to chest, as I panted into her ear, holding her. "So... Understand the... risks of conquering now?"

"O-oh yes..." She let off, chuckling a bit. "I understand it a lot more... now... And that it's not so bad... Being conquered..."

[Fucked List]

Valora Onglave=100xp x 5 First Time Bonus=500xp
Gain 500xp Total

[-]

Next Morning
Castle Greenwave
Onglave Private Bath

Valora settled into the warm bathwater, relaxing used muscles from her... 'conquest' the last night. She giggled at the memory; she thought that James proved to be quite the lover. Really, if she wasn't stuck in Greenwave as the heir of it's throne she would be... more then willing to spend some time adventuring in Mungale.

For reasons, of course.

The door opened and as she looked over she saw her naked mother walk in with a smile, moving to the side of the room. She would take sometime to wash up as everyone did in these type of baths and once rinsed off joined Valora in the tub. Terrwyn sighed and looked at her. "Well?"

"You were right, mom." She said, giggling softly. "Starting off aggressive then pretending to stumble and not know what I was doing got him to be nice and rough." She let off, leaning back and setting her hands behind her neck. "Fuck, he even jammed it up my ass!"

"Really!?" Terrwyn let off, blinking. "My, my, I usually have to work your father up quite a bit before-"

"As glad as I am to be able to talk openly about this with you mom..." Valora began as she shivered. "I do not want to picture that."

"Ah, fair enough." The elder of the two said as she giggled. "But anyway; I find good men who wouldn't be rough in sex are far more willing to if there's a bit of a challenge to them. As long as you stumble, well, they'll decide they have to show you how it's done; even if they're not used to it beyond fantasies they'd rather not admit to."

"And if he's not a good man?"

"Well... Same thing, but you'll... Um, you might need a healer to deal with the bruises. ... So make sure that you have a good man first."

"Right."

[-]

After breakfast and a chance to say goodbye we were back on the road. Gerald thanked us once more (Mostly Prim and myself, with a focus on Prim although he hinted that he had two other cities he'd want to set boosters to. He announced over the booster late last afternoon that the Hog Queen was slain, and wanted word to spread faster) as he shook our hands and Justica and Terrwyn gave us all hugs. Valora gave us a knightly salute before hugging Prim then myself (She hugged me tighter; not surprised by that) as we were sent off with a hero's farewell.

Our next stop was... Well...

Classa.

I felt a need to pull Riri aside before we got there to ensure she knew what to expect from the County... Classa wasn't a Slave State... Well, it was a Slave State but it wasn't a Slave State in the same way that the other Slave States were, the ones that were called the Slave States. Really it was classified as just a Limited State, but even then it wasn't like other Limited States so the classification didn't really fit and...

...

Really, there's an old saying that puts it best.

'There are four kinds of states in Eostia. Abolitionist States, Slave States, Limited States... And Classa.'

[ - Author's Note - ]

Whew. As I said, that was longer then I expected it to be.

I wanted the Hog Queen vs. Prim fight for a couple of reasons. One: I felt she needed some redemption. After the events with Halbert I felt that she needed a firm combat win to establish that she could be a threat in a fight. Yes, having her total a handful of Aberrant in the Act One Epilogue showed off she had power. However as someone once said 'power without skill is an empty threat'. I wanted to show that alone, facing off against a real threat she can handle herself. Did I pull it off? Well, you'll have to tell me.

Two: We've only so much time left with her in Act Two. I've only a couple more chapters (And one short Interlude) planned for the Ur section, and I imagine by now most people (Even if they like Prim) want to move on to the other Shield Princesses given how much of a focus she had before this. I do have what I want planned (Mostly) in mind, it's just about trying and doing it.

Anyway, new poll! Huzzah!

This one? Well, Harpies are mentioned to exist here... But what type of Monster Girl would you like to see appear and maybe get some fun in!

Poll is at strawpoll dot com (slash) ch7v6vwp7

Anyway, up next is the County of Classa which will be a state with it's own... unique take on things. What do I mean by that?

You'll have to wait and find out! Until then please leave a review and let me know what you liked, disliked and thought could be better. Until next time viewers!

~~Eostian Scribe