Konosuba 500

by AitchBerry

500 years after the Demon King's defeat, the world faces ruin again! Papitas, a clumsy martial artist with ridiculous strength, teams up with Lalemana Dustiness, a hot-tempered noble, to fulfill a prophecy. From bickering to battling, their chaotic quest to recruit the elusive Sapphire Spirit spirals into absurd adventures, quirky allies, and over-the-top battles!

7. Chapter 6: A peaceful trip? Not on my wa

Part 1

Papitas found herself standing in a barren wasteland. The sky above was a swirling mix of red and black, with flashes of lightning lighting up jagged mountains in the distance. The ground was littered with broken weapons, cracked armor, and the fading forms of defeated enemies.

In front of her knelt the Demon Queen. Head on the ground, her wings drooping and torn, and her horns gave off faint, flickering sparks. She looked up at Papitas, her face a mix of pride and exhaustion.

"Ooooooohohohoho!" Papitas laughed, planting a foot firmly on the Demon Queen's behind. "Evil has been defeated! My crimson fists prevailed!"

"I... I was completely defeated…" the Demon Queen gasped, clutching at the ground. "Please… spare me…"

"Spare you?!" Papitas raised her fist to the sky, grinning wide. "From now on, the world will know me as Papitas, the greatest adventurer ever!"

"Yes… you are the greatest… for defeating me…" the Demon Queen muttered, her voice fading.

"Ooooooohohohoho!" Papitas' laughter echoed across the battlefield. But her triumph was cut short when her nose twitched. "Wait… what's that smell? Is something burning?"

Before she could figure it out, the whole scene blurred and vanished.

Papitas jolted awake as the train gave a sharp lurch. She groaned, rubbing her eyes. "Ugh… what's that smell?"

Opening her eyes fully, she found herself staring at Lalemana, who sat across from her by the window. A lit cigarette in her hand, the ashtray on the table was piled high with cigarette butts. Thick smoke hung in the air.

"Seriously? Did you smoke all that yourself?" Papitas waved her hand in front of her nose.

"As if!" Lalemana snapped, not taking her eyes off the window. The cigarette in her hand shook slightly. "I—I didn't smoke…"

"Milady always smokes when she's nervous," Daisy explained as she tried to wave away the smoke. "This is her first time leaving the city in a long while."

"Daisy!" Lalemana hissed, crushing the cigarette into the ashtray. She grabbed for another one, only to find her pack empty. "Ugh, you didn't have to tell her that!"

Papitas leaned over and shoved the train window open, letting in a rush of cool air. "My dad and brother smoke too, and I can't stand it. Don't light another one while I'm here."

"You don't give me orders, commoner!" Lalemana shot back, though her voice was less forceful than usual.

Daisy nodded, her voice calm but firm. "I'll have to agree with Miss Papitas, milady. You should take a break. Smoking isn't good for you, and it's my duty to keep you safe."

"Ugh…" Lalemana groaned, slumping forward to rest her head on the table.

Meanwhile, Papitas leaned her head out the window, letting the wind whip through her hair. When she pulled back inside, her hair had puffed into a ridiculous pompadour.

"How long have we been traveling?" she asked, running a hand through her hair. "Where are we?"

"It's been a few hours," Daisy said, looking out the window. The sky had started to turn orange with the setting sun. "We should be close to Axel. The train stops there to pick up more passengers, so we'll have a chance to stretch our legs."

"Axel?!" Papitas leaned in close to Daisy, her expression twisting into a scowl. "Why do we have to pass through that awful place?!"

"Did something happen to you there, Miss Papitas?"

"Actually…" Papitas' mood shifted in an instant. She leaned back, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Can we stop by the adventurers' guild? There's someone I'd love to see."

Daisy shook her head. "The train station is on the edge of the city, and the guild's downtown. If we go there, we might miss the train. We should stick around the station and grab dinner nearby."

"Aww…" Papitas sighed dramatically, flopping back into her seat. "Fine. Not like it matters. That bitch will hear about my amazing feats soon enough anyway! Hehehe…"

Daisy didn't know how to respond to Papitas' bizarre train of thought and decided silence was the safer option. After a moment, she clapped her hands together, her usual cheerful energy returning.

"Oh, I know! Now that Miss Papitas is awake, how about you tell us about your adventures? It'll be a great way for you two to get to know each other in a more peaceful way," she said, gently patting Lalemana on the back. Lalemana, however, remained unmoving, her face still buried in the table.

"I couldn't care less about this commoner's so-called stories," Lalemana muttered, her voice muffled by the table.

"In Axel, they used to call me the Great Crimson Demon because of my incredible power!" Papitas declared, puffing out her chest. Her words were bold, but her eyes darted away from Daisy, avoiding direct contact. "I was always the first to take on the most dangerous quests. It got to the point where every other adventurer party fled town because they couldn't compete with me!"

"Really? That's amazing! I've heard the Royal Army's been recruiting adventurers from all over the country. Was that how they found you?"

"Uh, y-yeah, obviously!" Papitas stammered, adjusting her sunglasses. "They wanted to send me straight to the frontlines, but then one of them noticed my striking crimson eyes!" She lowered her sunglasses dramatically.

"Must be destiny, right, milady?" Daisy said, glancing at Lalemana with an encouraging smile. "What would we have done without Miss Papitas?"

"Ugh…" Lalemana lifted her head again with a loud groan, sitting back and crossing her arms.

Daisy, undeterred, leaned forward with a friendly smile. "We've got plenty of time, Miss Papitas. Why don't you tell us more about your adventures? I'm sure milady will enjoy hearing them, too."

"Ah, well…" Papitas cleared her throat, clearly enjoying the attention. "The first time I arrived in Axel, I spotted a helpless party of beginner adventurers battling some giant frogs. Naturally, I rushed in to assist them…"

Sometime later...

"…supposedly the Mobile Fortress Destroyer was destroyed near Axel," Papitas finished, leaning back in her seat. Night had fallen, and the world outside the window was pitch black except for a few glowing lights in the distance.

"I'm not sure the Destroyer was real," Daisy said, clearly engrossed in the conversation. She was now chatting easily with Papitas. Lalemana, on the other hand, hadn't uttered a word the entire time. "There's hardly any evidence it—or that so-called magical kingdom it came from—ever existed."

"I'm telling you, it was real!" Papitas insisted, gesturing wildly. "There are craters everywhere around Axel! If it wasn't the Destroyer, then there must've been some kind of massive fight—"

The sharp whistle of the train cut her off, and the cabin jolted slightly as the train began to slow. Outside, the silhouettes of houses and fields came into view, the city's barrier wall just visible in the distance. The darkness gave way to rows of lit buildings as the train pulled closer to the station.

"Finally!" Lalemana groaned as she stretched dramatically outside the train, lifting her arms. The bustling station was packed with people, many wearing the unmistakable robes of Axis Church believers. "Of course, even here, this town is crawling with them."

"They said the train will resume in about an hour," Daisy mimicked her stretch with a cheerful yawn. "That should give us plenty of time to rest."

"Hey, commoner," Lalemana's tone dripped with condescension as she shot a glare toward Papitas, who was perched precariously on the roof of the train. "Why don't you go on your own? Better yet, just stay in this city for good. I'm sure everyone would be better off."

Papitas hopped down with a flourish, landing beside Lalemana with an overly dramatic bow. Placing a hand firmly on Lalemana's shoulder, she grinned. "Sorry to disappoint, noble, but you're stuck with me. You'll just have to watch as I get that spirit and use it to beat the Demon Queen! Oooooohohohohoho!"

"Grrh—!" Lalemana's frustration was practically visible as she ground her teeth.

"We'd better get moving," Daisy interjected quickly, placing herself between the two with a practiced smile. "The restaurants around here are bound to fill up fast. Let's grab a table before it's too late."

The trio made their way through Axel's crowded streets. The city was alive with activity, every block near the train station buzzing. After wandering for what felt like forever, they finally stumbled upon a modest restaurant with a few empty tables.

Once seated, Daisy flipped through a menu, still multitasking as she checked on the Royal Guard. She spent most of the day ensuring her colleagues were at their posts, they were once again slacking off.

"What's the specialty here?" Lalemana asked, scanning her menu with a skeptical eye.

"Fried frog," Papitas answered with an exaggerated shudder. "And let me tell you, I'd be happy to never eat that again!" She sighed and closed her menu with an air of relief. "Finally, I can have some decent food!"

Lalemana wrinkled her nose. "What kind of barbarian eats frogs?"

"Adventurers, obviously," Papitas shot back, smirking.

After placing their orders, an awkward silence descended over the table. Daisy shifted uncomfortably, the tension between Lalemana and Papitas thicker than the gravy on fried frog. Lalemana and Papitas not only refused to talk to each other, but even to look at each other unless really needed.

"Oh, um, how about we go over our journey?" Daisy suggested pulling out a map and spreading it across the table. "We left Arcanletia five hours ago and stopped here in Axel." She pointed to the map, tracing their route.

Papitas leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "I've never seen a map of this country before. Where exactly are we heading?"

"Our final destination is Verdant Heights," Daisy explained, sliding her finger southward across the map. "But the train only goes as far as Ilyora." She moved her hand north. "The rest of the way is on foot. It's mountainous terrain, and the Great Spirit of the Storm makes it nearly impassable most of the year with constant rain. This pilgrimage has a short window while the spirit travels northeast."

"Arthur mentioned that the hardest part is on foot," Lalemana added, finally joining the conversation.

"That's right, milady," Daisy nodded, "It'll take us two days to reach Ilyora by train. It's Monday night, we should arrive there by Wednesday around noon. From there, it'll take another five days to reach Verdant Heights." She scratched her cheek thoughtfully. "I don't know much about the second part of the pilgrimage, though. Arthur insisted the less we know the better."

Papitas groaned, leaning back in her chair. "An entire day on a train? That sounds like torture."

"The train will stop to refuel and pick up passengers a few more times before we reach Ilyora," Daisy explained, tracing a route on the map. "We'll pass through some large cities like Cragspire, Dristlyn, and Fenrith Hollow. I'm from Dristlyn, so I'm looking forward to visiting, even if just briefly."

"Dristlyn? I didn't know that," Lalemana said, glancing up from her menu. "You should visit your family, Daisy. We've been together every day for months. They must miss you."

"It's been over a year since I last saw them," Daisy replied, her voice calm but wistful. "Not since I joined the Royal Army. But I can't make it in time. My family's estate is pretty far from the station."

Lalemana frowned. "Still, you've worked. It's not fair—"

"Wait a minute," Papitas interrupted, pointing her fork at Daisy. "Estate? You're a noble? What's a noble doing in the army? Shouldn't you be molesting your maids or something?"

"Really?" Lalemana huffed, glaring at Papitas. "Daisy is nothing like that! She's dignified, dependable, and an excellent knight!" She gestured dramatically at Daisy, as if presenting a flawless statue. "She's a noble like me!"

Daisy, blushing slightly, raised her hand. "Um, very low-ranking noble, actually."

Papitas smirked. "So low-ranking you joined the army for kicks? Let me guess, you're also the black sheep of your family?"

"Well…" Daisy hesitated, folding her hands on the table. "It's a bit more complicated. My family isn't doing well financially. With the war, the Royal Army offers the best-paying jobs in the country. I joined to make sure my younger brothers could stay in school."

Daisy paused, then flashed a tired but hopeful smile, making a casual victory sign with her fingers.

For once, Papitas didn't have a comeback. She and Lalemana exchanged a quick glance, silently agreeing to let the topic drop. The silence was broken by the arrival of their food, prompting a collective sigh of relief.

"Well, no use letting it get cold!" Daisy said cheerfully, clapping her hands together. "Let's eat. Judging by the crowd outside, just getting back to the train will take a miracle."

Later that night.

The train rattled on through the dark countryside, its lights dimmed to near blackness. Inside their car, Papitas was sprawled across her seat like an overturned sack of potatoes, snoring loud enough to scare off wildlife.

Lalemana, by contrast, sat perfectly upright, arms crossed delicately over her chest, every strand of her hair somehow still in place.

Daisy sat, rubbing her bleary eyes, dark circles etched beneath them. Her head bobbed forward, only for her to jolt awake each time. A quick glance around the dim train car confirmed her suspicion—no sign of her fellow Royal Guards to relieve her of her duty and let her rest.

They're probably helping manage the passengers she thought under her breath, though the excuse rang hollow. This wasn't the first time her colleagues had been 'delayed'. If she didn't know better, she might've thought they were avoiding her entirely.

She sighed, resting her forehead on the window, the cold glass a welcome relief. Whatever was going on, she didn't have the energy to solve it now.

"I'll have to talk to them tomorrow," she mumbled, though deep down, she wasn't sure what good it would do.

Part 2

…No, no, no! You're doing it all wrong!" Papitas exclaimed, slamming the table for good measure.

"I don't get it," Lalemana said, frowning as she studied the cards in her hand. She gestured toward the cards on the table between them.

"Do you have any 2s?" Papitas asked, her tone suddenly all business.

"Yeah."

"I just threw a 2! If you play a matching card, that's a strike—two points. Or, you could play a 7. See how there's a 2 and a 5 on the table? 2 plus 5 equals 7, so you'd scoop all three cards. If your move clears the table completely, that's called a sweep—also worth two points. First to forty wins. Got it?"

"Ohhhhh, okay," Lalemana nodded, her expression lighting up with understanding. Then she frowned again. "But why do you get to play twice?"

"The game's meant for teams of two, but there's only three of us. So, I'm playing solo, but as my own team," Papitas explained, smugly tapping the cards in front of her.

"I know! But you're using two hands to play instead of alternating turns—it's basically cheating!"

"It's not cheating! I'd know all the cards anyway! What's the difference?" Papitas shot back, folding her arms smugly.

At least they're talking, Daisy thought, her head bobbing slightly as exhaustion dragged at her eyelids. Deep bags shadowed her face, she tried to make the strongest coffee she could manage that morning, but even that hadn't helped.

Talking with her colleagues of the Royal Guard got her no results, even the commander was seemingly unaware they were supposed to guard Lalemana and wouldn't listen to a lower ranking soldier like Daisy. What was the Royal Guard supposed to do then? She tried to argue, but the commander was unwilling to listen.

She resigned herself to the fact that she'd have to guard them completely on her own through the whole pilgrimage.

"Daisy! Helloooo?" Lalemana's sharp tone jolted her back to reality. "It's your turn!"

"Huh?" Daisy blinked, half-dazed. "Oh, right…" She reached for a card—in Lalemana's hand.

"Hey, what are you doing!" Lalemana hissed, yanking her cards away.

"Oh, sorry! I'm just a little tired," Daisy mumbled, to everyone's surprise, her move struck Papitas and cleared the table in a sweep, causing the sunglasses wearing martial artist to yelp.

"I'd say you're more than just tired," Papitas muttered after recovering. "You look like you didn't sleep at all last night."

Before Daisy could reply, a shrill whistle pierced the air, and the train screeched to an abrupt halt. The sudden braking sent everyone in their car tumbling, along a cacophony of crashing tableware.

"What in the world was that?!" a nobleman barked; his expensive suit now splattered with what smelled like hot soup.

A flustered train worker stumbled in from the adjoining car, "Apologies, esteemed passengers! We've encountered a minor issue. Please remain calm; we'll be moving again shortly!"

"Minor issue?" The nobleman jabbed an accusatory finger at the worker. "We paid handsomely to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted journey! This train is not to stop anywhere but at designated stations!"

"I-I know sir!" the worker said, raising his palms, "I assure you it'll be a very brief stop, we're already working on solving it!"

"What happened?" Daisy approached, her soft tone easing both the worker and the nobleman.

"There's an obstruction on the tracks, boulders. Must've been some rockslide, I'm sure it'll be cleared up soon."

Papitas looked out the window, there were no mountains or hills anywhere nearby, the train had been traveling through flatlands for hours.

A woman's panicked voice suddenly rang out from another part of the car. "It's a trap! Bandits are stopping the train! They're going to rob us!"

Chaos erupted as murmurs of fear spread through the passengers.

Almost as if on cue, a loud bang echoed outside, followed by monstrous roars that sent shivers through the train car.

"It's an army of goblins!" shouted a nobleman, his face pale as he peered out the window. A second later, a hail of arrows crashed into the train, shattering several windows and sending passengers diving for cover.

The train car erupted into chaos. A series of metallic screeches reverberated as the sliding doors along the train opened, and a defensive line of mercenaries and Royal Army

Daisy immediately took charge. "Milady, Miss Papitas, please remain here!" she ordered, her voice unusually firm as she unholstered her sword.

Outside, the soldiers and mercenaries scrambled to get ready. The commander of the Royal Army, a grizzled man with a voice that could rival a thunderstorm, barked orders. "Swordsmen to the front! Mages, form a casting line at the rear! Priests, prepare support spells! Muskets—steady aim and wait for my command!"

"What in the world, there's thousands of them!" a mage getting ready said, as he took a good look at the goblin army.

"Ha!" A mocking voice rang out, loud enough to overshadow the clamor of preparations. "Is this the best the Demon Queen can send to stop me?"

Papitas stood triumphantly atop the train carriage, her arms spread wide in a theatrical pose. Below her, the goblin army stretched across the field, their dark green forms contrasting starkly with the lush, bright grass of the flatlands. The goblins are typical of what one might find in a bestiary—short, scrawny creatures with thin limbs and leathery skin. Their tiny, beady black eyes darted nervously, and their long tongues flicked out of their mouths in grotesque, serpentine motions. Most were armed with crude clubs or sticks, their armor nothing more than wooden scraps bound together with twine.

From this vantage point, Papitas could see the chaotic army in its entirety. The goblins swarmed like a green tide, though their formation looked more like a squabble over scraps than an organized attack.

"What are you doing!? Get down from there!" Lalemana shouted, climbing up after her.

Before Lalemana could stop her, Papitas leaped dramatically from the roof of the carriage. She landed with a heavy thud, creating a small cloud of dust between the Royal Army's defensive line and the goblin horde. "Prepare yourselves!" she declared, thrusting a finger toward the enemy. "For after today, I'll be known as Papitas, the Goblin Slayer!"

Her eyes lit up with an eerie crimson glow, which made some goblins visibly flinch. Their instincts screamed at them to run, though their tiny brains hadn't caught up with the idea.

"Miss Papitas! Stop!" Daisy called out, her voice full of panic.

"Quickly, draw their attention!" barked a nearby commander. The defensive line sprang into action, launching volleys of spells and bullets into the goblin masses. But even the chaos of the battlefield couldn't overshadow Papitas' reckless charge.

"Daaaaaaaaaaah!" Papitas screamed as she ran headlong toward the horde. The goblins, emboldened by her lone presence, began charging back with frenzied shrieks.

"Wah—!" Papitas' war cry abruptly turned into a yelp as her foot caught on a slight rise in the uneven ground. She tripped spectacularly, landing flat on her face. The goblins closest to her skidded to a halt, their high-pitched screeches turning into confused mutters as they crept closer, weapons raised.

"Miss Papitas!" Daisy sprinted toward her, though the short girl proved to be much faster than she looked.

Papitas stirred, rising shakily to her feet. The ground beneath her shifted, cracks spiderwebbing outward. Suddenly, with a loud rumble, a massive chunk of earth erupted from the ground, lifting a dozen goblins into the air with it. Papitas grabbed the massive chunk and began to spin, hurling the boulder high into the air. It vanished into the sky, the tiny goblins clinging to it screaming as they disappeared from sight.

Dirt-covered but triumphant, Papitas struck a pose. "Alright, who's next!?"

A goblin lunged at her with a crude spear, and Papitas quickly raised her leg to counter. But her kick missed entirely, her foot swinging wide. The goblin's makeshift spear tore through the bandages on her left leg, drawing blood.

"Aaargh!" Papitas howled, clutching her leg. The goblin grinned wickedly, its tiny, sharp teeth gleaming. Just as it began to cackle in victory, Papitas lashed out with her uninjured leg.

Her kick connected this time—and with such force that a thunderous boom echoed across the battlefield. The goblin rocketed into the sky, a tiny green dot growing smaller and smaller until it vanished entirely.

"See that?" Papitas yelled, turning to the goblins still hesitating on the edge of the battlefield. "You're next!"

The chaos of the battlefield was abruptly silenced by a deep, guttural roar. A larger goblin emerged, perched atop a snorting war hog. Its crude helmet, fashioned from the skull of some beast, added an air of authority. With one powerful cry, it bellowed a commanding roar that echoed across the field, snapping the goblins into formation. Their chaotic scrambling became an organized, though ragged, line.

"What are you waiting for? Are we seriously going to let a little girl do all the work!?" barked one of the commanders. "Attack!"

The soldiers jolted back into action. Muskets cracked and bolts of magic streaked across the field, tearing through the goblin ranks. Behind the front lines, priests raised their hands, casting shimmering barriers over their allies, while knights and mercenaries surged forward, weapons gleaming in the sunlight.

"Now this is a real battle!" Papitas shouted, her grin widening as she leapt high into the air and landed with a crash in the thick of the goblin ranks.

"Miss Papitas!" Daisy called out, still weaving through the chaos in pursuit of the reckless girl. Unfortunately, the newly organized goblins stood in her way, snarling and brandishing their crude weapons.

"Daisy, I'll handle this! You go after that idiot!" Lalemana appeared beside her, sword and Manaflare in hand.

"Milady, please return to the train! I can take care of it," Daisy insisted, her voice edged with concern.

"I know how to fight too, Daisy! Let me help!" Lalemana snapped, frustration clear in her voice. Daisy hesitated. The cacophony of battle around them—the clash of steel, the roar of spells, and the snarls of goblins—made it impossible to think clearly.

Amidst the chaos, Papitas' battle cries somehow drowned out even the thunder of muskets and the explosions of magic. Her crimson eyes burned with excitement as she waded through the goblin horde, fists swinging. Though for every twenty swings, maybe one goblin was sent soaring to the sky.

The goblins' morale crumbled as their comrades were launched into the air. Many began to flee, their weapons abandoned in favor of survival.

"Get back here, you cowards!" Papitas yelled, chasing after a pair of fleeing goblins. Her enthusiasm waned as she realized she was running out of targets.

Meanwhile, the knights carved effortlessly through the goblin ranks. Their shining armor gleamed under the midday sun, each strike precise and devastating. Goblins fell like wheat before a scythe, their armor offering little resistance to the sharpened blades. The tide of battle was entirely one-sided; the goblins stood no chance against the disciplined Royal Army.

"Damn it!" Papitas grumbled, slowing her pursuit. She paused as something caught her eye. A group of goblins stood stock-still in the middle of the battlefield, oddly rigid compared to the fleeing horde.

"What's going on over there?" she muttered. Before she could make sense of it, her attention was drawn to the shouts of nearby soldiers.

"There are kobolds here too!" one cried, his voice filled with alarm.

"And junior lizardmen! I've never heard of monsters like this working together!" another added, panic creeping into his tone.

Papitas' grin returned. "Finally, a challenge!" She redirected her charge, bolting toward the unmoving goblins. Their unnatural stillness made them stand out, but she didn't care. With a mighty punch, she struck the nearest one square in the face.

Instead of being sent flying like its comrades, the goblin's body bent backward unnaturally, its torso arching like rubber.

"Huh?" Papitas muttered, confused. Before she could process what had happened, the goblin snapped back into shape, its rebound delivering an immense force that struck her square in the chest.

Papitas groaned but quickly scrambled to her feet, her eyes blazing with determination. "Oh, it's on now!" she roared, charging back toward whatever had struck her.

This time, Papitas landed in between the funny looking goblins before unleashing a powerful roundhouse kick that connected all of them. As before, instead of flying away, the creatures bent unnaturally backward before snapping forward like a rubber band. Papitas found herself clobbered on all sides as the other odd creatures joined in, ricocheting back with the same strength as her attack.

"…not…gob…" she heard a faint, familiar voice as her head spun, the world tilting dangerously. Shadows danced in her blurred vision, moving closer at an alarming speed.

What's going on? She groaned internally, barely able to steady herself. It felt like she had been hit by a runaway cart.

"Miss Papitas, get out of there! Those are not goblins!" Daisy's voice broke through the haze.

"Huh?" Papitas muttered, blinking as the ground beneath her shifted ominously. Suddenly, the earth split open, revealing a towering monster rising from below. The funny-looking goblins were grotesque appendages attached to its thrashing tail, now revealed as fleshy, bulbous organs.

"That's a Mimic Marionette!" Daisy shouted, her sword drawn. "They have decoy organs that look like weak monsters to lure adventurers! They're incredibly dangerous!"

The Mimic Marionette loomed over Papitas, its body resembling a monstrous salamander. Its glossy skin reflecting the light like polished obsidian. Its toothless mouth twisted into something almost resembling a grin. It lashed its tail, sending the goblin-shaped appendages whipping through the air. Its long, forked tongue flicked across its lips as if savoring its next meal.

With terrifying speed, the monster lunged forward, one massive paw swiping at Papitas. She managed to block with her forearms crossed but was still sent flying back, tumbling across the battlefield.

Bruised and battered, Papitas stared at the sky, her mind racing. I-I can't move! she realized in panic as the heavy, deliberate steps of the monster grew closer. Forcing her head up, she saw its hulking figure looming above her, paws raised to deliver the finishing blow.

Aaaargh, this is such a lame way to die! she yelled internally, squeezing her eyes shut.

Just as the paws descended, a shadow darted across her vision. A figure moved with breathtaking speed, her movements fluid and precise, slicing across the Mimic Marionette like a whirlwind. The monster froze, its body trembling, before collapsing with a thud that shook the ground.

Daisy stood behind it, her posture flawless, the tip of her sword pointed toward the ground.

"What happened? Did you kill it?" Papitas staggered to her feet, still aching all over. She stared at the motionless monster, puzzled. "There are no cut marks or blood. But it's not breathing—"

Before she could finish, Lalemana rushed past her. "Daisy, that was amazing! What did you do!?" Her eyes sparkled with admiration, practically glowing.

"Oh, um, that was a skill called Razor Serenade," Daisy explained, cleaning her blade with practiced ease. "It's my preferred technique. It's clean, efficient… and doesn't leave a mess behind."

"Serenade?" Papitas interjected, shoving Lalemana aside. "What kind of knight serenades their opponent?"

"Oh, 'knight' is just my job title," Daisy replied matter-of-factly, sliding her sword back into its scabbard. "My class is Sword Dancer."

"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!?" Both girls exclaimed, their heads whipping around to face her, cheeks colliding.

"Why am I just finding out about this?" Lalemana pushed closer to Daisy, practically vibrating with excitement.

"Well, you never asked, milady," Daisy said, brushing her hair aside. "We mostly talk about you, after all. I've loved dancing since I was little, and had Dancer registered as my starting class, after joining the army, it was easy to move to Sword Dancer as my advanced class."

"Hold on," Papitas interjected, narrowing her eyes. "Aren't Sword Dancers supposed to use two swords?"

"We are, but in the Royal Guard, it's standard to use only one. I got used to it," Daisy explained with a small shrug.

"Here!" Lalemana exclaimed, handing Daisy her own sword. "Use this! I want to see more Sword Dancer skills!"

"Uh…" Daisy hesitated, glancing between the eager pair.

"Yes, come on!" Papitas added, clapping her hands together. "I've heard Sword Dancer fights are better than any theater performance! Show us some moves!"

The two girls began hyping up Sword Dancers as if discussing their favorite action hero. "Their elegance!" Lalemana exclaimed. "Their precision!" Papitas added. "The way they can turn a battlefield into a stage!"

Daisy sighed, relenting. She took both swords and stepped forward, her posture shifting gracefully. She crossed one foot in front of the other, leaving a small gap between them, her front heel aligned with the arch of her back foot. Her stance was poised yet firm, balancing elegance and readiness. Both swords angled downward, their tips nearly touching. Despite her delicate stance, an aura of deadly focus radiated from her.

"Very well," Daisy said, her voice calm yet commanding. "But only if you two return to the train immediately."

"Aww, but—" Papitas and Lalemana whined in unison.

"No buts," Daisy said firmly, her unwavering tone leaving no room for argument. "If you don't head to safety, I won't move a muscle."

Grumbling, the two finally began retreating. Satisfied, Daisy adjusted her grip on the swords. With a deep breath, she leapt into the fray, her movements as graceful as a dancer's, cutting through the chaos like a whirlwind of steel and elegance.

She twirled between the goblins, her swords weaving intricate arcs of gleaming steel. Each strike was precise, severing weapons, disarming foes, and incapacitating them with swift, fluid motions. As she spun, the rhythm of her steps seemed almost hypnotic, her feet gliding across the battlefield with the finesse of a performer on stage. Within moments, the once-chaotic cluster of goblins had fallen into disarray, many retreating in fear of the deadly yet mesmerizing figure.

The battle ended less than an hour later as the goblin army retreated, leaving the once-vibrant grass field littered with the remains of defeated monsters. Smoke from small fires drifted lazily into the sky, mingling with the scent of blood. A few injured adventurers sat against the train cars, their wounds being tended to by priests, while others worked to gather the fallen monsters into a single pile.

Daisy sat atop a Mimic Marionette's lifeless body, her breathing steady despite her earlier exertion. Not a speck of dirt or blood tarnished her pristine armor, her hair falling in perfect waves over her shoulders as if untouched by the chaos.

"Well, howdy there, missy. You're Royal Guard, ain'tcha?" A female archer approached. She extended a glass toward Daisy, her bow slung over her shoulder, a quiver half-emptied by the fight.

"Thank you," Daisy replied, accepting gracefully and taking a sip. "And yes, you're right."

"Figured," the archer said, tipping her wide-brimmed hat. "Ain't often you see one of y'all actually doin' somethin' useful." She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes narrowing at a small group of Royal Guards some distance away. "Your buddies there? Might as well've been statues. Didn't lift a finger while we were fightin' tooth and nail out here." She clicked her tongue in disapproval, her gaze returning to Daisy. "Guess you're the exception."

Daisy remained silent, her lips pressed into a thin line. The archer's words echoed with her own frustrations; her comrades stayed behind during the battle, contributing nothing, even now as others were tending to the injured and clearing the battlefield.

"Somethin' about this whole mess feels off," the archer continued, her voice dropping slightly.

"What do you mean?" Daisy asked, though her attention wavered, her eyes flicking toward the idle Royal Guards again.

"Well, goblins don't work like this, not normally. They're pests, sure, but organizin' an army? That ain't their style. And attackin' a train like this?" The archer paused, adjusting her hat. "They never stood a chance against us. So why even try?"

Daisy's mind raced as the archer spoke. She had been asking herself the same questions. Where did the goblin army come from? Who lead them? The Demon Queen's involvement was the only explanation that made sense, but the train was far from the frontlines. And, why target a pilgrimage anyway? Her gaze instinctively drifted to the train car near the front, where Lalemana and Papitas were likely resting.

Could they be the reason? No... that's impossible.

"Anyway, you should probably head back to your post," the archer said, snapping Daisy out of her thoughts. "It's rare to see a hardworkin' Royal Guard, so keep it up, y'hear?" She gave Daisy a casual wave before walking off.

Near the front of the train, a heated argument broke the relative quiet. Daisy turned to see a rotund noble in an elaborate, feathered hat gesticulating wildly as he barked orders at a Royal Guard commander. The commander, an older man with chiseled features and a near bald head, stood unmoved, his polished armor gleaming in the sun.

"Get those damn rocks off the tracks!" the noble shouted, jabbing his finger into the commander's chest plate. "We have a limited window for this trip, and I will not disappoint Lady Aqua!"

The commander's expression didn't waver. "We were sent to look over this train, not to move boulders," his voice calm but edged with authority. "The army or those mercenaries can handle it."

"The army and mercenaries are exhausted after the battle!" the train conductor interjected; his face flushed with frustration. His uniform was neatly pressed despite the chaos. "The train isn't sturdy enough to power through those rocks. If they're not cleared, we'll be stuck here indefinitely!"

The noble huffed, his face reddening further. "Then do something, Commander! Or are you as useless as the rest of the Royal Guard?"

Daisy clenched her fists, watching the exchange from a distance, the tension rising like the smoke on the battlefield.

Daisy squinted at the boulders blocking the tracks. Among the cluster of stones, the largest one stood out—it towered over the train itself, easily twice its height. She might've wondered how such massive rocks had ended up here if her sharp eyes hadn't caught sight of two familiar figures by the colossal boulder. A petite girl with a mass of voluminous black hair stood next to a taller, blonde-haired girl whose posture radiated calm authority.

"Listen," the Royal Guard commander was still arguing with the noble, his patience clearly thinning. "I don't get paid to move rocks, nor do I take orders from—" His voice faltered as the gigantic boulder began to rise, drawing gasps from the gathered crowd.

"No, no! Don't drop it here!" Lalemana's voice rang out, her hands on her hips as she tilted her head up at the enormous stone. "If you damage the tracks, we're not going anywhere. Walk a bit further over there, then drop it."

Papitas, veins bulging in her arms and her face crimson from the strain, hoisting the boulder overhead. "Easy for you to say! This thing's really heavy!" she groaned, her legs trembling slightly with each step. The ground quaked underfoot with every move, drawing more onlookers as the scene unfolded.

"Alright, that's far enough. Toss it over there," Lalemana ordered, pointing to a nearby open area.

Papitas let out a strained cry and hurled the massive stone with all her might. It landed with a thunderous crash, splintering into jagged chunks and sending tremors through the ground. A faint cloud of dust rose from the impact site, leaving an awestruck silence in its wake.

"Phew!" Papitas stretched her arms overhead, wiping the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand. "That must've been the heaviest one. Let's move the rest and—wait a second," her eyes narrowed at Lalemana. "Why'd you make me lift it like that? I could've just rolled it away!"

Lalemana's lips curled into a mischievous smile, her blue eyes sparkling with playful malice. "Hehe… because it's more fun watching you struggle, Monkey."

Papitas froze, her expression twisting into outrage. "What did you just call me!?" She stomped closer, jabbing a finger at Lalemana's smirking face. "Don't look at me like that, you—"

Daisy stepped in before things could escalate. "Enough!" she said firmly, placing herself between the two. "Let's just focus on clearing the tracks so we can leave."

Papitas, still grumbling under her breath, moved on to the smaller boulders. By the time she finished, cheers erupted from the Axis followers.

"Praise be to Lady Aqua! Thank you miss!" a man shouted, sparking a wave of celebration.

A group of overenthusiastic believers rushed toward Papitas, surrounding her before hoisting her into the air. She flailed her arms and legs, her protests drowned out by their jubilant chanting.

"Put me down!" Papitas yelled, her voice rising to a panicked shriek as they tossed her upward. "I'm serious! Stop it! Stop! Ahhhh!"

"Praise the monkey!" a blond girl shouted, making no effort to hide her laughter.

Once everyone boarded the train again, the pilgrimage resumed. The train's whistle blew, and the wheels began to turn, but Daisy couldn't shake her unease. As she looked out the window, she noticed the Royal Guard commander glaring in their direction, his lips pressed into a thin line. The way his fingers drummed against the hilt of his sword made her stomach churn. Something about his frustration felt ominous.

Part 3

"I think there should be one around here," That night, Daisy led the group through the night streets of Dristlyn, walking up through a particularly steep road.

Dristlyn sprawled across the base of a towering mountain, its streets weaving through the rolling hills like a chaotic tapestry. At night, the city glowed with a mix of lantern light and flickering magical bulbs, illuminating the lively streets where carriages rattled over uneven cobblestones, bicycles zipped past, and street vendors called out to potential customers. From nearly every vantage point, the massive stone carvings of the Axis and Eris church emblems loomed high above, carved directly into the mountain face and bathed in golden light. Their presence was impossible to ignore—one of many reminders that this was a city where faith ran deep, whether people liked it or not.

"I really don't like that," Papitas grumbled, glancing up at the twin emblems with clear distaste. The illuminated symbols of both churches sat side by side. "The further we get from the Axis, the better…!" She started to walk faster, but then suddenly stopped, looking at Daisy with wide eyes. "Wait. Don't tell me you—?"

Daisy chuckled. "No, no, Miss Papitas. But this city is historically significant for the Axis Church, which is why the pilgrimage passes through here. That Eris Church carving has been here since this was just a tiny village barely anyone knew about. According to the story, back when Lady Serena was just a priest apprentice in the Axis Church, she lived here for some time. And because of how important she is to them, the Axis… 'requested'—for a lack of a better word—that their church get a monument as well."

"Gotta say, you're quite knowledgeable," Papitas remarked, then smirked. "Not like the airhead over here."

"Don't you dare look down on me just because you keep winning that stupid card game, you monkey!" Lalemana, who had been lagging at the back of the group, immediately snapped to attention and pointed an accusing finger at Papitas.

"Stop calling me that!" While Papitas walked with her hands on the back of her head, she turned to face the irate Lalemana, "And it's not my fault your feeble little brain can't keep up with it. It's clear why you need the Crimson Magic Clan's well-known high intelligence to get in the nitty gritty of it."

"High intelligence!? You're the biggest idiot I've ever met! Who the heck wears sunglasses at night!? You nearly ran into half the light posts on the way here!"

"Whaaaaaaaat!?" Papitas shrieked, making several pedestrians turn their heads. "If you wanna see an idiot, just take that hand mirror you keep pulling out every five minutes!"

Before things could escalate into yet another fight, Daisy smoothly intervened. "Ah! Here we are. Let's enjoy some of Dristlyn's local cuisine."

The two girls shot one last glare at each other before begrudgingly following Daisy around the corner. Then, as they rounded the bend, both of them instinctively jumped into each other's arms in sheer terror.

A gigantic boar.

Not just any boar—this thing could swallow a person whole. It's massive head seemingly welcoming everyone to some kind of restaurant.

"Please don't be alarmed. This is what we came for." Daisy's calm voice was unsettling given the sheer size of the beast. "This is a Granbestia Boar. Its meat is the base for the region's most famous dish: Roastark. I assure you it's worth the trip."

Lalemana and Papitas slowly detached themselves from each other, blushing as they awkwardly looked away.

"I trust your judgment, Daisy," Lalemana muttered, coughing into her fist.

"I'm always open-minded about trying new food," Papitas added hastily.

Daisy simply smiled and led them into the restaurant.

The restaurant was a lively, open-air eatery with wooden beams supporting a red-tiled roof, the scent of roasting meat and sizzling spices thick in the air. A group of musicians played cheerful tunes on guitars and drums in one corner, while waiters in loose white shirts and bright woven sashes carried massive plates stacked with food to hungry patrons.

After a brief wait, their food arrived.

A monstrous plate of steaming golden pork, crispy on the outside, tender and glistening on the inside, was placed in front of each of them. The Granbestia Boar was slow-roasted for hours, its skin crackling under a honey-glazed sauce. The dish was served with thick rice stuffed with vegetables, as well as fried plantains drizzled with spicy-sweet sauce. And on the side? A massive, frosted glass of soda, bubbling furiously.

"Uhm, Daisy?" Lalemana peeked over the plate that was almost as big as her torso. "I think this is way too much for all of us. Let alone each of us."

"Oh, believe me, milady, once you taste it, it won't be enough." Daisy, uncharacteristically eager, was already pouring sauce over her food before taking a huge bite. "I've mishhed thish sho much—" she mumbled through a full mouth.

Lalemana and Papitas exchanged a look. Then, hesitantly, they each took a bite.

Their eyes widened.

The boar meat melted in their mouths, he rice was rich and savory, the plantains added the perfect contrast, and the soda fizzed delightfully against their tongues.

Silence. Then—

"Holy crap," Lalemana mumbled, already reaching for another bite.

"This is divine," Papitas said, shoveling food into her mouth like she was afraid it might vanish.

For the next several minutes, the only sounds were of furious chewing and the occasional clatter of utensils.

A while later.

"I'm full," Lalemana finally leaned back, patting her stomach. "I think this might be my second favorite food, after ramen."

"I agree," Papitas burped unceremoniously, chunks of food somehow making their way into her hair. "On both. This was amazing, but ramen is king."

"I'm glad you liked it, it's a shame that this can only be cooked here," Daisy picked her teeth with a toothpick. While some food remained in both Lalemana and Papitas' plates, hers was completely empty.

Both raised their eyebrows, intrigued.

"Ah, well, you see, the Granbestia Boar is immune to magic, so the meat can't be stored. That boar was hunted just today, and its meat goes bad in less than a day, not something—" Daisy suddenly let out a loud burp. "Oh, please excuse me!" she quickly apologized, blushing heavily. "Not something that can be frozen or teleported, it must be consumed on the spot."

"Ohhhhh…" both girls echoed.

"The boars mostly feed on the Matsutake mushrooms that grow in this area, and the combination of both makes for a dish that's not only delicious but also packed with experience points. It's not unusual for hunters to wait for the boars and mushrooms to fight and then take them both down when they're weakened. But it's a dangerous job—Dristlyn has one of the biggest hunters' guilds in the country because of it."

Lalemana cleaned her mouth. "Sounds like an interesting place. Shame we can't stay here for long, seems like there's plenty to do—"

"Oh, there's plenty to do," Daisy's eyes lit up. "For one, there's the Forest of Resting just east of here. A massive fire rock deep in the woods naturally heats the ponds and waterfalls, so people come to soak and relax. I used to go there with my friends after school to cool off."

Papitas, surprisingly, seemed interested. "A naturally heated pond? Huh, that actually sounds nice."

"And if you like cats," Daisy continued excitedly, "the famous Whisker Park is a must-visit. The entire park is home to hundreds of wandering cats, and local artists have made dozens of cat statues throughout. People bring food, play with them, and even adopt strays. You'd love it, milady."

Lalemana huffed. "Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"

Daisy ignored her and kept going. "Up near the Axis and Eris monuments is the Hill of the Two Churches. You get a spectacular view of the entire city from there, especially at night. It's a famous spot for lovers, so… maybe not ideal for us, haha."

Papitas clicked her tongue. "I don't like the sound of that place already."

"Well, if historical sites are more your thing, there are plenty of ancient churches scattered around the city, some dating back centuries. There's even one that belonged to a forgotten goddess. No one worships there anymore, but it's maintained as a heritage site."

"And if you prefer something modern," Daisy added, "there's this new thing people are trying out… a Shopping Mall. A bunch of stores gathered inside a single building, selling all kinds of goods, food, and clothes. It's getting pretty popular…"

Papitas and Lalemana sat there, half in awe and half overwhelmed, as Daisy kept rattling off facts about her hometown. It was impressive, really, how much she loves this place—especially considering how little the two of them knew about their own native cities.

"…so yes, there's plenty to do here," Daisy finally wrapped up after what felt like an eternity.

"Um, thank you, Daisy," Lalemana said, scratching her cheek. "I-I'd like to see some of the, um, dozens of places you just told us about." She turned to Papitas for backup—only to find her lightly snoring.

Lalemana pouted. "So, how about we get going? It's been a while, and we can't miss the train—"

"Hold on!" Papitas suddenly snapped awake, stretching with a loud yawn. "Now that you're all talkative, there's something I wanna know. But first." She waved to a waitress. "One more soda. Extra cold." Then, turning to Daisy, she pointed. "And second—what's your deal? How does a noble end up as the bodyguard of another noble?"

Daisy let out a sigh and looked away.

"You monkey!" Lalemana hissed at Papitas before quickly turning back to Daisy. "It's fine, you needn't say anything you don't want to."

Daisy gave a tired chuckle. "It's fine, milady. I know everything about you and your family, so it's only fair. Besides…" she rubbed her eyes, clearly struggling to stay awake, "…I'm sure you've been wondering the same thing."

When the waitress arrived, Daisy asked for something with plenty of caffeine and sugar. As she took the first sip, she exhaled deeply, like she was bracing herself.

"The answer's simple: money." She swirled the drink in her hands. "Despite being noble, my family isn't wealthy. In fact, we've been losing status for generations. At this rate, we're barely even considered nobility."

Lalemana and Papitas leaned in.

"My family used to own a big chunk of the land around here, back when the city was smaller. We controlled most of the boar meat and mushroom trade. But, well…" Daisy took a deep breath. "We made a mistake. Sold off land in all the wrong places. One of them had a natural water source, and the people who bought it built over it. The land dried up. The mushrooms disappeared. The boars followed. And just like that, we lost everything that made our land valuable."

She took another gulp of her drink, rubbing her temples. "Since then, my family's just been trying to stay afloat. Selling off more and more land. Now we own less than an acre—half of it's rented out. My parents do what they can. My mother works as a teacher. My father tends to the rented fields. And, well…" Daisy let out a tired chuckle. "They also take on the extremely dangerous work of growing mangos."

Mangos? Lalemana has heard of them but never eaten one. The fruit takes years to ripen and is notoriously difficult to grow and handle. They're also called bomb fruits for good reason—if shaken too much, they explode with enough force to take out an entire city block. So dangerous that even the Royal Army refuses to weaponize them. Rare, expensive, and supposedly so delicious that the wealthiest nobles are willing to risk their lives for a taste.

"Contrary to what you'd think, finding buyers is tough. Most people don't want to risk keeping a fruit that could, blow up their house." Daisy rubbed her forehead. "And since they take so long to grow, I've only ever seen one ripen in my entire life. When I was a little girl."

Papitas took a sip of her drink. "Alright, that's a wild story. But it doesn't answer my question."

"Shh! Monkey!" Lalemana hissed, clearly absorbed.

Daisy sighed, stretching her arms. "Well… after graduating, I wanted to help my family. My original class is Dancer, so I thought maybe I could make it big as an idol or something. Some friends and I started a group. We performed at the Hunters' Guild, where I also worked as a waitress."

She stifled a yawn but kept talking.

"One night, a fight broke out between some drunk soldiers passing through. I managed to subdue them before things got ugly. Their commander was there and, instead of scolding me, she pulled me aside. Told me she was impressed." Daisy let out a small laugh. "Said I should join the Royal Army."

She took another big gulp of her drink. Her eyelids were drooping now.

"I didn't think much of it at first. But not long after, there was a bad drought. One of the mango trees died. Most of the crops did too. Money got even tighter. And the worst part? We were at risk of losing our noble status. No money, no nobility. And if we lost that, my parents would lose connections to the few rich nobles who do buy our mangos."

Lalemana leaned in, listening intently.

"And…" Daisy looked away, "There was also my little brothers' tuition. Nobles have to study in private schools, and the only one in this city is very expensive."

"So, you joined the army for them," Lalemana said softly.

Daisy nodded. "My parents didn't want me to, but they knew it was the best option. My mom—her class is FeatherSword—trained me herself before I left. She's from the kingdoms far west." She gave a sleepy smile. "A real tough teacher."

She let out a deep breath. "After passing the preliminary tests, I trained in Arcanletia for six months and earned the SwordDancer advanced class. Then I was assigned to the Fifth Royal Vanguard Battalion." Her voice carried a hint of pride despite how tired she was. "We specialized in fast, close-range combat. Always in the thick of it."

Lalemana and Papitas listened in silence.

"Most nobles join the Royal Army for prestige, but their families pull strings to keep them safe. My father tried. Didn't work. Two months in, I was on the frontlines."

She blinked slowly, her head tilting slightly. "We were sent to guard a village near the front. It was next to a freshwater basin. If the Demon Queen's Army poisoned it, a million people would lose clean water. We fought off wave after wave of monsters. But just defending wasn't enough—we had to go on the offensive."

Daisy exhaled. "Long story short… my squad was part of the attack. I saved a few of my comrades. Landed the final blow on the enemy commander. Forced them to retreat."

"Ohhhhhh," both girls echoed, their eyes sparkling.

Neither of them noticed that Daisy had propped her chin on her hand, her eyes barely open.

"When I got back to Arcanletia, they offered me a spot in the Royal Guard. My parents insisted I take it. Said it'd be safer. And, well, the pay was good." She gave a sleepy chuckle. "I do miss my brothers-in-arms. But my family's doing well now, so that's a weight off my shoulders. I don't need that much money as Lady Marcella covers most of my expenses, so I sent most of my pay to them."

"You must really miss them, Daisy," Lalemana said. "It's a shame we couldn't visit."

Daisy smiled faintly. "It's fine, milady. I write to my friends and family every day. My mom told me that at dinner, they all gather to read my letters—The Daily Daisy Dispatch, they call it." She reached into her coat and pulled out a worn leather wallet. Inside, tucked carefully behind a few crumpled bills, was a photograph.

"This is my father and mother," she said, holding it up for them to see. The image was slightly faded, but the smiles were clear. A tall, weathered man stood beside a woman with kind, slanted eyes, both dressed in simple but well-kept clothes. In front of them, two boys grinned mischievously, one making a peace sign behind the other's head. "And these are my little brothers—Aster and Basil."

She leaned back, crossing her arms.

"A war hero turned babysitter," Papitas said, standing to stretch. "Cool story, lame ending."

Lalemana bristled. "Daisy is not babysitting me, monkey! I can protect myself just fine!"

"Sure, sure, princess. As long as you don't mess up your hair, right?"

Lalemana growled. "I should've made you drop one of those boulders on yourself—"

Papitas put a finger to her lips, shushing her.

"Don't you dare shush me—!"

Papitas grabbed her by the head and turned her toward Daisy.

She was fast asleep.

The two girls exchanged glances and nodded in silent agreement.

Rushing back through the night streets of Dristlyn, Lalemana lead the way as Papitas carried the fast asleep Daisy on her back.

"Soooo…" Papitas asked, "You do know how to get back to the train, right?"

Part 4

"Ugh," Papitas groaned, flopping onto the roof of the train. "How long is this going to taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake!?"

The station at Illyora was pure chaos. Hundreds—no, thousands—of Axis believers crowded every available space. Most of the trains that departed Arcanletia days ago already arrived, waiting for the final one carrying the so-called leader of this mess.

Beyond the city limits, preparations for the second leg of the pilgrimage were in full swing. Carriages stretched as far as the eye could see, horses restless in their harnesses.

"Could you stop screaming, monkey?" Lalemana snapped, seated beside her and doing her best to keep her hair in place against the humid air. "You're not making this wait any easier." She let out a frustrated sigh. "I am just as mad as you and will personally ensure Arthur gets an earful! Just look at this!" She gestured toward the sea of noisy pilgrims. "Where are the Royal Guard? The Royal Army? This pilgrimage was supposed to be heavily guarded, and yet I barely see anyone in armor!"

"I share your frustration, milady." Daisy approached, carrying cold drinks in hand. "Many of my colleagues abandoned the pilgrimage at our previous stops, claiming they were reassigned to 'urgent duty.'" She made air quotes. "There should be a full garrison of the Royal Army here, alongside a Royal Guard squadron—at least, that's what the king ordered. Instead, there's maybe a few dozen soldiers. Every single one of them is an Axis believer."

"There it is!" A priest's voice rang out from the edge of the platform.

A cloud of steam billowed as the final train pulled into the station. A deafening cheer erupted from the gathered Axis faithful, the crowd parting in anticipation.

The moment the train stopped, passengers began pouring out, station workers scrambling to unload luggage. The reunion of friends and family played out across the platform, but Lalemana's focus was on one man—

At the very end of the group, disheveled, sweat-soaked, and looking half-dead, Arthur emerged. He lifted his eyes to the sky and muttered a solemn prayer.

"By the graces of Lady Aqua, we have arrived at our destination. And in her name, may we—"

"Father Arthur! You're finally here!" A nun rushed forward, followed closely by several more priests and sisters.

"Shhhhhhh!" Arthur placed a single finger against her lips. "Please, sister. First, we must thank Lady Aqua."

"B-but—!"

"Shhhhhhhhh!" He struck a dramatic pose, his eyes closed in feigned reverence. The gathered clergy stared, but others weren't so patient. Nobles, merchants, and what few soldiers remained began crowding around him.

Arthur coughed into his fist. "Now, I know what you're thinking. Yes, we ran into some unforeseen obstacles! The rainy season seems to be arriving earlier and most of our guards abandoned us! But! Lady Aqua has blessed us with safe passage! So before we proceed, let us all take a five-minute—no, twenty-minute—prayer break."

"ARTHUR!"

A furious voice cut through the crowd.

"Oh, hi." Arthur's smile twitched as Lalemana stormed toward him. "I heard you guys had some goblin problems—"

"Don't try to change the subject!" Lalemana grabbed him by the collar. "What is this mess!? Wasn't this supposed to be a highly secured, important pilgrimage? It's worse than a circus! How did you mess this up so badly!?"

Arthur struggled against her grip. "Hey, this isn't my fault! There weren't any Royal Guard or Royal Army on my train! I have no idea why they left! I—I bet it's her fault!" He pointed wildly—at Daisy.

"Huh!?" Daisy's eyes twitched.

"Yeah! I bet she did something!" Arthur waved his arms, then turned to a noblewoman. "Or maybe she bribed the guards to leave! Or—wait!—he did it!" He pointed at a random priest. "Or—hang on!—it was them!" He gestured at an entire group of merchants. "Actually, you all look suspicious—"

A ripple of outrage spread through the crowd as every person he blamed turned against him.

"Is this guy supposed to be in charge?" Papitas asked, appearing behind Daisy, taking a long sip from her drink.

Arthur scoffed. "And who's this arrogant little brat? Your kid sister or something?" He looked at Lalemana. "Yeah, I see the resemblance. Neither of you are my type."

Lalemana and Papitas twitched in unison.

"This man is annoying me," Papitas said, cracking her knuckles. "Can I punch him?"

"Yes!" the crowd answered in unison.

"Oh, come on, lighten up! I was just messin' around—"

THWACK!

Arthur collapsed like a sack of potatoes, clutching his liver.

Later that day.

The leaders of the pilgrimage gathered for a meeting inside the Axis Church's makeshift headquarters—formerly a restaurant, now forcibly 'repurposed' over the loud objections of its owner.

"Alright, people, listen up," Arthur declared, pacing in front of a large map pinned to the wall. Even after a couple of priests healed him after Papitas' attack, he still had trouble walking. "I know that train ride was exhausting, but we don't have time to waste. The real challenge of our pilgrimage begins now."

The map behind him showed the southeastern region of the Kingdom of Belzerg. Ilyora sat near the top, their destination—Verdant Heights—lay further south, and to the west, dangerously close, were the frontlines. A large portion of the western map was labeled [Captured Territory].

Arthur gestured toward the window. "See those mountains?" In the distance, two towering peaks stood sharp against the sky. "Verdant Heights is just beyond them, past the Storm Mountains."

He let that sink in for a moment before continuing.

"Doesn't sound too bad, right? Well, here's the problem—those peaks are usually buried under storm clouds. For ten months of the year, this region is battered by relentless rain, thanks to the Great Spirit of the Storm. She lingers in this area, bringing downpours that make travel nearly impossible."

He tapped the map near the mountains.

"But every year, when the Great Spirit of Summer moves in, the intense heat forces the Storm Spirit northeastward. That's what triggers the rainy season on the coasts and sends storms toward neighboring countries as the spirit makes it way towards the Crimson Magic Islands."

"Yeah! Crimson Magic Islands!" a voice from the crowd cheered.

Arthur blinked. "Uh… right." He cleared his throat and pressed on, "Normally, spirits like these wander unchecked, and there's little we can do about them. But the Crimson Magic Clan doesn't do 'unchecked.' Every year, they blast the Storm Spirit to oblivion before it reaches their shores."

"A weakling spirit has nothing against us!" the same voice rang out.

"Shut up, monkey!" someone else shot back.

Arthur exhaled sharply. "Anyway." His tone made it clear he would tolerate no more interruptions. "The problem is, once the spirit gets driven back, she returns here in a foul mood. But the Great Spirit of Summer isn't keen on leaving just yet, so the two clash. The result? Weeks of unbearable heat and torrential rain—what locals call the Monsoon Duel."

He gestured at the map's southern half. "During this time, everything between Ilyora and Verdant Heights turns into an unlivable swamp. Even the monsters and wildlife flee. Travel is impossible. And when the Great Spirit of Summer finally moves on, the Storm Spirit settles in again… and the cycle repeats."

Arthur let that hang in the air for a moment, then leaned forward. "This is why the pilgrimage has to happen now. We have a narrow window before the Storm Spirit returns. And according to the Axis Church's information network, she's moving faster than expected. We have less than three weeks."

He pointed at Verdant Heights. "Under ideal conditions, it should take us about five days to reach our destination. That means we're leaving in a few hours. Our first stop will be Swanson, a small trading post just south of here. We should reach it by sunset." He tapped a smaller dot on the map. "That'll be our last chance for supplies before we head into the mountains."

"In order to make sure that we're back here before the Great Spirit of the Storm returns, we'll spend only five days at Verdant Heights before making our way back, so all and all we should be back here in just over a couple of weeks. It'll be a tight schedule, but I'm sure that should give enough time for everyone to give their offering to the Sapphire Spirit."

He wiped the sweat off his forehead. Even now, the air was thick with humidity. "If you read the pamphlet, you know what to expect. If you haven't, listen up—and pass this information along."

Arthur's expression turned serious. "Beyond Swanson, we're on our own. The forest through the mountains will be brutally hot, humid, and with monsters. There's also the risk of black fever—" he paused, watching for reactions, "—a disease that spreads through insect bites. It starts with chills and headaches, and if untreated, can be fatal. So if you can't handle the trip to Swanson, don't even think about continuing."

He let that warning settle before continuing.

"Our supplies are limited. Our manpower is even more limited. The Axis Church staff can use Teleport magic to send sick or injured people back to Ilyora, but we can only do that so many times, there's also the trip back to consider."

He looked over the crowd. "And then there's the Demon Queen's Army." A hush fell over the room. "We're far from the frontlines, but lately, her forces have been getting more aggressive. Scouts have been spotted further south. Verdant Heights should be safe—the presence of the Sapphire Spirit keeps monsters and demons at bay—but we're not taking any chances."

Arthur scanned the faces in the room. Most were seasoned pilgrims who had made this journey before, but even they looked uneasy.

"Now that I think about it, I probably should've mentioned all this back in Arcanletia," he muttered under his breath. "Oh well."

With a practiced motion, he flipped the map over, revealing a more detailed view of Verdant Heights.

"The town itself is small—barely a thousand people. There aren't enough inns for all of us, so we'll set up camp in the main plaza and on the outskirts." His hand traced a large dark area west of the town. "And here… is the Veilbind Forest."

A noticeable shift ran through the crowd.

"This is one of the most dangerous places in the country," Arthur said flatly. "This place isn't just a forest—it's a labyrinth. The moment you step inside, the layout shifts. No two people see the same path. The deeper you go, the more it changes. The few people who have escaped it spent years trapped there."

He paused, then added, "To put it simply: it's a living dungeon. Don't go near it."

A few murmurs spread through the group, but Arthur didn't let them grow.

"Unfortunately, our main objective is right at the edge of this forest." He pointed to a star marking the Shrine of the Sapphire Spirit. "This is the only place where the Sapphire Spirit is known to appear. The shrine itself is safe—but do not stray from the path."

His gaze hardened. "Once you get there, place your offerings—high-grade alcohol and food—and ask for the spirit's blessing. If all goes well, it'll cast some powerful magic on you. This spirit is a manifestation of Lady Aqua's will in this world, so make sure to grateful!"

He straightened up. "I know you probably have questions, but I'm not answering any. Try to rest as much as you can, we'll leave shortly."

Before anyone could protest, Arthur turned on his heel and made a beeline for the back of the shop—just as dozens of Axis believers surged forward to bombard him with inquiries.

"Ahhhhhh!" Lalemana let out a roar of frustration.

"Please settle down, milady!" Daisy pleaded, trying to keep her calm. The group was making their way toward their carriage, along with hundreds of Axis believers. While Lalemana seethed, Papitas was the exact opposite.

"I don't get why everyone's so frustrated. This is what an adventure should be like!" she said, shadowboxing. "Things aren't supposed to be easy! Victory is hard-earned! I sure hope we run into some monsters so I can fight them!"

"I think this is our carriage," Daisy said, pointing to what might as well have been a heavily armored tank—a massive, reinforced carriage drawn by four sturdy draft, armored horses. Thick iron plates reinforced its wooden frame, and heavy metal shutters covered what little window space it had. The door looked sturdy enough to withstand a siege.

"You must be Lady Arlenfelt," a man called out as he dismounted from the driver's seat. "Yeah, this one's for you and your 'cargo,'" he said, air-quoting the word. "The Royal Guard hired me to make sure you had the most secure transport available. Please take good care of it, have a nice trip." Without another word, he turned and walked off.

"Well, it certainly looks secure," Daisy murmured, giving the carriage's exterior a few light taps. The thick walls barely made a sound. However, when she opened the door, her expression immediately shifted.

With no windows for ventilation, the velvet-lined interior was like an oven in the sweltering heat. Just cracking the door open let out a blast of stifling air. The seats, upholstered in plush crimson fabric, looked luxurious, and a small chandelier hung from the ceiling, but none of that mattered when it felt like a furnace inside.

"I call shotgun!" Papitas shot her hand up.

"As if, monkey!" Lalemana snapped. "Daisy is coming with me. You're a stowaway—you go with the luggage inside!"

"Whaaaaaaaat!?" Papitas shrieked at ear-splitting volume. "What if monsters attack us!? You need someone strong up front to fight right away! You stay inside and make sure your hair stays put, princess!"

"Enough!" Daisy cut in before the argument escalated. "You'll both go inside where you'll be safe. I have an important job for you: make sure the offerings all arrive intact. Milady, you can use magic—cast some freezing spells to keep yourselves cool. I'm sure an Archwizard like Miss Papitas must know a few cooling spells too."

"Uh, ah. Yeah, totally…" Papitas mumbled, looking away.

"Hey!" a familiar voice called out. Arthur approached, flanked by a young nun and a man hauling a cart piled with luggage. "Here are our MVPs. You ready for the trip—?"

The moment Papitas glared at him, Arthur instinctively ducked behind the nun. "Make sure you keep that girl away from me!"

"Settle down, Arthur," Lalemana scoffed. "As long as you don't annoy me, I'll keep the monkey here from attacking you."

Papitas' eye twitched.

"Well, I've got some news for you," Arthur continued, ignoring them. "First, here's your stuff." The man with the luggage cart silently began loading everything into the sweltering carriage.

Lalemana watched carefully, making sure the chest containing the bottle from the king—as well as the ones her mother had given her were safely stowed.

"And also, her." Arthur gestured to the nun. "This is Sister Alondra, a very talented healer from the city's church. Since you're so gosh-darn important—though no one will tell me why—she'll be joining you in case you need healing or whatever."

"I was going to personally assist you," Arthur muttered, shooting a look at Daisy, "but someone thoroughly rejected that idea," he placed his hand on his chest, feigning heartache.

"G-good afternoon!" the nun suddenly shouted, her voice far louder than necessary.

She stood a head shorter than Arthur, only slightly taller than Papitas. Her large, curly hair framed a delicate, pretty face, though her nun's attire covered nearly everything else.

"M-m-my name is Alondra Stacy! I-I-I'll heal you if needed! But if you don't need healing, that's fine too!"

Everyone flinched and covered their ears.

"Ahhhhh! Make her stop!" Papitas screamed, making the sheepish nun flinch.

"Yeah," Arthur said, rubbing one ear. "She may not look like much, but she's capable. I'm sure she'll keep you safe." Then, his tone turned serious. "Remember what I said earlier—if by Swanson you don't feel capable, then go home—"

"I'm not giving up. I'm seeing that spirit." Lalemana's voice was so cold that it felt like the very air around them had frozen.

Arthur, rather than looking surprised, smirked in approval.

"Anyway, I'll mostly be staying toward the back of the pilgrimage, making sure things go smoothly. But I'll be making rounds to check on everyone, so I'll see you now and then." He waved a hand. "You can depend on Sister Alondra. See ya."

Almost on cue, the carriages at the front began moving.

"Let's go then," Daisy said. "Milady, Miss Papitas, please head inside. I'll be handling the reins with Sister Alondra. If you need anything, knock."

"But Daisyyyyyyyyyy!" Lalemana whined. "You can't force me to spend five days locked up with this monkey!"

"No buts, milady. You'll be safest inside." She motioned toward the carriage. After some grumbling, Lalemana reluctantly climbed in. Papitas, just as irritated, followed without a word.

"Let's go, Sister Alondra." Daisy helped the nun up to the driver's bench before giving the reins a gentle flick, urging the horses into motion.

Part 5

"You're not the talkative type, huh?" Daisy broke the silence, wiping sweat from her brow.

It had been a couple of hours since they left Ilyora, the city now long out of sight. So far, the unusually sheepish Axis nun hadn't uttered a single word. Lalemana and Papitas, on the other hand, had complained plenty. Right now, they were arguing inside the carriage, but Daisy had long since learned how to tune them out.

The dirt road was slowly turning into mud as the humidity grew stronger the closer they got to the Storm Mountains. With the sun hanging low in the western sky, they had a few more hours to go before reaching Swanson.

"Um, I'm not very talkative. I apologize," Sister Alondra replied, looking down. She'd been avoiding eye contact the whole time.

"You don't need to apologize. I'm just surprised, that's all." Daisy gave the reins a flick, prompting a fresh round of bickering from the carriage behind her. "I grew up in Dristlyn and spent a lot of time in Arcanletia, so I'm well accustomed to the Axis Church. And, well, you're the most reserved member I've ever met. You haven't even tried to convert me yet."

"Oh, um. I guess that's true. I'm… a bit different from my brothers and sisters." Sister Alondra's speech softened, losing some of its formality.

Daisy glanced at her. "Sister, is this your first pilgrimage? Do you know what we might run into?"

"No, no, I've done this several times," Alondra puffed her chest proudly. "I manage the Axis Church branch in Ilyora, so they've requested my assistance for years now. Father Arthur exaggerated a bit to make sure people take this seriously, but we should still be careful. Right now, most monsters and animals are probably fleeing before the Great Spirit of the Storm returns, so we shouldn't run into too many."

Daisy gave a slow nod. Alondra had been watching her closely, clearly waiting for a response.

"Moon-kissed Crocodiles and Komodo Assassins are our biggest concern, but the former only get aggressive during a full moon, and the latter aren't too bad as long as we have adventurers or thieves with Enemy Detection skills. Some monkeys might try to steal our belongings, but otherwise, they won't harm us. Really, our biggest problem will be mosquitoes. Black fever can be fatal, and we only have so much medicine. Healing magic doesn't work on diseases, after all."

"Hmm?" Daisy perked up, interested.

"Ah, don't you know? Diseases are caused by teeny-tiny organisms called 'viruses.' Healing magic just enhances the body's natural healing ability, but if you cast it on a sick person, you might power up the virus too, making things worse. If someone gets sick and we can't cure them or teleport them away, our best bet is to take them to the Sapphire Spirit. Its holy magic—beyond even the best Archpriests—is the only thing that can cure diseases. I can attest to that." Sister Alondra's cheerful tone turned serious.

Daisy hesitated, unsure if she should press further. A sudden screech from inside the carriage made the decision for her—anything to distract herself from whatever was happening back there.

"If you don't mind me asking, what do you mean by that?"

Sister Alondra remained silent for a moment, then averted her gaze again. "It was my father," she admitted quietly. "He fell sick—a very strong disease. This was seven years ago. Not knowing where else to turn, I sought help from the Axis Church. At the time, there was only a tiny church here, but they told me to take him on the pilgrimage. He got so ill on the way that I had to push him in a wheelchair just to reach the spirit. I wasn't sure it would work—I could only afford very cheap wine—but the spirit graciously healed him. To the point that he rode a horse on the way back!" She brightened up as she spoke, her voice gaining warmth. "That's why I joined the Axis Church. I wanted to give back somehow, to help others the way they helped me."

"That's very noble of you. Though, you know, you could've helped people without joining the Axis Church."

"Hahaha, many people have told me that." Sister Alondra chuckled. "It's true, I didn't really know what I was getting into, and I probably don't believe in… oh, maybe 90% of the church's teachings. But I mostly do it to help people. My, uh, more diligent work ethic compared to my peers got me promoted quickly. I may be a nun, but I run the church in Ilyora and use most of our resources to help those in need."

She smiled. "Lady Aqua teaches us to do whatever we want, and what I want is to help others. So in a way, I'm a devout believer, haha. Besides, if the Sapphire Spirit really is a manifestation of her will, then she does more for this world than Eris does."

She spat after saying Eris' name, something Daisy definitely noticed. Seems she's more into the Axis Church than she thinks, Daisy mused.

Their conversation continued amiably as they got to know each other. As they were safely positioned in the middle of the pilgrimage, not much happened along the way, and they arrived at Swanson after nightfall.

When Daisy opened the carriage door, it was like stepping into a sauna. A thick cloud of steam billowed out as soon as she unlocked it.

"Ahhhhh! Give me some water!" Papitas immediately bolted, her clothes soaked in sweat, her usually wild hair hanging wet and limp.

"Wait, Miss Papitas!" Daisy moved to follow, only for a ghostly pale Lalemana to collapse onto her. "Milady!?"

"That… monkey…" Lalemana's voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. "…refused to… use her… magic… I'm exhausted…"

"Sister Alondra, please look after milady! She suffers from mana leakage!" Daisy carefully laid Lalemana down. "I'll go get Miss Papitas!"

Later that night…

The group gathered for dinner around a large campfire. Dozens of similar fires dotted the outskirts of Swanson, as the various carriages clustered together. Papitas tore ferociously into a lamb leg while Lalemana, still weak, was being spoon-fed by Sister Alondra.

"Damn monkey!" Lalemana growled, her movements sluggish. "Why were you so against using some of your magic!?"

Papitas avoided eye contact, still chewing. "…Uh, I'm saving it for a truly important moment. I only know super-powerful spells—no beginner magic or whatever."

"Grr—!" Lalemana was ready to start another fight when Daisy returned.

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't find anything to help with cooling in this city. It's all woodworkers and blacksmiths. And, well, the locals don't seem too happy about me working for the central government…"

"Ah, that's just how folks are here," Sister Alondra said. "They love their wood, love their meat, and hate the government. But they're good, hardworking people."

"How are you feeling, milady?" Daisy asked gently. "Please don't push yourself too hard."

"She's still weak—used a lot of mana," Sister Alondra answered for her. "I tried using Drain Mana to help, but my own isn't high enough to fully heal her."

"Monkey! Give me your mana!" Lalemana pointed accusingly, making Sister Alondra nearly drop the soup.

Papitas blinked, sauce dripping from her mouth. "And why should I share my precious Crimson Magic mana with you?"

"It's your fault I'm like this!"

Daisy stepped in. "Miss Papitas, please help. I think we'd all be happier if milady was in a better mood."

"…Ugh, fine." Papitas scooted closer, still eating.

"Excuse me," Sister Alondra said, placing a hand on both their necks. Papitas' mana flowed through her into Lalemana.

"Wooooah!" Lalemana flared up almost immediately, color rushing back to her cheeks. Sister Alondra reacted the same way, quickly letting go of both girls. Papitas, on the other hand, looked completely unbothered.

"I feel invincible! What the heck was that?" Lalemana bounced on her feet, buzzing with energy.

"2700 years of Archwizard ancestry," Papitas said, lazily tossing aside a lamb bone, picked clean. "Barely felt it. So, where are we sleeping? Not in the carriage, right?"

"No, no. I'll set up a tent. You must be exhausted," Daisy said, already getting to work.

"Oh, that reminds me!" Sister Alondra perked up, then clasped her hands and began chanting. A moment later, she stretched out her arms.

"Holy Barrier!"

A glowing magic circle spread from her feet, encircling the carriages gathered around the bonfire. A soft white light rose toward the night sky.

"That'll keep us safe till morning. It repels undead monsters and will alert us if anything else approaches."

As if on cue, similar barriers flickered to life at the other bonfires, cast by the Axis Priests.

"Try to rest while you can," Sister Alondra winked. "Things will only get harder from here."

Lalemana and Papitas exchanged glances. Their journey was just beginning.

The next morning.

They departed Swanson nearly as soon as the sun rose, with Daisy carefully placing the still-sleeping Lalemana and Papitas inside the carriage. The road became steeper as they neared the Storm Mountains, and the air grew thick with heat and humidity. Sister Alondra fanned herself relentlessly, while Daisy kept brushing her damp hair from her eyes.

The pilgrimage moved at a slow but steady pace as the muddy roads became more treacherous. The temperature continued to rise, and with the Great Spirit of Summer heating the rain-soaked earth, a thick mist engulfed the area, trapping them in stifling heat. What, according to Sister Alondra, locals call warm fog.

"Good morning!" Arthur's voice rang out from behind them, his hair as drenched as theirs. He rode a tall white horse, his priestly robe clinging to his chest. "Nice to see you're still here! How was your first night?"

"Good morning, Arthur," Daisy pushed her hair back once more. "It's unbearably hot, but we're managing."

"That's the spirit! Keep your eyes open—things will likely get rough. Sister Alondra, they're in your hands!" He clicked his tongue and rode past them, continuing ahead.

"Father Arthur, wait!" Sister Alondra called after him, but he had already disappeared into the warm fog.

Daisy glanced at her. "Something wrong?"

Sister Alondra hesitated, then sighed. "Your group isn't part of the Axis Church, and none of you seem unwell, so... why are you here? I was hoping Father Arthur would explain."

Daisy wiped the sweat from her brow. "Unfortunately, I can't answer that, and neither would Arthur. Let's just say it's a top-secret mission—"

"Are you here to capture the Sapphire Spirit?" Sister Alondra's tone sharpened. "If so, you're wasting your time. I've lost track of how many knights and mercenaries I've guided through the mountains for so-called 'top-secret missions.' It's always the same—they're some kind of super elite team here to claim the spirit for the war against the Demon Queen, but they never make it past its protector. You should turn back now."

Daisy met her gaze calmly. "I think you misunderstand. While it's true we seek the spirit, we have no intention of using force. I can't say more for now, but everything will make sense in due time."

Sister Alondra remained unconvinced, looking away in frustration. Daisy chose not to press further.

"That being said," she continued, "could you tell me more about the spirit's protector?"

Sister Alondra exhaled sharply. "You knights are all the same. Always looking for a fight. The Sapphire Spirit blesses the people here, and yet you're so eager to drag it into a war..." She trailed off, then muttered, "But we have a long journey ahead, so I might as well answer."

She adjusted her grip on her fan before continuing. "I've guided many to the shrine, but I've never gotten a clear look at the protector. It's some kind of shadow—an entity that moves at incredible speed, cutting down anyone who draws their sword. It's strong too, more than capable of holding its own against several advanced classes at once."

Daisy listened intently.

"The locals believe it's a fallen angel atoning for past sins by guarding Lady Aqua's holy presence, but who knows? It can't be reasoned with—it attacks anything that even thinks of harming the spirit."

Daisy made a mental note. Then milady and Miss Papitas' attitudes will definitely be a problem. I'll have to talk to them later.

The climb grew steeper, Daisy focused on steadying the horses.

As the morning wore on, Sister Alondra cooled off, and their conversation turned to lighter topics—though they were frequently interrupted by loud voices from inside the carriage.

"It's like a sauna out here, and we're outside," Sister Alondra muttered, tugging at her sweat-soaked habit, the fabric turning slightly translucent in places.

Daisy kept a hand on her forehead, holding her hair back. "I feel terrible for them, but there's nothing I can do. I need to focus on keeping them safe. Also…" She swatted at the air. "I've been noticing more mosquitoes the deeper we go."

"The heat actually helps with that," Sister Alondra replied. "They can't land on sweaty skin. Haha! But seriously, if you notice a rash or feel the slightest bit feverish, tell me right awa—"

A thunderous crash cut her off. The horses shrieked in terror as the ground quaked beneath them.

"What was that?!" Daisy tightened her grip on the reins.

"I have no idea—!" Another impact. This one even stronger. A deep, guttural roar echoed through the fog.

Loud banging erupted from inside the carriage. Daisy opened the small sliding hatch behind the driver's seat.

"What's going on? That felt like an explosion!" Lalemana's voice came through, along with a wave of steaming hot air.

"Is there a fight? I wanna fight! Let me out!" Papitas shoved Lalemana aside.

"You two stay inside!" Daisy ordered. "We don't know what we're dealing with—"

A sharp metallic clash rang through the fog, the unmistakable sound of steel meeting steel.

Sister Alondra straightened, projecting her voice so the surrounding carriages could hear. "Stay calm! We have plenty of mercenaries protecting the pilgrimage, many of them advanced classes. Hold the reins steady and be ready to move as soon as the road is clear!"

The sounds of battle continued in the distance, the warm fog concealing whatever was happening up ahead. Everyone held their breath. Daisy's fingers tightened around the hilt of her sword.

"Let me out!" Papitas screamed, followed by another loud bang, this time coming from inside the carriage.

"Miss Papitas, please calm down!" Daisy barely managed to catch a glimpse of Papitas standing in front of the locked door, in a fighting stance, about to deliver another strike.

"FOCUS PUNCH!" With a powerful strike, the door was blasted off its hinges, flying through the forest like a cannon ball, the force of the impact echoing through the trees—right alongside the chaos of the battle in the distance.

Not just the door—the entire side of the carriage had been blasted open. The metal frame twisted and buckled as if a monster had broken out.

"Wait, monkey—!" Lalemana tried to grab Papitas, but the girl had already leaped from the carriage, sprinting ahead.

"Ahhhhhhhhh!" Papitas let out a battle cry as she charged toward the source of the commotion.

"Why won't she listen!?" Daisy groaned, looking between Papitas and the gaping hole in the carriage, hesitation gripping her.

"Go after her! I'll handle things here!" Sister Alondra urged. "She could get lost in the forest!"

With a reluctant nod, Daisy took off after Papitas. The sound of fighting grew louder as she ran—but then, suddenly, it stopped. The warm fog thinned, replaced by the acrid scent of smoke. Flickers of firelight danced through the trees. Then, at last, Daisy emerged into a clearing.

Papitas stood there, shoulders slumped, a deep frown on her face.

"Haa… haa… Miss Papitas, I finally caught up to you—" Daisy panted, slowing to a stop—then froze. The words caught in her throat.

A monstrous figure lay sprawled before them—a massive humanoid monster, covered in jagged blue scales, its sharp claws curled lifelessly into the dirt. In its massive hand, it clutched a tree trunk, seemingly as some sort of crude weapon.

"A gigantos…" Daisy whispered, instinctively grabbing onto Papitas' sleeve.

"Not just one. Look." Papitas pointed ahead.

The clearing was littered with bodies—more than a dozen gigantos lay strewn about, an entire pack of these massive creatures, all dead.

Driven by curiosity, the two girls cautiously moved forward. The fog was sparse here, revealing the dirt road beyond. Several carriages stood parked nearby, and a growing crowd of travelers and adventurers was approaching the battlefield.

"Please stand back, everyone!" a short-haired priestess called out, raising her hands to stop them. "We haven't confirmed if all the monsters are truly dead!"

"Ugggggh! I wanted to fight them! I'm so stressed ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut!" Papitas groaned, kicking the nearest fallen gigantos in the head. Even lying face-down, the monster towered over her.

"Miss Papitas, please be careful!" Daisy yelped, grabbing her by the back of her shirt. "These creatures are supposed to be incredibly dangerous—a single stomp could flatten an entire village!"

"They're already dead! Just let me relieve my frustratioooooooooooooooon!" Papitas whined, struggling to break free.

Then both girls froze.

A single enormous eye snapped open, staring directly at them.

A chill ran down Daisy's spine. She barely had time to react before the monster let out a deafening roar, the force of it sending both girls tumbling backward.

With its last remaining strength, the wounded gigantos lifted its makeshift club, ready to bring it crashing down upon them.

Daisy's breath caught in her throat. She fumbled for her sword, but with Papitas on top of her, she couldn't move fast enough—

"Raaaaaaaaah!"

A battle cry, louder than even the monster's roar, split the air.

A massive figure came hurtling down from above, slamming a colossal warhammer onto the gigantos' skull. The sheer force of the impact crushed the monster's head into the ground, shaking the earth itself. The girls were thrown clear just as the tree trunk crashed to the side, missing them by inches.

As the dust settled, their rescuer came into view—a towering, armored warrior. His power armor gleamed, covering him almost entirely, save for his head, where a thick mane of white hair and a long beard framed his scarred face. One of his eyes was completely white, a deep scar running across it.

"Please, stay back, young ladies!" his deep voice carrying a heavy foreign accent, "These beasts can be quite dangerous."

"U-um, sir," Daisy stammered as she helped Papitas to her feet. "Could you tell us what happened here?"

"I vould like to know that myself, fräulein," The man hopped down from the monster's corpse, landing with a weighty thud. Daisy had to crane her neck upwards just to meet his gaze.

"These cursed ungeheuer appeared from nowhere and began attacking us," he grumbled. "Bah! I have guarded Lady Aqua's pilgrimage for decades, und zis is ze first time I have seen such creatures here."

All around them, veteran adventurers checked the fallen monsters, priests tended to the wounded, and mages used water magic to extinguish the lingering fires.

"I had no idea gigantos were real…" Daisy murmured, stepping toward the now-definitely-dead monster. "I've only ever read about them in books."

"Ja, me too! But zey were no match for ze mighty Wilhelm!" The old warrior flexed his arms, striking a series of exaggerated poses.

CRACK!

A sharp pop from his back made him freeze mid-pose. Slowly, he straightened up, rubbing his lower back with a sheepish chuckle. "Hrrm! But zis is troubling. Supposedly, these monsters roam alone, yet this pack attacked the pilgrimage like they were searching for something."

"So… they're not native to this area?" Daisy asked.

"No, they're not," another voice answered.

Arthur arrived, surveying the battlefield with a critical eye. "Gigantos aren't just monsters—they're devils. You usually find them in the lower levels of dungeons controlled by powerful Dark Lords—"

"Or from gates of hell," Papitas interjected. "I've seen them since I was little. They're pretty common where I'm from, some people keep them as pets."

"Was!?" Wilhelm's eyes widened in shock. "Just where are you from, young lady?"

"The Cri—"

"She's just confusing them with another monster! Please pay her no mind!" Daisy quickly clamped a hand over Papitas' mouth. "W-with the monsters defeated, the pilgrimage will continue, r-right, Arthur?"

"Yeah, we can't afford to waste time. The carriages are already moving again. Go wait over there for Sister Alondra—she'll be coming to pick you up. I'll stay behind to help with cleanup."

Papitas took off ahead, but Daisy lingered, lowering her voice. "Arthur… this wasn't just a coincidence, was it?"

"You think it's the Demon Queen's Army?" Arthur muttered, his eyes darkening. "Yeah. I thought the same when I heard about the gigantos. This isn't the first attack on the pilgrimage, either. You guys must be really important, huh?"

As Daisy turned to leave, Arthur caught her wrist, leaning in to whisper one last warning.

"Sister Alondra knows Teleport. If things get really bad—get out."

Daisy hesitated, concern flickering in her eyes, but nodded.

As their carriage rolled up, Sister Alondra reined in the horses, while Lalemana sat beside her, a pocket mirror in hand, desperately trying to comb her drenched hair.

The rest of the day passed without much incident. A few more monsters attacked, but nothing nearly as dangerous as the gigantos.

The pilgrimage pressed on.

Daisy remained on edge the entire time, her mind racing through the implications of Arthur's warning and the gigantos' attack. If he's right, then we're at great risk, she thought. If the Demon Queen somehow knows about milady and Miss Papitas—

"Lady Daisy!" Sister Alondra's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "The sun is about to set. It's too dangerous to travel at night. Time to set up camp again. There should be a clearing ahead. Make sure to stick to the left side of the road—we don't want to fall into that valley."

For the past few hours, they had been traveling along the edge of a vast gorge, as the forest in between the Storm mountains is too risky, they instead travel around them. The valley's depths are obscured by a thick cloud of warm fog.

"What's up with that, anyway?" Papitas called from the roof of the battered carriage. Lalemana was inside, having used her newfound freedom to chat with Daisy during the ride. With the wall ruined and no way to repair it, Daisy gave up on keeping them inside.

"That's the main source of most of the fog," Sister Elora explained, sweeping her arm over the valley, its far side hidden behind drifting clouds. "For most of the year, this valley is a lake. The Great Spirit of Summer evaporates the water in this season, but the near-constant rain from the Great Spirit of the Storm keeps it flooded most of the year. Don't be fooled—it's deep. The fog hides the bottom, but in some places, it drops nearly a thousand meters."

"I'll keep my eyes open," Daisy said, brushing her hair from her face. "You're right. It's too risky to keep moving at night."

"Over there! That's the clearing." Sister Elora pointed to their left, "We'll rest here tonight."

Daisy couldn't sleep.

Too many things clawed at her mind—the gobbling attack from days ago, the gigantos. She lay in the tent, staring at the ceiling, her eyes wide open. Next to her, Papitas and Lalemana snored loudly. Sister Alondra, in contrast, slept soundlessly, her Axis Church emblem clutched in her hands.

They're really not so different after all. She sat up, looking at the two girls she was supposed to protect. Needing space and silence, she slipped out of the tent.

The night was nearly pitch black, the only illumination coming from a handful of torchlights atop the carriages where night guards kept watch for monsters. Daisy has excellent night vision—perhaps an inheritance from her mother. Even through the thick, warm fog, the faint glow of the stars was enough for her to see. She moved as quietly as possible, pacing through the camp, hoping to clear her mind.

The Crimson Codex, milady and Miss Papitas' role in the prophecy are supposed to be highly secretive. Not even I'm supposed to know.

Yet the Demon Queen seemingly does.

A chill crept down her spine. How?

We left Arcanletia in secret. Only Lady Marcella and the king know the full details. No one else should know we're here. So how…?

Her brow furrowed. Something gnawed at her, something she had ignored before—pushed aside because it had seemed too absurd, too unlikely.

But then—

It clicked.

The Royal Guard. The Army. They conveniently left too, despite orders from the king, very few remain here now, all staunch Axis believers.

The attack by that goblin army days ago, the gigantos attack today. Monsters acting oddly and in areas they're not common in—it can't just be a coincidence.

Her breath hitched.

I don't like this. I don't like this at all.

Her stomach twisted. Damn it! I should've realized sooner. How could I have let this happen?

I have to get them out of here. This is too risky. Milady will have to forgive me, but we'll have to wait to get the Sapphire Spirit another ti—

A faint wailing sound interrupted her thoughts.

A woman's cry.

Daisy stiffened. She wandered outside the carriage circle, deeper into the woods. The trees loomed around her, their outlines barely visible through the fog.

The wailing came again. A woman, somewhere nearby. In pain.

"Is somebody there?" Daisy called, hand on her sword's hilt. "It's dangerous out here! Hold on, I'm coming!"

She moved carefully, keeping the starlight in view so she could find her way back. The cries guided her forward. And then, just beyond the trees, she saw her.

A lone, tall woman crouched against a tree, sobbing. Her long, black hair veiled her face.

Daisy slowed her steps. "Are you hurt?"

No response. The woman kept wailing as though she hadn't heard her.

Daisy hesitated, then stepped closer. "Come on, we need to return to the pilgrimage. I can't help you on my own."

Still no response. The woman's body trembled, but she wouldn't lift her face.

Daisy sighed and bent down, wrapping the woman's right arm over her shoulders to help her up. The woman didn't resist but kept her head turned away, her sobs growing louder with each step.

"Are your children missing?" Daisy tried again. "Don't worry—I'll get you help."

The woman didn't answer. She only wept harder, her cries rising to a near inhuman pitch.

Daisy gritted her teeth. The journey back felt longer than before. The woman was heavy—unnaturally so. Daisy was nearly stumbling by the time they reached the pilgrimage.

"Help! We have an emergency!" she gasped, nearly collapsing to her knees.

At once, tents rustled open. Several people rushed over, including some of the guards.

"What's going on?" one of them asked, eyeing the woman warily.

Daisy caught her breath. "This woman—something happened to her—"

She stopped.

The wailing ceased the moment they entered the carriage circle.

Daisy turned her head, only to find the woman standing upright, completely still.

Her long hair still obscured her face.

"Hey lady, what's wrong?" the mercenary asked, stepping closer.

Slowly, the woman lifted her hands, placing them on either side of her head.

And then, in one swift motion, she pulled her head off her shoulders.

The mercenary recoiled with a curse. Daisy barely had time to react before the body shuddered violently—

—and exploded.

The woman's dress burst apart, dozens of severed heads erupting from beneath her robes, each trailing a long, tangled mass of entrails as they scattered in every direction.

Daisy barely had time to process what she was seeing. The air filled with the sound of shrieking, the heads twisting and writhing as they hovered in the air, their wide, grinning mouths dripping with blood. Their eyes snapped toward the nearest people.

Then, with unnatural speed, they lunged.

"It's a swarm of penanggalan!" an archer screamed as he readied his weapon. The disembodied, ghastly heads let out piercing shrieks that sent shockwaves through the camp—waking even the most soundly sleeping tents as they desperately searched for fresh victims. The man who first approached the wailing woman now sported one of these hideous heads clinging to his neck.

Daisy unsheathed her sword, she'd never encountered this creature before. The penanggalan appeared as a floating head with ragged, pallid skin, bloodshot eyes that burned with malice, and long, writhing tendrils of entrails trailing behind it like grotesque ribbons.

Glancing back to their tent, she noted it was closed and still. Lalemana and Papitas should be still asleep. Determined to handle this before they could interfere, Daisy stepped forward.

In an instant, one of the penanggalan swooped at her. She quickly assumed a fighting stance and swung her blade—but the sword passed straight through the creature's head, as if it were nothing more than a smoke.

"An undead monster!?" Daisy gasped, barely able to process the sight as she darted away.

Undead, reanimated beings that defied the natural order and seethed with hatred for the living, they're notoriously impervious to physical attacks. Only magic, especially holy magic, can harm them. This realization left Daisy with no effective way to fight; as she attempted to stand, exhaustion overpowered her, and she could only watch helplessly as the penanggalan descended upon the pilgrims, their sharp fangs digging into unsuspecting necks.

"Ah! What's going on here!?"

Sister Alondra erupted from the tent, her expression caught somewhere between fury and sheer indignation. Her sharp eyes darted around the battlefield, taking in the grotesque, floating heads with their slimy, trailing entrails. Her hands trembled—not with fear, but with unfiltered rage.

"Penanggalan!?" she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "These damn undead dare attack Lady Aqua's pilgrimage!?"

A bloodcurdling shriek cut through the air as one of the penanggalan hurled itself toward her, its jaw unhinging unnaturally wide, rows of needle-like teeth poised to rip into her throat.

Daisy tried to move to protect her, but her legs wouldn't respond. But her body locked up, her muscles stiff as stone. She could only watch as the monster closed in—

"Holy Blow!"

A streak of light flashed past her.

Sister Alondra's fist connected with the creature's face with all the force of a comet. The moment her knuckles made impact, the pananggalan exploded into mist, its final, agonized scream fading into the night.

She straightened, exhaling deeply, before throwing her arms wide.

"AXIS BROTHERS AND SISTERS!" she roared. "THE LOWEST OF THE LOW—THE FILTHIEST OF FILTH, UNDEAD—DARE TO DEFILE LADY AQUA'S HOLY PILGRIMAGE!"

For a second, there was silence. Then—

The entire camp erupted.

From tents, from carriages, from seemingly every shadow and hiding place, Axis priests and nuns poured into the battlefield, their eyes wild, their faces twisted in righteous, unholy delight. Some clutched prayer beads. Others brandished weapons. A few simply held out their hands, as if preparing to strangle the undead with their bare fingers.

"UNDEAD!?" someone shrieked.

"THE ABSOLUTE LOWEST OF THE LOW!" another howled.

"The Axis Church has only two commandments—"

"—DO AS YOU PLEASE—"

"—AND EXTERMINATE ALL UNDEAD!"

Did they sleep through the first attack? Or just ignore it? Daisy couldn't say.

Because the moment the Axis Church joined the battle, it became something else entirely.

"Turn Undead!", "Exorcism!", "Holy Blow!"

Wave after wave of holy magic blasted through the night, cutting through the penanggalan like divine artillery fire. The grotesque, floating heads wailed as they were purified into oblivion, their slimy entrails sizzling away under the onslaught. Some tried to flee—only for Axis priests to leap onto them mid-air, clinging to them like deranged zealots as they screamed purification magic into their rotting faces.

A penanggalan managed to grab one nun by the shoulders—only for her to grab it back, yanking its entrails like a rope and swinging it into the dirt.

Another undead tried to slip away, retreating into the darkness. A priest spotted it instantly.

"Ohhh no you don't."

With an ear-splitting battle cry, he tackled the penanggalan out of the air, dragging it to the ground and beating it to death with a giant pillow of his goddess.

Within moments, the remaining undead had seen enough.

With panicked shrieks, the surviving monsters scattered, fleeing in every direction, their slimy forms vanishing into the night. A handful of Axis priests chased after them, screaming obscenities.

Daisy swallowed.

It was hard to say who the real monsters were.

At one point, Sister Alondra advanced on a particularly large penanggalan that had already been reduced to half its form. "You! Filthy! Monster!" she roared, stomping on it repeatedly. The creature, barely able to move, let out weak, pitiful cries—almost as if it were begging for mercy from the deranged nun who was mercilessly torturing it.

Daisy's vision grew hazy as she watched in disbelief.

"Ahahahahahaha!" Sister Alondra laughed maniacally, her voice echoing across the clearing. "I'll send all of your kind straight to hell!" With arms spread wide, she began chanting, "Sacred Turn Undead!"

A large, glowing magic circle burst forth, launching searing light into the sky. One by one, the remaining undead monsters vanished with agonized shrieks until only a faint echo remained.

Within that cascade of white light, Daisy's strength ebbed away—and she collapsed onto the ground.

Part 6

Daisy could hear the rustling of leaves and the creak of the carriage wheels. Her throat was sore, and her head throbbed with a pain that made the world spin uncontrollably.

"Ugh," she murmured as she finally opened her eyes, the morning sun blinding her. Clutching her head with both hands, she felt as though it might explode.

"Ah, you're finally awake," Sister Alondra said softly, placing a comforting hand on Daisy's shoulder. "You're still weak. Here—Heal!"

A flash of radiant light washed over Daisy, dulling the pain just enough for her to open her eyes fully. She found herself seated in the driver's seat of the carriage, with Sister Alondra at the reins. The pilgrimage continued during her unconscious state, and now they were traveling along the valley road.

"What happened?" Daisy asked, gulping down a bottle of water as she brushed her hair from her eyes.

"Undead monsters drain your health simply by being near them—an entire swarm of penanggalan drained yours," Sister Alondra explained gently. "I did all I could to heal you. You're fine, but you'll feel weak for a while. I must say, you're pretty strong—anyone else would've been down for days."

"The monsters—?" Daisy started, struggling to process the information.

"Penanggalan are unique in that they disguise themselves as humans to lure in victims. That's why one managed to bypass my barrier when you tried to help it. But don't worry—we took care of them, and we've healed the injured. Things have been very tough; we're only on day two, and over a hundred people have already abandoned the pilgrimage."

"Ah! Daisy, are you okay?" Lalemana suddenly appeared at the front of the carriage, her concerned eyes peering through the opening.

"I am, milady, thank you for your concern," Daisy replied, though her vision was so blurred that Lalemana appeared like an abstract painting. "I'm glad to see you're fine."

"Of course we are—the nun used Sleep on us as soon as the battle sounds woke me up!" Papitas grumbled irritably from the back.

"When I woke up and saw you were gone, I had to make sure everyone was safe, I didn't want the sunglasses girl to run away again," Sister Alora added, wiping sweat from her forehead. "I tried to wake you before we continued, but the noble girl insisted you sleep."

"Of course! Daisy has worked so hard; she must rest as much as possible!" Lalemana agreed.

"Thank you, milady, but my duty is to guard you—I must remain alert—ow!" Daisy winced, clutching her head as she turned to her right. The dizzying height of the valley made her stomach churn.

"Try to keep your eyes closed; you'll be dizzy for a while," Sister Alondra cast healing magic over her again, "And you two, go back inside the carriage and keep quiet! Your friend needs peace to heal faster. You've been arguing, very loudly, all morning!"

Lalemana pouted but obeyed, and Papitas simply gazed out the large opening on the side of the carriage. They exchanged looks of mutual annoyance.

Ugh, I feel like I've been repeatedly hit on the head—this is worse than any hangover, Daisy thought. There's something important I need to do… but I can't remember what. Clutching the side of the carriage, her vision slowly cleared.

In the far distance, she faintly heard the sound of something being shot. The noise grew louder, closer, until it seemed as if a cannonball flew overhead.

"Sister Alondra," she called, turning toward the nun, "did you not hear that?"

"Hmm—?" came the puzzled reply. But before she could answer, the sound returned—a large projectile streaked between them and the carriage ahead, exploding violently in the forest.

Daisy sprang to her feet, her hand on the hilt of her sword, but the sudden movement sent her collapsing to her knees. She raised her head just in time to see another projectile hurtling straight for her.

And then, her vision turned black.

The impact tore through the front of the carriage with a deafening blast, obliterating the driver's bench and ripping the reinforced coach apart, severing the reinforced steel box from the horses and sending the two in front flying into the forest.

The explosion rocked the carriage, tilting it dangerously toward the cliffside. For a terrifying second, it teetered on the edge—but before it could fall, another projectile slammed into the valley wall. The combined force sent a thunderous crack through the stone.

And then, everything gave way.

A chunk of the cliff crumbled, dragging the steel box—and its two passengers—down into the abyss below.