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Chapter 329: News from the Desert. [Release Version]
🕑 Added 2022-06-26 03:54:13 +0000 UTCEdit: Small edits.
Edit: After the mage's discussion, a small moment for everybody to give their opinion on Hestia.
Edit: Neill should not be revealing her real identity, as per the recommendation of the adulthood pilgrimage.
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<74 humans and beastmen have become your followers>
<Total follower count updated. Total followers of [Young Sunfang Dragon, Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor]: 10163>
“Masked people attacked the two guards, but due to Knight-Commander Alistar’s intervention, they managed to survive the ambush. However, in a suicidal charge, three of the assailants activated a fire seal, releasing [Blazing Twister]s around the frozen grimgarians.” After joining the others in the audience seats, Renee surprised me by joining us, which she hadn’t done before. Since we were allies now with a similar goal, to protect Elyonda, I guess it wasn’t unusual.
And when I arrived, Renee had an update on the grimgarians Tasianna captured in that glacier. Alistar had informed her this morning in the arena, and she was here to hand over the information to the rest of us.
“So, we lost any chance to gain information from them. However, what about those saboteurs? Considering they willfully sacrificed themselves to destroy our chance to interrogate the grimgarians, they must be involved,” I brought up, which Renee confirmed with a nod.
“Alistar thought so, too, and with the knights he brought with him, they immediately went to round up any of them. However, those assailants all took themselves out with their [Blazing Twister] seals. No remains.” Renee didn’t sound perturbed at all. Did she expect all of this?
“Ah, Sis, don’t make that face. This is how Renee is. For a knight, she is more sneaky than a rat,” Neill interjected.
“Mind not comparing me to a vermin?” Renee’s voice cracked, sounding irritated now. “Besides, during peacetime, a knight must act chivalrous to ensure peace of mind for their people. During war, a knight is expected to bring victory, under any circumstances. That is the lesson every knight learns under the guidance of God Yeostar. The life of a knight is more valuable than some grimgarians, in this case.”
In other words, she warned Alistar of the possibility of this attack. However, how did she predict this? Curious, I had to ask her where she got her suspicions.
“Blaine. Who else?” I was bewildered by her answer, prompting her to elaborate on it. “Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t mistrust him when we found him. Just like you and the others, I thought he was an unlucky adventurer. However, don’t you think for an adventurer, he was a bit too ‘modest?’”
I tilted my head. I was absolutely confused about what she meant by that.
“Looting, dear.” As such, somebody had to answer it for me. It was only surprising to hear it from Mother. “Adventurers like to loot and acquire treasures. They make money by selling monster materials and other prizes. As a dragon, don’t you feel similarly?”
I couldn’t disagree with liking treasures and opening chests. The excitement of getting loot was the best part about dungeon runs. However, that still didn’t answer what Renee was implying.
“Lady Hestia, I believe what Dame Renee is implying is that Blaine only took his crossbow, but nothing else, despite how safe it was for him to roam around. It also took you some time to create a way out, but he just waited patiently with us,” Tasianna was the one to enlighten me after she created a [Air Shield] around us to block out our discussion.
“I won’t implicate every adventurer to act greedy. I have met some nice people and maybe Blaine was just being considerate considering you and Fargryneill saved him, but his whole demeanor screamed something was up. I didn’t believe for a moment he was in my family’s land for a Quest, otherwise, my mother would have been informed. He chose the wrong person to lie to.” Renee looked convinced.
On the other hand, all I could muster up in reply was how if she knew this, why didn’t she want us to bring the iced up grimgarians with us. To the castle, where we could interrogate them. Renee nodded, not bothered at all at my question.
“Because, I had to know exactly who Blaine belonged to.” Renee shrugged. “If nothing happened, good, we have the time to make some rats speak. If they attacked and freed the grimgarians, then too bad. It was fully worth the risk. Don’t think we didn’t come out of this without some results, Lady Priestess. Sir Alistar is a dutiful man, and we got something out of it to get some help.”
“Help?”
“Yes, help. You could call it a contingency?” Renee shrugged, seemingly not wanting to reveal her hand. “Well, we don’t know if it would work, alright? I would hate to bring up your hopes… In any case, watch you back, Lady Idol. Sir Alistar told me the masks they wore looked similar to that one skull mask which interrupted your match with Sir Larent.”
“Oooh, nice one, Sis! You got your first assassin! That’s the mark of somebody powerful!” Neill congratulated me on something I honestly didn’t want. However, considering the situation, it was inevitable.
Those two demonkins who attacked us in Estralia got away after learning who we were. I was probably already on their radar, seeing how that fat pig O’Bloom sent some dragon hunters at me, even if one of them was Larent. Without a doubt, the Prince of Envy posing as the pope of the Church of Aurena was currently planning something.
Nothing had happened until now, aside from that one attack on me during the royale rumble, but I couldn’t let my guard down. I should expect the worse — being excommunicated and blamed. They couldn’t exactly hunt me down officially, since I was Aurena’s blessed, but they could do more harm to me through my reputation. All while they keep sending demonkins and mercenaries to try to kill me.
God Yeostar, why didn’t you tell me that person was suspicious?
<Hestia, as I mentioned already, I cannot tell you everything about a person just because I am a god. First, he might be a human but he has no faith in me, meaning I cannot access his mind and sight. Second, as a subordinate god, I cannot annoy the Goddess about every small detail. In addition, if she needs to speak with you, she would have as she is your patron god, similar to Kargyrxmor. Third, do not presume every Peolyncian is religious or follows their racial god. Even some mages don’t show a glimpse of piety. Unless that ‘Blaine’ was a demonkin contractor or had some influence, I cannot tell him apart from any other adventurer.>
… Fair, sorry. However, you watch me fight that mask person, right? That skull mask? Did you look at his profile?
<Qaltil. Level 118. An arcane trickster with [Tenebrous Magic] and some control over shadows similar to your tamed virigress through a catalyst and enchantments. He is able to cast low-tier [Illusion Magic], helping him become invisible. His general skill set is made for assassinations, than a straight-out fight.>
Assassin? Wait, could that guy have— Wait, poisons, right. Of course!
<Correct assumption. It was a poison, one specifically made to incapacitate or even kill fire dragons — Winter’s Gift. A play on words of the Empire’s decrepit language, Folvort tongue. The ‘gift’ means poison, and it chills down your body until you die from hypothermia.>
Seems similar to German. Gift and the English gift are two different words, with two entirely different meanings. But… a poison that can emulate my weakness to ice… White flames should be able to cleanse it, right?
Hey… God Yeostar, couldn’t you have told me this earlier? Seems like a big deal.
<I apologize if I seem insincere, however, I hope you didn’t believe I would babysit you, Hestia. You are a warrior. You know what it feels like to be on the border of death. Even the smallest mistakes can cost you your life. I know this sounds ironic, but don’t rely so much on the gods. The first thing you should have done was to analyze his weapons and equipment to assure your own safety. And, if I must remind you, we gods have rules… and Goddess Plesia is not somebody you wish to anger.>
M-Mhmm, fair enough. Sorry, I’ll do better. Coming from the God of War of the Pantheon of Light, that tip was something I should take seriously. I could make as many excuses as I wanted, but I knew better than to blame my failures on others.
Still, what a reckless person that assassin was. I thought there was no solid evidence for those skull masks targeting me, but the fact he used a poison meant for dragons was convincing enough. However, if that person really tried to kill me in front of everybody, was he planning on sending Mother into a frenzy or what?! Then again, if they were affiliated with the demonkins, they probably would want her to destroy this city.
I looked over at Mother who was munching on a honey-roasted apple, before turning over to me and giving me a confused look. She then offered me an unbitten part of her apple, believing I was just hungry after my battle. I bit a small piece out and began crunching on the sweetened apple.
Trying to use my mother? You trash really are trying to make me furious, huh?
My grudge against the demonkins was growing stronger every day. That was another bullet point on my punching list.
“Still, whoever they are, we don’t know where they are right now so let’s leave it alone.” Renee continued after a while. “In any case, your little speech was more impressive than I thought, Lady Idol. Making your reveal will attract the rats to us like flies to a fire.”
Renee didn’t know I was a blessed, only that I was Neill’s sister. However, while I expected to explain myself to her, Renee just went with the flow and didn’t even ask how I kept that fact a secret from her. Very professional, honestly.
On the other hand…
“Can I now ask? Please, I need to know what it feels like to be a blessed!”
… Rita couldn’t hold herself back.
“Rita—” Renee tried to stop her, but the dryad wouldn’t have it.
“Please! For Isatari’s sake, how does it feel to be a dragon with a god’s blessing? Such a rarity I haven’t even heard of before Kargryxmor! Hestia, please, please, please!”
I was the first blessed Rita had ever met, so the naturally curious dryad couldn’t contain her personality back. Seeing how she was begging me, I told her it was okay to talk about it this evening. Elated and cheering, Rita hummed around happily.
With a loud sigh, Renee told Tasianna to dispel the [Air Shield], since we were done with the sensitive talk, the voice of the announcer became swallowed up by the fact people were talking over him. Merchants, scalekins, and also a few suited-up people were standing around us, not only obstructing the views of the people sitting behind us, but also our view of the arena.
“Lady Priestess, I am one of the co-proprietor of the largest armament company of Elyonda! Not only do we create weapons for adventurers, but we are also the royal army’s main supplier for their soldier’s equipment! We also made the Knight-Commander’s equipment! ‘Knight’s Resolve,’ please, we would be honored to host you!”
“Hail, Imperial Princesses of Kargryx! Krinalish prish phra! The ‘Sapphira Kura’ is me vessel! If you need a ride back to Caedhul or onwards on your pilgrimage, then come to dock four in the beastmen pier.”
“Honored Blessed of the Goddess, I am the stew—”
[“Away!”]
[“You speak with us, not our Mistress!”]
“Grawrrrrrr!”
Annoyed by the number of people around us, both Shay and Beth shot up from their seats, towering everybody but the levianewts. With Rajah jumping out of my shadow and roaring, my three bodyguards began intimidating people around us and push them away from us.
[“You are annoying everybody. Away!”] Shay snarled at a noble’s attendant.
“P-Pardon, but I am the steward of Lo—”
[“This is our Mistress’s rest time. Speak with the head attendant for an appointment,”] Beth interrupted him immediately, fluttering her winged arms around to scare him off.
“Yes, yes, you have heard them, everybody. If you wish to speak with either of our princesses, we must first settle a date and time. After the last match of today, you may approach me for more.” Understanding what Beth was talking about, Tasianna stood up and began appeasing the crowd in a more diplomatic style. It was the “good cop, bad cop” plan.
People would be intimidated by the twins and Rajah, which directed them toward Tasianna as the only person they could talk with. Handling it civilly prevented people from having a bad idea of me after what happened, while also driving them away.
After it seemed like it was handled, Neill hunched her body closer to me. “So, Sis, why did it take so long for you to come back? Tasianna was about to fetch you, again.”
I pulled out a sack filled with coins and also two receipts. “I made sure that poison dude wouldn’t die from the paralyzing flames, and cured him. Meanwhile, I handed the guy over to the knights who were waiting for me, and they gave me the bounty and also the receipt for my successful bounty hunt. Turns out, Sir Alistar didn’t know I was a mercenary, so he didn’t give me the official documents for my bounty hunt. They are both A rank bounties, so this should shoot me up to C rank as a merc. Wooo!”
“Congratulations, Lady Hestia! Now, we can—” Tasianna returned to handling the crowd after she gave me my congratulations. I wondered if I could give Tasianna some credit for it, too.
“Eh, outside if you want to mess with people, being a merc sucks. Being a hunter is far easier to handle. You just kill whatever is rampaging around and don’t have to listen to annoying employers,” Neill gave her opinion on the life of a merc, which I couldn’t agree nor disagree with. I rarely did any merc Quests, so I had little idea how a merc’s life really was.
[“Mhrm… I wish I could have fought with you, Master.”] Rajah looked dejected after I mentioned my match, which was obvious since we fought together during the royale rumble. However, to keep things fair and also to not endanger Rajah, I decided to fight by myself during each of my duels.
I picked my large virigress up and stroked him to comfort him, but that was all I could do.
In any case, things eventually settled down completely with people leaving us in peace and allowing us to watch the next match. There were still a few people who tried to annoy us, but they were scared by the twins to the point they wet themselves. [Terror Aura] can be pretty scary.
This allowed me the time to look up today’s schedule again.
Chahayat versus a Baron from Yeos
A random merc from Neill’s round versus a rank C hunter
Arlond versus a knight from Yeos’s knight order
A warrior priest from Jethro’s order versus a Yeosian knight
A knight from an Empire state versus some random merc from Neill’s round
A B rank adventurer versus Ghorush
Neill versus a Count’s son from Yeos.
I was the first match of the day, of course, which meant the next match was the merfolk Chahayat’s. I didn’t really learn the names of the people I didn’t know from the list, but I would if they showed something interesting. Too many people, really.
And as I thought of that, the announcer gave a resounding introduction for Chahayat, hyping him up by voicing out the achievements he had done in the sea close to Elyonda. This not only cause the levianewts, naga, and merfolk to erupt in a chorus of whistles, cheers, and tail slams, but also caused a few mercs to rise up in his support. I could feel the arena’s liveliness rumbling my skin like an earthquake.
Bets were already thrown at the local bookies, gathering numerous workers, adventurers, and also some merchants to gamble their hard-earned Davi for a chance to win it big. The fanfare when I won was massive, as people roared like beasts at whatever amount they made. Very few bet against me, from what I saw, but those who did were sending out curses at the poison dude or even straight up left the audience.
Seeing as Chahayat was my next opponent, watching him fight would be the best for me. When his opponent appeared from his side, with the flauntiness of a noble, the announcer gave a quick recap of what the two did during the royale rumble. This involved their “kills” and their most memorable moments.
Honestly, it sounded like a sports or esports match, weren’t it for the fact this could get pretty violent. Just hearing how Chahayat stormed castle Fatalisa with our alliance, bringing the defenders to their knees, was already more exciting than hearing how his opponent took down two adventurers at once. It riled up the crowd in Chahayat’s favor, hyping things up so much you couldn’t help but feel excited and invested.
“Easy match for the merfolk.”
“Yeah.”
Regardless, Neill and I already could guess what would happen. Sadly, it also meant I couldn’t get a good idea what Chahayat could do, as he simply overpowered his opponent with sheer brute force.
“““Nice one, scalekin! Depth Goddess bless you!””” Sitting with us, the levianewt sailors of Adhi’s crew shouted in unison for Chahayat’s win, becoming part of the wave of cheers.
Hmm, maybe this will work.
[“Hey, since you guys came from Caedhul, do you know him?”] I tried to fish for some information.
“Hmm? Oh, Lady Hestia!” I caught Adhi’s first mate’s attention. With everybody cheering, it was necessary for him to shout when he spoke. “Nah, not really! Caedhul is large, not to mention how many cities and tribes are in the oceans away from Lecullius. However, the scalekin frequenting Caedhul knows him. He’s a Tide Watcher, like Saint Kushlek’zar!”
The Tide Watchers was a sub-faction of Caedhul’s “knight order,” or maybe it was better to call them peacekeepers in the honor of Plesia — the Depth Guards. Master and the saurians were all Tide Watchers, Depth Guards who hunt criminals in Plesia’s name as the Goddess of Order. Tehmrayn, on the other hand, was a full-on Depth Guard, who was more concerned with the order inside his home.
If Chahayat was a Tide Watcher, then I should expect him to be able to fight on land pretty well. Considering he was known as a B rank mercenary, he would probably prove to be a worthy opponent. However, it still didn’t give me any idea what he could do, so I wanted to get more info.
… However, I couldn't ‘cause we were interrupted.
[“May we join, Princess Hestia?”]
I turned around to that telepathic voice, only to see Shay standing over two brown-skinned human mages. Both looked middle-eastern or maybe more Indian. Unlike the people from before, both didn’t shy away from Shay standing over them as they waved at me.
[“Shay, it’s okay. I know them. Let them sit down.”] Shay nodded and listened to me, sitting back down and allowing the two to sit next to him. [“Hey, Naemon. Joek. Let me guess, you two got interested after what I said today?”]
[“Ahahaha…”] Naemon, the more vocal member of the duo, laughed nervously, looking troubled at being caught. [“Well, our intentions have been revealed, my dear Joek. I guess it was too obvious, considering you knew us, Princess Hestia.”]
[“More like you’re one of many who came for my favor…”] I took a glimpse of the people glaring at the two mages, jealous.
[“Hmm, interesting, are those not two of the people who helped you during your match, Hestia?”] Mother spoke up, showing some interest at our new guests.
[“Oooh, my apologies for our rudeness!”] Both mages stood up and lowered their head. [“Krinalish prish phra. Ahaha, forgive me, if I botched the pronunciation. I never really heard it properly, so I cannot replicate it.”]
[“Do not mind it. It’s a language made for dragons and only used amongst scalekins and dragonkins. Even elves and dwarves cannot pronounce it properly,”] Mother replied.
Since my draconian still sucked, Mother sent me the translation of that phrase, “I lower my tail in your presence.” It was to show respect towards a true dragon. It didn’t make sense for a human to say it since they didn’t have any tails, but the meaning still remained true.
[“You are too kind. Hmm, my apologies if this might sound rude, but would you be Princess Hestia’s mother? Your horns are very similar to hers, despite your different scale colors, and I can feel this trembling presence of yours.”] Mother didn’t even try to deny it, she proudly nodding to his assessment. [“Then, this is beyond an honor to meet one of the Empresses of Kargryx! My name is Naemon and this is Joek. We are mages from Aleistunum, originating from the great Evida desert. If we may be so rude, would it be possible to ask which Empress you are?”]
[“Oi, you know it's rude to ask, but you did it anyways?”] Neill suddenly pushed her face in front of Mother and shooed her back. With a giggle, Mother left Neill and me to handle them.
[“Wha- But! Ahem, hold on, black scales… But your last name is Gueillxar… Your name is Lady Fargryneill, yes? Are you possibly a prin—”]
[“Better keep that to yourself. Just sit down, will you, please?”] Figuratively, stitching his mouth shut, Naemon listened to Sis without question. Joek smiled wryly as he did the same. [“Urgh, Aleistians. Always asking a thousand questions just to quench your thirst. Istari’s knowledge seekers are a headache.”]
[“But your situation is indeed very interesting,”] Rita interjected, earning her a glare from Neill.
[“Hey, you too, hush up! I don’t need three knowledge seekers blasting questions at us! You agree, Renee?”]
“You do know I can’t use [Telepathy], right?!” Renee had to shout out for us to hear her from the loud cheers of the crowd. “Argh, but, yes, I would rather avoid speaking about dragons and so on. Please, if you wish to stay, don’t pose too many questions! Especially not in public!”
[“Forgive us, then.”] Naemon bowed in apology. [“As followers of the God of Knowledge, it is imperative for us to continue searching for more knowledge. As mages, it is our duty. We didn’t want to inconvenience you, your imperial highnesses.”]
[“So, why did you come here for?”] The crowd’s outroar died down so I thought it would be best if we got this over with before the next match happened.
Naemon nodded to my insistence, lowering his smile down a bit. [“Well, as you expected, Princess Hestia, we came here for you. Specifically, we would like to ask you something concerning your title as a blessed of the Goddess. A few months ago, numerous of the Empire registered blessed had died by a coup from the demonkins.”]
Urk! My body jerked at the sound of this. I still remembered how Kargryxmor informed me how many Saints and Champions were killed during the same time the Griffonpeak attack happened. Aurena was distraught by this, however, since I didn’t know any of them, I couldn’t exactly sympathize with her in full…
… except, during that attack, I did witness the death of one of her Saintesses.
[“Saintess Eshe… Our blooming flower of the Goddess. News have circulated around her home, Sarkarfiina, how she died in foreign soils due to the incompetence of a non-Empire Champion. I would hate to ask you, but could this— I apologize.”]
I had closed my eyes, clenching my hands into fists. The fact he named Eshe triggered my heart to beat faster. Pain and sorrow from when I held her soulless body surged around my body again, making it hard for me to hold my breathing rate down.
“Lady Hestia?” I could feel Tasianna’s warm hands on my shoulder.
“Thank you, I’m all right.” I tapped her hand, thanking her for helping me return to reality. I took a deep breath to calm myself down.
I can’t change the past. Just calm down. Assess. Breathe in… breath out.
[“Yes.”] I confirmed Naemon’s suspicions. [“Demonkins attacked Artorias’s capital, Griffonpeak… and I failed to protect Saintess Eshe. She died before I could get to her in time.”]
“…”
“…”
Both Naemon and Joek turned quiet, unnerving me quite a bit, contrasting the general mood inside this arena. It took Naemon a moment to finally answer back.
[“I see… Thank you for your answer, Princess Hestia. The demonkins surely are the worst things to have happened to this world. We would like to wish you luck with your Quest. Please make sure a new Champion of Yeostar is decided.”]
Both stood up.
[“Oh, and, one piece of warning, I would suggest you avoid visiting Sarkarfiina anytime soon. The local temple hadn’t revealed any names, but they are painting you like a devious fiend. Sarkarfiina is generally a good vacation city, but the general populace is not only highly religious but most are uneducated and ignorant of anything other than the church’s teaching.”]
So, I terrible failure who allowed their idol to die, huh? Yeah, I guess they would react like that… Just imagining the animosity, urgh.
They then bowed, ready to leave. [“May the Goddess always bless you—”]
[“Wait, hold on!”] I stood up, stopping him from continuing. [“Before you leave… Could you tell me if Eshe received a good burial? How are the kids from her orphanage? Are they also doing well?”]
[“… What was your relationship with Saintess Eshe?”] Naemon asked with caution. It seemed any trust I earned from our time during the royal rumble was gone by revealing the truth.
[“She was… I considered her a friend, but I only really knew her for one month before the attack began. If you are wondering how I knew about her orphanage, she told me a bit about her past and how she became a blessed. I don’t know if I have a right to know, but I hope the kids are doing well without their orphanage director.”]
[“… We don’t know, we apologize.”] Naemon showed a hint of regret. [“However, most likely not too good. The local temple didn’t like the Saintess, too much. However, from what I heard, it wasn’t as if they did much before Eshe was made the director. A Saintess has more power to speak up for support than a normal shrine maiden.”]
And with that said, both mages excused themselves. I sat back down, my heart nowhere close to being calm. The kids she valued so much were why she was known as the Saintess of Orphans. Her legacy and the love she invested in them made me want to see them. To make sure they were safe in a friend’s stead.
However, Naemon’s warning remained in my head. Was I fit to go over to Sarkarfiina right now? Was I a worthy blessed yet? I didn’t know and that only made me even more unsure of myself, especially with how few heroic traits I showed. An actual hero would be able to fix and solve everything, just like in a fairy tale.
I was unsure if I could follow through with Eshe’s wish for me to become a hero. I could stay strong for her, but was I really hero material?
“Hey.” Neill placed a hand on my shoulder. “Remember that pain and rage inside of you when you are ready for the Wrath stage. Your failures for Pride. And your wishes for Greed. Don’t let this set you back. Okay?”
I nodded. Neill was showing her concern for me in her way.
I need to master [Battle Frenzy].
It would be my biggest power boost until my evolution, without a doubt. If I could have controlled my [Battle Frenzy] when I fought Eithalr, I could have destroyed him, allowing me to make it to Eshe in time. If I had only gone wild without worrying about the consequences on the environment, I could have done it also… I would never hold back against a criminal scum, again.
… Especially not when a friend’s or loved one’s life was on the line. Burn them down with dragon fire.
“Lady Priestess, if I may give you some words. The past is in the past, while the sun will come tomorrow,” Renee also noticed the sharp drop in my mood. “We cannot do much for the dead outside of wishing them well as they meet the Goddess of Death. As the living, those who hold their memories in our hearts, we must continue looking forward. Do not live for them, but let them become your strength as you fight through it.”
Renee took out her amulet of Aurena, using it as she gave a sincere prayer to Eshe. She might not have known her, but Eshe was a Saintess nonetheless, and as a follower of Aurena, Renee gave my departed friend a solemn rite. Renee probably heard about Eshe’s death, but I wondered what she thought of me now that she knew how I couldn’t protect my friend.
“Mhmm, don’t worry about it, Hestia! You are a blessed and that makes you somebody worthy in the eyes of the gods!” Rita shook her fist as if to pump me up. “If Goddess Aurena hasn’t forsaken you yet, that means you are still worthy!”
You don’t know how right you are, Rita, ahahaha… Even if Aurena’s plans for me were still ongoing, it didn’t hurt any less with how Eshe had to die.
“Dear.” Under the roars of the crowd as the next match was about to start, Mother came over and took Tasianna’s seat to hug me. “Don’t fault yourself too much. Their words might sting, but they too must be grieving for their land’s Saintess. Renee is right. You have already made up your mind, don’t let this set you back, in fact, follow your sister’s advice and make sure you grow stronger from this!”
“I know.” I smiled from all the support, grabbing Mother’s arms. “She told me to ‘stay strong,’ and I am planning on continuing it. My mission is clear, and I bet Eshe expected a lot from me. I can’t mourn forever.”
It’s been over three months now since Eshe died. My heart still felt pain whenever I had to think about her, making me remember her final expression. Seeing somebody I considered a friend die in front of me still pained me, but it had been three months now. I had to stop letting it affect my heart, but instead, embrace the pain to grow.
[“Not to mention, it wasn’t only your fault, Princess Hestia,”] Shay implied.
Knowing what he was talking about, I shook my head, telling him he didn’t need to say it. However, neither he nor his sister accepted my reluctance to say it outloud.
[“Numbers matter, your imperial highness. We know it well,”] Beth stated, reminding me when we first met when they were working under Astalos with a memory. [“Two protectors. That was all. You, your imperial highness, have Tasianna, Rajah, and us. You aren’t solely at fault. The church and whoever accompanied them on their travels were also at fault.”]
It was hard to argue, but both of them weren’t there when it all happened. The whole situation was more complicated. Still, they were right that Eshe shouldn’t have only come to a faraway land with only two knights, and the Lycerepthors who accompanied her understood they were at fault, too. Pestrodus, at least, did.
Quality over quantity, sure, but you couldn’t underestimate the power of numbers completely. The twin’s words made me aware of that, again. Which made it sting so much more what Naemon told me how they thought I was purely at fault. It honestly felt like the world was trying to turn on me.
[“Tasianna. Rajah. Will you two stand with me? Even when the world bares its fangs at me?”] I asked my fellow Aurora members. Sometimes, no matter how much you try, the public opinion on you wouldn’t change for the better, and for that reality, I had to prepare myself.
[“Even if it would cost me life, my lady. Even if my family would abandon me.”]
[“The world has nothing on Master! You will become the strongest, and I will follow right behind you as the most powerful virigress!”]
Mother. Shay. Beth. Neill. Yorshka. Farron. Priscilla. All of Misfits and Magical Biscuits. Master. All of Depth Serpent. We from Aurora aren’t the strongest yet, but we will be when we need to protect all of you.
My party might be split and doing their own things right now, but I felt it in my bones they were becoming stronger with every day. Knowing Saori, she probably would be doing some insane training regimen, while Ellaine and Grimnir had some angry dwarves to contend with. Without a doubt, Aurora would become a full-fledged S rank adventurer party one day.
I turned to everybody here with me today, smiling happy
The rest of the tournament went by pretty quickly in mind as I went through preparations for my training tomorrow with Neill. I had delayed it for too long now.
It was time for me to unlock the usage of [Battle Frenzy (Minor)].
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“Must you two really go?” Priscilla begged her father and mother, looking at them with eyes filled with worry and fear.
“Daddy apologizes.” Farron kneeled down, kissing his only daughter on her forehead while caressing her hair. “I know how selfish I am, my little whelpling. I just got healed and the first thing I do is go back to fighting. I know you are worried I would get hurt, again.”
“But it’s for our king, right?”
Farron, fully equipped in his old armor in his days as an A rank adventurer, nodded to his daughter. He clutched his swordspear, a blade that had reaped the lives of many bandits and monsters. He knew he wasn’t fully ready for battle, but he felt his soul stir as he held his beloved weapon, remembering how he swore to avenge his trusted griffon partner, Tempestclaw.
And for that, he needed strength. However, at the same time, his duty as a father made him feel terrible for prioritizing his selfish needs.
“Don’t worry, Priscilla.” Coming to his support, however, was Yorshka, wearing a new set of armor she had ordered from Grimnir when they met in Griffonpeak. Not only was it made with materials from Hestia’s shed scales, but also pieces from the wyvern twins during their shedding session.
The White-Winged Dragoon was not only white, anymore.
“This time, I won’t let anything happen to your father. As his wife, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if something happened to him, again. So, don’t you fret, my beloved gem.” Yorshka kissed her daughter also on her forehead. “War won’t take him. I swear that to you, God Kargryxmor, and to Hestia. The last thing I would want is to make you and my aunt sad. Don’t forget who your mother is, my dear.”
Priscilla sniffled, wiping the small tears on the side of her eyes away, before looking up at her parents with a forced smile. “You are the best adventurer out there! The Wing Ripper and the White-Winged Dragoon are the strongest pair ever!”
“Hey, hey! That’s what I want to hear from my baby girl!” Farron's mouth spread to a wide grin, feeling proud and fully energized by his daughter’s cheer. “Don’t worry, those stories I told you? I will make them all come true!”
“So, stay at Lord Marquess Sirius’s castle, alright? Stay there and wait for us!” Yorshka hugged her daughter before giving her instructions. “Lord Sirius will treat you as if you are one of his daughters, so make sure to also take advantage of that generosity, alright? Never go out of the castle without an escort, no matter how annoying they are. Also, if anybody even tries to be rude to you, mention that your great-aunt is the one and only, Dragon Princess Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor, alright? Scare those bullies away!”
“Mom, I am already 13! Please, don’t treat me like a child! I know how to behave myself. Uncle Gael has told me those things already!” Priscilla’s red eyes showed how impressed she was with Gael, as he said everything Yorshka told her before she did.
“Gael! Urgh…” Yorshka, on the other hand, groaned.
“Hey, come on, don’t be like that. It’s a reunion! Gael has stopped being a drunkard all day while I can fight again. You are not a knight anymore, so chin up!”
“Urgh…” Yorshka then snapped her back to her daughter, realizing she still had to say something. “Then, don’t forget you can’t tell this to Hestia, alright? She already has enough going on, and the last thing we should worry her about is an ongoing war in Artorias! Even if you visit the subspace to cook for them, don’t tell them, alright?”
“Gael already told me that, mom.”
“Argh! Gael!”
“Ah, don’t be mad, mom! If you or dad ever get hungry, come into the subspace, too! I will make you a meal even nobles would drool for!”
Seeing their daughter so energized, Farron clutched onto the [Room] runes in his pouch, remembering he had to keep them safe. They were entrusted to him by Hestia, his benefactor, savior, and family.
With their farewells said, the two Nordor’s left their daughter in the care of Firwood’s lord, Marquess Sirius, while they began their journey southwest with a detachment of his army. They rode in the front carriage, leading this army in Marquess Sirius stead as his generals.
Time to use those points. Yorshka finally told herself, opening the SP shop and scrolling down to a particular skill she had her eyes on. The SP she had saved up was eagerly waiting for her to be used.
For it was time to use everything to gain victory. For in the southwest of Firwood, in the land of Duke Lecartiglio lay Port Annencia. There a siege was ensuing and the Nordor pair was about to become the one of the deciding factors in King Drangleic’s gambit.
The first stage of the Grimgarian war had begun.
Niakash baal’ak. Victory of death.
Comments
No, wait, you actually bring up a good point. At this point, it shouldn't just be Rajah and Tasianna who try to reassure Hestia, but everybody else. I don't think you will get your slap, but this is a good opportunity to have some character support for Hestia after the mages leave.
Well, with the propaganda in the east created around Eshe's death, putting Hestia's reputation down, and the girl herself blaming herself for Eshe's death. Not much you can do. In this situation, both Neill and Renee didn't know context, Tasianna isn't the type of person to literally slap somebody while her mistress blamed herself, and her Mother, well, slapping people would be a bit too problematic.
jarthur93
got to ask but are we ever going to see someone slap all the people forgetting or ignoring the real reason Eshe died was the churches failure to give her the support she was due as a saint.
Victory of death. I actually haven't revealed it yet in story. Might be a good point to use it here.
Ayyyyye, impersonating people again.
Diego Rossi
Niakash baal’ak. - Sorry, I don't recall what that mean. Can you translate?
Diego Rossi
but those who did were sending out curses and the poison dude or even straight up left the audience. - "at the poison dude" I think. The crowd was dying down - a bit strange. "The crowd outroar was dying down" maybe?
KazukiNero
Thanks for the chapter. I could only find one wrong sentence where you used Neil instead of Renee again. “Mind not comparing me to a vermin, Fargryneill?” Neill’s neutral voice turned around, sounding irritated now.
