“Can’t deny her pretty face. Perfect to sell … only if she shuts her damn trap.” With a rough jerk, Jasper pulled me closer to him and brought his face close enough to mine that I could feel his breathing. Feeling like his hand was moving towards some dangerous places, I shoved him away, causing him to smile. “Now that I think about it, ‘m’lady,’ we haven’t been introduced yet, right? The name’s Jasper, love.”
Giving him the stink eye, I simply stuck my tongue out and smirked, thinking, Sorry, already know your name, buddy.
“See what I mean, Boss? Spoiled little noble brat. Thinks she’s so much better than us,” Jasper scoffed, pushing me towards his boss.
The huge rhinoceros-looking beastman placed two fingers under my chin to gently raise my head up, making eye contact as if he was appraising me like some priceless ornament. “True enough … Hmph, not even looking away, lass? You either have the confidence that we wouldn't do anything to ya, or ya delusional from whatever your family told you to do in these situations. Jasper, give me her ID, I want to know who she is.”
“Sorry, can’t do that for ya, Boss. My lads already checked through her, we couldn’t find one nor any other identifications like those emblems nobles love to wear on their clothes. For some reason, she didn’t even have any shoes when we found her,” Jasper shrugged, swaying his mullet slightly before pointing at my necklace. “The only valuable is her Plesia amulet, although it looks like it went through hell. So many scars; ya’d think it belongs to a knight or merc.”
Just to note, these bandits didn’t even try to hide their horniness when they searched me, touching my arms, stomach, legs, and even my hips before I began stepping on anybody’s feet before it got any worse! Being grossed out wasn’t exactly a new experience, but the sheer disgust I felt today was beyond my comprehension! All of them were so lucky I was keeping my chill for the act, otherwise, they would have felt the kick of a rank C dragon.
I felt a primal rejection and an instinctual revulsion that sent a painful chill throughout my body as those men touched me. When I volunteered for this job, I honestly didn’t imagine it would get this rough. Sure, pretty naïve, but I also haven't watched my crime dramas for seven months now.
Also, a reminder to myself: I really should get some sorta footwear. I got so used to having scales covering my feet that walking around without them made me realize how important shoes were. Without any natural feet protection, all the wet stuff I stepped on on my way was revolting. Like, honestly.
“… Doesn’t matter. The slaver probably knows who she is. Argh, fuck, can’t believe I have to get that merfiend bastard back. He’ll probably try to fuck us over again by lowering the price of the prisoners, like last time,” the beastman complained, making me question what a “merfiend” was.
"Boss, I like a fight like any other scrapper, but you really should have kept your cool back then. After that dragoon bitch and her knights kicked us out of our old place, and then that merc ambush, our crew can’t go around looking for trouble before we get more lads,” Jasper stated with worry in his voice.
“Stuff it, I know that much already. We’ll sell all the prisoners to the slave trader and I’ll try to squeeze as much as I can from him.” The rhino then went to his desk, picked up a ring and directed it at me, a grin forming after a blue screen came out of the ring’s blue gem. “Whew, you’re pretty mysterious, lass, but I guess all the nobles from this kingdom are expected to learn magic. Never thought that you’ll just wander in here with a whole set of mana clothes. That’s already a goldite mine, if you ask me.”
How the hell did he find out about my clothes? Was it that ring? I asked myself, mystified at this new item so I immediately used [Identify] to quench my curiosity.
How fun that I was able to find a new type of manatech among a group of bandits, and it was an item which could use a skill, too. An [Identify Ring] was exactly what I would expect when you combined technology, fantasy, and game-like systems. It made so much sense to make an item like that to make the lives of people easier.
Still, considering that he didn’t mention the skills on my clothes, I would guess that the descriptions didn’t lie when it said that the level of its [Identify] was only level one. The higher the skill’s level, the more information it could display.
“So, lass, the name’s Narube and I am the leader of this band of unlucky bastards. I got a person that will know your background anyway, so you want to spare him the trouble by telling us who you are? Gotta treat you right if you’re important, right?” Narube, the tall rhinoncerum offered me as he pushed his horn closer to my face, as if he was trying to intimidate me. “Otherwise, you’ll have to dirty your pretty ass with the commoners. You also have to deal with my men. I heard you already broke a foot or three, hahaha! The lads are probably angry. I can tell them to not go too far, but just saying, a lot of them aren’t too fond of nobles.”
“Thew.” I didn’t even consider it for a second, my only response was to spit into his eye. “Sorry, I don’t like being in the good grace of a bunch of rapists, slavers, terrorists, murders, and tort-HUH! OOOF!”
As I was about to end my sentence, [Foresight] and [Danger Perception] erupted into action, warning me of an attack that was about to hit me. I could see it, I could react to it, but my body couldn’t move in time. I let my guard down, my body wasn’t in the position to dodge it, as something hard slapped my face, sending me crashing onto the ground.
Kuuck, what the fuck … urgh, that actually hurts!
My head was ringing, my brain rattled inside my skull creating an intense headache. Whatever hit me was hard, as hard as getting hit by a metal slab. Nervously checking my Health and Mana, my eyes widened in shock when I saw my Mana wasn’t touched while my Health was lowered down to 2/3rd of its original.
That was when I realized my mistake. I was under the assumption that my [Draconic Barrier] was in effect. “Why? Why was it not activated?” I thought in horror. I knew that my draconic abilities like [Spark Fang] and [Spark Fire Breath] were unusable but I thought something like [Draconic Barrier] would still stick around. It was a mana barrier, for gosh sakes!
Argh, fuck this human form, dude! Why is it soooo bad?!
“Fucking hell, Boss! What the hell did you just do?!” Jasper shouted hysterically as I still limply laid on the ground.
“Shut it,” an unamused voice responded as loud, rumbling footsteps came closer to me, ending when a hand grabbed my throat and pulled me up from the ground.
“Urgh … kragh, krrr,” I moaned, weakly grabbing my aggressor’s arm and trying to claw it off, instinctively thinking that I still had my dragonewt form’s sickle-like claws. Even the feeling of having no tail was unnerving me even further.
Hold it in, hold it in! Don’t go ballistic yet, Hestia! The others aren’t ready yet.
“You’re lucky that I know how valuable you will be, brat, otherwise ya’d be a worm’s pretty new bed under the ground. Imagine your corpse slowly rotting, meat eaten, and shat out later on. Come on, put some of that noggin to use!” Narube tightened his grip around my throat, choking me out of my precious air, all while he continued putting images into my head with his words.
“Grrrruak!” I kept my composure, glaring at him as if I was readying myself for a fight. Just a bit more, and my boiling would explode.
“Still, you’re used to combat, right? I saw you nearly dodge my hand back there. Wasn’t trying to be serious, but that ain’t gonna do. A mage; experienced enough to react. Ya pretty interesting, you stupid brat.”
“Nearly dodge it?” Hardly. That was not a glancing hit at all. I might not have taken the full brunt of that slap, but it still dealt a lot of damage to me, enough that I was even bleeding from my nose and felt a concussion from how I was seeing two Narubes floating around. I guess I should be thankful that he held back, otherwise, I probably would have lost a tooth or two.
Still, why didn’t my [Draconic Barrier] activate? [Draconic Magics] was a dragon skill and it should be gone too while I was a human but I could still use magic like normal. I had no problems hunting while in this form nor did I feel any difference from healing all those injured villagers and mercs.
Honestly, I wanted a list of skills I could and could not use in this form. Sadly, this stupid System was stingy with what information it could give at times. Hidden numbers and mechanics sucked.
Narube eventually released me from his grip, throwing me down like a used-up rag. As I was coughing, holding my sore throat with a distorted face, the rhinoceros man began wiping the slightly purple spit from his eye.
“Jasper, put the girl back with the others. Have Macklemor check up on her, while you’re at it. He wanted to ‘convert’ her, right? Also, tell the lads to not drink too much and go to sleep early. We’re going once dawn comes to avoid anybody searching for the lass. Hounds be coming with her gone.”
“You got it, Boss,” Jasper responded with a nod, pulling me up roughly and essentially dragging me out of the tent. Once we were out, he began talking to me, “Damn, you got some guts to spit into a giant beastman’s eye, lass. If you weren’t a manablood, I would have totally hit you up. I like women with some oomph in their actions!”
I didn’t say a word. Instead of humoring Jasper, I was more preoccupied with what happened just now.
Why can I still use [Draconic Magic] but not [Draconic Barrier]? was my main conundrum.
I could understand stuff like [Draconic Claw] or [Draconic Fangs] being unavailable but why [Draconic Barrier], too? I was relying on it to endure any retaliation from Narube. Tch, if I had known this, I wouldn’t have provoked him so much. There really was a lot I had to experiment with. It felt like underestimating anything for a bit would just haunt me in the future.
“Well, love, have fun with the ‘peasants.’” With a push, Jasper put me back into the prisoner cages, leaving me here as he left the tent.
The moment he left, a man came up to me and anxiously called me out to draw my attention, “Miss Priestess, what have they done to you?!”
Like daughter, like father. Are all holy magic practitioners priestesses and shrine maidens?
“Don’t worry about it, Sir,” I dissuaded Lorena’s father’s worry, before snapping my fingers. Three white circles appeared around me and started casting [Major Heal], healing my wounds in no time.
… Yeah, I also don't feel very fatigued from arcane corruption or anything. The amount of mana I used and regenerated is exactly the same as this morning, which means all of [Draconic Magics] effects are still active.
I wanted to continue brainstorming for why [Draconic Barrier] didn’t work, but my headache from that slap was still annoying me. For now, I should just remember this: human form is shit for combat. Don’t ever, ever use it to fight others.
I was too accustomed to all the conveniences of being a dragonewt. I already said it once, but I really want to emphasize how shit it was to be a human. So fragile …
His 2421 Strength against 1/3rd of my original 1781 … I needed to stay with the prisoners for the plan to work but I bit off more than I could chew. At least I managed to spit in his eyes, though.
“Phew, see? All is good, anyway, could I possibly have your name, please? I'm not so sure how to address you besides ‘Lorena's father’ or ‘Sir,’" I said with a smile once I wiped the blood off my nose.
“Oh right, of course! Dear, come here,” he hurried his wife to come closer. “My name is Glenn and this is my wife Linda. We don't know how to thank you for what you did for our daughter. Thank you so very much for helping her, although, it would've been fine if you had left us. Somebody as young as you shouldn't have sacrificed yourself like that.”
“Sacrifice? Now hold on, I think I did mention that help is coming, right?” I responded with a brow raised.
“Yes, but isn’t this too much?” Linda, Lorena’s mother, replied in her husband’s stead. “Miss Priestess, please, once your companions arrive, just slip out and run. It’s been a month of nothing but gruel and leftovers for everybody here. You granted a bit of the ‘white grace’ but we can’t run. We can’t escape with you.”
“Besides, young Miss,” from the corner, a male mercenary further remarked. “You just met their Boss, right? You should have an idea of how strong that beastman is. None of us mercs could fight him properly, even after we ganged up on him. He took all our arrows and swords like they were nothing. That guy is a monster, even with a limping leg, we stood no chance.”
“The guy who escorted you and the fire mage are also strong,” in support, the female merc beside him mentioned. “We lost a few comrades against those two. That Jasper can slit your throat up in an instance, while that fire mage, well, you know how fire mages are. All they can do is destroy and burn, but they’re really good with it.”
Come on, I don’t always go around causing trouble. I’ve also never intentionally burned down … wait, didn’t I do that when I fought the garms? Uhhh … I’ve got nothing more to say.
Jokes aside, are those guys really that strong? Macklemor had some interesting things ‘cause he’s a mage but Jasper was barely worth mentioning. Their combined stats were pretty much the same. The only one who is dangerous is that big asshole, but the saurians could take him down easily.
“Oh, don’t you worry,” I answered in response to all of their arguments. “Like I’ve said. We got a few B rank strong people outside, waiting for my signal. I also won’t run away but thank you for your concern. I promised Lorena and Colwyn to bring everybody back if I could, and I don’t forget my promises. Every prisoner, of course.”
There was a mix of reactions amongst the group of prisoners. The ones that I was transported with were clearly elated, praying and smiling, holding onto the rope of hope I gave them. On the other hand, those who were here before us showed obvious hesitation. I guess believing the words of a complete stranger would be hard, especially for the mercs, since they witnessed the fighting themselves. I might sound a bit delusional to them.
Frankly, I experienced how strong that guy was, but he also took me by surprise. My human form just couldn’t compete, but this was a different matter if I dragoned up. No matter what you told me, our victory was guaranteed.
As I was standing around in this awkward mix between happiness and uncertainty, my [Detection Sensor] informed me of somebody approaching the tent. From what my nose could tell, the person was easily distinguishable from the other bandits since he didn’t have such a strong stench.
“Excuse me,” a croaky voice uttered before a lanky man in his late twenties entered the tent, revealing himself to be a mage with his magic staff. “My Lady? Could I have a word with you?”
The person who came in was none other than Macklemor, the fire mage who made that “bonfire.”
“My Lady, please don’t look at me like that, I am only here to talk to you,” he stated, uncomfortable from the glare I was giving him.
Well, I wasn’t the only one who showed him one since he was unwelcomed here. Those who were captured by the bandits today, who had to see their wagons be set on fire while having their food supply stolen, weren’t hiding their hostility at all. They were furious.
“Not interested,” I replied flatly.
“No, please, it isn’t what you think,” he pleaded, waving his open palm around as if to calm me down as if I was a kid. “Ah, where are my manners? I must introduce myself first. I am Macklemor, a fire arcanist and a loyal servant of the Origin god Danterno, the God of Fire and Destruction. May I have your name, please, my Lady?"
“Hestia,” I responded. He said the magical word, after all.
“‘Hestia.’ It doesn’t sound like an Artorian name, but it sounds quite lovely to hear. Are you a foreigner, my lady?” My eyes twitched a bit as he bowed his head, attempting to seem courteous. I couldn’t believe he deduced I wasn’t from around here just ‘cause of my name.
Even if it wasn’t from Peolynca, the world should be huge. How would he know if I was from these lands or not? This man doesn’t seem like your average bandit mage.
“Now, I would like to immediately get to the subject at hand, as I presume you would like it too. Please, could I convince you to accept Danterno into your heart?”
Huh?
“Hu-wait what? Is that all that you came here for?” I asked, flabbergasted.
“Affirmative, Lady Hestia. I saw your pendant, you are a follower of Plesia, the Water Origin Goddess, correct?” he remarked, causing everybody behind me to make a loud “Huh?” sound before he continued. “However, I don’t think you know how much potential you possess as a fire mage.”
No, I’m pretty sure I know that very well.
“You must have heard so many outlandish rumors about us fire mages, that we only seek destruction and carnage, burning everything down wherever we go. I can tell you this from my 18 years of experience that they are all wrong. Exaggerations!” he declared firmly, revealing his pendant from underneath his robe.
No, I’m pretty sure I caused quite a lot of trouble in the Belzac forest. Trouble also found me, so that also counts, I think.
Macklemor presented to me his pendant, which depicted a sprouting seed covered in flames. “Our magic is indeed powerful and destructive, but we don't do it purely out of pleasure. Every flame's birth should have a purpose, so it can reach its full potential as our act of loyalty and faith to the God of Fire. Destruction amounts to rebirth. From the ashes, new life can be founded! The Church of Danterno doesn’t seek wanton and unjust carnage, but a precise control over flames to promote the revitalization of the world. Fire purifies corruption. Fire consumes fire to burn brighter!”
This … this was starting to sound like a sermon. He was preaching to me, literally! What the hell, I was first getting threatened by a wolfkin, then by Jasper, after that by their boss, and now some fanatic was actually trying to convert me to his religion? Jeez, sneaking into this bandit camp has been a real adventure.
“Uh, ok, and why are you doing this then?” I asked, confused. “Your boss Narube is planning to sell me off, so won’t all your efforts become useless once that happens?”
Frowning, Macklemor slammed his hand at my prison bars, fervently responding, “No, I won’t let that happen! Lady Hestia, if you were to accept my proposal then I can buy your freedom back. My … estranged family, the Talsyn, isn’t a noble house like yours, however, that doesn’t mean that we aren’t influential. Not only is my family quite wealthy in davi and magical knowledge, but we also have a good amount of influence as we are retainers of House Morgiana. Foreigner or not, you are a noble, yes? Probably also a mage, since I can sense your potential. They will help you, just say the word.”
one of the seven dukes who support our Kingdom of Artorias, as you should know.”
Who? Not exactly an aristocrat, so saying some family names won’t help me.
“House Morgiana?” I asked, acting surprised so he wouldn’t become suspicious. Since he thought I was a foreign noble, I could use this to extract some information.
“Exactly, one of the two magical dukedoms of the Kingdom. As one of the seven ducal houses supporting the Kingdom of Artorias, they should be able to help you. Sadly, their head just lost her title as Grand Duchess of Arcane Affairs to Duke Myrrdin, but that shouldn’t be a problem! I promise you that!”
He then took out his ID, revealing his name to be “Macklemor Talsyn.” Of course, I already knew the information on his card, but I understood the gesture he was doing. He was proving to me that I could trust him, at least, when it concerned his identity.
“I heard what you did back there with Boss, extremely unwise if I may add, so the chances are high that he would do his best to make your life hell. That man is terrible when it comes to handling his emotions,” the fire mage explained, looking genuinely worried for me. “He won’t allow you to get back to your family, however, I can intervene. I can pay for everything using my connection to my family. I can give you back your freedom if you wish. You won’t have to stay here any longer the moment you accept my proposal, I swear this on my honor as a fire mage.”
Wait, what did he just say?
“You’re actually trying to help me here? B-but … why? What do you get out of this?”
I didn’t expect that at all. From the moment I was captured by these highwaymen, everything I experienced during my captivity was maddening. Their lecherous gazes that could kill a girl from disgust, the cruel treatment they gave their prisoners, and the general lack of concern for the well-being of others.
My impression of them was filled with an unbending rage that was further tempered by that sucker-punch Narube gave me, flaring up my will to show that guy who he messed with. I had nothing but contempt for every single person here, helping me to make up my mind to fight. I wasn’t gonna go on a murder rampage, I had enough sense, but breaking some bones would provide me with much-needed catharsis.
So, you couldn guess that I wasn’t exactly expecting somebody like Macklemor to appear. I honestly thought he was as bad as everybody else from what I heard from the prisoners.
“I already told you, Lady Hestia. I want to convert you to Danterno’s religion. I don’t know why I am feeling this way but I feel something within you that is calling for me, that I should do all I can to convert you!” Mackelor announced, smiling in a rather wicked manner. It felt like he was possessed there for a moment. “As you know, we fire mages aren't popular but that is just because of everybody's ignorance. They don't understand us! There are bad eggs in every group but that doesn't give people the right to persecute the entire faction because of them! Nonsense! Unfortunately, we can’t ignore reality as the fire mage order receives fewer novices every year …”
It was starting to get a bit creepy. The way he was speaking felt detached from the way he spoke to me a moment ago. Almost as if he had split personalities.
“But! That can change with you, Lady Hestia! I can assure you that you will become—Huh?"
In the middle of his ramble, Macklemor suddenly stopped, standing still as he looked at something with widened eyes. With furrowed brows, I asked him, “What is it?”
“Y-your ponytail, it’s flailing about,” he pointed out.
Holding on to my hair, I could confirm that he was telling the truth. My ponytail was swinging around like crazy. “Mister Macklemor, before I give my answer, could you answer mine first?”
“Of course, anything you must know, I will answer!” he replied without hesitating. Easily misdirected.
“Thank you. First, why are you with these … ‘people?’ You are clearly educated, and you don’t strike me as a psychopath like the others.” While I wasn’t sure if the other bandits would have figured out I wasn’t from around here, I had a feeling there was something more about him. I had to ask him.
“… It’s not a pleasant story, I must say. I-I committed a crime due to my emotions. I know I shouldn’t have done it, but I just couldn’t help it. Jasper … he was a friend I made at our capital and he was also the one to save me from my impending execution,” Macklemor replied with a distraught face, pained from having to remember it. “You see … I’m not a particularly talented mage compared to the rest of my family. It also didn’t help that I rejected my family’s custom spells and converted to fire magic. I’ve nothing against nobles like everybody else here, as I have grown up with them, but I can’t deny that some are … unpleasant. Their mockery was harsh.”
That stung deep. Although our situation wasn’t the same, I kinda sympathized with him. My memories from my past life, the time when I was bullied and ignored by my fellow dance trainees due to my family’s background, made me sympathize with him. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.
“I was supposed to be executed but Jasper got me out of there. He saved my life. I thought we would stay around in the undercity for a while. Join up with the Blackreach guild and live okayish as enforcers, but … we somehow got ourselves entangled in this bandit crew. Life just brought me here,”
Hearing stuff like undercity and Blackreach guild made me even more curious. He was speaking about things I didn’t have any idea about from context alone. Most likely, this guild was probably some underground gang or something. Like a mafia or yakuza. However, before I could ask him about it, he continued, prompting me to just shove this piece of information into a corner in my mind.
“At first, it was quite fun. I could finally do what a fire mage should be doing—burning down the old so the new can flourish. I couldn't be happier … but I quickly realized the reality of it when I accidentally killed a bystander while I was possessed by joy.”
Macklemor heaved a short sigh before raising his head. “I love fire. I can't help it when a magnificent flame flickers so warmly before me. All the cold in my heart melted with the heat … I take no joy in all this bloodshed, but … Argh, God Danterno doesn't preach needless bloodshed!" He then turned his gaze to the women he captured today. “I am sorry. I apologize as a worshipper of Danterno but also as a fellow believer of our Goddess, Aurena. I am a sinner. I couldn't stop them from taking your neighbor's lives, nor could I help myself from feeling delighted from burning their corpses. I deserve nothing but your anger.”
Silence, nothing but silence. The women he dedicated those words to didn't say a word, simply glaring at him with reddened eyes caused by weeping for their fallen and unconscious men. There was no forgiveness despite how sincere he sounded. It may be silent, but the atmosphere was filled with rage and sadness, permeating the very air with a thick cloud of emotions. Even to me, it was suffocating; more intense than the foul smell of this bandit camp.
A good man made a mistake and landed with the wrong crowd.
“… If you were given the chance, would you escape from this place?” breaking the silence, I asked Macklemor my last question.
Staring at me, he wept, mouth agape as he tried to form some words, “I-I cannot.”
“Are you serious?” I replied in shock. “Then what was all of that then, huh? What was that heartful backstory of yours supposed to do then? You’re even shedding tears, but you say, ‘I cannot?’ Why?”
“Lady Hestia, I owe Jasper my life. If he hadn’t been there then I would have been executed for my crimes. I can’t abandon him, he’s my friend,” he said with a wry smile, tears still flowing. “If that is all your questions, then please accept my proposal. I can get you out of here unharmed, I promise. Your family doesn’t have to pay for your release. However, I will only do that if you accept becoming my apprentice. Become a Danterno worshipper. You don’t have to give up on your other faiths … even if it's that tyrannic wench, Plesia.”
I stared into his eyes to confirm his intentions, let out a sigh of exasperation in response, and then freed my ponytail with my still tied-up hands. After a few seconds, a booming explosion suddenly resounded, terrifying everybody in the tent, besides for me. My fellow prisoners were in a panic, questioning what it was, while Macklemor simply left the tent.
With him outside, I strained my arms and broke free from my bindings, easily tearing through the thick rope. I then cast [Flame Spear], grabbed it, and morphed it with [Pyrokinesis] into a blade to slice through the prison bars like butter.
“Miss Priestess?!” Lorena’s parents asked, surprised at my actions.
“Mr. Glenn and Mrs. Linda, please call me ‘Hestia.’ I’m not a priestess nor a shrine maiden,” I answered.
Not stopping, I then cast a few green and brown magic circles around the cage and a single giant white one under us. Seeing all these magic circles, the villagers and mercs quickly stood up, mesmerized by all the colors that were appearing before them.
“T-then, who are you then?!” Everybody had the same question plastered on their faces, whether they said it out loud or not.
Before I could answer them, Macklemor stormed back into the tent, sweat flowing down his forehead. “Lady Hestia, something happened! I have to ask you to … stay here.”
Giving the anxious fire mage a short glance, I dispelled the [Flame Spear] I was holding and began emitting a mana cloud from my body, covering my whole body.
Once my vision returned, I flaunted everything about myself. My horns, my claws, my fangs, my scales, my tail, and even my slit dragon pupils. Like a curtain, the mana cloud from [Humanize] hid me behind it, eventually revealing the ticking-time-bomb that was waiting to blow.
“Sorry, Mister Macklemor but I can’t stay backstage,” I announced with a wry grin, before forcing on my cheerful and fearless stage mask. “For I am an idol! And an idol always seeks the spotlight! Terra Wall, Wind Blast, Air Shield!”
Gusts of wind and walls of earth erupted from the ground, sending not only the cage but also the tent into the orange sky. While my barrier of wind slowly enveloped over me, protecting the villagers and mercs, another explosion rumbled the bandit camp, sending the already alarmed bandits into another round of hysteria.
Time to own this night.
AbyssRaven Even criminals have background stories, but they can't be erased so easily. Sorry, Macklemor, but Hestia has a Quest to fulfill.
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Thank you for reading this chapter.
“Can’t deny her pretty face. Perfect to sell … only if she shuts her damn trap.” With a rough jerk, Jasper pulled me closer to him and brought his face close enough to mine that I could feel his breathing. Feeling like his hand was moving towards some dangerous places, I shoved him away, causing him to smile. “Now that I think about it, ‘m’lady,’ we haven’t been introduced yet, right? The name’s Jasper, love.”
Giving him the stink eye, I simply stuck my tongue out and smirked, thinking, Sorry, already know your name, buddy.
“See what I mean, Boss? Spoiled little noble brat. Thinks she’s so much better than us,” Jasper scoffed, pushing me towards his boss.
The huge rhinoceros-looking beastman placed two fingers under my chin to gently raise my head up, making eye contact as if he was appraising me like some priceless ornament. “True enough … Hmph, not even looking away, lass? You either have the confidence that we wouldn't do anything to ya, or ya delusional from whatever your family told you to do in these situations. Jasper, give me her ID, I want to know who she is.”
“Sorry, can’t do that for ya, Boss. My lads already checked through her, we couldn’t find one nor any other identifications like those emblems nobles love to wear on their clothes. For some reason, she didn’t even have any shoes when we found her,” Jasper shrugged, swaying his mullet slightly before pointing at my necklace. “The only valuable is her Plesia amulet, although it looks like it went through hell. So many scars; ya’d think it belongs to a knight or merc.”
Just to note, these bandits didn’t even try to hide their horniness when they searched me, touching my arms, stomach, legs, and even my hips before I began stepping on anybody’s feet before it got any worse! Being grossed out wasn’t exactly a new experience, but the sheer disgust I felt today was beyond my comprehension! All of them were so lucky I was keeping my chill for the act, otherwise, they would have felt the kick of a rank C dragon.
I felt a primal rejection and an instinctual revulsion that sent a painful chill throughout my body as those men touched me. When I volunteered for this job, I honestly didn’t imagine it would get this rough. Sure, pretty naïve, but I also haven't watched my crime dramas for seven months now.
Also, a reminder to myself: I really should get some sorta footwear. I got so used to having scales covering my feet that walking around without them made me realize how important shoes were. Without any natural feet protection, all the wet stuff I stepped on on my way was revolting. Like, honestly.
“… Doesn’t matter. The slaver probably knows who she is. Argh, fuck, can’t believe I have to get that merfiend bastard back. He’ll probably try to fuck us over again by lowering the price of the prisoners, like last time,” the beastman complained, making me question what a “merfiend” was.
"Boss, I like a fight like any other scrapper, but you really should have kept your cool back then. After that dragoon bitch and her knights kicked us out of our old place, and then that merc ambush, our crew can’t go around looking for trouble before we get more lads,” Jasper stated with worry in his voice.
“Stuff it, I know that much already. We’ll sell all the prisoners to the slave trader and I’ll try to squeeze as much as I can from him.” The rhino then went to his desk, picked up a ring and directed it at me, a grin forming after a blue screen came out of the ring’s blue gem. “Whew, you’re pretty mysterious, lass, but I guess all the nobles from this kingdom are expected to learn magic. Never thought that you’ll just wander in here with a whole set of mana clothes. That’s already a goldite mine, if you ask me.”
How the hell did he find out about my clothes? Was it that ring? I asked myself, mystified at this new item so I immediately used [Identify] to quench my curiosity.
How fun that I was able to find a new type of manatech among a group of bandits, and it was an item which could use a skill, too. An [Identify Ring] was exactly what I would expect when you combined technology, fantasy, and game-like systems. It made so much sense to make an item like that to make the lives of people easier.
Still, considering that he didn’t mention the skills on my clothes, I would guess that the descriptions didn’t lie when it said that the level of its [Identify] was only level one. The higher the skill’s level, the more information it could display.
“So, lass, the name’s Narube and I am the leader of this band of unlucky bastards. I got a person that will know your background anyway, so you want to spare him the trouble by telling us who you are? Gotta treat you right if you’re important, right?” Narube, the tall rhinoncerum offered me as he pushed his horn closer to my face, as if he was trying to intimidate me. “Otherwise, you’ll have to dirty your pretty ass with the commoners. You also have to deal with my men. I heard you already broke a foot or three, hahaha! The lads are probably angry. I can tell them to not go too far, but just saying, a lot of them aren’t too fond of nobles.”
“Thew.” I didn’t even consider it for a second, my only response was to spit into his eye. “Sorry, I don’t like being in the good grace of a bunch of rapists, slavers, terrorists, murders, and tort-HUH! OOOF!”
As I was about to end my sentence, [Foresight] and [Danger Perception] erupted into action, warning me of an attack that was about to hit me. I could see it, I could react to it, but my body couldn’t move in time. I let my guard down, my body wasn’t in the position to dodge it, as something hard slapped my face, sending me crashing onto the ground.
Kuuck, what the fuck … urgh, that actually hurts!
My head was ringing, my brain rattled inside my skull creating an intense headache. Whatever hit me was hard, as hard as getting hit by a metal slab. Nervously checking my Health and Mana, my eyes widened in shock when I saw my Mana wasn’t touched while my Health was lowered down to 2/3rd of its original.
That was when I realized my mistake. I was under the assumption that my [Draconic Barrier] was in effect. “Why? Why was it not activated?” I thought in horror. I knew that my draconic abilities like [Spark Fang] and [Spark Fire Breath] were unusable but I thought something like [Draconic Barrier] would still stick around. It was a mana barrier, for gosh sakes!
Argh, fuck this human form, dude! Why is it soooo bad?!
“Fucking hell, Boss! What the hell did you just do?!” Jasper shouted hysterically as I still limply laid on the ground.
“Shut it,” an unamused voice responded as loud, rumbling footsteps came closer to me, ending when a hand grabbed my throat and pulled me up from the ground.
“Urgh … kragh, krrr,” I moaned, weakly grabbing my aggressor’s arm and trying to claw it off, instinctively thinking that I still had my dragonewt form’s sickle-like claws. Even the feeling of having no tail was unnerving me even further.
Hold it in, hold it in! Don’t go ballistic yet, Hestia! The others aren’t ready yet.
“You’re lucky that I know how valuable you will be, brat, otherwise ya’d be a worm’s pretty new bed under the ground. Imagine your corpse slowly rotting, meat eaten, and shat out later on. Come on, put some of that noggin to use!” Narube tightened his grip around my throat, choking me out of my precious air, all while he continued putting images into my head with his words.
“Grrrruak!” I kept my composure, glaring at him as if I was readying myself for a fight. Just a bit more, and my boiling would explode.
“Still, you’re used to combat, right? I saw you nearly dodge my hand back there. Wasn’t trying to be serious, but that ain’t gonna do. A mage; experienced enough to react. Ya pretty interesting, you stupid brat.”
“Nearly dodge it?” Hardly. That was not a glancing hit at all. I might not have taken the full brunt of that slap, but it still dealt a lot of damage to me, enough that I was even bleeding from my nose and felt a concussion from how I was seeing two Narubes floating around. I guess I should be thankful that he held back, otherwise, I probably would have lost a tooth or two.
Still, why didn’t my [Draconic Barrier] activate? [Draconic Magics] was a dragon skill and it should be gone too while I was a human but I could still use magic like normal. I had no problems hunting while in this form nor did I feel any difference from healing all those injured villagers and mercs.
Honestly, I wanted a list of skills I could and could not use in this form. Sadly, this stupid System was stingy with what information it could give at times. Hidden numbers and mechanics sucked.
Narube eventually released me from his grip, throwing me down like a used-up rag. As I was coughing, holding my sore throat with a distorted face, the rhinoceros man began wiping the slightly purple spit from his eye.
“Jasper, put the girl back with the others. Have Macklemor check up on her, while you’re at it. He wanted to ‘convert’ her, right? Also, tell the lads to not drink too much and go to sleep early. We’re going once dawn comes to avoid anybody searching for the lass. Hounds be coming with her gone.”
“You got it, Boss,” Jasper responded with a nod, pulling me up roughly and essentially dragging me out of the tent. Once we were out, he began talking to me, “Damn, you got some guts to spit into a giant beastman’s eye, lass. If you weren’t a manablood, I would have totally hit you up. I like women with some oomph in their actions!”
I didn’t say a word. Instead of humoring Jasper, I was more preoccupied with what happened just now.
Why can I still use [Draconic Magic] but not [Draconic Barrier]? was my main conundrum.
I could understand stuff like [Draconic Claw] or [Draconic Fangs] being unavailable but why [Draconic Barrier], too? I was relying on it to endure any retaliation from Narube. Tch, if I had known this, I wouldn’t have provoked him so much. There really was a lot I had to experiment with. It felt like underestimating anything for a bit would just haunt me in the future.
“Well, love, have fun with the ‘peasants.’” With a push, Jasper put me back into the prisoner cages, leaving me here as he left the tent.
The moment he left, a man came up to me and anxiously called me out to draw my attention, “Miss Priestess, what have they done to you?!”
Like daughter, like father. Are all holy magic practitioners priestesses and shrine maidens?
“Don’t worry about it, Sir,” I dissuaded Lorena’s father’s worry, before snapping my fingers. Three white circles appeared around me and started casting [Major Heal], healing my wounds in no time.
… Yeah, I also don't feel very fatigued from arcane corruption or anything. The amount of mana I used and regenerated is exactly the same as this morning, which means all of [Draconic Magics] effects are still active.
I wanted to continue brainstorming for why [Draconic Barrier] didn’t work, but my headache from that slap was still annoying me. For now, I should just remember this: human form is shit for combat. Don’t ever, ever use it to fight others.
I was too accustomed to all the conveniences of being a dragonewt. I already said it once, but I really want to emphasize how shit it was to be a human. So fragile …
His 2421 Strength against 1/3rd of my original 1781 … I needed to stay with the prisoners for the plan to work but I bit off more than I could chew. At least I managed to spit in his eyes, though.
“Phew, see? All is good, anyway, could I possibly have your name, please? I'm not so sure how to address you besides ‘Lorena's father’ or ‘Sir,’" I said with a smile once I wiped the blood off my nose.
“Oh right, of course! Dear, come here,” he hurried his wife to come closer. “My name is Glenn and this is my wife Linda. We don't know how to thank you for what you did for our daughter. Thank you so very much for helping her, although, it would've been fine if you had left us. Somebody as young as you shouldn't have sacrificed yourself like that.”
“Sacrifice? Now hold on, I think I did mention that help is coming, right?” I responded with a brow raised.
“Yes, but isn’t this too much?” Linda, Lorena’s mother, replied in her husband’s stead. “Miss Priestess, please, once your companions arrive, just slip out and run. It’s been a month of nothing but gruel and leftovers for everybody here. You granted a bit of the ‘white grace’ but we can’t run. We can’t escape with you.”
“Besides, young Miss,” from the corner, a male mercenary further remarked. “You just met their Boss, right? You should have an idea of how strong that beastman is. None of us mercs could fight him properly, even after we ganged up on him. He took all our arrows and swords like they were nothing. That guy is a monster, even with a limping leg, we stood no chance.”
“The guy who escorted you and the fire mage are also strong,” in support, the female merc beside him mentioned. “We lost a few comrades against those two. That Jasper can slit your throat up in an instance, while that fire mage, well, you know how fire mages are. All they can do is destroy and burn, but they’re really good with it.”
Come on, I don’t always go around causing trouble. I’ve also never intentionally burned down … wait, didn’t I do that when I fought the garms? Uhhh … I’ve got nothing more to say.
Jokes aside, are those guys really that strong? Macklemor had some interesting things ‘cause he’s a mage but Jasper was barely worth mentioning. Their combined stats were pretty much the same. The only one who is dangerous is that big asshole, but the saurians could take him down easily.
“Oh, don’t you worry,” I answered in response to all of their arguments. “Like I’ve said. We got a few B rank strong people outside, waiting for my signal. I also won’t run away but thank you for your concern. I promised Lorena and Colwyn to bring everybody back if I could, and I don’t forget my promises. Every prisoner, of course.”
There was a mix of reactions amongst the group of prisoners. The ones that I was transported with were clearly elated, praying and smiling, holding onto the rope of hope I gave them. On the other hand, those who were here before us showed obvious hesitation. I guess believing the words of a complete stranger would be hard, especially for the mercs, since they witnessed the fighting themselves. I might sound a bit delusional to them.
Frankly, I experienced how strong that guy was, but he also took me by surprise. My human form just couldn’t compete, but this was a different matter if I dragoned up. No matter what you told me, our victory was guaranteed.
As I was standing around in this awkward mix between happiness and uncertainty, my [Detection Sensor] informed me of somebody approaching the tent. From what my nose could tell, the person was easily distinguishable from the other bandits since he didn’t have such a strong stench.
“Excuse me,” a croaky voice uttered before a lanky man in his late twenties entered the tent, revealing himself to be a mage with his magic staff. “My Lady? Could I have a word with you?”
The person who came in was none other than Macklemor, the fire mage who made that “bonfire.”
“My Lady, please don’t look at me like that, I am only here to talk to you,” he stated, uncomfortable from the glare I was giving him.
Well, I wasn’t the only one who showed him one since he was unwelcomed here. Those who were captured by the bandits today, who had to see their wagons be set on fire while having their food supply stolen, weren’t hiding their hostility at all. They were furious.
“Not interested,” I replied flatly.
“No, please, it isn’t what you think,” he pleaded, waving his open palm around as if to calm me down as if I was a kid. “Ah, where are my manners? I must introduce myself first. I am Macklemor, a fire arcanist and a loyal servant of the Origin god Danterno, the God of Fire and Destruction. May I have your name, please, my Lady?"
“Hestia,” I responded. He said the magical word, after all.
“‘Hestia.’ It doesn’t sound like an Artorian name, but it sounds quite lovely to hear. Are you a foreigner, my lady?” My eyes twitched a bit as he bowed his head, attempting to seem courteous. I couldn’t believe he deduced I wasn’t from around here just ‘cause of my name.
Even if it wasn’t from Peolynca, the world should be huge. How would he know if I was from these lands or not? This man doesn’t seem like your average bandit mage.
“Now, I would like to immediately get to the subject at hand, as I presume you would like it too. Please, could I convince you to accept Danterno into your heart?”
Huh?
“Hu-wait what? Is that all that you came here for?” I asked, flabbergasted.
“Affirmative, Lady Hestia. I saw your pendant, you are a follower of Plesia, the Water Origin Goddess, correct?” he remarked, causing everybody behind me to make a loud “Huh?” sound before he continued. “However, I don’t think you know how much potential you possess as a fire mage.”
No, I’m pretty sure I know that very well.
“You must have heard so many outlandish rumors about us fire mages, that we only seek destruction and carnage, burning everything down wherever we go. I can tell you this from my 18 years of experience that they are all wrong. Exaggerations!” he declared firmly, revealing his pendant from underneath his robe.
No, I’m pretty sure I caused quite a lot of trouble in the Belzac forest. Trouble also found me, so that also counts, I think.
Macklemor presented to me his pendant, which depicted a sprouting seed covered in flames. “Our magic is indeed powerful and destructive, but we don't do it purely out of pleasure. Every flame's birth should have a purpose, so it can reach its full potential as our act of loyalty and faith to the God of Fire. Destruction amounts to rebirth. From the ashes, new life can be founded! The Church of Danterno doesn’t seek wanton and unjust carnage, but a precise control over flames to promote the revitalization of the world. Fire purifies corruption. Fire consumes fire to burn brighter!”
This … this was starting to sound like a sermon. He was preaching to me, literally! What the hell, I was first getting threatened by a wolfkin, then by Jasper, after that by their boss, and now some fanatic was actually trying to convert me to his religion? Jeez, sneaking into this bandit camp has been a real adventure.
“Uh, ok, and why are you doing this then?” I asked, confused. “Your boss Narube is planning to sell me off, so won’t all your efforts become useless once that happens?”
Frowning, Macklemor slammed his hand at my prison bars, fervently responding, “No, I won’t let that happen! Lady Hestia, if you were to accept my proposal then I can buy your freedom back. My … estranged family, the Talsyn, isn’t a noble house like yours, however, that doesn’t mean that we aren’t influential. Not only is my family quite wealthy in davi and magical knowledge, but we also have a good amount of influence as we are retainers of House Morgiana. Foreigner or not, you are a noble, yes? Probably also a mage, since I can sense your potential. They will help you, just say the word.”
one of the seven dukes who support our Kingdom of Artorias, as you should know.”
Who? Not exactly an aristocrat, so saying some family names won’t help me.
“House Morgiana?” I asked, acting surprised so he wouldn’t become suspicious. Since he thought I was a foreign noble, I could use this to extract some information.
“Exactly, one of the two magical dukedoms of the Kingdom. As one of the seven ducal houses supporting the Kingdom of Artorias, they should be able to help you. Sadly, their head just lost her title as Grand Duchess of Arcane Affairs to Duke Myrrdin, but that shouldn’t be a problem! I promise you that!”
He then took out his ID, revealing his name to be “Macklemor Talsyn.” Of course, I already knew the information on his card, but I understood the gesture he was doing. He was proving to me that I could trust him, at least, when it concerned his identity.
“I heard what you did back there with Boss, extremely unwise if I may add, so the chances are high that he would do his best to make your life hell. That man is terrible when it comes to handling his emotions,” the fire mage explained, looking genuinely worried for me. “He won’t allow you to get back to your family, however, I can intervene. I can pay for everything using my connection to my family. I can give you back your freedom if you wish. You won’t have to stay here any longer the moment you accept my proposal, I swear this on my honor as a fire mage.”
Wait, what did he just say?
“You’re actually trying to help me here? B-but … why? What do you get out of this?”
I didn’t expect that at all. From the moment I was captured by these highwaymen, everything I experienced during my captivity was maddening. Their lecherous gazes that could kill a girl from disgust, the cruel treatment they gave their prisoners, and the general lack of concern for the well-being of others.
My impression of them was filled with an unbending rage that was further tempered by that sucker-punch Narube gave me, flaring up my will to show that guy who he messed with. I had nothing but contempt for every single person here, helping me to make up my mind to fight. I wasn’t gonna go on a murder rampage, I had enough sense, but breaking some bones would provide me with much-needed catharsis.
So, you couldn guess that I wasn’t exactly expecting somebody like Macklemor to appear. I honestly thought he was as bad as everybody else from what I heard from the prisoners.
“I already told you, Lady Hestia. I want to convert you to Danterno’s religion. I don’t know why I am feeling this way but I feel something within you that is calling for me, that I should do all I can to convert you!” Mackelor announced, smiling in a rather wicked manner. It felt like he was possessed there for a moment. “As you know, we fire mages aren't popular but that is just because of everybody's ignorance. They don't understand us! There are bad eggs in every group but that doesn't give people the right to persecute the entire faction because of them! Nonsense! Unfortunately, we can’t ignore reality as the fire mage order receives fewer novices every year …”
It was starting to get a bit creepy. The way he was speaking felt detached from the way he spoke to me a moment ago. Almost as if he had split personalities.
“But! That can change with you, Lady Hestia! I can assure you that you will become—Huh?"
In the middle of his ramble, Macklemor suddenly stopped, standing still as he looked at something with widened eyes. With furrowed brows, I asked him, “What is it?”
“Y-your ponytail, it’s flailing about,” he pointed out.
Holding on to my hair, I could confirm that he was telling the truth. My ponytail was swinging around like crazy. “Mister Macklemor, before I give my answer, could you answer mine first?”
“Of course, anything you must know, I will answer!” he replied without hesitating. Easily misdirected.
“Thank you. First, why are you with these … ‘people?’ You are clearly educated, and you don’t strike me as a psychopath like the others.” While I wasn’t sure if the other bandits would have figured out I wasn’t from around here, I had a feeling there was something more about him. I had to ask him.
“… It’s not a pleasant story, I must say. I-I committed a crime due to my emotions. I know I shouldn’t have done it, but I just couldn’t help it. Jasper … he was a friend I made at our capital and he was also the one to save me from my impending execution,” Macklemor replied with a distraught face, pained from having to remember it. “You see … I’m not a particularly talented mage compared to the rest of my family. It also didn’t help that I rejected my family’s custom spells and converted to fire magic. I’ve nothing against nobles like everybody else here, as I have grown up with them, but I can’t deny that some are … unpleasant. Their mockery was harsh.”
That stung deep. Although our situation wasn’t the same, I kinda sympathized with him. My memories from my past life, the time when I was bullied and ignored by my fellow dance trainees due to my family’s background, made me sympathize with him. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.
“I was supposed to be executed but Jasper got me out of there. He saved my life. I thought we would stay around in the undercity for a while. Join up with the Blackreach guild and live okayish as enforcers, but … we somehow got ourselves entangled in this bandit crew. Life just brought me here,”
Hearing stuff like undercity and Blackreach guild made me even more curious. He was speaking about things I didn’t have any idea about from context alone. Most likely, this guild was probably some underground gang or something. Like a mafia or yakuza. However, before I could ask him about it, he continued, prompting me to just shove this piece of information into a corner in my mind.
“At first, it was quite fun. I could finally do what a fire mage should be doing—burning down the old so the new can flourish. I couldn't be happier … but I quickly realized the reality of it when I accidentally killed a bystander while I was possessed by joy.”
Macklemor heaved a short sigh before raising his head. “I love fire. I can't help it when a magnificent flame flickers so warmly before me. All the cold in my heart melted with the heat … I take no joy in all this bloodshed, but … Argh, God Danterno doesn't preach needless bloodshed!" He then turned his gaze to the women he captured today. “I am sorry. I apologize as a worshipper of Danterno but also as a fellow believer of our Goddess, Aurena. I am a sinner. I couldn't stop them from taking your neighbor's lives, nor could I help myself from feeling delighted from burning their corpses. I deserve nothing but your anger.”
Silence, nothing but silence. The women he dedicated those words to didn't say a word, simply glaring at him with reddened eyes caused by weeping for their fallen and unconscious men. There was no forgiveness despite how sincere he sounded. It may be silent, but the atmosphere was filled with rage and sadness, permeating the very air with a thick cloud of emotions. Even to me, it was suffocating; more intense than the foul smell of this bandit camp.
A good man made a mistake and landed with the wrong crowd.
“… If you were given the chance, would you escape from this place?” breaking the silence, I asked Macklemor my last question.
Staring at me, he wept, mouth agape as he tried to form some words, “I-I cannot.”
“Are you serious?” I replied in shock. “Then what was all of that then, huh? What was that heartful backstory of yours supposed to do then? You’re even shedding tears, but you say, ‘I cannot?’ Why?”
“Lady Hestia, I owe Jasper my life. If he hadn’t been there then I would have been executed for my crimes. I can’t abandon him, he’s my friend,” he said with a wry smile, tears still flowing. “If that is all your questions, then please accept my proposal. I can get you out of here unharmed, I promise. Your family doesn’t have to pay for your release. However, I will only do that if you accept becoming my apprentice. Become a Danterno worshipper. You don’t have to give up on your other faiths … even if it's that tyrannic wench, Plesia.”
I stared into his eyes to confirm his intentions, let out a sigh of exasperation in response, and then freed my ponytail with my still tied-up hands. After a few seconds, a booming explosion suddenly resounded, terrifying everybody in the tent, besides for me. My fellow prisoners were in a panic, questioning what it was, while Macklemor simply left the tent.
With him outside, I strained my arms and broke free from my bindings, easily tearing through the thick rope. I then cast [Flame Spear], grabbed it, and morphed it with [Pyrokinesis] into a blade to slice through the prison bars like butter.
“Miss Priestess?!” Lorena’s parents asked, surprised at my actions.
“Mr. Glenn and Mrs. Linda, please call me ‘Hestia.’ I’m not a priestess nor a shrine maiden,” I answered.
Not stopping, I then cast a few green and brown magic circles around the cage and a single giant white one under us. Seeing all these magic circles, the villagers and mercs quickly stood up, mesmerized by all the colors that were appearing before them.
“T-then, who are you then?!” Everybody had the same question plastered on their faces, whether they said it out loud or not.
Before I could answer them, Macklemor stormed back into the tent, sweat flowing down his forehead. “Lady Hestia, something happened! I have to ask you to … stay here.”
Giving the anxious fire mage a short glance, I dispelled the [Flame Spear] I was holding and began emitting a mana cloud from my body, covering my whole body.
Once my vision returned, I flaunted everything about myself. My horns, my claws, my fangs, my scales, my tail, and even my slit dragon pupils. Like a curtain, the mana cloud from [Humanize] hid me behind it, eventually revealing the ticking-time-bomb that was waiting to blow.
“Sorry, Mister Macklemor but I can’t stay backstage,” I announced with a wry grin, before forcing on my cheerful and fearless stage mask. “For I am an idol! And an idol always seeks the spotlight! Terra Wall, Wind Blast, Air Shield!”
Gusts of wind and walls of earth erupted from the ground, sending not only the cage but also the tent into the orange sky. While my barrier of wind slowly enveloped over me, protecting the villagers and mercs, another explosion rumbled the bandit camp, sending the already alarmed bandits into another round of hysteria.
Time to own this night.
AbyssRaven Even criminals have background stories, but they can't be erased so easily. Sorry, Macklemor, but Hestia has a Quest to fulfill.
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