{Minako}
"Salute!"
Forty fists beat on forty chests.
Among them Minako stood foremost in front of Alaric.
"All of you have done exemplary work training, and now you are apart of the shield that protects Saltwater Clearing from external and internal threats. I hope..."
"Sir, are they guards too?"
Aaron interrupted Alaric to point at Minako, Andrea, and Besian.
"They didn't complete the full course!"
Every other recruit gave them a side glance.
"Thank you, Aaron. No, technically they aren't guards, even though they're way better than you, but we've agreed it would do them good to be guards for a few weeks.
Besides we're understaffed as is, all the free - and good - help we can get is gravy."
"You think they are better than us?"
"No, I don't think that."
All of the new guards breathed a sigh of relief.
"I know they're way better than all of you. They accomplished everything all of you have, in less than half the time."
They all became downcast, after all, they all knew it is true.
Aaron, meanwhile, just glared at Minako.
Dag came up to Alaric, to punch him in the head... lightly.
"Stop fucking with the new recruits!"
Alaric did as he always did, and laughed.
"How am I fucking with them? By telling them the tru..."
"Mankiller! That is you!"
A clean-shaven man in his fifties cut off, and trotted up to Alaric.
His piercing purple eyes held barely contained contempt.
His underlings following him.
"I almost couldn't believe my ears when one of my men told me he saw Mankiller not only living here, but is in fact in charge of the town guard! I almost put him on latrine duty for blatantly lying to a superior officer."
Alaric shrugged.
"Well, if you do decide to put him on latrine duty anyway, could you direct him to the bathroom in the guardhouse? I laid one out in there, and it is ripe!"
The man snarled.
"Even after all of this time what would I expect from you? Remorse?"
"I don't know what you'd expect, Andrian. I haven't seen you in years."
"It's captain!"
"Yes, for me as well."
Andrian spit onto the ground right by Alaric's feet.
"I don't know how you tricked this baron to hire you, but it won't be long before you show your true colors."
He turned to look at the recruits.
"Has he told you about his past? Or has he kept all of you in the dark?!"
It was obvious that he was trying to sow malcontent, and Dag was having none of that.
"I'm sorry, but I don't remember asking a blow-hard about my captain's personal history."
One of the female soldiers got pissed at Dag for talking to her captain like that.
"You can't talk to captain Andrian like that, you fucking sow! We're actual warriors, not glorified night watchmen!"
Dag bulked at that.
"Actual warrior? Ha! I can smell the green on you bitch! I bet you've yet to actually go to war, or fight for your life."
"As if you have!"
"Yeah, I have, most glorified 'night watchmen' do. We run to danger to protect our homes, while you dogs just sit around waiting for orders while good people die!"
The soldier blushed in embarrassment, before replacing that embarrassment with misplaced rage.
"Our legion is the only thing keeping the savages to the west at bay! Not to mention Grynia would love to kill every single one of you!"
She spat back at Dag, and Dag smirked.
"You don't expect me to thank you for ineptitude, do you? It's been over a hundred years since the giant's war, and y'all still haven't made the empire safe! There are monster outbreaks every other week, and y'all leave it to small towns like ours to handle the mess! Looks to me that dog shit would be a better deterrent to Grynia than you!"
The soldier shoved her, and Dag slugged her.
Her comrades pulled out their swords, and the guards pulled out theirs.
"No! Sheath your weapons!"
Alaric was having non of that, the guards sheathed their weapons - reluctantly.
After Alaric stared at him, Andrian followed suit.
His men sheathed their arms, and helped the woman back onto her feet.
"Your guard accosted my man, you need to punish her!"
Alaric smiled.
"Man? I'm pretty sure she's a woman."
"Mankiller!"
"That's captain Mankiller, but you're right.
She did assault your 'man' without permission so,"
He turned to look at Dag.
"You're buying all of the recruits the first round after their first shift as punishment."
Dag saluted.
"Understood, sir."
Andrian tried to burn two holes into Alaric's skull, with how hard he was glaring at him.
"You call that discipline?!"
"Yeah, I know, I'm too hard on them."
Andrian shoved a meaty finger into Alaric's face.
"Listen here..."
Alaric swatted his finger away.
"No, you listen! She attacked my subordinate first, and Dag acted in self-defense. She's lucky I know Dag can handle herself, otherwise I would have ended all of you right where y'all stand. Tell me, do you think I'm lying, captain?"
The two captains entered a staring match, a match Andrian lost.
"We are leaving."
They all turned to leave, but Andrian turned back to have the last word.
"You're lucky I was ordered to keep our relationship with this town... civil!"
"And you're lucky Dag has such stellar self-control, she's killed many a monster with that fist."
With a final snarl, they left.
Alaric turned to address the recruits.
"I'm sorry for that interruption, but it's done now. Now, come into my guardhouse office one at a time so we can assign you y'all positions. That is all."
He left with Dag, and the new guards formed a line with Minako and her friends at the back.
"What do you think that was all about?"
Andrea asked her.
"I don't know."
But she'd be sure to find out.
"You said you wanted to show me something?"
Andrea's face lit up, and pulled out a small mana heart.
"The mentor they gave me told me I have a talent for summoning! Watch this!"
She closed her eyes, and concentrated on the heart.
Forcing her mana into it, and forming the shape of the monster.
And take form it did.
Two stubby legs, a squat body, two claw tipped hands, and ugly face with two horns.
"An imp? That thing would do us little good in battle."
Besian simply stated.
Minako quickly elbowed him.
"What? It's true. The only time anyone gets afraid of them is when you're half dead, and they still need to attack you as a group. If she was trying to impress us, she should have summoned a grey wolf at least. They're still weak, but can still dish out some damage."
Minako shook her head at how stupid men can be.
She patted Andrea on the shoulder.
"This is great Reeree, and when you get more experienced you'll probably summon dragons and such!"
"You think so?!"
"No, I know so."
Besian shook his head in disappointment.
The only reason she's lying to Andrea right now is because they're fucking.
Minako is letting her lust dictate her actions.
"My mentor says I got to work on enlarging my mana pool, and work on my concentration. Then I will be able to do the bigger monsters!"
"That's great, babe!"
"I'm not the only one who improved either, Bes here is learning how to be a beastmaster!"
Minako looked at him in shock and adulation.
"Why didn't you tell me?!"
Besian cocked an eyebrow.
"Because I'm just a neophyte like her, and it would be pointless to brag about that."
"Ahem!"
Minako was about to say something further, when one of the recruits ahem'd to get their attention.
"You can go in now, they've been waiting for y'all."
Looking around themselves, they noticed everyone else was already done and gone.
By chatting they had kept them waiting.
"Okay, we'll be there shortly."
Minako told the new guard, he just rolled his eyes, and left.
"Shouldn't we rush in, and apologize?"
Andrea asked.
"No, he'll get over it."
Besian shook his head yet again.
_______
Thirty minutes later, Andrea and Besian got their assignments and left.
And Minako was standing in Alaric's office.
He was sitting down while Dag was standing beside him.
"You know you're a dick, right?"
Minako shrugged at him.
"You'll get over it."
"Point proven."
Dag put her hand on his shoulder.
"Well, it's not like she's wrong, you do get over stuff pretty fast."
"That's hardly the point."
"So, are you going to tell me what that man killer stuff was about?"
"That isn't any of your business."
"So?"
"It's his last name."
Alaric cut his eye at Dag.
"What? You were going to tell her anyway."
"Last name? What kind of name is that?! And didn't you say poor people don't have last names here?"
Alaric sighed, then proceeded to tell her.
"What kind of name is that? It's my name, so stop being an asshole about it.
Yes, it's the rich who mostly have last names, but there are other ways to earn one.
I myself earned mine on the battlefield."
"If you won it fighting for your people, why'd that blowhard treat you like a criminal?"
"My ability doesn't discern friend from foe, and kills them all."
"It's why he never uses his ability."
"And why I'll never have kids."
"Your ability makes you impotent?!"
"What?! No?!"
"But you just said it's why you don't have kids!"
"By choice! So they won't be burdened with this evil ability!"
"Oh. Wait! How is your ability dangerous?"
"What do you mean how?"
"I've seen it!"
Dag hit his arm.
"You used your ability?!"
"No!"
"Yes, you did, I saw you, when we fought the minotaur!"
Alaric smiled, and Dag started laughing.
"Oh, she's talking about my armor."
"Yes, I'm talking about your armor! The armor that blocked that blow!"
Dag stopped laughing long enough to illuminate her.
"That wasn't his ability, just a magical skill called mana armor.
The next level of a mana barrier."
"I can't believe this! All this time I have been trying to figure out a way to prevent being naked when I transform, and you knew of a way to make magic armor!"
After forcing himself to stop laughing, he put up his hands up in air.
"In my defense, you didn't ask, and your reactions when you ended up embarrassed were hilarious!"
"Who's the asshole now?"
She asked sarcastically.
"I never said I wasn't."
"You're going to teach me that!"
"Sure thing. Look, as for your placement I'm going to put you under my vice captain - whatever his name is. He'll show you the ropes on how to successfully lead, and teach you all the other boring stuff I'd rather not."
Dag shook her head.
"No, I want her to come with me, I'll teach her."
Alaric looked surprised by Dag saying that.
"I thought we agreed on not letting any guards with less than five years of experience become scouts?"
"Well, she isn't a normal recruit, is she? Besides, she's like you, give her a day with Barryn and the boring stuff, and she will probably snap and kill him."
Alaric smiled, and nodded in agreement.
"Okay, then, I guess that's settled. Come to my office when your first shift is over, and I'll start teaching you the mana armor skill."
"Okay, will do, but you still haven't told me what your ability is then?"
"Yeah, I didn't, and pray you never find out."
Dag came over to Minako, and started dragging her out the door.
"It's time to start your scout training. Alaric if I come back and see you drinking again, you know what I will do."
Threat made, both of them left.
After a minute of contemplation Alaric pulled out an ornate Noxian dagger.
He dragged his thumb across its surface, remembering the good and bad times.
His eyes moistened, and his face grew sad.
An emotion he never let any under his command see.
As he rubbed the dagger he knew he should say something, anything.
It was the only thing left of his brother to mourn, and every time he pulled it out he thought he would say something.
But no words could encapsulate the entirety of the feelings he wished to convey.
What group of words could say that he misses him, is happy that he himself is alive, wishes they could've changed places, his kids are amazing, and that he is sorry... just... so sorry.
Realizing he couldn't get the words out yet again, he put the dagger away, pulled out a hidden bottle of booze, and endeavored to get as drunk as he possibly could before Dag got back.
_____________
After they were a decent bit away from his office, Dag started talking.
"You shouldn't bring up his ability, it's the reason his best friend died.
He lies and pretends to be alright, but it is still with him."
Minako nodded, understanding completely.
"Why did you make a big deal about me working under you? Like me that much?"
Minako grinned deeply.
"No, I just don't want you under Barryn. If you have a family, he doesn't do anything, but if you are alone..."
"He's a creep?"
Dag nodded.
"I can't believe that shit! Alaric promised me that he handles things like that!"
"He does, that's the problem."
"What?! How could that possibly be a problem?!"
"Because he has his own set of morals, and abides by them only. A few years back a guard thought it was okay to rape a whore, and can a whore even be raped?"
"Yes!"
"Oh, well, anyway Alaric grabbed the guy when he heard him bragging about what he did, and then beat him up, dragged him through town while he begged for mercy, and tossed him off the wall. To. His. Death."
"Holy..."
"Yeah, and Barryn might be a creep, but not 'we want him dead' creepy. Not to mention that the guard he killed was a nobody who nobody would miss, but Barryn has friends in high and low places. Alaric wouldn't escape punishment this time."
"So, what, all of the women come in and leave together?"
"You're familiar than?"
"Oh, yeah. I've had the distinct pleasure of a male boss who doesn't realize we know that those 'accidental' bumps aren't an accident after the tenth one in a row."
"Or how about the goodbye hugs that last way too long, and their hands always end up on your hips or ass."
"So, you all are just going to keep putting up with his shit for Alaric's sake?"
She shrugged.
"Barryn isn't the worst boss, and Alaric is a great boss."
"Great boss? Aren't you always pissed at him for being drunk?"
"He never lets it affect his work, and he sticks up for anyone under him. When I first joined I said something stupid to a visiting dignitary, and without missing a beat, Alaric said that he had told me to say it.
If we got Alaric to get rid of Barryn, he'd get killed probably, and we'd have a new boss we know nothing about.
He could be a sadist, or a misogynistic pig worse than Barryn."
"So, it's a keep the devil you know scenario."
"More like the imp we know, Barryn is in no sense of the word strong enough to be considered a devil. Besides, he spends a large chunk of his time at that new brothel."
"There's a whorehouse here?!"
"Yeah, it's called the Devil's boobs, or something like that."
"Tsk. Figures that men can't help but exploit women like that!"
Dag decided it was for the best not to mention that there are male whores, and that a lot of their clientele are women.
"Never mind that, I need to get on with the training."
Minako decided that she'd go there in her free time to make a list of every man who went in, and snitch on them to their wives!
______
In the forest right outside of town Dag gathered the guards who wanted to become scouts.
Dag was standing in front of them, staring them down, before she decided to speak.
"Now, I know most of you are here just for the extra coin, but I'm here to tell you that the money is worth the same amount as cow shit... if you end up dead, before you can spend it. So, can anyone here guess what the number one rule I have is?"
An average looking guy raised his hand.
"It's to get the information back, no matter what!"
"How... how did you get that from what I just said?"
She looked at him like he was a moron.
"Just to clarify, so... that's not the right answer?"
"No! You know what, just go."
"Oh, I got my first assignment?! Where am I headed boss?"
"Back to Saltwater."
"I'm scouting the town?"
"No! You aren't a scout, I'm firing you."
"Huh, why?!"
"Because you're a raging idiot who'll probably die on the second day, and that's just me being nice and giving you the benefit of the doubt. You can try again next year, but if you were being honest with yourself, you know this ain't for you."
He started to make the trek back to town.
"Now, the answer, is that I want you to make it back alive. We have many scouts out at any given time, so if you're in a dangerous spot, hide until you can escape. If you die, you not only waste the effort I put into training your sorry asses, but I'm also the one who has to explain your deaths to your loved ones. If any of you make me do that, I'll drag you up from hell to put you there myself. Do I make myself clear? Well?!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
They all yelled.
"Good. Now,"
She went and picked up a bow.
"Meet your new lover. For a scout, putting range between you and the thing that wants to kill you means everything. So, I will teach you the basics on shooting, trap making, and camouflage. If any of you have any reservations about this, you can leave now."
None interrupted her with stupid complaints, so she continued.
______
As Minako and Dag made their way back to town - the others had already left - they ran into Barryn.
Dag was thinking about going back, and trying to slip past him unnoticed, but he noticed them.
Dag gave Minako a dirty look because it's her fault they were out here so late.
No matter how late it got, she wanted more and more lessons.
Dag was truly weirded out by her drive.
There was a whole month to train!
Now, they'll have to deal with him.
"Hi, we're just heading back to town."
Dag said, while pointing in the direction of the town.
"I was just checking the forest... for... um... anymore monsters I have to kill."
Dag had to stop herself from derisively rolling her eyes.
He is full of bullshit, and she knows it.
He's headed in the direction of the whorehouse.
"Of course, got to keep your skills from getting rusty, right?"
"Yes, I have to be ready to kill another beast."
This time she couldn't help but roll her eyes - luckily he's so unobservant that it went totally unnoticed.
The beast he brought back was incredibly weak, and to top it off, most of the guard just think he found the head lying around out in the forest somewhere.
"And who is this little girl? I haven't had the pleasure."
He tried to grab Minako's hand, but she moved it.
To save face, he pulled his hand over his hair, pretending he was originally just going to slick back his hair in the first place.
"And you won..."
"This is my new scout. We should really be getting back."
"Well, I haven't heard of her, does that mean she doesn't have a family in town?"
He gave a weaselly grin.
"Oh, she got a big one, that's why we're in such a hurry, they're gonna cook us both a nice meal to celebrate her finally becoming a scout. Would you like to join, sir?"
"No, family gatherings aren't my thing. Even though you truly are a pretty little thing."
Minako clenched her fist.
"Well, have a good night."
They went past him, and started walking away at a fast pace.
"Hold on. You know know I like to say goodbye with a hug. I'm a nice guy."
His gaze was completely on Minako's breasts.
"Uh... I am sorry, but you shouldn't hug her."
"Why not?!"
"While we were training she fell in dickus falloffus berries and got their juice all over her, and you know what they do."
"I do?"
"Are you kidding me? A super talented guard like you must know every plant out here!"
"Of course, I do, I was... uh... just testing your knowledge. So, what does that berry juice do?"
"Well, I'm not as smart as you, but if I'm remembering right they cause impotence in men."
He retreated a little.
"What?! I mean, you are correct, I myself can hardly believe that it exists."
That's because it doesn't.
"So, as I said before, we'll be going now."
"You never said that you landed in those berries."
He held out his arms.
"Silly me."
He enveloped her in a hug, his hand drifted down to where they were lightly brushing her ass, and he took a deep breath in, sniffing her hair.
The hug went on well into the creepy guy time zone.
He finally broke it off, and looked at Minako, or at least at a certain two body parts of Minako.
"Tell me after you wash the juice off, I'm a hugger. Oh, and before I forget, tell Al that I got his paperwork done and on his desk."
"Will do."
"And when will you take me up on my offer for a drink?"
He stroked her hair behind her ear.
"I'm just so busy."
She shook her hair back free.
"You know I'm very well off, and a prime example of the perfect husband.
You better hurry up, you're getting old, too old to birth me a healthy son."
"Yup, I'll think about it. We really got to go. Bye."
They left before he could say anything else.
He stared at their receding asses, until he could not see them anymore.
Then, started heading back towards the whorehouse.
He chuckled to himself, they actually brought his lie, proving he was smarter than them.
He actually does believe he'd be a superb husband.
After getting the old ball and chain he'd just have like two or three mistresses and only buy a whore every other week.
In his mind he was the epitome of a catch, and any woman not begging to be with him must be retarded.
___________
"We could always circle back and kill him, no one would find the body."
Minako said, when they were out of his earshot.
"He isn't worth it, and aren't you supposed to be a hero?"
"No, I'm just here to kill monsters, and that asshole certainly ain't human."
"True, but he isn't exactly a monster either."
"Trust me, where I'm from we have the same problems. If you don't nip this shit now, it'll only get worse."
"Hahaha!"
"What's so funny?"
"You. You sound just like Alaric."
"I'm nothing like that pervert!"
"Hahaha! Just like him!"
Minako sped up.
"Come on, don't you have to buy everyone a drink? I'm getting the most expensive one!"
"Hey, don't joke like that, I've got bills to pay!"
______________
Minako laid in the naked embrace of Andrea. They were in a little aclove carved in the side of a hill with overgrown vegetation.
Night-blooming flowers spread out in a vast array of colors, under a perfect star-lit night.
Minako had found this little paradise a week ago, and spent her free time clearing the brush in the way.
Add a few candles, furs, and dried fruit and it became the perfect replacement rendezvous place.
"Wow, that was... just wow! When you curled your tongue, or when you bent your finger like that... Wow!"
Minako was beaming.
"Where did you learn that?"
Alaric's smug face popped into Minako's head.
"I... ugh... just thought of it."
"Well, aren't you full of surprises and adventure lately. First, you decide to be spontaneous and move the place we make love, then you do those things with your tongue and fingers. Mmm!"
Andrea snuggled up closer to her.
Minako tried to resist the urge to ask, she knew no good could come from it, but ended up doing exactly that.
"Hey, Reeree?"
"Yeah?"
"You seemed very... enthusiastic about what I did, does that mean I was really bad before?"
Andrea had a deer stuck in the headlights look plastered on her face.
"What? No, no! Did... did you not see how many orgasms I had before? No lie, you're probably the best I've ever had."
Minako grinned deeply, she knew Alaric was full of shit. Reeree doesn't fake with her, and she'd know if she did.
Back when she lived on Earth she read a study that said ladies in homosexual relationships have orgasms more than eighty percent! So, no matter what, she knew she would please her.
"So, I can just go back to doing what I was doing before?"
Alaric could shove his 'techniques' where the sun don't shine!
"No!"
Andrea shot up from her cuddle position to stare her in the eye.
Exposing her small breasts to the chilly night air.
"What?"
"I... ugh... mean, it was time to change it up anyway."
Minako internally shrugged, her orgasm did feel more powerful this time, so it wouldn't hurt to keep doing it like that.
"Yeah, okay I can do that. And... ugh... can I ask you something else?"
Minako said, looking down at Andrea's vagina.
"Yeah, what is it?"
"What do you use to... um... shave down there."
She pointed down.
"Shave? I don't shave."
"You don't?! But how do you get it hairless down there than?"
"I use sugaring."
"Sugaring? What's that?!"
"A method for hair removal the people around my village use, why do you even care?"
"Because you're... you know... clean shaven down there, and I'm..."
Andrea kissed her cheek.
"Perfect."
Minako's cheeks grew red, she didn't understand how that little kiss could be more embarrassing than being as naked as the day she was born.
"But don't you like one to be hairless like yours?"
"Why? Do you have lice?"
"What? No!"
"Then, why would it matter?"
"Wait, that's why you're hairless down there?"
Andrea giggled.
"Yeah, don't your people have lice where you come from?"
"Not really, we have things to prevent that."
Andrea looked incredulous.
"Wow, Japan really is magical! I can't think of a single reason to leave that place!"
Minako grabbed her hand, and stared into her lovely ruby colored eyes.
"Well, I can think of one, Reeree."
Tears started to form in Andrea's eyes as she deeply kissed Minako.
Her tongue slipped into her mouth, her left hand found her breast, and her other hand made its way to her mound.
Minako melted into the moment, completely happy.
Not to mention glad she found this private, truly private, place Alaric would never find.
Meanwhile a scant few meters away Alaric was looking at them getting busy while eating dried fruit and nuts.
Dag walked up from behind him, silent as a shadow.
"What some?"
Alaric said, while holding out the container filled with the food.
"What are you doing here?"
Noticing she wasn't taking any, he shrugged, and went back to eating.
"What does it look like? Dinner and a show! And I got to say she picked out a lovely spot, if I wasn't me, I doubt I'd have found her."
"Ooh, did she use... No! That's not important, what is, is that you're not supposed to be here!"
"Oh, then why exactly are you here?"
"Well, I... ugh... I... I don't have to answer that!"
"You don't need to, your sex life is in the shitter, and you are probably incredibly horny. Come on, what they don't know won't hurt them."
He patted the empty space beside him.
She sighed, but still sat down.
"Who're you kidding, you'll tell her the very next time you see her."
"Of course, I have to tell her more techniques to use!"
"No, you really don't."
He shrugged.
"Eh, agree to disagree. So, how's my little protege doing with her scout training?"
Dag took some of his food.
"Extremely well, after just a day she's already picked up the basics. Given a steady month of my guidance I'd think she'd be a top scout."
"But....?"
"But I'm going to pair her up with a rambunctious idiot, in the hope that she can keep him alive."
"This rambunctious idiot, it's Geoff, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it is. Just a few days ago he took on a group of rebels by himself! He's going to die if he keeps this up."
"He still believes it wasn't an animal that killed Jaxon and Annys."
"It might not have been! You yourself have said something is going on in these woods! If you'd just..."
"You know why that isn't a good idea."
She turned her face away from him.
"Yeah, I know, I'm just... just..."
"Frustrated."
"Yeah, those two shouldn't have been out there! Jaxon could handle himself, but to bring Annys along?! If anything, him protecting her is what cost them their lives."
"No."
"What?"
"Jaxon would have easily protected her from a beast while they extracted themselves from that situation. Only one thing would have made him stay and sacrifice their lives."
"What?"
Alaric's face became serious, dead serious.
"Demons."
"What?!"
"Keep your voice down."
She looked over to if either of the two girls heard her, they didn't.
Too caught up in exploring each other's bodies.
She'd have to train her more thoroughly to be always aware of her surroundings.
"Sorry, but demons? There's been no sighting of a hellmouth anywhere near here."
"You know that's not the only way demons make it into our dimension."
"You're talking about possession."
He nodded.
"If that's the case why haven't we been put on full alert?! They could be in the town!"
"I'm strong enough to see them for what they are, but I haven't seen them.
Which means there's either too little of them, and I haven't spotted them in the masses; or they have mortal conspirators. The traitors could be anywhere, and anyone."
"Like Barryn!"
"Who?"
"Your vice-captain."
She deadpanned.
"Oh, gods no."
"Why not?"
"He's incompetent, no creature would ever trust him to do a job. You know, except for worthless paperwork."
"Then, if you're sure he isn't apart of it, why not bring him into the fold?"
"Because he's incompetent. He may not be a conspirator, but they could still use him. He's a fucking idiot."
"Then, we should at least tell Geoff what really killed them, he's going to keep tracking bandits!"
"Yeah, and as long as he tracks bandits, he isn't looking for demons. He's talented and can hold his own against bandits, but could you say the same if he faced a demon?"
She sighed.
"No."
"Okay, then, we do what I've been doing, and track the demons on our own. Don't I've already quietly requested holy items from Spyre."
She nodded.
"Got you, but..."
"But, what?"
"How do you know you can trust me? I could be a conspirator too."
"Impossible."
Her chest filled with pride, he completely believes in her!
"A demon would have taken pity on you by now, and fucked you.
But here you are, still as manless as ever.
You're probably going to die an old maid."
She punched him right in the nose.