"Mary! Come here! We have to go now!" (Ellen)
My mother's white and brown dress and face were soaked in blood and her body was trembling. She was clearly terrified.
My heart began to beat faster. Something was wrong.
"My lady, what happened!? Are you hurt?" (Olivia)
Olivia quickly went to my mother's side and tried to check her body for injuries. My mother said that she was unharmed and kept talking.
"My husband was injured! A group of goblins suddenly arrived in front of the village chief's house and attacked my husband!
My bodyguard covered me when I escaped, but he fell to the ground when an arrow pierced his head ... " (Ellen)
'Goblins?' (Mary?)
How could those weak monsters get through the fence so easily? What were the guards doing?
Different thoughts ran through my head when we suddenly heard people screaming outside the house.
I ran to the nearest window and looked out at the street. That's when I saw them. Little green creatures with pointy ears and yellow beast-like eyes full of madness.
Some used bows and others had small swords. Some wore loincloths and others had pieces of leather armor.
I could see almost a dozen of them from this window alone, so there were probably even more of them.
'This is crazy ... ' (Mary?)
Villagers began to die at their hands and only a few guards could be seen. It was a disaster.
Blood was spilling everywhere, and even when people begged for their lives, the ruthless goblins showed no mercy.
'It's hell out there ... ' (Mary?)
My heart began to beat even faster and my mind was slowly invaded by fear.
I remember that I felt like this when the Fire Lizard was in front of me, but, at that moment, "Usagi" was there to protect me.
" ... " (Mary?)
My mother saw my pale expression and came to my side. Then, she hugged me from the front obstructing my vision, and said in a very gentle voice.
"Do not look. Everything will be fine." (Ellen)
Her voice eased my whole being and my heart began to calm down. I also hugged her with all my might ...
Her body was warm and soft, but the blood on her clothes covered her good smell. Even then, it was enough. My mother was here for me ...
Once we both got our emotions under control, we firmly held hands and looked solemnly at our bodyguards.
" ... " (Teo and Olivia)
They also had serious expressions on their faces. I can say that this is a really bad situation. Something that shouldn't have happened.
"I'll go rescue the lord! Olivia, protect these noblewomen." (Teo)
Teo suddenly disappeared like a shadow as he wielded daggers in both hands. Was it magic or a skill? It looks amazing.
Even in this moment of crisis, useless thoughts appeared in my head.
Olivia took my other hand and walked us to the safest room she could find in the house. It had no windows or furniture and the air was stagnant, but it was certainly the best place to hide.
"Wait here, I'll take care of them. No matter what you hear, don't go outside!" (Olivia)
Olivia slowly closed the door to the small room so as not to make any noise.
My mother released my hand and we both sat on the floor side by side. Then she hugged me from behind and I could feel her body shaking.
I could also sense my mother's fear and I knew that she didn't want me to see her cry.
Sob! (Ellen)
After a few moments like that, she seemed to have calmed down a bit.
From outside, the sounds of swords clashing, arrows being fired, and the agony of goblins could be heard.
'Is Olivia okay? Even if she's strong, I doubt she can win against so many goblins.' (Mary?)
For a moment, I had even forgotten that "I" was not Mary.
Also, I would be happier seeing these messages if I weren't in such a precarious situation.
I could feel it. It was time to part. Mary needs to keep living her life. Besides, she will probably die here if I don't help Olivia right now.
"Hey, Mother." (Mary?)
"What's wrong dear?" (Ellen)
I don't know if Mary will remember what I did using her body because I saw a message that she was half asleep, but the debt I owe her is not small.
First, she saved my life when her father tried to kill me.
Second, I obtained from her the skill that I most needed right now.
Third, I was able to spend almost an entire day as a normal human being, and lastly, I was able to remember what a mother's love is.
'Yes, that's right. "I" am not Mary!' (Mary?)
So there should be something "I" can do.
"Mother, I want to sleep a little." (Mary?)
"... I understand Mary. I will protect you while you sleep. Do not worry about anything." (Ellen)
Even in this situation, her words were very kind and her right hand, which she used to caress my head, was the warmest.
Memories of Mary's happy childhood flashed through my head and I promised myself to return one day to thank both of them.
"Nihihihi~" (Creepy laughter)
A strange laugh that made me feel uncomfortable came from outside the room.
'That doesn't sound good!' (Mary?)
I hurriedly tried to leave Mary's body, but it was difficult. I wondered why.
I felt like I was gradually losing control over Mary's body and my mind felt very weak, but I could still hear the footsteps of the approaching goblin.
Thump!
It seems he hasn't found us yet. The thumping must be coming from nearby rooms. Maybe he's breaking down doors and looking for something or someone, probably us.
Time passed slowly and Ellen and I were getting more and more nervous.
. . .
I turned around and saw Mary asleep and her anxious mother huddled in the far corner of the room. They looked beautiful together and it seemed like they were a work of art made by the greatest artist.
'I love you both ... You will always be family in my heart ... ' (Usagi)
I wanted to look at them a moment longer, but sadly I didn't have time on my hands.
After turning around, I hurriedly ran into the living room, which was a mess. All the furniture in the house and the doors leading to other rooms were broken.
Then, I saw a strong-looking goblin wandering around the house and getting closer and closer to the room my "family" was in.
'How did he get into the house?' (Usagi)
Wasn't Olivia guarding the entrance? I need to know what happened outside! But I have different priorities at the moment.
'This is dangerous! I can't let him get near Mary and Ellen!' (Usagi)
I used Appraisal and knew why Olivia was not his opponent.
≪Elite Goblin (Monster, 5 years old)≫
Goblins are known to be a precocious race. They can walk a few days after they are born and can hunt small animals even before a week has passed.
In comparison, elite goblins are physically stronger and more specialized in the use of weapons than normal goblins.
This is the only information I could find about them in Mary's memories.
'Damn. I hope Olivia is ok ... ' (Usagi)
This one in particular seemed pretty strong. He was almost completely covered in armor, but I still didn't hesitate and used Possession on him.
Bawl! (Elite Goblin)
Unexpectedly, the goblin resisted my control and began to scream with all its might.
'What the hell! This hasn't happened before!' (Usagi)
Or so I thought, but I remembered that the horned rabbit did something similar in the last moments of his life.
The elite goblin clenched his head so hard that I felt like he was going to die at any moment.
'Are you crazy?! Stop it, dude! If you lend me your body for a while, I will guarantee your safety!' (Usagi)
Somehow I knew my thoughts had been conveyed to him, but I could also feel that he would not stop.
His mind was not being rational and I couldn't think of a reason that would make his behavior unnatural.
I tried to use Assimilation to put him to sleep, but my efforts were futile.
<'Assimilation' cannot be used on a struggling host!>
'Yes! I can't afford to worry about him anymore! Mary's safety is my top priority!' (Usagi)
If it was another human being, I might have felt empathy for him, but this goblin not only rejected my kindness, I also found another reason to hate him.
When I began to consume his soul, some of his memories flashed through my head. This was not the first time something like this massacre happened.
This goblin's tribe has been destroying other towns and small towns across the country.
I will definitely not spare these goblins.
'He finally stopped struggling! Wait! Something is strange!' (Usagi)
I have not acquired any of his skills. It seems that his soul is strong enough to withstand the power of Soul Eater to some extent. Even then, his soul will eventually become nourishment for mine.
Suddenly, I felt as if a rope was connected to my soul and I began to lose control of myself.
'Kill! Kill! Find ■■ and kill them!' (Murmurs resounding in my mind)
'Uwaaaa! What the hell is this!? Get out of my head!' (Usagi)
It was driving me crazy. Hatred filled my mind and my body wanted to follow the orders of "my" master.
My master? Something is wrong with this goblin!
'Yes! Destroy it! Being someone else's puppet is the same as dying ... I won't lose here!' (Usagi)
I am thankful for this strange system that is always helping me. I have not questioned its origin before, but it has always given me good advice and new ways to use my strange abilities.
The reason I treated it as something I should have and not something that has helped me is that ...
When I came to this world, I really thought it was all a dream. Also, in most RPGs I've played in the past, status windows and system messages were some really common features.
However, from Mary's memories, I was able to discern that at least she couldn't use it or get help from it.
Hmm. Is it a Monster Tamer or something similar? That's the only class I can think of that can control monsters at will.
In any case, if he is strong enough to control this goblin and his tribe it means that he should not be underestimated.
The suspicions I got from the Fire Lizard incident came to mind.
'It definitely was planned by someone. I am certain of it now.' (Usagi)
The one behind the things that are happening outside right now is not this goblin. He's just a pawn. The mastermind is somewhere else.
It can be a single individual or even a secret organization.
Unfortunately, I have not yet obtained any memories from this goblin that would allow me to discover their identities.
'It is true that this goblin should not be forgiven, but maybe he is not as bad as I had thought ... ' (Usagi)
However, I have more important things to do right now. I can't afford to waste my time, so I'll think about this later.
'I pray for your safety, Olivia. Wait for me!' (Usagi)