(smack!)
The bastard Prince was thrown about 5 meters from where he stood before because receiving my fist directly in the face. The people that on the vicinity, aside Sara, were bewildered for a moment because of my acts. then suddenly, the shit face Officer shouted.
"W-wha… s-surround him! He attacked His Royal highness!" (Officer)
The soldiers were awoken from their state of confusion, quickly surrounds me and Sara, just like the shit face officer orders them. I looked towards Sara who was next to me, still sitting silently on the ground, looking like all hope is lost after hearing the news that was told by the bastard Prince earlier.
+++
Backtrack this afternoon, our party of five were having a short break after taking out our third unknown monsters. Because of our first encounter with the unknown monster, we know the it was weak to magic attack. And thanks to that, our next encounter with it after was smooth sailing.
"To think that these monsters were weak to magic attack, especially fire elements. What a vigorous youth…!" (Danan)
The human soldier whom Karin's subordinate, said while munching a dried meat.
"Yea… we had to thank Lord Reed for that. If he didn't cast that 'fireball' earlier, we might hack them mindlessly and got injured like that bastard Jod's and his men." (Galia)
Replied the ferlien female soldier, whom also Karin's subordinate. From what I heard from Danan earlier, they had been Karin's men since they were posted on the Strumphaun fort. There were also three more members under Karin, but they were station at the fort right now in case of emergency. Because we were having a great time together as a temporary party, we talk about ourself towards each other to deepen our friendship.
Danan, who uses pun in every sentences he said with 'youth', is a middle age man with two kids and were expecting a baby with his elfien wife. Galia is Karin's nephew and just got wedded with 2 men back in their hometown south east of the Capital territory. She is a beauty that contras that of her aunt, Karin. Theres nothing to be shocked by having the fact that she was after by the opposite gender. Though we are having a great time talking with each others, one of the five of us were grumbling. That person is Karin, the leader of these two. She got worked up because she was the only grown adult that was still single amongst their ranks.
"Then, why don't you take aunt as a mistress, Lord Reed. She did seems to be having an interest towards you~…" (Galia)
Hearing that, I could only gave an awkward laugh while Karin screamed towards her nephew out of embarrassment because of her remarks.
"Yes, I too agree with your proposal, Galia…! Reed is a great man… I too was charmed by him…" (Saraha)
Not helping! Sara suddenly buttered a joke that I find hard to laugh about.
"Ah, yes… how youthful…" (Danan)
And stop enjoying the moment, old man!
While we are spending this heavenly peace, Karin suddenly stopped screaming towards Galia, and looked alarmed. Seeing her got alerted like that, our party grabs hold to our weapons then went into formation.
"A monster?" (Danan)
"No… footsteps. Humanoid, a group of them, heading towards us with haste. The air had a faint smells of blood also…" (Karin)
Karin explain her sudden alertness as she gripped her one handed sword in hand. I got to hand it to her, her perception are amazing. This too was a great help for our party to detect a monster from a distance, making our approach towards them became easy to handle. Man, I want her in my Party next time.
"Karin."
"Yea?" (Karin)
"I'm considering the drink you offered me earlier. I think I might accept them after all."
She gave smirk after hearing my words.
"I'll hold you to that, young man." (Karin)
After a brief of relaxation, we went back to our serious mode, as we waited the 'group' that was coming for us. Its not like I'm raising a flag or anything like that, I just wanted her in my party next time I went hunting for materials. And I don't have those kinds superstitious things to believe in.
(rustle, rustle)
About 20 meters from where we are, there were movement from the rustling sounds of bushes were stamped on.
"Get ready…." (Karin)
(rustle, rustle…)
The sounds seeming heard nearer as out party readie-
"wait!" (man in tattered armor)
Wha…? Its a human man, a mustachio of that, But damn… He looked like shit. not to mention that his armor had seen better days…
Not long after he appeared while wheezing, another armored man emerge from the bushes behind the mustachio. Wait, isn't that…
"His highness?" (Danan)
That shitty Prince stood behind the tattered armored man looking all exhausted. He too looked like shit. But his always looking like shit, in my eyes. But this dude looked even more shittier than the usual. He too is wheezing and out of breath.
Not long after, a group of soldiers appeared behind him, having the same exhaustion as the two who had emerge earlier. But I noticed on their faces were not only looking like they could collapsed In a moment, there were also fear.
"What are you plebeian standing around for…? Help us for Gods sakes!" (mustachio shitface)
The hell? Why is he getting worked up like that? What a bastard. Hearing the shitface orders, Karin and her men go towards the injured soldiers and gave them first aid. Of course, me and Sara went to help as well. Though the soldiers don't seems to be having much injuries aside from cuts and bruises, but they looked terrified and were shaking as if they just saw a ghost.
"Idiots! Useless! This is why I hate plebeians…" (shitty mustachio)
But the shitface mustachio is getting on my nerves. He shouted and mocked Karin and her men even though they already helping the soldiers who seems to be horrified and were having a mental breakdown.
"Care to explain the situation, shitty Prince?"
I went towards the pitiful shitty Prince who was sitting on the ground, in a distance from the others. Sara who noticed me asking the shitty Prince, slowly went beside me. But I think she had her own question to ask of him. She seems agitate quite a bit. But before the shitty Prince replied me, she spoken up.
"W-where is Eli…? A-aren't she supposed to be with your party…?" (Saraha)
"!?" (Remorth)
The shitty prince shudder after hearing Sara's remarks. He avoid her gazes while looked all uneasy. I had a bad feeling about this…
"You two! What are you doing, interrupting his Highness while he rests!? You plebeian makes me sick…!" (mustachio shitface)
He spat on the ground in front of me. Moth-…
"Stop, Ser Borfus…! They are my friends…" (Remorth)
The shitty Prince stood up and stop the mustachio shitface from shouting at us. But what he said the last part, really makes me wanted to laugh. Friends? What a joke….
"Reed, Saraha… its.. I don't know how to say this…" (Remorth)
He seems to be having a hard in finding his words, just fucking say it, dammit! I noticed that Sara seems to share my thought as well. But we hold our words inside. Don't want that mustachio shitface started barking again.
"Miss Eli, and others… they… were killed earlier…. She and the others were dead….! I-i saw them got hit by that unknown monsters and they all laying on the ground the last time I saw them, before we retreat…. Even Dort and Risia…. Its all my fault!" (Remorth)
...(audible)
Did… I hear him right? I… did he said…
"Noooo!! Its impossible! Your lying! Eli can't be… my Eli… you." (Saraha)
Sara points her sword towards the shitty Prince who were looked spooked by Sara 'bloodlust' aura. He froze while locking eyes towards the terrifying Vampire who was outrage by his remarks. I noticed his hands shudders in fear.
"Don't make jokes about my only friend's life, you bastard! I'll kill you….!" (Saraha)
She scream in anger towards the petrified shitty prince who's now, become the bastard Prince, courtesy of Sara. I too was outrage by his remarks earlier, but what I heard did worries me quite a bit. Elise is an important character in the game. if she dies now, what will happen in the future? Its not like you can restart from a save point to reset the game. This is real life! If you get killed, thats it. Game over. But if she's dead…
"Y-you plebeian bitch! H-how dare you point your weapon towards his Highness!" (mustachio shitface)
The dog came barking seeing Sara's action, but like everyone else, he too was suddering and sweating after felting Sara's 'bloodlust'. I had experience Sara's 'bloodlust' before, back then when she's still a bitch. But the one she lets out right now are more domineering than the one she uses against me before. Heck, I'm holding my piss right now because of it!
"I'll give you three seconds, to admit your lies, bastard. One…" (Saraha)
Oh fuck! She's seriously wants to kill that bastard Prince! I should stop her… fuck! Move dammit!
"Two…" (Saraha)
Fuck…! Move! Heeeggg….! Damn! Ahh. Thats it!
"Th-.. Guh!" (Saraha)
I manages to grab Sara's hand before she finished her countdown of execution. But to do so, I let out full blown of my own 'bloodlust' that copy from Ruald.
"Reed… I like you but… if you don't let go of my hand right now, I'll murder you as well." (Saraha)
Hiii!!!! A-ahem…
"Oh, thanks for the confession by the way. But I rather you confess to me without those glowing murderous eyes, okay? And if you still wanted to kill that bastard right now, we had no choice but to kill each other, you know…?"
She gritted her teeth in frustration.
"Guh…! Even you as well!? Let go!" (Saraha)
She tried to shake me of, but I grip stay as they were.
"No! I will not let you kill this bastard."
Heck, why the hell am I protecting this bastard? Its not like I'm his friend or that kind of sorts. Its the opposite rather than that. But I cannot let Saraha do this. If she killed this bastard's now, the whole storyline will be mess up. Not to mention that its not proved that Elise was already died. He did said earlier that she was just lying on the ground while they running away like a pack of dogs. I got to hand to him, calling him a bastard is suited for him now.
"Reeeeeedd!!!" (Saraha)
Oh, right. I forgot that we are in a deadly stalemate and Sara sharp high toned scream awoken me from my deep thoughts. She still glaring towards me with her ominous red blooded pupils like a Dracula. But not the ugly drac, more like a hot cool drac… is this they call gap? A-anyway, now that I see her up close, she darn looked beautiful, aren't she?
"My. What pretty eyes you had, Sara…"
"Wha…!?" (Saraha)
She suddenly frozen after hearing my remarks. Not long after, the 'bloodlust' aura she emits slowly subdues then she falls to the ground, like a doll who's strings were release, one by one. She then lets go of the sword in hand then stay silent still, while hanging her head downwards. I slowly let go of her hands then looked towards the bastard Prince who was standing like a dried stump since earlier.
"Oi, you there? Can you tell me the direction where you 'abandon' Elise?"
I spoken this words with a cold tone towards the bastard Prince. Seeing that he didn't replied me and just stood there, I got ticked off. Oh well…
(smack!)
+++
And thats brings us to this moment. I hit that bastard Prince in the face and got surrounded by the soldiers. Though excluding Karin and her men who seems to be confused by the action I did and still processing their thoughts.
"Arrest him!" (shitty mustachio)
Ugh, that bark… it makes my ears stings…
"B-but My Lord… h-he's letting a terrifying 'bloodlust' aura… w-we can-… hiiii!!!" (poor soldier)
I glared toward the talking soldier who was gripping his spear while shudder in an amazing manner. Though they already felt fear because what they had been through before meeting up with our party, but it seems that their spirits got crushed even more after felting my 'bloodlust'. I pity them for having a stupid leader….
"J-just do it!! H-he assaulted his Highness even though he's a plebeian!! its a Capital punishment for commoner to injured a member of the Royal family. He will be execute! Kill him!!" (Shitty mustachio)
Gosh! he's barking were louder than my neighbor's dogs, that time when I got home from overwork back on earth… heck, thats it!
"Hiiii!!!" (shitty mustachio)
The fuck? I just gave him a glare and he wet himself? But anyway, I walked pass the terrified soldiers and went towards the shitty mustachio. He falls down to his but while having a terrified face.
"S-s-s-stay back!!! You p-plebeian!! S-sta-… hiii!!!" (Shitty mustachio)
I throw a dagger between his feet, to shut his loud barking. Then I gave him a big smile.
"You were soo high and mighty with your rank, aren't you? Do you know who I am?"
"Hiiiiiii!!!!" (shitty mustachio)
I continue to speak while he was letting out irritating shrieking cry.
"I'm the Heir of Earl Forham. Reed Var Forham… pleasure to make your acquaintance, shitface mustachio, or what ever your name is…"
I gave him a gentleman's bow after giving him Reed's name. I straighten back up, and continue with my words, because he dastardly not replied my elegant greeting just now. But I noticed his sweating face had gone paler than earlier. Pff…
"I don't blame you if you don't know me. I'm not acting in a manner like my self in the past. But you know, I really hate guys like you. You reminded me of my shitty boss with that mustache of yours, not to mention your loud and irritating voice…"
Remembering that the boss of the company that fired me had the same mustache as this bastard. Adding to his irritating barking, he really reminded me of that fucker. And that really pisses me off.
"W-w-w-w-what are you saying…? W-w-when did i-… hiii!!!" (shitty mustachio)
I throw another dagger towards him. but this time, I let it passes his shitty sweating pale face.
"I know that you heard of me, how I deal with the peoples that irritates me."
The shitface nodded hastily as he listen to my remarks.
"But I'm going to give you a chance, to make up for your shitty manners. If you answer my questions that is…."
He nodded hastily.
"Did the mage in white, that was with that shitty Prince earlier really had been killed?"
I ask this because of Elise's had a distinct attire that was seen as an oddball for the Prince and his troupe of clowns who had luxurious robes and armors when they were on stage this morning. She wore a robe that was given by the Academy that was dyed In white. I don't know why did the Academy gave her such color, but it really do reflects her ability as a healer, not to mention that the girl is a really clean freak and always clean them after our outing before. She really liked that robe of hers…
"S-s-s-she…" (shitface mustachio)
"Speak clearly, dammit! And fast!"
"S-she… she was knock out by the unknown monster! Yes! S-she still lives! I-I saw her twitching while I was running awa-…obhu!!" (shitty mustachio)
Having conformed that Elise still lives when this bastards left her, I could hold on to my anger and kick the shitface right on the face. Because of that kick, that shitface got knocked out. witnessing this, his men scattered and runs away like a pack of dogs, leaving their master behind, regadlesly.
"Did you really had to do that?" (Karin)
Karin who was watching the scene earlier, went towards me while gave a pity look towards the unconscious shitty mustachio.
"He was getting on my nerves with his barking earlier. I just gently pat him to sleep~…"
I gave Karin a smile of satisfaction. But she shudders after seeing them, but then gave out an awkward laugh.
"You really are a demon… then, what should we do with this information?" (Karin)
I gave a short thought as to plan our next move. Now that I know Elise's still lives when these bastards left her, I must conform this matter, fast. I really hope that she still alive though. It sends a cold chill down my spine, imagining if she were to be killed already. The story progression will be in chaos if that happens. Not to mention that matter over there as well, Sara, still hung her head downwards and looked lifeless.
"Tch!"
"W-why did you click your tongue like you're angry about something…?" (Karin)
Karin noticed my irritation then ask me nervously… she can act cute like this, aren't she?
"Its nothing. Just remembering that nothing good ever happens involving those two. And Karin?
"Huh? Y-yes!" (Karin)
She suddenly stood attention after hearing me calls to her. Why is she acting weird all of a sudden? But anyway…
"Return to the fort and tell the command about this matter. I'll go to and investigate the place where these bastards left El… Sara's Girl friend."
Her eyes were wide open after hearing my remarks. Then…
"T-t-thats insane! Are you crazy!? I know that you are proficient in combat and magic, but that place is dangerous! Not to mention that you is only a student and i… No! We must return back to the fort, together!" (Karin)
Now, now… is she worried about me? If only I'm this popular back on earth, I maybe had a different life. but alas… I grab her face while she still talking and press my lips against her.
"Hump!?" (Karin)
"Oh my…" (Galia)
"Ahh, youth…" (Danan)
Eh…? W-why did? After noticing that I'm locking lips with Karin, I quickly pull my head away from her. T-the hell…? Why did I…?
"Reed!!" (Saraha)
Oh, she had risen it seems… though she's glaring towards me right now who just commit a stupid acts with Karin whom now looked in a state of trance. I shake my head then pretend that the kiss between me and Karin didn't happened, And went towards her, while the poor frozen Karin was still bewildered by my actions against her.
"Lets rescue your girlfriend, Sara…!"
I gave her a thumbs up and pull out my tongue a bit in a ridiculous manner. Danan and Galia who witness this, burst into laugh.
"Not only his a lady killer, he's also knows to joke around! Hahahahah…!" (Galia)
"Ahh, youth… haahhahahaha….!" (Danan)
Ignoring the two, I pull the angry looking Sara while hiding my embarrassment, towards the bastard prince. Sara who still furious towards the bastard Prince, slowly lets out her intention to kill the unconscious bastard Prince.
"Easy now… you don't want to do that…"
Hearing my remarks, Sara glared towards me yet again. Then spoke…
"Why!? He abandon my Eli… I'll kill him…" (Saraha)
Sigh…
"If you kill him now, who will be our 'guide' to search for your girlfriend?"
"Wha….?" (Saraha)
She stops leaking her killing intent then looked bewildered as to my remarks.
"Without him, we will be searching a needle in a haystack to find her."
Hearing my excuse, Sara finally gave up her intentions to kill the bastard Prince, for now at least. Seeing that she's calm down a bit, I let go oh her hand and tries to wake the bastard Prince by slapping his beat up face. But I got ticked off after noticing his face. Even with a beat up face, he still looked quite handsome. Gosh, I wanted to punch him again. And I'm not jealous!
"Wha….?" (Remorth)
After a little bit of 'light' slaps, he finally regain conscious. But he's looking all confuse and puzzled. I should tell him the good news…
"You gonna lead the way towards where you abandon Eli, bastard Prince~…"
"Wha…? What are… you punch me earlier… and that place is dangerous! How could I-…" (Remorth)
I grabbed his armor then pulls him near my face and glared at him, but not in the gay way. Because I'm furious right now.
"YOU WILL LEAD THE WAY TOWARDS WHERE YOU ABANDON ELI, OR I'LL LET MY FRIEND HERE WHO WAS EAGERLY WANTS TO KILL YOU, DO HER THING… WHICH ONE WILL YOU CHOOSE….?"
Hearing my remarks and saw Sara who is preparing to cast a curse on him, he shudders then comply with my 'request'. Isn't that easy…? He should accept them the first time I ask him. What a moron…
..........
Getting ready to move out after having the cooperation from the bastard prince who gladly lead the way, I was stopped by Karin, who was just awoken from her trance state because of my ludicrous acts towards her.
"Reed! Don't be a fool! Lets head back to the-…" (Karin)
"I've made my mind, Karin… as we speak, our friend's life is at stake, and I can't go back to the fort while having these uneasy feelings. I hope that you'll understand."
She grip her fists while trying to find an excuse to make me change my mind. I noticed her cute furry ears twitch a bit, as she seems to find her words.
"B-but bringing the Prince with you is just-…" (Karin)
She still reluctant to let us go, though she make the bastard Prince as an excuse, but I had the feeling that she's more worried about me and Sara, rather then the bastard Royal Prince. But before I got the chance to reply her words, another answers in my place.
"Its alright, Soldier… its my responsibility to take by leaving my own friends to die while I run like a coward. Please let me redeem myself, as your Royal Prince." (Remorth)
Though it brings me no joy to hear such words from his mouth, I let him spoke his mind. He do-…
"I don't care about you! I'm just using you as an excused to changed Reed and Saraha mind! But you right. This is your fault, YOU ROYAL HIGHNESS…" (Karin)
Ouch… apply cold water on the burnt area. She really didn't hold her punches with those remarks, didn't she? But this just conformed my speculation earlier. Hearing her worries makes my heart skip a beat. Khii…!
"Its alright, Karin. our decision is set. I'll rather run to my Eli, than going back to the fort, even if it cost me my life. And don't worry… the Demon King is with us. Isn't that right, Reed~🤍…?" (Saraha)
(grab)
Wha…? W-why is she clingy all of a sudden, by grabbing my hand like this? But anyway, as long she's happy and didn't let out her bloodlust that she did earlier. But man… I really need to release the pee that I had been holding since earlier.
"Guh… alright! Make sure that you guys still alive when we get back to you, along with the whole army from the Fort. And Reed….!" (Karin)
"Hue..?"
Because of the Sara and her newly profound clinginess towards me, I got off guard and let out a weird reply towards Karin's. Though she wasn't bother with it unlike the rest of them who heard my weird voice. She acting weirdly right now, like a little girl who' going confessing to her first love in kindergarten. Khiii…. Stop acting like that! You make my heart skipping beats because of that awkwardly cuteness…
"Uhm… that promised…. Drinking together after all of this is over…. I'll hold to that…" (Karin)
Seeing how she reacting like this, the two subordinates of hers, holds their mouths closed, trying not to let out their laugh. sensing the awkwardness air around us, I quickly nod at her then runs away, while Sara and Remorth rushed to followed me from behind, telling me to slow down. This is unbecoming of me…..!!! (shameful!)
.........….
Thanks to our GPS, we managed to reach the place where Elise was abandon by this bastard Prince. But when we reached the area…
"Theres nothing here… there were fresh bloodstains on the ground, but theres no corpses."
Seeing that theres only bloodstain on the ground, Sara grabs the bastard Prince's neck in rage.
"You lying bastard! You led us to nothing! I'll kill you!" (Saraha)
Seeing that the bastard Prince was choking in pain because of Sara, I separate the two before the one kills the other.
"Reed! He lied to us! Let me-…" (Saraha)
"Wait…! Let me think first. there were blood on the ground and the bastard Prince is not the lying kind a person. I think, this is the place where they left Eli…"
I gave an assumption as to what I gathered from playing the game. Though the bastard Prince is a coward and a shitty guy, he was an honest character if I recall the players reviews that had him as a target. Just like your typical dreamy guy. But enough about that… the blood is still fresh, and if they were eaten by monsters, there should be leftovers-... Uhmp! Just imagining the sight makes me nausea.
"Cough! I swear… cough! this is the place where they were when we retreated earlier… cough!" (Remorth)
"You bastard Prince! Then explain why there were no bodies laying around here!?" (Saraha)
This loud girl…
"Sara. Can you please tone it down with the shouts? We are in dangerous parts of the forest right now. Monsters had ears too you know…"
"Guh…. Alright… this because you told me. But I still wanted to kill this bastard…" (Saraha)
Though she reluctant to stop, she did so anyway. Thank goodness she listen to me now! But returning to the matter at hand, this is quite troublesome situation, aren't they?
"Oi, bastard… you saying earlier that you were attacked by the unknown monster in group, right?"
I ask politely towards the bastard Prince who was still rubbing his neck to ease the pain from the chocked he got from Sara's earlier.
"Y-yes… we didn't even stood a chance, fighting those things… all of our attacks were useless. They were invincible…" (Remorth)
Invincible huh?
"Did any of you dumb ass tried to attack them using magic?"
He went silent while avoiding my gazes.
"Sigh… so much for the Heroes party, I say. Not even one of you had the thought to attacked those unknown monsters by using magic?"
After an awkward silence and nervous acts, he finally spoken up.
"T-there were some who voice their opinion for that matter. But Dort and Ser Borfus rejected the idea, saying that they were only undead corpses, and a knight should be more… why are you looking like that?" (Remorth)
I'm looking towards him with pity eyes. By having idiots as his subordinates, no wonder he became stupid like them. I went closed towards him and pat his shoulder.
"Whaa… why are you looking to me like an idiot!? I admit that I'm a coward and not as strong as you, but I'm not an idiot person!" (Remorth)
I shake my head in disagreement.
"But you are an idiot… having those incompetent subordinates proves that you are an idiot."
He clench his teeth then shoved my hand, away from his shoulder.
"I not an idio-… !?" (Remorth)
Before he finished his words, Sara point her blade toward his neck.
"Reed's is stating the truth… you are an idiot… a moron at that. But if you keep shouting at him, I thrust this pointy end inside your idiot's throat." (Saraha)
"Guh…." (Remorth)
Hearing Sara's remarks, he shut himself though he was reluctant to do so. But back to the matter at hand.
"Sara my dear-…"
"Yes~🤍…?" (Saraha)
Shit! She answered that quickly than I anticipated. She really likes me, aren't she? But anyway.
"Ahem. Though this will be rude.. but you will do anything to find your missing girlfriend, right?"
"Yes! I will strip naked if you ask of me to do so! But after I kill this bastard…." (Saraha)
Not the answer that I was looking for... But thats quite-… fuck!
"No, not that…! Shessh… I need you to track Eli by using your 'hunger' skill."
Hearing that, Saraha stood frozen, still. Ignoring her weird behavior, I went towards the pool of blood then invites her to drink them.
"Now, its time to lick the blo-…"
"Noo! I can't! I'll do anything other that! And how did you know about 'hunger' skill…?" (Saraha)
'Hunger', one of the Royal Blooded Vampire special skills. Like its name stated, It makes a Vampire detect the location of the person they had feed on, by using the person's blood. But the downside by using this skill, the vampire will go on a rampage in search the person's blood that they had feed on. But because this is an emergency situation, this is the only way to find Elise the quickest way.
"Cmon… aren't you worried about your girlfriend? Should you already sucked her blood a couple of times now, did you?"
She fidgeted her fingers looking all anxious and nervous. With that reaction… oh, don't tell me…
"You 'had' sucked her blood before, right? Sarah…?"
She shake her head slowly. Oh my
"Goodness…! There goes my plan. gosh, you really haven't feed on her…? Aren't she's your girlfriend?"
"Don't judge me…! I loved her and she's my only friend…! She also felt soo pure that I don't have the heart to sully her blood with my 'vampirism'… i-I'm sorry, alright!?" (Saraha)
Man! This is becoming more pain in the ass… the hell did those two had been doing event though they were always together like that? I know that Elise do had that kind of air around her, but damn! Because of that, this situation became even more worse than it was. Stupid lesbian couple!
"Uh.. May I say a word…" (Remorth)
Oh… I forgot that the bast… nah, the idiot prince was here also. Why is he acting all meekly like that all of a sudden. And the way he was looking to Sara was suspicious as well. But if he had any other ideas, I'm open for a suggestion…
"Speak your mind, idiot Prince…"
"Idi…!? Sigh… I think I might have a way to search for them…" (Remorth)
He takes out an item from his item box. It looked like a compass…. Wait, thats…
"You really are an idiot Prince, aren't you?"
"Please stop calling me that… anyway, this is the-…" (Remorth)
"The Ludiciel compass."
I interrupted the idiot Prince remarks because I saw an end game item, a dangerous one at that. Hearing my remarked, the idiot Prince eyes were wide open, in shocked.
"H-how did you know that…? This is a keepsake item for the Royal Family. No one outside the Royal bloodline know of its existence…." (Remorth)
Fuck! Me and my big mouth. Had to say its name, yea? How stupid! But still… isn't this bad? The Ludiciel compass is what it was named in the game, but another name that players calls it, was known as the compass of calamity harbinger. It was foretold by the veteran players that, with the appearance of this compass, a big calamity event will follows soon after. Some even said that this item was cursed and the some players that came across them, even stopped playing the game because facing a lot of troubles, not just in the game, but in their real lives also. Though the truth behind its creation arise and was rumored for just the sake of stunt publicity, made by the developers, but there were some truth about them. Players do having troubles after seeing this item or came to possession for it. I know because I was one of the unlucky ones, unfortunately came across with this cursed thing. I died so many times in that event, that I almost quit the game. But I managed escape that terrible experienced after destroyed that cursed thing. But enough thoughts.
"I read it in an old book. You should get rid of that thing you know…"
"Wha…? How can I get rid of my Royal Family keepsake!? Are you mad?" (Remorth)
Welp, I warn him. So its not my fault if anything happens to him in the future.
"W-why is that thing, emits a creepy feeling…?" (Saraha)
See!? Even the creepy vampire was creep out by it. Hearing Sara's remarks, the idiot suddenly pass them to her.
"T-then, I'll give this as a gift towards My Lady Saraha." (Remorth)
So much for keepsake. But still… isn't he acting strangely around Sara right now…?
"Ew..! Get that thing away from me, you idiot Prince!" (Saraha)
Sara rushed behind me then glared towards the dejected idiot Prince. Hmm… is it me, or he somehow… oh I see… poor guy.
"Sara… you are breaking that idiot's heart by rejecting his good conscious."
I wipers to Sara who was using me as a shield from the idiot Prince that looked like he just got rejected. Oh my… this is an interesting development…
"Good then. I wanted him to suffer because leaving my Eli to die. I hope he dies a terrible death…" (Saraha)
Thats kinda harsh, don't you think? But anyway.
"Then, use that thing to find your attendants that you had lost. I had the feeling that Elise is with them right now."
It just a hunch, but considering that his dog and his attendant was knock out cold along with Elise earlier, there were a big chanced that they were grouped together by whatever that had took them.
.........…
The idiot Prince used the Ludiciel compass to find out the whereabouts of the missing peoples. At first, we wanted to lend me that cursed thing as a sign of friendship, but I disclosed the thought as soon as he opens his idiot mouth. I don't want to get my hands on that thing with my knowledge about it from the game. It scares me!
We walk about a distance from the place where the idiot Prince abandon Elise, but what we see with our eyes as we move foward, the forest air suddenly filled with heavy feeling of dread and uneasiness. The trees around us too seems to be withering and the ground felt dead. There were no sign of life whatsoever. And its too quiet. It felt like even the air itself too is dead.
"Reed… I… I'm scared…" (Saraha)
She grip my hand that I lend her earlier. Its not like we developed romantic feelings towards each other that we are doing this, I did so because she was too clingy towards me and tried to grab a hold on my arms and make me difficult to move around. And I did this also that the idiot Prince was looking like a sad wet dog looking at a bone that was eaten by another dog when he saw Sara was clinging to my arm like a leech. He looks soo pitiful and it makes me uncomfortable. He is our GPS and an important idiot, I couldn't let him go around looking all depress like that. Thats why I walk behind him while he leads the way as to Sara who seems to be annoyed by him, hid herself behind me.
"So? Is it still points straight ahead?"
I ask the idiot Prince who was attentively looking on the Ludiciel Compass.
"Yea… but don't you find it uneasy, that this place feels really uncomfortable and strange? I did some research back on the fort for the forest fauna and its inhabitants, and this place should be covered by greenery and at least some life…" (Remorth)
He's right though. The Forest of Slumber is known of its abundance seas of trees even in the game. Theres shouldn't be any desolated land within its parts. Even if there was such an update for such place, there should be informations about it. Considering that the game was really popular worldwide and had billions of players, there were tones of leakers, ready to spill the beans. I tried to reminisce every leaked that I had came across with, and none of them having to do with The Forest Of Slumber. Ever since I wake as Reed in this world, everything don't adds up. Has this world already diverge from the main story line because I mess up Reed's Role as the villain? No, it can't be…
"H-hey…! I see some bodies up ahead…!" (Remorth)
The idiot Prince sudden remarks wakes me from my deep thought. The idiot Prince who claiming seeing bodies up front, rushed mindlessly towards where he saw them, as the two of us follows him after. I told the idiot to be more careful because we don't know what will appeared before us, but like always. He ignored me and dash head first. How stupid!
"Sara. Don't let go of my hand… "
I told her as I felt something is wrong. I notice a fog like smoke, starting to appeared out of nowhere, slowly envelops the area that we were rushing. The idiot Prince did stop on his tracks after noticing the eerily fog like smoke, envelopes the area then retreated back, regrouping with the two of us.
"Shit! Just what the hell was those fog…? It gives me the creeps…" (Remorth)
"Don't ask me about it. I'm not some scholars that knows everything, you know…? And this wouldn't happened if you listen to me earlier. But you had to be an idiot and dash up front, don't you, Idiot Prince?"
"Guh… I'm sorry alright? And stop calli-…" (Remorth)
"Quite now. They here…"
Before he finished his words, I shut him up after noticing our enemies appeared in numbers around us. Emerging from the eerie fog, numerous of unknown monsters, just like the ones we encountered earlier in the noon. I did some observation around us, I counted at least 10-15 of them, having the grotesque appearance with multiple limbs, stick together in a single body. There were no head on the body of the unknown monsters. But they let our a strange zombie like noises.
"W-what should we do now…?" (Saraha)
The idiot Prince also gave a glance to ask me about our situation, following Sara. Now that we are outnumbered and surrounded like this, we can only attack head on. And the unknown monsters seems to be slow on its footing, and that will makes them an easy target.
"Use range attack, Fire elements. Take as many as you can… now!"
With my command, the idiot Prince and Sara started to chant their spells while I shoot my multiple fire ball towards two unknown monsters thats within my sight.
"|heed me, oh great fires of hell inferno, become my will, and melt my target|,
Red blooded color like fire, came out in between Sara's palms like a dragon's breath and showers multiple unknown monsters in front of her. I could see the unknown monster grotesque flesh melts after came in contact with Sara's 'fira's breath' as they let out wails of intense pain. The idiot prince on the other hand, is gathering yellow fire color above him, slowly became big enough like a boulder sized.
"|Oh great spirits of fire, heed my plea, burn my enemies, and cleanse them from this world|,
He threw the big yellow fireball towards the unknown monsters on his side, and obliterates anything that came in contact with his 'fargar'. I got to hand it to him, he's do had his uses even though he was an idiot.
"Wha…? I did it? It really works…! Hah! I killed some of them!" (Remorth)
Why are you suddenly excited all of a sudden? Is he steels glances towards Sara…? Anyway, Because of our attack, the unknown monsters numbers had been chipped to half from their earlier numbers.
"Alright… agai-…"
"I'm out of mana…" (Saraha)
"What!?"
"Me as well… its taxing use a level 4 magic spell…" (Remorth)
The hell? This two idiots falls to their knees in exhaustion. O-oi… you got to be kidding me… that flashy spells cost all of their mana cap?
"Why did the both of you idiots use up all of your mana!? How stupid can the both of you get…? Theres still half of them still standing and we already lost more than half of our firepower? My god, you both are really stupid….!"
Hearing my remarks, the idiot Prince hung his head down wards in shame, while Sara stared towards me teary eyes, asking for forgiveness. I swear, these two… fuck!
(screech!)
Shit! The remaining unknown monsters started to move towards us in a slow pace. Though they were that slow, if they manages to get closed to us, its game over. Dammit! This happens because these two was dumb enough uses all of their mana earlier with that flashy attack! Stupid! Seeing that its inevitable, I suppose I need to use that. Shit! I don't know if this will work…
"|burn, burn it all, like a tornado, create sanctuary around me|,
As I chant those, fires slowly appeared around us three and slowly swirling in circles, with the three of us in the middle of the swirl. This is my experimental spell that I come up when practicing alone. It seems that I could project my imagination to create my own original spells if I get the image right. I got this idea when I saw a documentary about the eye of the storm while I was bored. Though it slowly turns like a firestorm, it did release a quite a bit of heat towards me also. But the unknown monsters that got caught with the swirling fires, quickly got burned to cinders. Man, thats quite a terrifying spell I creat-…
…..(audible)
"Guh! Shit. Over used mana consumption, is it?"
I muttered those words to myself. Over used mana consumption is a magic sickness that emerge if a magician overused channeling mana to its spell in a form of a big migraine. It seems that I still need to train myself harder if I want to maintain this kind of spell in a long duration. And thanks to this pain I felt in my head, the image I had got distorted and the spell was interrupted. But alas, I managed to wipe out the unknown monsters before it got canceled.
(collapsed)
I fall to my knees while holding my head in pain. Sara who noticed my condition, quickly grabs hold to my body before I collapsed to the ground.
"Reed! A-are you alright? Oi, idiot! Potion…!" (Saraha)
I grab her hand to stop her.
"No.. Its not mana deprivation… I'll be fine after a moment of rest…"
I calmed Sara who seems to be worried about my condition. It seems that they both drank a mana potions earlier while I was casting the 'firestorm'. And the exhaustion I saw on them earlier seems to be subsided quite a bit now that the idiot Prince is standing up, while Sara hold me in her arms. I hope that idiot wont got jealous with this flowery scene between me and Sara.
"Reed… that spell, just what kind of magic did you cast just now? I never seen such spell, even amongst the Royal magi…." (Remorth)
Huh? I thought he got jealous with me on Sara's arms, turns out, he looked quite anxious and had a tiny bit of fear, plastered in his expression.
"Just let me rest a bit, will you? And watch the surroundings. The fog still obscure our sight, and we don't know if those are the only unknown monsters thats in the vicinity."
I told him that to avoid answering his question. Sara then tell him to beat it after she got annoyed by the idiot Prince who seemingly curious about my magic spell that I cast earlier. I shut my eyes for a moment and ignore everything around me to calm the the pain. I can feel that Sara softly caress my head whom is giving me a lap pillow right now. Thankfully, she didn't say anything and let me rest. I just hope that she continues like this, remain as friends after all of this is over. And I hope that we can rescue Elise as well. But for now, let me recover from my overused mana consumption first. My head still hurt like shit.
(softly caress)
Ahh… being give a lap pillow is not that bad…..