Just a few days after the eventful battle against the sea god I'm still feeling the tremors of the nuclear blast, being the ship incarnate I could feel every single vibration and shock it felt like back during the battle. Even my wording is a little... off, so Michel would read my mind and speak on my behalf. I of course had to make my own speech to speak in front of all the people at Alofia, and the people invited me to save Avelo Novau, a province they once called their hometown destroyed by fifteen tidal waves a week by the same god I purged.
I was to visit the place myself soon, but not now, my ship is undergoing repairs at a constructed shipyard with the dimensions to perfectly fit my ship. Many workers who uses particle magic studied how my ship was constructed with silver sand (nanomaterials a.k.a) and this caused their job to be easier. The faster they repair it the better I go by each day. The other two ladies have been sent out on a commission by me in order to patrol Avelo Novau ahead of time should we need to make a ton of necessary preparations.
Meanwhile for today the town held a banquet just for me and all those who joined into the fight to celebrate our victory. Sometimes the god I purged hunts me at my dreams but that's no more than just a possibility. It's not really much but we do talk to each other. He does claim he'll bless me with his powers so that if the day comes that my other powers are inaccessible I can tap onto his. We have made a spiritual connection towards each other; given we never had hate for each other at all. In fact the nuclear attack I made towards him was something he never expected, but he had predicted of a great power bringing him down.
The food, drinks and people that were there at the... 'banquet'... it's more like a fiesta actually; are great! It's such a beautiful and amazing experience that I would never forget. Michel would always ask if I wanted to try this and that but he knows that I care not for my digestion as anything that goes down my throat is to be absorbed and turned into energy instantly. The food I liked the most is something like a soup dumpling. The soup inside is very savory with the meat on par and some crunchy veggies. It's the best! I learned how to make it the instant I tasted every single bit of it. I can feel the love of the one who made it.
I actually felt emotional the moment they let me sit somewhere and presented me with gifts sourced local and afar. It would seem that the thing that I did actually meant a lot for them. And Michel was laughing at me smug each time I tried to prevent a tear to trickle down my cheek. The gifts also have the people's emotions, flooding, that caused me to be overwhelmed. It's... a feeling that I cannot seem to express.
I let all the gifts to be presented where they were when they were handed over to me so that way I'm not seen as the kind of person who immediately keeps things given. I decided to let off some steam, I can hear the screams of the particle mages all at the shipyard surprised of the unknown large amounts of steam coming out from the ship's funnels. Michel had a good chuckle at that one.
"Oi, Bonnie, what say we fu-"
"No. How many times have I said I'm not into that?"
"..."
There was an awkward silence.
"I uh..." I scratched the back of my head, meanwhile this succubus in front of us about to give me a gift was smiling all smug waggling their eyebrows making Michel and everyone else nearby to have a good laugh. "AGH, dammit."
"What?~ Not my fault!"
Michel and I got into a playful fight, and we stopped after we heard a commotion. Some knights immediately went to where I was looking at and it would seem there was a brawl going on at one of the alleys, where drunkards have coalesced in quite the amusing fashion and was having quite the moment of their lives. It was unbelievable but also true.
Due to the fact that they now have black eyes, swollen arms, broken legs, and the like. The emergency response team along with the knights helped out to break all brawls and have everyone involved to the medical stations for further assistance. Meanwhile I just got back to enjoying the event, and started to ponder about my next move or should I just relax?
"Now that that's done, sheesh. What to do now?"
"I suppose we keep enjoying the event?
"That is true, but I have to think of something whilst we sit here idly, you know?"
"Bonnie, you have to learn how to relax and calm down. And listen to yourself; you still can't like, speak properly."
I ended up surrendering and nodded at him as I just relaxed and sunk a little into my seat. He brought to me this delicious iced coffee and there are hints of mint and the cream is just so... perfect! I don't know how else to explain it but there's this sweet gelatin aftertaste; like eating a pudding but it's a liquid.
"This is great!"
"That's because it has not only the ingredients to a proper iced coffee but there's some whiskey, mint and a bit of gelatin."
"But how come it's not thick?"
"Shortening."
"Pretty sure that's not how it works;"
"Oh shus and enjoy your drink you bunny."
"You're also a bunny though~"
We looked at each other with a smirk and we couldn't help but share a laugh.
"I forgot. Where's Janice and Sarah?"
"I sent them to scout ahead and figure out if Avelo Novau is a safe place to be." Michel says after calming down from the giggles. He wanted to ensure that all four of us would be safe as we headed there; but he then remembers he also had some Alofian knights to accompany the two ladies to ensure their safety, too.
We had a recall and discussion of how the battle went; if there are any abilities used in secret; and Michel used his skill called "Foresight", where he can predict what'll happen. He knew I was about to use a weapon of mass destruction but he doesn't know the name of it back then and I told him it's called a Nuclear Bomb and he was impressed.
"So you humans wielded nuclear power..."
"Also we've used Atomic power in our battles back then, too."
"..." Michel fell silent after that, speechless as to what humanity became but dared not question it. He still remembers what I said about talking bad regarding my human race and I love him for respecting that. "Atomic power... is it destructive?"
"I'd... rather not say, and no I won't use that power unless necessary in this planet; because it might just disrupt the balance of those clouds up there."
"Ah, I see. Thank you for that."
"Now... enough of this. Tell me something interesting that's not battle related."
"That I'm gay for you?"
I almost choked in my drink but I looked at him and those pretty eyes are saying the truth. I can feel that genuine happiness and sort of, slight feeling of sadness from him and I can tell he's thinking whether I'm going to continue letting him hang around after such a big revelation.
"I thank you for revealing to me your true feelings and I wish to accept that, yes. However, it's still too early for me to respond to that, so give me some time. Also is it normal to express your true feelings in public?"
"Yeah... but, thank you for also letting me know that you're not ready yet; I just had to get the feeling out of my chest, you know."
"No worries. About the interesting things aside from this?"
He tells me that about 500 years ago there was an exploration set out for the Symphonian continental center; known as the Symphonian Valley of Remembrance. It's an old battleground where as there were many battles fought to the point the lesser lord of music stopped caring for and aiding the land. Interestingly, without the help of any of the gods and lesser lords the land itself went back the way it was except it sort of patched the wounds it had so it's no more than just ancient ruins of what used to be.
"Do you wish to explore there soon, Bonnie?"
"Sure! I'd love to, because that to me is interesting indeed. I just need to ensure I can guarantee we have a way out."
"For sure, we will. While you were unconscious, Ethel went to check out your ship as well as your body to see if you're doing okay. He asked what your next step would be, since he'll be watching you from now on."
"Oh, wow, thank you Ethel regardless if you can hear me or not." I had my hands in prayer. "You know, this still feels...kinda wrong to me, no disrespect. I still want to recognize the God I've been praying to before I reincarnated. Is that ok?"
"Of course! You are free to have religion or not; Ethel will still protect you under his laws and power."
"That sort of freedom... is not something so available back in my world."
Michel of course asked me to tell me more regarding religious freedom and choices and I shared to him what I know so far and I didn't want to dig deep into the conversation as I felt uncomfortable. I received a cuddle from him after that and he thanks me for sharing what info I have. Then a sort of bright glow appeared ahead of me and it turns out the two girls returned through teleportation and greeted me with a hug. They didn't have any wounds and says that Avelo Novau is a safe place to go to tomorrow.
Here's... to hoping we'll be able to venture there safely.