Even though I was expecting people to come through the [Companions Banner], for sure this result was way beyond my expectations.
Three naked girls inside a bedroom is not something I'm used to seeing. At least not live right in front of me like this.
Such a strange scenario obviously caught my attention, which may or may not have caused some death glares from the clothed girls by my side.
To be fair, this time it's not only the nakedness that's stealing my attention.
One of the girls has short blonde hair, beautiful eyes, and the most adorable face, if a little apathetic looking. As for her body, besides her flawless skin, though she's pretty, she's also quite flat, still, even though there's a bombshell right next to her, I can't help but look at her face.
This girl has sharp and long ears, the type that humans certainly do not.
For anyone who likes fantasy works, the identity of her race is well known. She's most certainly a type of elf.
It's not that strange considering Mia is also a non-human, but the fact that she came from the [Companions Banner] gives her an even more mysterious aura.
As for the first elf I've ever encountered, I must say that I now understand why they're so popular, there's no way to describe her as anything but pretty, even though she's naked in front of me, I don't find her lewd, but just...beautiful really. It's quite strange how it's almost like there's an air of purity around her.
Well, besides her there's the aforementioned bombshell.
When it comes to curves, she's got every girl in the room beat, the only one who can hold a candle to her is Claire, and that's really in only one department, this girl on the other side has everything up a notch.
She also looks a bit more mature than everyone else, so who knows? With time they might be able to catch up...
The moment she notices me looking at her, a smile comes about that messes a bit with my heart. It's pretty hard to deal with a woman who knows her own body's charms, and it seems like this one is quite aware of men's gazes. If anything, I think she's quite smart, while everyone is clearly shocked, though she was also at first, it took only a moment for her to start to calm herself and observe her surroundings with more attention.
Well, I hate to say this, but by comparison, the third one is...
Normal?
Her hair is neither too long nor too short, and a bit brighter than mine, but still brownish.
She's certainly pretty herself, it's the type of girl you'd see as a cashier at a store and leave thinking 'Insane how that cashier was prettier than most people I see on tv'.
Yet, she does not have anything that jumps at your eyes like the massive boo-
Like the girl next to her.
She's also human and seems to be as confused as the elf, which is completely understandable.
I guess she just has a kind of normalcy charm to her, and in all honesty, being surrounded by all types of different girls, it's a bit refreshing.
It's probably not nice to keep staring like this, so I began to explain what is happening to them.
Miwen: "Hello... I am the one who summoned you all here..."
At this moment, everyone's eye fixates on me, while the girls cover their bodies with their hands.
Miwen: "As you might've guessed, there are circumstances behind it, but I'll tell you beforehand so you don't misunderstand... if you were close to death or have memories of actually dying, then, though I'm sorry, the fact that you're standing here right now doesn't annul that, if anything, it only proves that you've really died."
I cannot be 100% certain of everyones circumstances, but based on what happened with Licia and Claire, I guess this is at least a safe assumption. If anyone of them has memories of death, then, this is their second life, there's no mistaking it.
I'd be really glad if some of them didn't experience such a thing, but seeing as no one is challenging what has just been presented they must have related to it some way or another.
Miwen: "I have no desires to impede on your second life, you can do with it as you'd like. But I do have an offer."
Bombshell: "...A pact..."
Miwen: "Hm? I wouldn't call it that, it's more like a deal, I don't care if you end up walking away from it after you've had enough."
It seems like what I've said made them a bit confused judging by their expressions.
You'd never expect a necromancer to treat you like this, offering a deal instead of bounding someone to their will. In general, after being brought back, you would live as a slave or mindless drone, always under the power of its orders.
I have no need for something like this though.
Miwen: "Here's the deal, I'll provide you with all basic necessities, including food, shelter, and clothes, were you to need anything else I'll also do my best to provide. In exchange, I expect you to work for me. For now, this means helping in battle, but as things develop I might need a hand in other areas."
Licia: "The food is especially good~..."
Claire: "You also get a day off you know~"
I'll make a note to leave the marketing to them from now on.
Still, It's a lot to take in at once and I expected them to take some time to process everything; So, for the time being, I gave everyone something to wear and left to make breakfast, though quite late.
I was going to leave all the girls to stand watch, but Licia wanted to help me out.
Even though I know that Mia is there and Claire is more than capable of defending herself, I felt like leaving them outnumbered could be dangerous.
Still, at level one, with no skills and no weapons, I don't see how they would be capable of even doing damage to Mia, so it's alright.
Miwen: "How do you think it's gonna go?"
Licia: "I think I've got the hang of it, so it's gonna turn out great."
Miwen: "...I was talking about them."
Licia: "It's the same, it's not your first time so you got quite good at handling it. It's always gonna be a scary situation no matter what, but I think you did a good job, they now have a path forward laid for them, and you're even giving a free trial that proves your words, I don't think they have any reason to turn down the offer."
Miwen: "I see, I think you're right."
It took only a few minutes after that to finish, and we had to do multiple travels inside the kingdom to bring it to them, but seeing everyone's satisfied faces while they ate was well worth it.
After this, we should be going to the dungeon, but before that, I had to hear what everyone's decided.
I wouldn't mind giving them the entire day to think about it, but with the matter of the event approaching, I don't want to waste too much time. Though I didn't have to press them for an answer.
Elf Girl: "The hospitality you've shown me cannot go unpaid, though I have nothing with me now, I'll be at your service for the time being. You can call me Ellie, though an archer, my ability with blades can also be useful to you."
Bombshell: "I'm Beatrice, the Witch of Alvenaq. I find this situation to be most interesting, so I hope you don't mind me hanging around."
Normal Girl: "I used to be a knight for hire, my name is Anna. Your proposal doesn't differ too much from what I'm used to, so even though I'm nowhere near my prime, I'd be happy to offer you my services."
I'd like to think it was my words that convinced them, or maybe my generosity.
But due to how suddenly they've all accepted, it might've been the food.
Anyway, this works for me.
Miwen: "Then, here is my first task to you, I'll have you all become my [Citizens]."