Walking along the road wearing only a loincloth, Zotrid had Mera sitting on his shoulder and Sophy walking alongside him holding his hand.
"I kind of want to see my inner creature right now as well. How do I do that?" Zotrid asked as he continued to walk his mind wandering to that with nothing else to do.
"It's easy, just focus on it, and you should be able to do it, but I don't know what they gave you, it could be scary. Though I doubt it would be dangerous." Mera replied casually as she stretched her arms and legs.
"Hmmm, I'll probably be fine. Plus if it's a mind space, Sophy can come in with me." Zotrid shrugged, not worried in the slightest.
[Yeah, I should be able to do so.] Sophy nods in agreement in a bit of a frantic manner, clearly excited.
Taking a deep breath, Zotrid focused, and in an instant the forest around, the road, the ground, Mera, and even Sophy all disappeared, leaving him fully alone in this space.
"Hey!… Someone in here?" Zotrid looked around searching for something, anything.
The silence stayed that way for minutes on end as it felt like the shadows were closing in tightening around his figure and forcing him to squirm through.
However, that was but a feeling, a quite unpleasant one, and before he knew it, he found something unusual.
Standing right in front of him was a 145cm girl wearing a white and blue dress that flourished out like a triangle until it stopped at her thigh level, while on her feet white socks and black sandals. Her eyes were blue, her right eye was covered by an eyepatch, and her hair was black, styled into twin tails, and each of her two tails carried a bunch of eyes with the same blue.
(Image here.)
The eyes on her hair moved on their own looking at him and then all over, the girl said nothing despite her eyes locking with his.
"Are you my inner creature?" Zotrid asked his eyes locked in on her.
No answer left her mouth, but she did however nod her head calmly.
"Great! It seems you are quite calm all things considered. Do you have a name?" Zotrid questioned inching to to get a better look at her.
The response was a simple head shake.
"Hmmm… Again, then I'll name you… Veira." Zotrid pet her head as she said so.
Though there was no real reaction on her part as she looked at him.
"Do you want to go outside with me, Veira?" He proceeded to ask.
To this, she simply shrugs seeming unbothered either way.
"Then it's settled, we're going. Hide the eyes on your hair while we are outside, please." He asked of her as he turned to leave the space the same way he came in, by focusing on it.
Back outside, he found Mera aggressively cuddling Sophy's face as they were now under a three, it seemed they moved him while he was in there.
Aside from that, there was now Veira poking him with a stick on his face, the eyes on her hair gone, as it now looked completely normal.
Poke. Poke. Poke.
"Enough… I'm awake. So, Mera and Sophy, this is Veira. She doesn't seem to talk." Zotrid sat up and called out to the other two, who were busy with each other.
"Oh! Another little cutie! So adorable! I can't! This is what I needed after such an awful day with an Ero monster and those stupid higher-ups!" Mera immediately hugged Veira's face, letting out her frustration as she did so.
Once again there was not much of a reaction from the girl, she simply looked at the fairy for a few seconds then continued poking Zotrid's face with a stick her expression blank as she did so.
[I guess Lady Mera likes cute things.] Sophy commented as she stood next to the Ero monster, her eyes glued to him.
"Seems so, anyway, we should go on our way. I want to see if we can reach a settlement, after all, it's necessary for Mine, and Mera's goals." Zotrid sighed as he commented.
This caused Sophy to puff her cheek, and cross her arms, though it didn't succeed in grabbing his attention, instead.
"Ahhh! Look at you! It seems Sophy is truly the cutest, and fluffiest, Veira is adorable in her how way, but it's not the same." Mera jumped back to hugging Sophy's face, before turning to Zotrid and saying. "A settlement for our goals, I mean get why you want to do that for my goal, but I don't know if I want to release you upon any place, much less a village, town, or city."
At the same time, Veira climbed Zotrid and sat on his shoulder, then began playing with his hair.
"I'm going to build a big harem family as is the way of an Ero man, and I'm sure it will eventually turn into more, much more, and to sustain the life of luxury I hope to have with my wives, and for other projects. I want to do a few things, first I want to become an adventurer, it's an easy way to gain combat experience, some exp, meet new people, build a reputation, and make some money.
"Then after that, I'll open a business of my own, and pat into a few other ventures I have in mind, while at the same time, I'll do what I can to convert as many people into Meraism. It's going to be the region of my harem, so that should help quite a bit once I start building it. For now, though, finding a place with an adventurers guild where I can register and start taking quests is the way to go." Zotrid expressed his thoughts to her.
Listening to this, Mera turned to him and nodded. "You've put a surprising amount of thought into this, honestly I thought you'd be the type completely commanded by your lower half, but that doesn't exactly seem like the case."
[Lord Ero is a big dummy, but he knows what he's doing. I can tell since I can see his mind.] Sophy was the first to respond.
Meanwhile, Veira continued to play with the hair on his head, then she started braiding it just then.
"You're all talking like I'm some cryptid or something. I'm not so single-minded that I can only think horny. A true Ero, a real harem ruler is great in all things, a true jack of all trades, a master of all." Zotrid rolled his eyes as he responded, not exactly excited to hear their thoughts.
"Huh, I don't remember that ever being a thing. Aren't Ero monsters like you just a bunch of horny degenerates?" Mera raised an eyebrow completely unconvinced.
[Lord Ero is Lord Ero. So I can see it.] Sophy supported him nodding her head, though she began pouting once she looked at him.
At the same time, Veira was halfway through making one braid, she worked surprisingly fast.
"Whatever, the point is that we have to find a place to stay. You girls are gonna need food and a roof over your head, and we need money for those, and I can't pamper you as much if we're broke." Zotrid narrowed his eyes and got up holding Veira in place by her legs so she won't fall.
"I can't argue with that, even if I look at you oddly for the lifestyle you have chosen, I see that you are at least a bit sensible." Mera sat on Sophy's shoulder hugging the girl's face.
[Lord Ero, I have made some calculations, and I believe this closest settlement is that way.] Sophy brought up, though her eyes were narrowed as she looked at him, as she pointed in one direction of the road.
"Ok, then we go that way." Zotrid nodded and freed one hand from holding Veira, leaving only one, then used his now free hand to hold Sophy's hand.
This lightened her up as a bright smile popped up on her face.
They tracked through the road together for a while, the sounds of nature almost overshadowed by the general silence, like background music just there to tell it's all happening, and things still work.
It stayed the same as they tracked, Zotrid picked Sophy up into his arm hold, and she clung onto his shoulder, a warm smile sticking to her expression, while Mera simply indulged in her cuteness, and Veira was dedicated to braiding his hair.
In time though, that peaceful and pleasant silence was interrupted by some sounds, ones which overturned what was their background music.
Further ahead there was a distasteful scene taking place, one that plagued the scenery in discomfort, contrasting the natural beauty of the forest in display.
The image in place was that of 4 armed men surrounding a young woman who was looking at them trembling, filled with distress.
"Aaaaaahhhh! Stay away from me! Someone help, please!" A scream covered in panic could be heard ringing around almost echoing, but this deep into the road, there were hardly any to listen to it.
"Shut up, B*tch!" A man's voice responded in an aggravated tone filled with irritation.
"Look at this face, even though she's completely flat on the chest, she makes up for it in other places. A total cutie." A second man added as he smirked grabbing ahold of the backside and gripping.
"Hey, calm down a bit there, it's no good if you end up damaging merchandise. The boss won't be happy with us that way." The third man interjected with a sigh pulling back on the second one.
"Oh come on! We never get to have any full, even though we went through all the trouble of getting her out here!" The fourth complaint at the third a clear look of frustration on his face.
"Please! Don't do this! I have a family! And a dream! I want to make big as an adventurer for that… If you let me go now, I won't tell anyone and I'll even pay you the money! I can't be sold off, please!" The victim in question got to their knees begging in agitation in a turbulent trembling voice.
"Hahaha! I told you to shut your damn mouth." The first man kicked the face of the begging victim, not interested in hearing it.
"Hey! I told you to be careful with the merchandise! This is exactly why I never let you guys handle this kind of stuff!" The third man was frustrated with the first pulling him away as he scolded him.
"It's funny how cute face here thinks she has a say in it, as if why wait for a bad and risky promise later when you can make it big now. Makes no sense!" The second man commented raising an eyebrow in confusion at that attempt.
"This is the worst part of the job, so much good stuff and all we can do is watch as they whine about some annoying sh*t! Boring!" The fourth man added looking completely disinterested.
"But.. I… I… I have a dream… Please, someone anyone! Please help! I need-" Before the victim could yell anymore the third man covered the mouth with his hand.
"Enough yelling! Gush, so loud! we're taking you." He said mad at all the loudness.
Their actions didn't phase them, why would they? It was not a matter of right or wrong once your side was cemented, it was but your principle, a core of one's values, good or bad or otherwise.
So, how could something that was decided to be fine long ago be questioned? Perhaps a moment of weakness, maybe a bit of self-reflection, or even guilt of the conscience.
Whatever answer arrives to one, the reality is, that there will always be those who arrive at other answers, that was the consequence of free will, that bad choices would eventually be made no matter what, and when faced with this truth, there are many responses, and all the ones watching had their own.
(I know that when it comes to dreams, many times there will be winners who get to live their dreams and losers who don't, I have seen it far too many times back on earth.
(However, they can still make new dreams, and sometimes even try again with the same dream. So to act in a way that prevents others from dreaming at all… To crush a dream is the natural outcome of the real world, not everyone can win, but forbid them from dreaming?! That's unacceptable!) Zotrid clenched his fists and frowned veins popping up on his forehead.
"Hurgh… They are the absolute worst, so disgusting… please stop them. I would, I promise you, I would, but in this form, I'm just a level 1 fairy, I can't even use magic yet, there's no fighting an adult human man, much less 4 of them." Mera turns to Zotrid as she asks, flying to his face to do so.
[Lord Ero, I would like to make the same request, I'm also currently incapable of handling it myself.] Sophy nodded in agreement to Mera also asking the same of him.
Meanwhile, Veira got off his shoulders and pushed him towards the conflict happening right ahead between the trees. There were no words needed it was quite clear.
"I already planned on doing so... Sophy, can you analyze them for me?" Zotrid asked as he put her down.
[Unfortunately not, Lord Ero, I could only analyze those you have extended physical contact with if at all currently. Though I advise using Lady Mera as a distraction before you attack just in case.] Sophy responded with a slight frown, evidently wanting to be more helpful.
"I agree, even though I can't fight, my flight should be fast enough to avoid those turds. Now let's move quickly! We've wasted enough time." Mera urged feeling the urgency of the moment.
Just then, Veira came up to Zotrid and pointed to herself, then at the bandits, and made the motion of bitting down, like a shark.
"No need, I don't want you to get dirty with those guys, but if I start losing you can come in and save me. For now, Mera if you're sure of it, please be a distraction." Zotrid pet Veira before getting up and turning to Mera as he walked ahead.
Not speaking another word, Mera went in flying right around them.
"Holy! It's a damn! Fairy! That's crazy!" The first man's eye widened when he saw her his attention immediately grabbed.
"A fairy?! Here… That's super rare… If we manage to catch it… We would be swimming in gold coins! No! Swimming in platinum coins!" The second guy's mind started swirling with possibilities.
"Hmmm, even if it's a fairy, if they were that easy to catch, they would not be so expensive, you guys go ahead and try though, it would be stupid to miss this opportunity, I'll keep an eye on the merchandise we already have, just in case." The third man said also captivated by her presence.
"You love to overthink, don't ya? But whatever. We'll get the fairy in no time! She's so small, so what's she even going to do?" The fourth man said a smirk on his face as such an opportunity just fell on their laps.
And so, 3 of the four began chasing Mera, who led them away with ease.
At the same time, Zotrid sneaked up to the remaining one, walking through the foliage letting bushes and other plants cover for him, and then he attacked, starting by punching the man, then pushing him off to create some distance as he stood in front of the victim.
"Sorry to interrupt you, but I can't have you doing as you please," Zotrid said as he stood there in a basic boxing stance, ready to fight.
"Eeeeh! That's… Who are you?!" The victim behind him asked in surprise to see him, and shock at his unusual figure which made them take a step back slowly creating some distance.
"What the heck?!… So, some wannabe hero is here… Was that fairy with you? Is that it? Hmph! What a dumbass! You get your nose in other people's business when you're this weak?!" Shaking off the punch the man replied.
Then he took a good look at his opponent. "What the hell kind of freak are you?! There's no way that thing's real… disgusting, I don't even want to get close to such a thing, but I won't let you get away with the merchandise we worked hard on acquiring."
"Hmph! You're just jealous that I'm blessed, it's the type of reaction I expected as an Ero Protag, such is the Ero way of life, a Harem Ruler should never be ashamed of who they are. So, now that I decided to help this person, that's what I'll do." Zotrid was unphased by his comments.
"I don't know what's going on! But if you mean it, please help! I'll be sure to repay you in whatever way I can!" Seeing a glimmer of hope, the victim spoke up with an air of urgency.
"Tch! You'll regret getting in our way, freak. I'm going to love to see your face after I put you in your place, and the others come back with your little fairy friend all beat up.
"Knowing those bastards even though it's not physically possible they'll try to have their way we the fairy one way or the other!" The bandit taunted as he grabbed the dagger that was hanging on his waist then pointed it at him as he charged in.
(He's trying to get me mad to have the upper hand, for a scumbag bandit he's pretty decent in the head for combat. Plus, these guys are stronger than I thought, what the hell was Mera on when she said my body was going to be strong? I'll scold her later…) Zotrid stayed calm and focused on the man in front of him, even through his thoughts.
The bandit closed the gap between them, and raised his arm holding the dagger, before quickly bringing it down for a slash and outwards, in a bit of a diagonal angle.
This caused Zotrid to dodge inwards, just where he was wanted, and before he could react, he was met with a push kick, sending him dragging backward and raising some dirt to stop himself.
Before he could rethink anything, the bandit had already jumped at him, coming in for a flying stab. Pushing the ground below with a stomp, Zotrid jumped into it, rather than trying to run.
"What?!" This startled the bandit for a second, and he got his waist grappled.
Using the confusion he managed to create, and the grapple he now had, Zotrid went all in for it. "SUPLEX!" He leaned back into the movement and slammed his opponent on the ground.
(He's faster and stronger, but in the air that difference disappears, jumping to look flashy was his mistake, he didn't even jump at me to gain even more of a speed advantage, he just jumped toward me. I guess the Muay Thai lessons didn't go to waste!) Zotrid thought to himself as he let go of the bandit and grabbed his dagger before going at it.
Not wasting a second, he began stabbing at the bandit's chest over and over again non-stop.
"F*ck! Bastar-…" The bandit tried to stop it, but it was far too late, blood was gushing out of him, and strength was leaving his body.
Even then Zotrid never stopped staving even as he was covered in blood, until…
[Lord Ero! You have done it! You have killed a level 8 human bandit. Because of that you gained a bunch of exp, and have reached level 4 all in one go.] Sophy's voice rang in his head.
Finally, Zotrid stopped stabbing and took a deep breath, his hands covered by blood together with the dagger.
"Oh man, that was crazy… I underestimated these bandits or rather overestimated myself, not like I didn't have backup plans, like letting Veira handle it or using my skills to help, even so, this was intense…" He commented letting the moment set in.
Regardless of why, this was the first time he had killed a human, and even though he didn't want to vomit or anything like that, it felt weird and uncomfortable.
Maybe it was his morals talking or maybe it was just a natural response he had no way of knowing, but he felt a bit nauseous and needed a moment to process it all.
(I'm an Ero protagonist now, the Harem Ruler! I can't allow myself one who has a hentai logic body to be swayed by basic things like this, though I have my own bottom line, I need to be strong! Come on! This is your dream! Never falter!) He told himself as he began to calm down and settle into the feelings.
"Thank you so much! You have no idea how much! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Running to hug him was the victim who was ecstatic that it was over, this nightmare would not become a new life.
"You're welcome, but this isn't over." Zotrid pushed that person aside and started looking around as he got up.
[Lord Ero, I've keeping track of Lady Mera, she'll be back in no time from your right with those three running after her, please be ready.] Sophy warned him in his head.
"Got it! Thanks." Zotrid focused on his right ready for it.
"Got it?! Got what?" The victim was confused not knowing what he was talking about.
Just then Mera came flying and immediately hid behind him, clinging to the back of his neck.
*Huff* *Huff* *Huff* "… A… A being like me should never have to deal with so much exertion… I'm supposed to have it easy… I really HATE the higher-ups for putting me in this mess!" She complained as she was breathing heavily.
Following suit, the three other bandits came back only to find their companion dead on the ground, and immediately their eyes turned to the man wearing only a loincloth that was only barely covering something unreasonable.
"You bastard! How dare you?! I'll end you where you stand!" The first man was the first to react.
"I guess he wasn't overreacting… This must've been a setup! You'll pay for this! Do you know how much we're losing here?!" The fourth man was the next looking in frustration.
"This is bullsh*t! I tell you! And I'm sure you meddling idiots will think the same once we put you under. The boss is gonna be so mad about this…" The second man then added as he got ready for a fight.
All three of them, were ready for the shock of one loss quickly fading away as they got prepared to finish the job.
On the other side, Zotrid took another deep breath more than fully on board with ending this matter.
"You bandits genuinely want me to end you, don't ya fools? I mean… No real anger at the loss of a companion? No sense of loyalty? What did I even expect? I should have known. All trash is good for, is being incinerated." Zotrid replied once again taking his boxing stance.
On the path of the Ero protagonist, a harem ruler must be ready to take action into their own hands.