I opened my eyes. An unfamiliar scene unfolded across my vision. The flapping of the cloths overhead felt so alien to me that it made me realise that this was the first time that I had woken up inside a tent. Peter's henchmen must have established a perimeter around the den for investigation. How many days had I been out? Somehow, I feel extremely great right now. I have never felt better in my life.
I sat up from what I assumed to be a sleeping bag but turned out to be a mattress. Did Peter instruct his men to carry along mattresses for this reinforcement party? I thought I was the last to regain consciousness until I noticed Rose sleeping on a separate mattress on my right while Lily was on my left. I thought I had the worst injuries among them but I guess they might have overexerted their strength from the insane battle we had with Horrus. May he burn in hell.
*Ha chiu, *HA CHIU!
Never felt better, my arse. Here come the side effects from my blood regeneration potion. I guess the healing spell doesn't stop delayed side effects. But hey, as long as I'm still alive to see my loved ones, nothing else matters.
I got up and immediately a rush of fatigue hit me. Yup, exactly what I remembered from the previous time. I better make full use of today before I end up bedridden for the next few days. I headed out of the tent, only to find Mr Wick standing guard. Shouldn't a soldier be doing such a duty instead of him?
"Afternoon, Mister Zen. Surprised to see you're up and about before the ladies. How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I would really like to tell you that I've never felt better, but I know I'm going to be down for the count soon. Where's Peter? I'm sure he's expecting some answers from us. It's better for me to answer them before I fall badly ill tomorrow," I sneezed.
"How interesting that you can predict when you're about to fall sick. Peter is right this way; follow me," he gestured for me to follow him.
We headed back into the den where hundreds of soldiers were rummaging through the area. Peter was overseeing the procedures as always. He would not settle for less when such an important operation was at hand.
"How long was I out?" I asked as I approached him.
"About two days. You looked worse for wear. I had assumed that the other two would have woken up first before you. Tell me everything. There are clear signs of an intense battle here, so it just doesn't make sense that all of you could walk out unscathed," he asked.
And so I did. From the sentient beasts that we spoke with, to the giant four-legged beasts that we fought alongside Horrus who nearly killed all of us.
"Vessel of a God? I'm amazed you three made it out alive yet relatively unscathed. But how is that even possible when you said that it was potentially stronger than me? Another breakthrough in your alchemy?" he questioned me.
"Well—let's just say Rose found a miracle," I kept things vague.
"Either you give it to me straight or I'll get it from your wife. Now is not the time to be keeping secrets, Zen," he sounded annoyed.
"Alright, alright. But for your ears only," I glanced at Mr Wick, who took the hint and respectfully walked off after he bowed.
"Rose had successfully figured out a way to use healing magic," I whispered softly.
"W—what? Are you certain?" he whispered excitedly.
"You're looking at three living specimens. How it goes and works; you're going to have to ask her directly," I shrugged.
"I always knew she was a brilliant prodigy. But to think that she had exceeded my forbidden spellbook. She's certainly something else. Your wife had just discovered real magic, Zen. That's going to change the world," he nodded to himself.
"C'mon, let's not forget that fortification magic had already existed. But indeed, it is something else. She had succeeded where I couldn't with alchemy. I wonder if she's able to teach others about it, though? Last I heard, there are strict requirements to using it," I pondered.
We took a moment of silence as we needed a minute or two to absorb what we had just discussed. Healing magic is actually real now. I had been trying to brew healing potions all my life ever since I started doing alchemy, but none of the ingredient combinations in this world were able to heal your wounds completely. Healing gel is still the best healing item I invented, and all it does is seal your wounds, preventing you from bleeding out. Then I figured out how to make the blood regeneration potion, but it's still not perfected yet. But neither of these two can heal internal injuries or organ bleeding. It's just surface wounds so far, or preventing you from dying immediately.
I broke the silence and asked Peter whether it was possible to thaw the frozen four-legged beast, but sadly, it was just not possible. Frozen Lightning does not thaw under normal circumstances after it has fully frosted its target. Even if Lily were to defrost it, the target would break apart if it had been frosted for more than three hours or so. That was what they had discovered during her training.
Damn it, and here I thought I could harvest the hides to make myself a replacement cloak. I guess red dragonhide is still the only replacement for me.
"To think the three of you actually fought against such a dangerous foe. If Rose hadn't figured out how to use healing magic, the three of you might have already left this world. I've been too sloppy in thinking that it was nothing more than some sentient beast that was behind these attacks," Peter gripped his fists.
"Hey, hey, we're still alive, aren't we? No reason to think of possibilities that didn't happen," I tried to calm him.
"Times are changing, Zen. You know better than anyone that everything happening around us is because of him. You had beaten two Vessels and emerged victorious. What do you think the Gods are going to do to you? What do you think he will do when he knows you're foiling his plans? The Gods do not take failures kindly, and you know full well His resurrection is imminent. And I'm certain he serves one of the Gods, probably a very powerful one. Not to mention, we had not heard about Sladar for years now, and I would hate to hear news that he had perished alone in the North," he sighed.
"Knowing Sladar, he won't perish so easily. Something must be happening there that I couldn't discover. Until then, I'mma head to get some rest. My potion's side effects are hitting me badly now," I waved at him as I headed back to the tent.
"Wait, what are you gonna do with the sentient beasts? You're not going to kill them, right?" I asked with concern.
"Most of them seem to be intelligent enough to speak the human tongue, but there were a couple of feral ones we had to put down. It would seem as though they have a strong appetite for raw, bloody meat, probably due to the fact that they had not eaten cooked meals for a long time. You confirmed that they are weak against fire, yes? They will have difficulties living on their own if that's the case," he explained.
"We still can't abandon them. We can find a way to reverse their bestial form. The answer is in their blood, I am certain of it," I tried to persuade him.
"They'll be monitored by my soldiers, but I'll not allow them to live in the city. This is for their safety and my people. But rest assured, they will be kept somewhere safe until we find a cure for them. You, on the other hand, will have to return to the East to ensure that the monster attacks have stopped there. Let us hope that killing the Vessel would put a stop to all future attacks," he glanced at me.
"I'll return when I feel better. Doubt I'm in the mood to sail when I'm seriously ill," I dropped my hand to my side, which made contact with something in my pocket. Oh, right, there was a foreign necklace that I found at my feet before I lost consciousness.
"Sensei, have you seen this symbol before? It looked familiar, but I can't quite put my finger on it," I lifted the necklace to him as I tried to recall the symbol.
"Isn't this from the Church of Imperatrix? There are similarities to their symbol with some minor alterations," he inspected it closely.
"W—what?! Are you sure?" I clarified firmly.
"I'll say about 99%. Maybe you can ask your wife to be sure. I doubt Lily would know much about the church. She rarely takes an interest in other religions aside from her own, or you in particular," he smirked.
"Har har, then I'll take my leave. Come find me if you require any other information. I'll try my best to answer you if I'm down," I waved and headed back to the tent to rest.
***
"You're saying you found this necklace at your feet? Are you certain this dropped off of you when you stood up?" asked Rose as she examined the necklace.
"Yeah. Ha chiu!" I rubbed my nose.
This illness is going to last for about a week, innit'? Both Rose and Lily regained consciousness a day after I woke up, and they were feeling great. I wish I was that fortunate. I feel like absolute crap right now with a fever, headache, running nose, and constant sneezing. Can't really complain as that potion overhauled my body to produce more blood immediately. The side effects could have been worse than this.
"Hm, it does share some similarities to the church's symbol, but I am uncertain what it means. We might have to ask Father about it. But why was it on you, though? I never gave you such a necklace before. No way did it just fall from the sky," she scratched her head.
"Ahem. Did the both of you knock your heads and forget something crucial? Didn't Horrus give Zen a lovely hug before he burned to cinders? Perhaps his necklace survived somehow?" Lily adjusted her specs.
Rose and I gasped at the same time. She's right. Why didn't we think of it? I had completely wiped my mind that Horrus gave me a hug of death to burn me along with him.
"W—wait. Does this mean that the church was involved after all? I knew it, I fucking knew it," I slammed my fist on the table.
"Zen, we're eating," Peter warned me with a stern look.
"Right. Sorry I got carried away," I apologised with a bow. I inspected the bottom of the table, and Q's family were having a feast. I had promised him a fancy dinner, and I intend to honour my word. He did save my life after all. He waved at me, telling me everything was fine and I should enjoy my dinner. Best family pet one could ever have.
"Let's not jump the gun just because you found this necklace. I will provide you with a letter to gain an audience with Father, one that he cannot turn away. You will confront him about the necklace that you found. Do not mention that you found it off Horrus. We do not want him to be suspicious. Claim that you found it during your journey here or something," he explained.
"Right. No point in making him into my enemy when I should be keeping him close to the city. I will send you a letter about my findings after my discussion with him. There is also someone else I planned to interrogate upon heading back to the city," I told him.
"Sensei, I would appreciate it if you could provide me with a letter as well. With your permission, I wish to start a small gathering to worship the Imperatrix of Mortal. It will be a completely separate entity from the church," asked Rose.
"With you, it will be a crowd rather than a small gathering. Do realise that this will be causing problems with the church as it is a direct conflict with them. You hold much influence, Rose. Any religion you start will have followers and they will follow you over the church. I will suggest you choose something different to worship rather than the Imperatrix herself. How about changing the name or identity for the time being?" warned Peter.
Changing the name? Why not change the gender too? King of humanity? Monarch of shadow? Emperor of Mankind? Talk about the possibilities.
"I appreciate the thought, but that would be disrespectful to the Imperatrix herself. What I need is your endorsement so that I can start a group of my own. I will handle things from there myself," said Rose.
"Even if it meant waging a religious war against the church?" warned Peter.
"Yes, what's the worst they could do to me? My fame alone supersedes their influence within the city. It would be foolish of them to even try anything," Rose gripped her fist.
"Careful now. Never underestimate the power of the church. If they are truly the masterminds behind these monster attacks, then you need to tread lightly. Who knows whether they have direct help from the Gods themselves," he warned her again.
Exactly what I thought, but I remained silent as I felt that a stern warning from Peter would be more impactful than hearing one from me. After being married for so long, my words no longer have the influence that they once had.
"Rose, the church might not harm you directly, but what about your followers? I am certain you don't want them to be kidnapped or tortured, right? Maybe you should think about them rather than just yourself," I elaborated.
"Hm— perhaps you're right. I can't protect all of them, and people might end up getting hurt just for joining," she put on a thinking face.
"Think of it as a temporary measure. Until we run the church down, maybe keep things subtle until then," I smiled.
"Zen, that's a horrible rationality. We can't keep finding fault with the church if they are truly innocent," she was speechless.
"Oh, trust me, they're not. My hunch has never failed me thus far. I swear to dig out every dirty little secret they have, even if I have to tear down their walls one by one," I assured her.
"Ahem, getting back on track, I'll ready the letters for you two. Consider this as payback for you, Rose, since you'll be showing us your new magic," he smirked.
"Will you be coming back to the East, Lily? I'm sure Daisy would be delighted," I asked her.
"No, Zen. There are things that I need to do here. Don't worry, there's no reason for me to avoid you anymore. I will hold you to your word. Don't you dare change your mind anymore. I don't want to hear a different answer the next time I see you. Promise me on that," she held out her pinky.
"Yes, I promise," I wrapped her pinky with mine.
"Is there something I missed?" asked Peter curiously.
"Long story short, Zen finally agreed to marry Lily. Yay," cheered Rose.
Peter gave her an astonished face when she acted cheerfully. I completely understand his perspective. This wife of mine is happy that I'm getting a second wife. How many females out there would be this enthusiastic about it? Thankfully, everyone who actually knows me is aware that this is all Rose's idea. Otherwise, my reputation would be flying downhill.
***
A month had passed since we returned from the East. Before we returned here, Rose had spent an entire week trying to teach Peter and some of his trusted men how to use healing magic, but none of them succeeded. She mentioned that none of them had gained faith, so they couldn't use it. She explained to them how she received her faith from the Imperatrix, but neither of them could receive her blessings. Is Rose going to be the sole entity in this world who can use healing magic?
The reason as to why we stayed an additional week was because I was recovering from my potion's side effects. A whole week of cold-like symptoms is not fun. Thankfully, I was feeling much better after it passed, and we sailed back to the Western continent, making sure we had done everything we could over there beforehand. Daisy was obviously reluctant to return as she knew full well that it was back to school and additional lessons for her.
The first thing I sorted out when I returned was regarding the beast's attacks. John had gotten me up to speed over a meal. He mentioned that beasts were attacking at full wave about a few weeks ago, which happened to be the same time as when the Chaplain Beast attacked the City of Heliotrope Ixia. But after they had successfully defended the city at a cost, the attacks had ceased ever since. While it remained unclear, there were reports about beast monsters fighting among themselves. Perhaps by killing Horrus, the blood pact was shattered and all the mindless beasts went feral. Thankfully, the sentient ones were unaffected thus far.
I had settled down from my trip and will begin my interrogation with the church. And to meet someone who had a direct connection with one of the Demon Gods. I look forward to both encounters, wondering which will squeal. There's no way I'm coming out of this empty handed when I nearly died twice.