Chapter 7: progress
{Attention! Full Mana recovered!}
I groggily opened my eyes. The soft evening light touching my skin. I felt strangely comfortable, like I was lying under my duvet back at home. Still in a dazed state, I used my hand to feel around.
"Fur?" I sat up to confirm that I was indeed sleeping on a makeshift bed made with dire wolf fur.
Huh? I don't remember taking out my wolf pelt so where did this come from?
I felt the pelt some more, enjoying the soft silky feeling. I looked around to see I was in some dome like tent. Before I could even process anything, a figure came into the tent. It was a female goblin...but something seems off, she was much cuter, prettier and actually had curves.
"What the actually hell....?" I gasped
"Oh my lady you've awoken!" She turned to me, squealing happily.
"Oh I'm so sorry, my lady. I'll go tell lord Ryu, lady Haruna and lord dayama about you come to right away!" She smiled before skipping off.
"Who was that? Either the village had been keeping that pretty chick hidden or...."
"Master!" My train of thoughts were cut short when someone practically barrel ramped into the tent before tackling me in a hug.
"What the hell" once the dust had subsided, I turned my head to see the culprit.
"Ryu! Haruna!" I blinked
"I'm so happy you're awake master!" Ryu nuzzles his head into the spot between my neck and shoulder, while haru was hugging my waist.
"Um, g..g.g..guys!" My face was practically burning from their actions, They reluctantly let go of me as I sighed in relief.
"What happened?! We were so worried" Haruna asked.
"Oh, I um...just overworked myself was all" I chuckled awkwardly.
"Well be careful next time, you had everyone really worried, everyone would have been panicking if Ryu didn't explain the situation" she pout
"By the way who was that cute goblin girl?" I asked
Another figure barged in, kicking up another dust cloud into the room. A very muscular male goblin with short dark green hair emerged from the the chaos while the rest of us were coughing up dust.
"My lady! I'm so happy you're finally awake!" The goblin said in a deep husky voice.
"Who in the world....?" I squinted my eyes as they widened after a few seconds...
"Dayama?!" Impossible! How is that scrawny, feeble, bag of bones now an epic hottie?!
"That's right shiori-sama! thanks to you, we've evolved to a much more majestic form!" He cackled proudly while flexing his bulk muscles.
"We?" Just then another figure barged in forcefully.
Use!. The!. Damn!. Door!. It's not that hard!.
"Master! Congratulations on your awakening!" A deep voice bellowed. I was up for another Heart attack,
"F...fang?!" He was now a guy who looked in his early twenties, with his long navy blue hair, fluffy tail and Wolf ears twitching ever so often.
"Yes master!" His expression was seeming serious but the way his tail was wagging said everything.
I had only just woken up and I'm already mentally exhausted, I sighed.
........
So apparently while I was resting, Ryu had transported everyone to the spiritual space or rather, the ethereal city.
Thanks to the contract, both goblins and dire wolves had evolved. Goblin guys are much more fit and taller whereas the females are curvy and prettier. As for the dire wolves they all have navy blue hair, the males have red rural warrior marks on their cheeks whereas the females are more domestically cuter. As a bonus Apparently both can transform from wolf to human form as they please.
Jobs for everyone have also been distributed and assigned. They even appointed care takers for me while I was asleep. That goblin girl I met earlier Akira was one of them.
Although I'm fully recovered, Ryu and Haruna insisted I rest of the day while they handle everything. I'm living in a special tent while the residents are working on building houses. Now I'm bored out of my mind. .
Well at least my theory is correct, adopting monsters and naming or forming contract with them equals having bishimons as companions. I sighed dreamily.
"It's lunch time, shiori-sama" said Mikasu, another one of my maids. I actually have four of them Akira, mikasu, Sakura and Megumi.
Akira, mikasu are my personal maids whereas, Megumi and Sakura are more of like house keepers.
I looked up for my console, turning to Ryu who was busy reminiscing in my memories.
"Don't you have anything better to do?" I rose an eye brow
"Not really, the goblins and dire wolves have got everything covered, plus Haruna is supervising. Now let me enjoy my show in peace! " he beamed
"Hopeless, utterly hopeless " I deadpanned
"Time for the next episode " he directed his grabby hands my way.
"Don't you think you've watched enough?" I sweatdropped, wary of he's zeal.
"Absolutely not, master! But I've already recorded some of them so I can watch those whenever I want."
"Then what are you digging into my head for?!" I narrowed my eyes
"It's so much better through the source!" He said with zero shame.
"Then as your master, I forbid you from watching anymore historical drama for today,..." I said finally.
"Nooo! That's too cruel" he whined, latching on to me desperately as he kept on pulling on a random memory.
"Oh ma cherri, you're just as beautiful as the moon itself on a starry night" It was one of my favorite otume games.
"Oops...."
"Damn you Ryu!" My cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Please tell me watch more, shiori-dono..." He begged imitating the otume game characters.
"Don't imitate that face, you creep!"
" let me watch, please shiori-dono~...." He begged
"Fine, but first tell me why it's better from the source..." I sighed. I placed a finger on his chin deep in thought.
"Well I guess it's like comparing a live stream and reply- no! A LIFE ACTION AND A FLASHBACK!"
"Ok ok you win, just stop using those gaming terms so likely. their sacred!" I yelled desperately yanking his hair.
"Yippee!" He dashed out of the tent.
"wait, where are you going?" I asked
"To gather materials for screening your memories, bye-bye " and with that he was gone.
"Well I guess I'll go train for a bit and check on everyone's progress"
.....
I snuck out of the domain and practiced my basic skills. Slicing rocks with my claws, hunting animals to improve my biting skill , even picked on a few monsters in the labyrinth to improve solo head to head combat, using my other skills better against larger monsters.
"That took a lot more energy than I was expecting but I think I've gotten the basics down. Though I'd much prefer using magic, or at least know more about other species in this world, but I don't have books, heck, I don't even have decent clothing!" I whined
"Guess I better head back..." I retreated in the spiritual space. I stood on top of a hill, monitoring everything below as a bunch of dire wolves stood not so far behind me.
"This body is pretty flexible, I think I'm actually getting the hang of this. Oh, I almost forgot. I only remember naming you, Madara so how are the rest of your pack evolved?" I turned to him curious.
"I'm the leader of the pack after your rule, shiori-sama, We dire wolves are considered group monsters, hence, as I evolved the mana was shared between us all equally." Madara replied.
"Group monsters huh..." I nodded
" As the one who evolved us, it's traditional that we take your the name of our master, therefore we aren't dire wolves anymore but.... komori wolves" he stated proudly.
I still wonder if he hates me, hes not really being hostile but he barely shows any signs of emotion or interest. I would hate for him to feel forced in all this.
"Alright then, let's go then!" I said turning around.
"Yes! Master!" He spoke shifting into his wolf form as I leapt onto him.
As we rode, I could see goblins and some dir- no, komori wolves help with plucking varieties of fruits and putting them in wooden crates, some of which Include persimmons, apples, grape fruit and more. As for meat , most of the male wolves were out hunting with yamada's group.
It seems like were settled in terms of food plus I bet we could make a fortune selling them. I smiled, in acknowledgment before continuing my observation.
Buildings were coming up nicely as well, I had look up construction methods and house designs on my phone while I was on bed rest, Ryu had extracted such information and showed it to the them on an illusion like media. Haruna helped in stacking the healing potions I'd recently made with my body fluids a put them into labeled crates.
The only problem was...
.......
I stared at the clothes some male goblins were modelling for with an unreadable expression.
they literally had nothing on except fur hind wrapped around their waists
"Sigh. I guess when it comes to fashion you guys actually pretty useless" I stated bluntly as I sat on Madara's back.They tensed at my harsh comment.
"I'm sorry shiori-sama." Akira spoke as she stood next to me. Her attire was no better, she only had fur hind wrapped around her chest and waist.
"This is so embarrassing, I'm afraid we don't have anyone here who has the skill for clothes making" dayama said degectedly.
"I'd already shown you classic designs..." I pointed out.
"We appreciate you sharing your wisdom, my lady. However, I'm afraid we don't have the necessary materials nor the experience to make clothes suitable for your taste..." Dayama said staring at the ground in shame.
"If we can't make them ourselves, then is there anywhere we can get them?" I asked, rubbing Madara's head like a little puppy as he leans into my touch.
"Well, I've heard about this little market town called advend valley. Apparently adventurers go there to restock on supplies and buy goods. The citizens there are quite skilled." Dayama said thinking hard.
"What are they like?" I quiered
"I'm not sure, all I know is that it's a drawf dwelling town "
My eyes twinkled, dwarves! As in the Masters of weaponry and greatest Craftsmen known to fantasy worlds!
"It's settled! Were going! To advend valley. Dayama, would you please look after the demi plane while we're gone?..." I smiled
"It would be my honor!" He replied, flashing a bright smile.
"What's going on master?" Just then Haru and Ryu approached.
"We're going shopping!" I squealed excitedly.
"Huh?" They stared at me confused.
.........
{(The next day)}
We had gotten everything ready for the trip, dayama , however we barely had any money.
Damn I really should do something about my kingdom's finances. I stared at the pouch of coins, apparently this the goblins had.
We waved to everyone before setting off into the mist as everyone cheered.We had invited yamada to join us, make it only five of us going, adding fang and some of his pack as transport.
By the end of the day, I decided we should take a break. Some sat on the grass while others were handling tents for the night. Haru was taking care of the wolf pack while Ryu was busy watching edo drama.
I let out a sigh, sitting on a rock while subconsciously staring at fang who was currently drinking from the river. As if sensing my gaze, he turned to face me.
.......
{(The next day)}
We continued our journey, I kept staring at Madara who I was holding onto for dear life are he ran.
Flashback...
Madara sat near me, legs criss crossed while I sat on a rock, staring at the evening sky silently.
After a while I broke the silence
"Fang, do you dislike me?"
"What?!" His eyes widened with surprise.
"I mean I killed your father, I understand if you have a gurge against me. You can be honest, I would hate for you to feel forced into serving me "I looked down at the ground, feeling guilty.
"Master....." His voice was gentle.
"It's true I felt grieve for my father's demise, but you took us in as your own and gave us names. I only feel gratitude towards you, shiori-sama..." he smiled softly but was completely taken aback by my expression.
I was on the verge of tears, my cheeks flushed a delicate pink as my hair swayed gently in the evening breeze.
"Fang... I'm so relieved!" I hugged him close. His ears perked up in surprise as his tail wagging fiercely.
"M... master?!" He froze up, dumbfounded as I nuzzle into his shoulder.
Flashback ends...
"Our loyalty lies with you, and you alone, shiori-sama!" Fang stated
"I know, but don't push yourself okay..."
"Yes ma'am!" He nodded , running even faster.
According to dayam, Usually, it would take about two months to get to advend valley by foot, however thanks to Madara and his pack we were able to arrive in just three days.
"Wow!" I awed as I stared at the town from a distance. We lined up with the others as we waited for our turn to enter the town.
"So we just wait here?" I asked yamada who was ahead of me.
"Yep, this place has a serious security protocol, but once inside we can do whatever we please." He replied looking ahead.
"Quite impressive " Ryu commended, Haru held my hand feeling nervous. Due to my unique clothes, I decided to wear a cloak to avoid attracting attention.
"It's ok haru" I smiled softly at her.
"Oi?! Look what we have here! Monsters trying to get in an adventurist town how laughable!"
We turned to see a group of human adventurers. They're mocking tone annoyed me but I didn't show it and just kept staring at them.
"Look, we're just here to purchase, we want no trouble." Yamada said tensed.
They laughed, until one of them turned looked at me.
"Damn! Well hello there..." He smirked staring at me but Ryu quickly stood between us.
"Tell you what, we'll leave, if! You sell us the chick?"
"My master isn't for sale, kindly leave at once!" Ryu frowned sternly.
"Alright then, if you wouldn't hand her over then we'll take her by force" their leader spat.
"Shiori-sama isn't a slave~..." Haru pouted.
Ryu started laughing cutely, just like a charming bishimon from an otume game.
" Oh master~ may I kill them?" He smiled innocently.
"Why of course " I was too busy swooning, until his words finally registered.
"Wait! No! No no no nooooo!" I called him back as he walked over, knuckles cracking and ready to smash them in to a reincarnation.
My words reached him just in time, as he hesitately came back. I sighed in annoyance by their despicable behavior.
I don't think they'll leave us be if we justignored them. I turned to Ryu and Haruna who were practically fumming.
"Yamada-kun, remember our rules.?.."I asked with a blank expression
"Yes my lady!" He replied
"All of you, cover your ears and close your eyes, don't open them no matter what." I ordered, walking forward.
"Yes! Shiori-sama!" They all turned around and did as I said, all except Ryu and Haruna.
"Listen up! For the sake of your pride I suggest you leave or at least quit bothering us.." I said
"Ha ha ha! And what's a girl like you going to do about it, hit us with a pan? Better stay behind a kitchen where you belong cause as it looks your not even a novice mage." They mocked
A tick Mark appeared on my forehead.
These sexist bastards.
"You have 10 seconds..." I warned.
"Oh well, just remembered you asked for i! Thunder spear!"they yelled was
"Crimson blast!..." " Wind spiral!.."
"Light saber!..." "Mana barrier!" They called out different spells, launching them all my way at once.
How troublesome.
{Slime manipulation activated}
I engulfed my palm with slime as I caught all the attacks like a baseball glove.
"WHAT?!" They seemed surprised. "Did, did she just catch?! Our spells?!"
"Times up, and this is yours..." I threw the attack back at them.
BOOM BOOM BOOM
the ground flew away due to the impact of their spell, while everyone else behind was fine since Ryu place a barrier just in time.
"What's going on over here?!" Some guards approached us.
Aw shit. I deadpanned wanting to disappear