Chapter 19: Quest
....
After gaining Libara and Ciel. I took them to back with me for proper introduction. However the others weren't so please.
I sweatdropped as everyone was practically glaring at the pair.
Libara cuddling me like some needy cat while Ciel was clinging to my side. despite still looking like a child, he was far older than kuroha and Ryuchi combined.
"Let go of shiori-sama, you peasant!" Kuro fummed as he ripped Ciel from my side as kyokota did the same with libara.
"Libara and Ciel will be helping in the medical and research department" I announced.
"Seriously?!" The exclaimed
"What?" I stared at them
"You can't just go bringing random strangers here, what if they're spies." Kuro frowned protectively
I turned to them
"Are you spies?" I asked
"No lady shiori" they smiled. I grinned smugly at the others.
"We'll need more confirmation than that!" Kuro yelled dumbfounded.
...
{Location: melvia inn}
"Why are we back here, shiori-sama?" Ryu asked.
"I saw a special rank mission and I wanted to take it as well as sell some merchandise" I explained
I had taken only Ryu, kuro and kyokota with me for this mission. As for Haruna, I'd sent her on a mission to handle moonlit lilies while we're away.
"And what does this mission entail?" Kuro asked curiously
"Basically, We supposed to guard some noble's sons. I don't know much of the details " I admitted honestly
"I guess we'll see them tomorrow" kyokota sighed.
We entered our room and try to process the situation.
"there are only three beds, would two of you mind sharing one?..." I suggested
Kuro missed his chance due to the master being a late bloomer, but while the shot is open, I'll make my move... Ryu thought as he unbuttoned his shirt a bit, showing off his chiseled chest.
"Which bed would you like then?" Ryu said in a low, seductive tone as he laid on his bed, kyokota and kuro did the same, also trying to imitating him.
I Deadpanned "I'll just rent another room then" I sighed, heading for the door.
"why didn't it work?" Kuro asked, whispering to ryu.
"We need to think of a better plan.." Ryu replied
"Plan?" Kyokota queried intrigued
"Hey! You three, just go to sleep already!" I left the room, feeling drained which had nothing to do with today's work
"Those... idiots..." I muttered trying to calm my burning cheeks.
.......
The next morning we set out In a wagon, heading to the meetup point with our client.
"You guys don't have to come along, I'll be fine on my own" I said glaring at the three men who couldn't meet my eyes.
"Nonsense! Servants are meant to be by their masters side!" Ryu smiled proudly
"I'm not very comfortable with the thought of you alone with another man..." Kuro pouted
"I agree" added kyokota
"Even you kyokota?!" I was stunned
"It's not that we don't trust you, we just don't trust them...." Ryu said flatly
Them?
We soon arrived at the entrance of a luxurious inn. There waiting in front of the building was an elderly well dressed man staring at us suspiciously.
"Hello, were here for the job..." I explained
"Name and passcode " he demanded
Seriously...
"We're from hoshiko trading company, and there isn't any passcode that were aware of, old man..." I narrowed my eyes, showing that I wasn't joking around.
He tensed up for a moment before clearing his throat.
"I see, viable..." He snapped his fingers as two figures popped out from the shadows, both elven girls.
"These are his highnesses royal guards, introduced yourselves..." he ordered as the two nodded.
"I'm amber!" The taller one said. She had back length auburn hair and deep blue eyes
"And I'm Artemis!" The second one said with a grin. She had waist length blonde hair which were dressed into pigtails. Her sharp green eyes staring me mischievously.
The inn guards opened the doors, allowing the client to our view. My eyes widened in awe...
Holy moly!😳
The guy He had pointed ears, luscious golden yellow hair that shone under the light and heterochromic eyes , one blue one green.
Beside him was a little elf boy who looked around the range of 5 to 7 with similar figures.
"My name is sir luke, and these are your client, the second prince of the elven kingdom {Amberia} Nathaniel van Milford, and the younger third prince Issac van Milford. " The old guy introduced as the two elves acknowledged us.
"Greetings, my name is Shiori komori, and that's Ryuchi, kyokota and kuroha." I said, just then Nathaniel
"A pleasure to meet you milady...." The older son said as he kissed the back of my hand. I was stunned, cringing so harder i feared I'd have wrinkles and my face would plot against me.
The hairs on my body rose as I could sense my servant's death glares towards the elven male.
"We better get going..." I quickly yanked my hand away much to Nathaniel's surprise.
He must be used to girls swooning over himwith that move. I deadpanned as I headed to the wagon whereas he and Issac sat in their carriage.
"It would take us exactly three days to reach the nation's boarder, meaning everyone should be on high alert." I stated to everyone using telepathy as they nodded.
As we went, I noticed Nathaniel occasionally glancing my way a few times. I couldn't tell if it was because I rejected his touch or if he finds me suspicious.
"Shiori-sama, we appear to be entering a forest..." Kyokota spoke snapping me out of my thoughts
"Is something the matter?" I asked noticing him tensed up.
"I feel a strange discomfort about it, it's making my skin crawl" he replied.
"My lord, I see a monster ahead! I'll handle it!" Artemis spoke enthusiastical.
"Artemis wait!" But it was too late, the girl had ran into the forest like an idiot.
Aren't guards supposed to have sharp instincts? I know it's not in the job description but at least they should have common sense, right? I sigh as I and Ryu chashed after her.
"Watch them while we're gone " I spoke before disappearing into the forest. It didn't take us long to find her, however....
"Ahhh~!" A moan hit our ears, Our faces paled.
"What the hell?!..." We stared at the elven girl who was being assaulted by a group of slimes.
they sucked on the exposed or rather inappropriate parts her body, like under her skirt, her thighs and even inside her shirt.
"What's happening here?" I deadpanned, already exhausted with all this bullshit.
"She seems to be assaulted by these monsters." Ryu cringed.
I rolled my eyes. "Yes I'm well aware of that. I also have eyes, dumbass..."
"Um, Artemis was it? You do know that slimes are the weakest monsters right? Like low tier weak..." I sweatdropped
"My body...moved on it's own... and before I knew it... I was in this situation..." She panted
I facepalmed. "Ok, Ryu deal with it..."
"Ha?!" He queried.
"Just do it!"
"Fine, hold still" he stepped forward to assist. Slicing it's core clean in half.
The slimes were now puddles of goo as Artemis panted, trying to regain some breath.
"To think monsters would do such discriminating acts" Ryu frowned.
"I wonder why that is...." I queried.
Artemis kept sulking the whole way as we walked back.
"Hey don't look so sad, we won't tell a soul about this. It's too traumatic...." I muttered the last part.
"Your back! Are you alright?" Nathaniel smiled, relieved as he ran over to us.
"Yeah back found something strange, the monsters didn't seem to be attacking miss Artemis, rather they were groping her..." Ryu stated unsure of what he was even saying as Artemis sulked even more.
"We've noticed that as we rode to melvia, that why we offered the job for our way back" Nathaniel explained.
"I see we'll look into it..." I nodded
"Please do" he smiled.
"My lord!-" just then the old man pushed Nathaniel out of the way as a tornado of flame encased the old man instead.
"Luke!" The princes and his guards yelled with panicked.
The culprits emerged from the forest, all men adventurers. There were at least 20 of them.
"You'll pay for that!" Mira and Artemis lunged at them, taken on two opponents, however they were clearly out numbered.
"Just show us the goods and no one gets hurt..." Their leader smirked
I see, so their theives.
"Hey you guys, why not join us..." The leader addressed to my servants.
Kuro and kyoko stared at me for a moment, contemplating.
"How laughable, that's narcissist back at melvia asked us the same thing, right kuro..." Ryu smirks grabbing the hilt of his sword.
"How much are you offering?" Kuro asked, Ryu was stunned.
"How about 30 gold coins each" the leader smiled
"very well , I and kyokota won't fight" he said
"You traitors!" Ryuchi attempted to kick kuroha but kyokota stopped his foot midair.
"Sorry, but that's life!" The leader sneered
"No matter, I can handle you jokers all by myself!" Ryu smiled
"How was that, shiori-sama?" Kuro asked through telepathy as the two sat on a log nearby.
"Good job you two" I spoke back in my mind.
Knowing Ryu is bound to overdo things if they all fought together.
"But why asked for money though?" I asked through telepathy.
"They're troubling you, it's only natural to ask for compensation" kuro pouted.
Kuro...how sweet of you...
"Ryu, leave them just barely alive..." I ordered.
"Yes shiori-sama!"
Everyone lunged at us. I was simply dodging their weak attacks but stopped noticing Ryu was doing the same.
"What are you doing, Ryu?!"
"You haven't given me the order yet, as per samurai and master's tradition..." He smiled
Say what?!, "seriously?!" I deadpanned, swating a thug away.
"Of course!" He beamed. My cheeks flushed as I spoke embarrassed
"Um, Ryuchi, goes beat up these thug!.." I ordered
"Yes! Shiori-sama!" He lunged forward and snatched all their sword with a mischievous smile, the thugs panicked.
"Dont worry, I'll only use the back of my sword!" He spoke viably before beating the absolute crap out of them.
He's causing a lot of damage with just the back though. I Deadpanned with soft horror.
"Hey you guys! Help us!" The leader ordered kyokota and kuro.
"We only said we won't fight, nothing about assisting you" kyokota stated bluntly.
"But we're paying you!"
"It doesn't matter, whether you give me the money or I take it from your cold dead bodies" kuro narrowed his eyes with an evil smirk.
The man shuddered with fear, his right hand man activated a spell as he vanished into thin air.
Seems like that one escaped, I knocked the leader with a classic backchop.
"Well that's all of them..." Kuro stood up and raided the poor guys pockets.
"Look Master, I've retrieved some income~..." he smiled sweetly
That's practically stealing. I sweatdropped .
"Luke!" We turned to the carriage as Issac screamed. the old man was laid down one the seat. He was mostly Burnt to a crisp but was somehow still holding on, just barely.
Issac held Luke's hand with desperation as tears weld up in his eyes. Nathaniel clenched his fist in futstration.
"Young...prince..." The old man managed to croak out..
"I had... once wished to... see you grow up into a proud young man... However...I'm afraid I can't anymore..."
"Don't speak! Just hang in there!" Issac cries, clenching Luke's hand desperately.
Luke smiled, "my lord...., I wish you well...on your journey... to become king....one day..."
Nathaniel clenched his jaw, trying his best not to cry.
"Make way!" Everyone turned to me as I sat in front of him.
{Healing master activated}
The healing liquid emitted from my palms and encased him, having a faint glowing.
Its repairing his cells sure but not fast enough, I better think quick, else he'll die either way.
I pulled out my scythe and cut open my arm, much to everyone's horror.
"Shiori-sama!!!" Kyokota, Ryu and kuro all yell in unison, Fear and surprise evident on their faces.
My blood dripped unto the man's chest as his wounds glowed Bright blue. Thanks to the potent healing quality of my blood, His cells were regenerating five times as fast now.
After 20 minutes, he was almost fully recovered, however my vision blurred due to the massive blood lost. before I could steady myself, everything went dark.
..........
I slowly opened my eyes to see that was laying in a comfy bed with silk sheets and blankets, I sat up to examine my arm as it was now wrapped in bandages.
"Where am I?" I queried, a maid noticed my come to and ran out the room.
I'm suddenly getting deja Vu.
A few moments later, Nathaniel and Issac in the room facing me.
"So how are you feeling? Any better?" Nathaniel asked, still a bit worried.
"I'm much better, thanks..." I smiled
"I'm so sorry. I feel terrible that you were hurt because of us. now knowing your identity as the queen of the human kingdom, the ethereal city embassy, I'll take full responsibility for this..." He bowed apologetically.
"No, no I should be the one apologizing, I should have protected him more. As for my status please pay no heed, I'm the one you took the job yet all I've done is caused everyone such Trouble and worry..." I waved my hand in understanding. Suddenly feeling guilty at their concerns.
He and his brother were stunned at my dismissive attitude.
"Plus take a look, it's only a scratch, no need to worry about it"
I took of the bandages revealing a large scar that roamed from my elbow to near my wrist.
Their faces paled as his immediately stood up.
"Yes, but even if it doesn't bother you, the rest of high society won't feel the same, it might even hinder your chances of someday getting married!" He explained with intense panic.
"Right..." He kept on talking but I wasn't paying attention anymore. i was lost in my own thoughts.
High society huh... it sounds like it's more trouble than it's worth, I rather have more freedom as an emmince in the shadows...
"What's your answer, lady shiori?"
"Oh, yes!" I said as I immediately snapped back to reality.
He smiled brightly.
"Very well, then you may call me by Nate rather than my full name from this day forward."
"Ok, you can call me shiori then" I replied with an awkward smile.
"Such a beautiful name " he kissed the back of my hand before releasing me and headed for the door.
"Very well, I shall inform my parents..." He smiled as he left, I awkwardly waved good bye to him.
"Wait, what was he even talking about again?" Just then Issac hugged my close.
"I guess that makes you my big sister now!" He smiled.
"Huh, and why is that?" I queried nervously
"Why? Because of your engagement to my brother of course., silly..."
My face paled.
"FOR MY WHAT???!!!"