The Deity Entertainment Network

Chapter 240 – A Plan, A Prayer, And An Uncomfortable Realization

"Are you serious, John? You know she is one of my problem children here." 

"What? I know she has a few... issues, but I didn't know she was one of your problems. She seems like she is a good person, just with... a few screws loose. Besides, she knows the way to the village, and I could use a hand taking care of these great wolves."

John and Luna were whispering to each other off to the side of the guildhall, while Darkness stood to the side, patiently waiting for them to have their meeting. After she had composed herself earlier, she had taken on a much more dignified air, no trace of the odd masochist to be seen. 

"She is a good person, just... be careful, okay? Not everyone is as they appear."

"Is this because she is the du-" He started to say, before she covered his mouth with her hands.

"Don't say it. If you already know, keep it to yourself. That is one of the few secrets that has been kept in this guild full of gossip and rumour mongers. To everyone here, she is just a crusader with some unfortunate personality quirks. The only reason I know is that our fathers are friends, and I met her when we were much younger." She replied. She turned away from him then and rubbed her temples as if fighting a headache. 

John could understand that. To say many of the adventurers in town were eccentric would be an understatement and she had to deal with them daily. He stepped up behind her and activated his healing hands skill, rubbing her exposed shoulders and neck. "It will be fine. We will go out to the village, hunt some wolves, and then be back in a day or three. The quest says they are more aggressive than normal wolves, so they might end up tracking us instead, which would save us even more time."

"Don't underestimate them; they are both smart and strong; it's a mid-ranked quest for a reason. I'd be happier if you had a party of four or more. Mmm... your hands feel amazing."

"I'm not. You know I have a few tricks up my sleeve." He said, and he really wasn't. He was going to check whether the locals had found their den first, but he had no intention of walking around the forest blind. If it looked too dangerous for the pair of them to track on foot, he wasn't going to engage the pack that way. Not when he had a perfectly serviceable Mech in his pocket whose sensor suite could easily track infantry. He would have to get a good look at the terrain, but the thermal cameras would probably give him some indication of where a pack of giant wolves was roaming around. 

If it is anything like the area surrounding Axel, it's rolling hills, farmland, and a few pockets of forest. We might even be able to eyeball their location from the top of one of the hills without bringing Suzy Q out. It's unlikely, but one can always hope. I just wish I still had Mei's drone... oh well, if wishes were wings, pigs would fly.

"I guess you do." She said, leaning in to his massage. "Now, for a more awkward question... are you courting her too?"

"Well, we had a bit of an incident this morning, but no, I have no plans on it. Honestly, it's just a feeling that tells me I should keep her close by for now." He replied, moving his fingers to the sides of her head, massaging her temples.

He was getting more experience in reading this... direction that the canon was trying to force. It was almost like he could feel the story trying to adjust things when he focused. Right now, it felt like it wanted Darkness in his party, and that he should stay in town and work at the construction site. He chose to accept Darkness, but he wasn't going to sit around digging holes all day. He wasn't a pirate; he didn't yearn for the mines.

He also felt bad for the young woman. This... disability of hers was something she didn't seem to have any control over, and she was being judged harshly because of it. If he could be her friend and help her become a better adventurer, they both would gain from the relationship. It had absolutely nothing to do with her being a beautiful woman or the lingering effects of Wiz's aphrodisiac.

At least, I hope it doesn't. God, do I really have a sadistic side that sees her as the perfect outlet for my own perversions? 

"Incident? Feelings? Did you already have sex with the- his daughter?" She hissed quietly, turning around to look up at him with worry in her eyes.

"No, though she seems to think we did." He said, then told her a short version of what happened in the baths earlier. He wasn't going to keep that hidden from her; starting a relationship on a lie was a horrible idea.

"Oh, Eris, is this another trial? Why did you have to make things even more difficult for me?" She whispered, leaning on his chest. "Listen, whatever happens, don't forget me, okay?"

"Hun? Why would I forget you?"

"It's nothing. Don't worry about it for now, and enjoy your quest. 25000 Eris per kill, plus if you can recover the corpses, we will pay extra for the pelts as long as they are not too damaged." She said, switching back to business mode. "

"Sure, darlin'. But when I get back, we are going to talk about what you just said."

"Okay. Now, I have people waiting, and I'm the only receptionist here for the next hour. Do you have further questions on the quest?"

"No, it's all on this piece of paper."

"Good. Oh, there is another party near that village who are on another quest. They are pretty green, so if you could check in on them while you're there, I would appreciate it."

"I'm technically green too."

"Right. Yet you are walking around with a magic sword and armour, and have a bunch of skills like a seasoned adventurer. Not to mention the most durable person in our guild is with you. Treating your party like complete novices would be a disservice to you. Those two girls... well, they have some powerful magic, but little else. They are more of my problem children, but that doesn't mean I want to see them get hurt."

"Well, if I see them, I'll check in."

"I would appreciate it."

"Now, give me a kiss, and I'll get out of your hair." He said, then lifted her chin up and stole a kiss from her lips before she could reply. She was stunned for a moment, then melted into his arms for a few moments before breaking away.

"Keep this up, and you will become one of my problem children, too." 

"I'll happily be your problem child if I get to taste those lips of yours every day."

"God, you really are a philanderer. Now, you should go. Your Crusader looks like she is about to blow her dignity again." She said with a laugh, gesturing towards Darkness. She was watching them from across the room, face flushed and panting again.

"Right. See you in a few days." He said, then walked over to Darkness. She seemed to be visibly shaking, trying to stop herself from moaning for some reason. He activated Scouter.

{Oh, he kissed her. He took my chastity, and now he is courting another woman in front of me. He really is perfect for me and everything I deserve! Stop it, Lalatina! You need to show him that you can control yourself!}

No regrets, no regrets, no regrets.

"You're leaving? I thought you said I had until the toad spawning started!" Aqua said, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She was wearing a pair of cream coloured pyjamas she had picked up somewhere, her blue dress hanging from a line above where they slept.

"I'll be back in a few days. I'm sure you will be fine." 

He had come back to the stables to make sure Aqua woke up for work and to tell her his plan. Darkness had taken off to the Church to pray to Eris for a safe journey. He would have joined her, but he had another goddess to deal with who wasn't sitting on a throne up in heaven or wherever Eris was right now.

I wonder what she would think if I told her I actually met Eris when I came to this world? 

"I wanna come!"

"I'm hunting giant wolves. What are you going to do?"

"I can heal you if you get injured."

"I can do that easily enough on my own. Healing is kind of my specialty, though I won't claim to be as good as you."

"I can use water magic, too!"

"I don't really have a lot of room with how I plan on travelling." He said. It was true, he only had room for himself and Darkness on his motorcycle. "Besides, I thought you couldn't use your abilities without getting an adventurer's card?"

"PLEASE! DON'T LEAVE ME HERE ALL ALONE!" She said, grabbing onto his leg and starting to cry again. 

He sighed. "You have been good up to now without worrying about me too much. What changed?"

"I need to make sure you survive to defeat the Devil King. It's the only way I can go home!"

"Right." He said. He had nearly forgotten that the only way she could go home was by defeating that guy. The guy who had an unspoken truce with the human nation due to Wiz's sacrifice. "Do you have enough for your adventurer's card yet?"

"I need two more bronze coins. I didn't drink last night to try and save for it."

"Here." He said, fishing out a couple of coins from his diminishing funds. "I expect you to pay me back. You go and get sorted out at the guild and meet us at the city gate in an hour. I need to go buy some rations and gear in the market. If you're not there, I'm leaving without you."

"Us? Who else is coming with us?" She said, clutching the coins to her chest like they were the most precious thing in the world.

"Her name is Darkness. She is a Crusader and the first member of my new party."

"You made a party without me?"

"Yes. You seemed content enough to work doing manual labour and party every night. I thought you were happy with your new life."

"Why would I ever want to do that! You are the worst follower ever!" She snapped, still holding his leg.

"Do you want me to take that money back?"

"No..."

"Then get dressed, and get over to the guild. You are following me now, darlin', and you will learn to like it. Now, move!" He growled, shaking her off his leg. She lost her grip and rolled away from him, her head hitting the wall with a loud bang. 

"You're so mean. You can't treat a goddess this way!" She sobbed, rubbing the back of her head, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I can, and I will. Now, get dressed. Main gate. One hour." He said, then stomped out of the stables, leaving her behind.

Oh god. That felt good... I really do have a sadistic side, don't I? Maybe Darkness isn't the only one who is a bit broken.

He shuddered at the thought.