Chapter 15: Desert?
It was already late, and the sun had set hours ago when Sir Denise suddenly announced, "We're here!"
I blinked, looking at the view in front of me. "...A desert?"
"Technically, it's the outskirts of Frasha village," he said, rubbing the back of his head like that made it any better.
"Holy- I did not expect the barrier to collapse too soon" Sir Denise suddenly blurted out beside me, so I instinctively followed what he was referring and saw a barrage of monsters attacking a semi transparent red wall.
"Lady Anya, Can you find shelter in the forest for the night? I promise to find you after this" He said anxiously
I just nodded my head and the moment I did, he immediately dashed towards the hoard of monsters.
When I checked the mana in my core, I couldn't help but grimace. My absorption rate was so slow thanks to this new mana situation, and my core? Barely even half full.
No, scratch that—less than half. Great.
Should I help?
I glanced at the wave of monsters again. It was like a fantasy zoo gone wrong—there were orcs, ogres, goblins, rabbimons (those adorable little furballs turned feral), and a whole bunch of others I couldn't name. They just kept coming, even though most of the ones in front were already getting wiped out.
Desperate much?
They look like they're running away from something the staff chimed in, still floating beside me.
"It does seem that way. But what would make so many monsters flee into a barren desert?" I mused.
Oh, now you're talking to me? You didn't even introduce me to Sir Denise! Rude!
I ignored her sulking and activated my Dragon Eyes.
Scanning the surroundings, I spotted something interesting—not far inside the forest, there was a carriage and a wagon. What's more, it didn't look like the typical traveler setup.
I opened a gate above a nearby tree and hopped through, landing on a sturdy branch. From there, I peered down at the people below, curious about what kind of trouble they might be in.
"Sir, we can't use this path—there are monsters ahead," a guy in a poncho said, squinting through binoculars like his life depended on it.
"What? Monsters?!" screeched a chubby man with brown hair, decked out in finery that screamed wannabe noble. He snatched the binoculars.
The second he looked through them, his face went pale, and he shoved the binoculars back like they'd bitten him. "We can't be late! The auction's in two weeks, and the Duke expects first-class products! Do you hear me?!"
Then, like the walking pile of garbage he clearly was, he spun around and grabbed a girl who looks like a pathfinder by the hair. "This is your fault!" he snarled, shaking her like she was a rag doll. "If you'd taken the right path, we wouldn't be stuck here with those beasts!"
Oh, hell no.
Listen, buddy, how is it her fault that a monster wave decided to drop by 2 days ago? You think she's got a crystal ball in her back pocket that can magically see the future?
I was already considering whether to dropkick him off his fancy wagon
You left me again!!! How heartless!!
The staff said which suddenly appeared beside me.
Oh? What is happening? Why is that man beating that poor girl? Hey aren't you gonna do anything?
I gave the staff the silent treatment and used Dragon eyes on the wagon behind the lavish carriage. Something about this whole situation was giving me serious bad vibes.
Inside the wagon, there were people chained up—hands and feet, like they were being prepped for some kind of twisted cargo delivery. And what really hit me? A kid. Yep, of course. I was starting to hate this entire scene.
Without even realizing it, I clenched my fist. My mind flashed back to the morning, to the kids in the slave town.
"The—They are in the store room. The low grade ones were the only ones left, the high grade ones were sent to the empire."
The pig man was probably referring to these poor souls as the "high grade slaves." How messed up is that?
I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm, but then I noticed the rest of the crew hanging out by the wagon. Aside from the pig man, there were six more people. Two of them were the dude with the binoculars and the girl he was abusing. The other four were mercenaries. Three beefy guys with swords, probably thinking they're ready to chop anything in their path, and one guy who looked like a mage.
I resisted the urge to yell, "Is this a bad action movie or something?" and just kept my eyes locked on them, trying to figure out the best way to make this whole mess explode in their faces.
I couldn't help but notice that the mage was the one who slapped on that shabby concealment magic around the place. Sure, it hid them from the naked eye, but if you're even remotely sensitive to mana, it's as obvious as a neon sign flashing "Look here, idiot!" The mana density was way off compared to the surroundings. Monsters can totally pull the same stunt, especially Trolls—god, I remember reading about them ages ago. Honestly, I didn't pay much attention to stuff like that back when I was stuck in the palace. I mean, what's the point of studying mana and magic when I couldn't even use it?
Anyway, I checked out the nature of the cloak, and it seemed like it was using wind and earth elements to bend the light and hide them. The wind would manipulate the air around them, and the earth would help stabilize the field, creating a subtle illusion. So, the mage must be someone who's got a grip on those elements.
I decided to give it a go. Seven needles shot through the air, landing perfectly on the targets. They were laced with paralysis poison—at least that's what the label said. The moment they hit, the group dropped like bricks, and the invisibility cloak fizzled out. I jumped down from my perch, trying to look like a ninja. I may have tripped on a twig, but no one was around to see it.
I strolled over to the wagon, taking my sweet time like I was on a casual walk through the park. I could practically feel the seven paralyzed people's eyes boring into my back, but hey, thanks to the poison, they couldn't do anything about it. Not even a "Hey, stop!" or a "What are you doing?!" Gotta love the quiet.
I pulled out seven more needles, each tipped with a nice green liquid that looked suspiciously like the one I used back at the slave town. Better safe than sorry, right? I wasn't about to take any chances with these guys.
I threw the needles with perfect precision—because, you know, I'm just that good—and the next thing I knew, the seven of them were convulsing like fish yanked out of a pond. It was almost comical, but also kind of gross. Like, I wasn't sure whether to laugh or to be worried about the fact that I could totally see their muscles twitching under the skin.
I continued my leisurely stroll, stepping over the now-twitching bodies with all the grace of someone who's done this a hundred times (which, honestly, I haven't, but it sure felt like it). Before I knew it, I was standing at the opening of the wagon. I hesitate to call it a door—it was just a piece of cloth hanging there, like someone had just tossed it up and called it a day.
Super fancy, right?
Wow, you even killed the helpless beaten young lady. Are you some kind of a barbarian?
I ignored the staff as usual and used my magic to destroy the roof of the wagon. I was planning to just open it normally at first but then I remembered how bad it smelled when I opened the store room back in the slave town, I mean at least this way the smell will dissipate a little.
The moment the roof was blown away, the surrounding cloth covering the wagon fell on the floor, revealing 5 people.
I looked at the corpse like figures and realized that they were of variety of races as well.
The child was a beastman—kind of hard to miss with those ears and tail. Three of them looked like elves, or at least a weird elf-human mix, and the last one was just straight-up human boy with a very cute face.
One of the elves glanced back at me, so I did the same. I couldn't tell if it was a guy or a girl. Their face was covered in dirt, and their hair was a matted mess, making it hard to discern any details.
I was about to casually tell them they were free to go and do whatever, but then... the chains. I paused, because hey, those things didn't exactly scream "freedom," did they?
I used magic to snap the chains, and they fell to the ground with a satisfying thud. The group exchanged glances, then stared at me.
I waved dismissively. "You're free to go. The people who captured you are dead. The forest is clear, so go find food and water. The monsters are in the desert, so you're safe for now."
I walked up to the pigman's fancy carriage and slipped inside. It was... well, calling it "luxurious" would be an understatement. The couches were this deep, rich red velvet, lined with gold, and there was a tiny table in the middle, gleaming with colorful gems. Talk about over-the-top.
I plopped down onto the couch and stared up at the ceiling, trying to get comfy. And then I saw it.
A freakin' light bulb.
I froze. A light bulb? Seriously? How is this even a thing in a place like this? What kind of wizardry is going on here?!
[The
I took another look at the "light bulb," and after examining it more closely, I realized it wasn't quite the same as the ones back on Earth. Sure, it looked like a light bulb, but this one was powered by magic. There's a magic stone embedded inside that seems to be the one giving off all the light. Huh, so much for science.
I was kinda blown away by the whole thing but quickly snapped out of it. I mean, how much had changed while I was gone? And why didn't Sir Denise ask me about my hair? Like, seriously, the last time I checked, only the Royal family had hair like mine.
Could Sir Denise actually be... stupid? Nah, too harsh. Maybe he's just never met a member of the royal family before? Which, honestly, is somehow even dumber than the first thought.
I rubbed my forehead, feeling a headache coming on. Ugh, I think I need to just sleep this off.
So, I flopped back onto the ridiculously comfy couch, which had more than enough space for me to stretch out and lie flat on my back. Well, at least that's one thing I can enjoy tonight.
"Hey staff, You just woke up so do not sleep, Stand guard" I said before sleep took over me
I even heard her complain before my consciousness drifted away.
This is how it feels to be sleepy, and to fall asleep. How peaceful.
-
I jolted awake the moment I felt a sharp sting on my forehead.
"Finally! You're awake!! Goodness, I've been trying to wake you up for HOURS! Do you have any idea how painful it is to find a crack in your mental barrier?! It's like trying to punch through a brick wall with my bare hands! Ugh, I'm drained, I can't even—my mana's at its limit! I'm going to collapse, I swear. But before I do, let me just tell you—YOU. HAVE. VISITORS. And they've been waiting FOR. EVER. I can't even! Tsk"
And with that, the staff dramatically flopped into my hands like a deflated balloon.
I groaned, letting my head fall back against the pillow. "I didn't even get enough sleep yet! Tsk This is so unfair."
I sat up and immediately began to fix myself—because, of course, who else is going to do it? There was a mirror and a comb inside the carriage, so naturally, I took my time to make sure every strand of hair was perfect. It's all about first impressions, right? After I finished my little beauty routine, I slid into my robe and pulled the hood up to hide my hair. Gotta keep the royal look under wraps—can't have everyone knowing who I really am just yet. With one last glance in the mirror to admire my self, I opened the carriage door.
The moment I opened the door, I found three people outside, looking like they hadn't had a decent meal in weeks. Seriously, they were so thin, they could've passed for skeletons. And they were all kneeling in front of the carriage like they were worshiping it.
"Who are you?" I asked, keeping it cool as I casually sat on the carriage stairs.
"We are the slaves you saved the other night... Ma'am," one of them said without even looking up.
The other night? What are they on about?
"How long was I asleep?" I asked, trying to wrap my head around it.
"It had been more than a day... Ma'am," the same person replied, still not daring to lift their head.
I couldn't help but furrow my brow. More than a day? Wow, I thought it was only a couple of hours. Guess I really needed that sleep, huh?
"Stand up, you're not slaves anymore," I said, waving them off like it was no big deal.
And just like that, they all popped up, synchronized like they'd practiced it a million times.
I stood there, trying to act all tough, but honestly, these three were just way too cute. I mean, how could I not melt a little inside?
First up, there was the beast folk kid from yesterday. He had these tiny little cat ears poking out of his head, covered in orange fur... or was it hair? I couldn't tell, but it was adorable either way. His tail—oh, his tail!—was striped with black and orange, swishing back and forth like he was trying to keep himself busy. And those yellow cat eyes? Too much. He looked like he was around 8 or 10, but that tail was a mood.
Then, there was the young man. He had long black hair and dark, almost mysterious black eyes, and his skin was so pale, he looked like he just stepped out of a vampire movie. He was probably younger than the elf boy but still looked around my age—or maybe older, considering his height. But he was so skinny, it was hard to tell! Still, there was something about him that made him oddly cute in a "don't mess with me, I have a secret and I'm not sharing" kind of way.
Lastly, there was the handsome mixed-blood elf. He had jet-black hair with a little purple in it, and eyes that were so light purple, they looked like they could light up the night—super dramatic, like he'd walk into a room and you'd hear "dun dun DUN!" His ears were slightly pointy, but not enough to scream "I'm a magical being!" Just enough to give him that "I might be hiding a secret... or maybe just a really good hair care routine" vibe. He was a bit taller than the others, and even though he looked like he could use a good meal (or ten), he still had this mysterious, elegant air about him that I just couldn't put my finger on. And honestly, he looked so familiar... Where have I seen him before?
After a long, awkward silence, I raised an eyebrow, trying my best to sound serious. "What are you doing outside my carriage?" I asked, though I couldn't hide the slight amusement creeping in.
They looked nervously at each other, except for the mixed-blood elf, who immediately stepped forward and answered.
"We owe you our life, so we decided to follow you."
I stared at him, raising an eyebrow. "Aren't you just gonna leech off of me?"
As soon as the words left my mouth, I unintentionally let out a little bit of a tough-girl aura, like I was about to give them a life lecture. Whoops.
"It might seem that way at first, since we are still too weak and skinny, but once we regain our health, we will be of use to you, my lady," he said, keeping his gaze steady and looking way more serious than I felt.
"Hmm, I did not free you to follow me," I said with a little smirk, trying to hold my ground. "Are you just going to live your life following someone like a slave?"
He clenched his fists, looking frustrated but not able to say anything.
The little beast-man suddenly stepped up and, looking all pitiful, said, "We do not have anywhere to go. The three of us are orphans now, and I promise I'll be useful to you when I grow up!" Aww, he was so cute, I almost wanted to hug him and squish him like a plushie.
Before I could say anything, the human boy chimed in too, looking all frail and fragile. "That's true! I might look weak now, but I'm a mage! Once I get better, I'll be able to help you, I promise!" He took a tiny, shaky step forward, like he was presenting his résumé.
I sighed, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. Is this some sort of survival game? Tsk. Why do I have to take care of these pitiful souls the moment I get out of the seal? All I wanted to do was figure out what happened to the empire and find my parents. But nope—now I'm the reluctant babysitter to three adorable yet helpless people. Great.
"Stupid children, I just freed you from your fate, and this is what you choose to do?" I groaned, dramatically covering my face with my palm, because obviously, that's how you handle emotional moments.
The human boy, looking all pale and fragile, responded seriously, "You've freed us, and this is what we want to do."
The elf boy, who was giving me the whole 'I've been through a lot' vibe, nodded solemnly. "It's been a long time since we were given a choice. And yes, this is what we want to do."
I stared at the three of them, standing there like they were fresh out of a zombie movie—except, you know, with more determination in their eyes. Well, except for the beast boy. He was looking at me with those huge, sparkling eyes like a lost puppy who'd just been given a treat. Ugh, why do kids have to be so cute and annoying at the same time?
I couldn't help but sigh, feeling the weight of the situation press down on me. I mean, if I had known this would be the outcome, I would've just stayed in the carriage and napped in peace. Maybe I wouldn't be stuck with three adorable kids who think I'm their personal savior. Fantastic.
I looked around, scanning the area. "Where are the bodies?" I asked, already dreading the answer.
The elf boy shrugged nonchalantly. "We threw them in the river yesterday when we got back from cleaning ourselves."
"How about the other slaves?" I pressed, already imagining all the sad, sobbing stories of their newfound freedom.
"They have places to go home to," the human boy replied, sounding almost relieved.
"Why didn't you just go with them and start a new life?" I asked, hoping to get some common sense out of them.
The human boy shuffled his feet, avoiding eye contact. "I don't think it's a place for me."
The elf boy gave a little sigh, his answer more serious. "I don't like having debts."
And then there was the beast boy, practically bouncing on his feet like a little puppy. "I... I like big sister!" he blurted out, his tail swishing around like it was on its own mission.
I blinked at him, a bit thrown off. "How can you like me when you haven't even seen my face?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
He grinned, totally unfazed. "Well, it's not just your face. You smell... like vanilla! Or maybe... cookies?" He sniffed the air dramatically. "Yeah, definitely cookies!"
I blinked a few times, trying to hold in a laugh. "Cookies? What am I, a bakery now?" I shook my head, smirking. "Well, at least I'm a snack in more ways than one."
This kid, I swear. He was making my tough-girl act hard to keep up with.
I sighed, rubbing my temples. It seemed like I didn't really have much of a choice. I mean, I could always ditch them if they became too much of a hassle, but they weren't so bad. I could also take them to the capital and ask Sir Denise for help with our identities. Hopefully, he's not one of those old-fashioned types who still thinks slavery is a thing. Fingers crossed.
"Hmm, so what are your names?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"I'm Tafi!" the beast boy announced, practically bouncing in place like he'd had too much sugar.
"I'm Elliot Bars," the human man said, his tone a bit more serious. Hmm, that name rings a bell. Wasn't that one of those noble families from back in the day? But... wait, how did this guy end up a slave? Maybe I was just overthinking it.
"I'm... Rhiandor Sylvannis," the elf man mumbled, his voice barely louder than a whisper.
And just like that, a wave of memories smacked me right in the face.
Wait a minute... that's the name of the main character from my story. The one I wrote back when I was still on Earth!