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>>6064507

The estate of Duke Edwin de Cendre stands in front of you, well what’s left of it does anyway. You’re not exactly certain how made predominantly out of stone can burn, yet burn it does. Truth be told it doesn’t even look to be stopping anytime soon, the efforts of the bucket line only seem to be working to keep the flames from spreading to the surrounding acres of garden. Though you are rather curious why a mage is not simply dealing with the flames, you’re in the Capital, there should be a plethora of them. It’s not like there’s no water around to move either, the bucket line is originating from a small pond on the Cendre grounds, after all. So Why?

“You two!” A voice of a rather tired-sounding man says as a château guard runs up to Marie and yourself, “You more muscle from the guild?!” His breathes are raspy and by the smell he seems to have sweat through his armor. Ugh, commoners.

“We are, where do you need us?” Again, you let Marie do the talking. It would be a shame if you were found out now.

“Bucket-” He holds his knees with his hands, “Goddess, one second-” You wait, “Huff huff, bucket brigade. We already saved what we could but now we gotta douse this dastard!”

“Excuse me-” You say without thinking before immediately pounding your chest coughing and changing your voice to a much more manlier tone, “Ahem, excuse me but I have a question.”

“Yeah?” The guard is totally convinced by your acting, nailed it!

“Why haven’t any mages put out the flames by now?”

Another cough, “They tried,” He points to the line where an elven man wears an enormous and floppy hat, “But the arsonists must’ve snuck in and put anti-magic wards throughout the house. Though I bet the flames are magic themself somehow, no one’s managed to get in and find them. Too hot and too much smoke.”

“I see, was anyone hurt in the attack, is the Duke okay? The guild didn’t inform us.”

“Lord de Cendre is away at his summer estate, though we’re certain a few servants didn’t manage to escape the flames. Based on the screaming I heard at least,” He’s talking more than a guard on duty probably should, seemingly enjoying the small break you’re supplying. Or maybe you’re too used to the Royal Knights?

“What about the attackers themselves, did you manage to find anything else?”

“Hey, you girls some sort of Inquisitors or something? What’s with all the questions?”

“The guild receptionist told us to ask these questions and report back to them, they’ve hardly been informed about the attacks around the city,” Marie quickly lies.

“Ah, right sorry. It’s hard to imagine a couple of pretty girls like you working them, ya look closer to priestess anyway.”

“Right… Anyway, can you answer my question?”

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>>6064508
“Sure, no one’d get mad at me for telling some cute guild girls. Attack was in the early morning, guys must’ve snuck in or disguised themselves and placed the wards around before lighting the place up. Then they tried to bar the doors from the outside, didn’t have more than knives to arm themselves though. Those we captured refused to say a word and soon enough the Royal Guard came along to take 'em away.”

“And the châteaus been burning ever since? That’s quite a while.”

“Yeah, why I’m pretty sure there’s something not right about it. Hell, everything that's able to actually burn in there should be nothing but cinders by now!”

“I see, thank you for the information at the very least. You may return to your job now,” He looks at you strangely? Why? Shouldn’t he know you’re his superior- Ah, undercover, right.

“Uh, right. So are you helping or not?”

>”Yes, we are!” Marie again swoops in with an answer. This time it’s not a lie as she leads you to the bucket brigade.

>”No, well- yes but not in the way you’re thinking,” Sure a couple of second-rate guild magicians couldn’t find dispel a few wards but they aren’t you. You doubt you’ll even break a sweat!

>”The guild only sent us to get some information, sorry,” You got all you needed from here, perhaps it’s best you left already.

>[Write-in]

>>6064509
Good to see you, QM!
>”No, well- yes but not in the way you’re thinking,” Sure a couple of second-rate guild magicians couldn’t find dispel a few wards but they aren’t you. You doubt you’ll even break a sweat!
>"Are there any servants still trapped inside? Or perhaps survivors who need healing magic?"

>>6064509
>”No, well- yes but not in the way you’re thinking,” Sure a couple of second-rate guild magicians couldn’t find dispel a few wards but they aren’t you. You doubt you’ll even break a sweat!
Hopefully we can do this in a way that doesn't immediately blow our disguise

>>6064509
>”No, well- yes but not in the way you’re thinking,” Sure a couple of second-rate guild magicians couldn’t find dispel a few wards but they aren’t you. You doubt you’ll even break a sweat!

>>6064509
>>”No, well- yes but not in the way you’re thinking,” Sure a couple of second-rate guild magicians couldn’t find dispel a few wards but they aren’t you. You doubt you’ll even break a sweat!

>>6064509
>”No, well- yes but not in the way you’re thinking,” Sure a couple of second-rate guild magicians couldn’t find dispel a few wards but they aren’t you. You doubt you’ll even break a sweat!

>>6064509
>”No, well- yes but not in the way you’re thinking,” Sure a couple of second-rate guild magicians couldn’t find dispel a few wards but they aren’t you. You doubt you’ll even break a sweat!

>>6064514
>>6064552
>>6064624
>>6064625
>>6064632
>>6064747
Counted, writing!

>>6064552
>Hopefully we can do this in a way that doesn't immediately blow our disguise
No comment.

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>>6065162
-No, well- yes but not in the way you’re thinking. Say, Guardsman, do you think there’s anyone that could still be inside?”

The man has the audacity to laugh at you! The peasant! Okay, maybe it’s more like a strained choke but still, the principle! “Ma’am this fire started hours ago and hasn’t calmed one bit. Anyone still inside has been with the Goddess for quite a while.”

The peon! Commoner! Plebian! “U-uh, okay. Is there anyone that might need healing magic? Or help?”

He shakes his head, “Some priestesses came awhile ago and healed what they could and took awhile those who required more work, thanks for the offer though.”

“They were able to heal outside the building?”

He nods, “But anything inside is instantly snuffed. Gotta be some pretty strong wards or something.”

“Hmph, we’ll see about that. Come, Midori,” With those words you march straight to the burning building and don’t look back. Not even at what must be a horde of admirers seeing such an elegant woman bravely sacrifice herself to break the enchantments. How little they know-

-Thiswasamistakethiswasamistakethiswasamistakethiswasamistakethiswasamistake! The words repeat themselves in your mind over and over as your body once again tries to expunge the gathered smoke in your lungs. It hurts to touch anything, even your own skin, even your everpresent companion Sturmfahrerin! Well, maybe you shouldn’t be surprised about that last one but she’s practically betrayed you! The heat is driving you insane and you’re pretty sure you’re somehow disfigured, it feels that way at least. Fuck! You looked so cool entering the burning building too, like a heroine about to save the day but only a few seconds later Marie had to retreat. Now, you’re lost and only able to pinpoint one of the wards! A tiny little pebble hexxed to Hell and back! The worst part is that even when you threw it out a window your magic and the buffs you cast on yourself didn’t return! How many of these fuckers still are there?!

You only have the vaguest of magic sense to try and find the wards and you’re too distracted by the heat, by the pain to even think about going after them. Too bad you’re in way too deep to get out now and you’re pretty sure that you yourself are on fire! It’s then that the realization strikes you, you’re going to die. Promptly, you begin to freak out. You probably shouldn’t, it’d be much more logical to calm down and seek a way out of the building where you can use your magic and heal yourself. The thing is though, you’re currently not logical. You’re thinking of hypotheticals, what happens when you die? Are you really going to the Goddess? Will Asher reverse time and save you? But shouldn’t you not remember if he does that? What happens to the timeline anyway? Will it be another Lorina that gets saved and not you?

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>>6065216
Needless, to say with so many questions flooding your head you’re currently not exactly in the sanest of minds. Perhaps, one could even say you’ve gone mad. Mad enough that when you turn a corner and instead of seeing the remains of the master bedroom like you should, you instead see a coordinate that should not exist. With a checkered floor and blue walls and many a clock that tick an insane chime and most importantly a corridor without the fire and the heat. And as you finish your dash into the strange corridor, with far too many doors, you expect to cough, cry, and simmer from what the château has done to your body. Only to find that you feel fine, better than fine even, great! Though it’s such a jarring experience you find yourself falling onto your buttocks after a brief stumble, only for your back to hit a wall where the “portal” you suppose was there.

And as you sit there, breathing and calming from the recent not self-made ordeal, you are beholden to a most peculiar sight. As the rabbit, yes a rabbit a totally normal rabbit that just so happens to walk on two feet and wears a fashionable suit, walks out from one of the doors while fiercely trying to affix a flower pendant on his suit. A weathered and gruff grunt ushers in, “I’m late. I’m late for a- Gah, I’m getting too old for this hooliganism!” He grumbles before opening the door opposite of him, emerging from a different door on that side and repeating the process thrice more. In one of them, he even uses the upside-down doors and walks on the ceiling!

“Damn kids, always getting themselves killed right after brooding. Why, does no one ever take my advice? And where’s Bill when you need him-”

“Uh, hello? Mister rabbit, hello?!” You call out to the peculiarly large, or are you just small(?), rabbit.

“Hm? Oh, hello Mabel, what are you doing here?” The rabbit barely passes you a glance.

“What? Have you confused me for someone else? My name isn’t Mabel?”

“Bah, news travels fast in what remains of Wonderland, and everyone knows you’re not Alice, so you must be Mabel.”

“W-who is that?”

“It doesn’t matter, you’d forget it anyway. Mabel knows very little, don’t you know? Ah, it would seem you wouldn’t, since well-” This rabbit claims you’re an idiot when he speaks in riddles that don’t make a lick of sense! Goddess, you hate it every time you come to this “Wonderland,” Or storybook place or whatever Asher and Marie said! And why does he sound so familiar?!

“No, my name is Lorina! Lo-ri-na! You hear me!” That does get him to stop fiddling with his pendant and take out a broken pocket watch. He makes a rather stumped face after that. How a rabbit can make such a face you don’t claim to know.

“Hm, seems I’ve led you in the wrong direction! What a terrible guide I must’ve been! Maybe the Wicked Queen, or was it the Red Witch, was right and the end of the world really is at hand if even I’m getting too old for my role!”

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>>6065217
“Yes, that’s all well and good but can you please help me leave this place and return to my home?” Wait why are you talking like this? You meant to curse out the beast! And why are your hands so tiny?

“You even sound like her, good chap that one, if you came from Earth that is! But I’m getting ahead of myself, would you accompany little Lorina to the croquet match? Alice should be playing with the duchess today!”

>Mental corruption is low [9%] you have free will

>”Why yes, mister rabbit, I’d love to go with you.”

>You bite your lip and storm off in a random direction away from the rabbit.

>[Write-in]

>>6065217
...I really wish our good nature would stop getting abused by these stupid book characters.

>>6065223
"I'd love to go with you, Master Bunny, but I seemed to have misplaced my ruby red shoes... Would you help me find them?"

>>6065223
>[Write-in]
How can I accompany Lorina? I am Lorina!

>>6065223
>>You bite your lip and storm off in a random direction away from the rabbit.

>>6065223
>>You bite your lip and storm off in a random direction away from the rabbit.

>>6065223
>>You bite your lip and storm off in a random direction away from the rabbit.

>>6065223
>>You bite your lip and storm off in a random direction away from the rabbit.

>>6065390
>>6065568
>>6065682
>>6065758
>>6065228
>>6065270
Writing.

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>>6066641
“How could I accompany myself? I am Lorina, you got that right?”

The rabbit flicks a dismissive wave towards you, “Pah, no one really cares who are what you are around here. You’re just one of the many Alice surrounds herself with. I can hardly remember every name around here even with the amount dwindling. It’s not exactly a nice thing for reality to collapse, don't you know?”

You’re about to snap at the animal before coming to your senses and hatching a devious plot. One that’s sure to get at least some new information, “Y-yes, I’d love to accompany mi-master rabbit, sir! B-but I seem to have misplaced my ruby red shoes, could you perhaps help me find them?”

The next thing you know a playing card slams into your face, it feels like a stone! “Not yours, not yours! You’d do well not to mention such things here!” The rabbit shouts, “Didn’t your mother, or Lewis, ever teach you any manners?”

You bring your small hands to massage the pain away, “Hey! Maybe if you were all more honest with me, I wouldn’t!”

The rabbit sputters a bit more, like an Inquisitor just told you wished to help Strangers, before calming unsettlingly fast, “Ah, it seems you’re not yet knowledgable of our customs despite originating from our world,” You bite your lip to stop from shouting at his untruth, “Let me guide you to a bit of advice, Mabel, so you know so little!” After he tops off the final word with a flourish of his rabbit finger to his cheery tune his face drops immediately to deathly seriousness, “The denizens of Wonderland are all lies, every single one, even to ourselves. Don’t you forget that, little miss lie.”

You storm off, shoving the rabbit away as you leave down the endless corridor. He says something about how it’s a really bad idea to wander without a guide, but didn’t he just admit he was a liar? You’ll be fine, you don’t need him or anyone else in this twisted place. Almost immediately once he’s out of earshot you get the sensation that a lot of magical energy is emanating from, well, everything around you. The corridor shifts, one moment you walk on the floor, then the wall, then the ceiling, then back, over and over again. It’s not even a loop either, you’ve yet to pass the same scenery twice, every door has its difference, and every tile its cracks. What even is this place, some kind of pocket realm? But that’s magic that only exists in the realm of myth, like teleportation. Maybe a Stranger could do it but someone else? Not a chance.

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>>6066700
Eventually, you tire of the same scenery and no exit being in sight and take the, admittedly foolish decision, to open one of the doors and walk through. You say it was foolish as you found yourself in a forest that made you forget your name for a spell. Stepping back you try another door, leading to a land where the trees were mushrooms and the mushrooms were trees, there a disgusting overgrown caterpillar blew smoke in your face. Well, what about a third door? Oh, yes, of course, why wouldn’t you expect a giant egg to be trying to avoid falling off a wall and into a pit of spikes? That makes perfect sense. Then, who could forget the tea party through the next door with the two familiar faces of a hatter and hare? They’re too busy arguing to even give you, the Royal Princess, the time of day. Oh, how you hate it here!

You run down the corridor but every door you open leads you to an equally disgusting and unhelpful site that makes you run away even further from where you entered. Why you don’t think you’ll be dealing with trees that grow mouths and eyes nor a dumb-looking flightless bird desperately trying to run from its hunters, which happen to be other running birds? Maybe you did die in that fire and this is Hell? The Goddess would surely never allow Heaven to be a sickening place like this.

“Hm~ no courage, no heart, and certainly no brains. My o~ my, you’ve surely got a lot you need to gain unless you mean to feign in your vain attempt to reign~” Quickly you turn around after a poof of magic energy revealed a creature behind you. A fat purple thing that likens itself to a cat with a grin far too large for its face, it lies atop a shelve whose previous inhabitants have been pushed off to shatter on the tiles below, “But perhaps if she strode along the Yellow Brick Road she wouldn’t be so easy to goad~!”

“I am not easy to goad!”

“Behind you.”

To your great shame, you do indeed look behind you. But you have a perfectly logical explanation for it! Another surge of magical energy appeared and you were preparing to deflect an attack with Bedelia (forgetting she isn’t here in this realm), only to see the same cat lounging on the floor behind you. His obese belly is up like he’s a normal version of his species wanting it to be rubbed. You snarl.

A paw is flipped down in your direction, “So used to being the boss you too forget that you’re indeed lost. It’s true, so am I but I can’t always rely on my eye when I spy a lost little Inquisitor cry. Woe! What a terrible job I’ve secured. It doesn’t even cover my dental~!” Somehow the thing's grin gets even wider, “See~?”

“What is it you want? Speak clearly,” You order.

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>>6066702
It rolls its eyes, “Fine, I can’t exactly insult the divine, now can I? It would certainly be crossing a line that would see Alice’s design fall right into these paws I always shine~” You’re half tempted to kick the cat away as it licks its paws and continue your search for an exit before it continues speaking, “But who about this? You agree to help one of mine by giving him a sign and I’ll assign your fate to be one that's more kind~”

“And how exactly do you want me to help you?”

“Go through that door,” His tail snaps up, and points to an emerald door that conveniently has [The Land of Oz] written on it. You turn back for more questions only to see the cat has somehow disappeared, leaving behind only a small cloud of smoke. Did it turn itself invisible or something? You check around for a bit but cannot find it at all. How irksome.

>You decide to walk through the door, finding yourself in a barrel wasteland

>You thrash and dash to find your way out until eventually smoke returns to your nostrils and heat to your skin

>[Write-in]

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>You decide to walk through the door, finding yourself in a barrel wasteland
As much as I don't like making deals with anything with teeth that big, I really don't want Lorina or Midori to be burnt to a crisp from going into a fire... Is all this going to lead to a negative trait: Pyrophobia?

If only we could take a flight out of here... And yes, I did indeed forget the relevant picture.

>>6066745
>>6066704
Just in case linking my vote matters.

>>6066704
>>You decide to walk through the door, finding yourself in a barrel wasteland

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>>6066704
I knew I recognized this particular image
>You decide to walk through the door, finding yourself in a barrel wasteland

>>6066704
>>You thrash and dash to find your way out until eventually smoke returns to your nostrils and heat to your skin

>>6066704
>You thrash and dash to find your way out until eventually smoke returns to your nostrils and heat to your skin

>>6066704
>You decide to walk through the door, finding yourself in a barren wasteland
Dang isekai worlds stealing our fairy tales

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>>6066883
>Dang isekai worlds stealing our fairy tales
DEYR TAKIN ERH JERBS

>>6066704
>>You decide to walk through the door, finding yourself in a barrel wasteland
This is the second time a fire-related incident has provoked one of these trips, yeah? There was the not-Scotish village before.

>>6066704
>You thrash and dash to find your way out until eventually smoke returns to your nostrils and heat to your skin
Stop taking corruptive trap options

>>6066704
>You thrash and dash to find your way out until eventually smoke returns to your nostrils and heat to your skin

Rolled 3, 3 = 6 (2d6)

>>6066704
>You thrash and dash to find your way out until eventually smoke returns to your nostrils and heat to your skin

>>6066704
>You decide to walk through the door, finding yourself in a barrel wasteland

>>6066908
lol

>>6066704
>You thrash and dash to find your way out until eventually smoke returns to your nostrils and heat to your skin

>>6066745
>>6066750
>>6066756
>>6066883
>>6067138
>>6067501
6 to open the door

>>6066784
>>6066854
>>6067261
>>6067421
>>6067495
>>6068025
6 to escape

I'm going to be honest I haven't been feeling to well lately so I'm going to leave the vote open for now, might update tonight if there's another vote but most likely will not and I'll roll a tiebreak tomorrow.

>>6066854
>>6067138
>>6067261
>>6067421
>>6067495
>>6067501
>1 post by this ID
If you take out the single post IDs, the barren wasteland wins by one.

>>6068177
You're right but it's still page one so I'll give everyone the benefit of the doubt.

>>6066756
I knew I wanted to find that particular image but didn't want to redownload LoR so I grabbed it from a realization theme youtube video.

>>6066704
>You thrash and dash to find your way out until eventually smoke returns to your nostrils and heat to your skin

>>6068175
>>6068360
Writing!

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>>6068602
You’re not sure what really transpires in the wake of your decision to demand that reality bend to your desire to leave. It’s all a haze, but you do know that it wasn’t a particularly pleasant feeling. You remember a few people yelling, the feeling of warm blood, the disappointment/adoration/respect of others, and a boisterous laugh. Then you remember the glass shattering and feeling once again returning to your body. The feeling of fire and stench of soot but not to the degree that it’s unbearable like you’re burning alive. Then you open your eyes.

The manor stands in front of you, a few feet away actually and Marie is next to you giving an odd look, “Are you alright Lor-Lauren?”

You blink, then blink again, “Uuuuh- Y-yeah I’m fine! Figured out how the wards are placed too.”

“That’s good, right? Are we going to go break them?”

“No, there’s too many, hidden all over the place. We’d probably die before we find them all.”

“Then what are we going to do?”

You look up in the sky and see the sun nearing midday, time has been spent but have you truly learned anything? Goddess, you need to catch a break, but where? The only conspirator you have access to is rather lacking in intelligence and the arsonists are dead or gone. In fact, how did the conspiracy recruit them? The corpses appeared to be peasants, were they bought out like Tamlin? Brainwashed? Or is it ideological, of which you have no idea what ideology it could be behind. As far as you know the peasants are more or less happy with your father's rule. Lindan’s been stable with no major wars other than the levies sent to the Demon Wastes, but all Kingdoms must donate a portion of their military as per the Church’s Treaty of Lastfall. So what is it that a conspiracy could promise them?

You do take a moment to let the guard know of your discovery. Was that entire thing a vision or did you travel back in time? A preposterous notion if the world still made sense to you, time-travel magic isn’t real, but It certainly felt real. Then there’s the fact you know a Stranger that can indeed travel through time. Why did it have to be you of all people that Lyndale decided to make a cuckold? If she chose anyone else, annulled any other marriage, this insanity would sure not be happening, right? A month ago all you had to worry about was practicing your skills for the next semester’s Mageknight tournament and enjoying your summer, now you’re being burnt alive trying to unravel an otherworldly scheme.

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>>6068624
You find yourself simply watching the manor for another moment, as the plumes of smoke and flakes of fire continue in their march toward the sky. The fire must be magical in nature, but then how is it not being disrupted? Is it even worth checking out when there could be more promising leads? You do a quick scan of the area, both mundane and magical, and other than the dead zone of the manor for magic the only place you can see any trace of people or spells is in the bucket line, all from seemingly adventurers going by their outfit. The elven wizard, an armored mercenary, a hooded figure exposing no skin, and a demi-human. Other than that there’s just you and Marie, and a few magical devices around the estate, the kind that power fountains and the like.

You hope Asher’s having more luck with the Inquisition.

>While you’re here you should try and investigate the source of the fire

>While you’re here you investigate something else [What?]

>Go somewhere else to investigate [Palace, Adventurer’s guild, Cathedral, Etc]

>PoV Switch to Asher and Tamlin in the Cathedral

>>6068626
>PoV Switch to Asher and Tamlin in the Cathedral

>>6068626
>>PoV Switch to Asher and Tamlin in the Cathedral

>>6068626
>Go somewhere else to investigate [Adventurer’s guild]
If the fire brigade consists of adventurers, I wonder if this fire is here just to distract them. The palace has its own guard, so where are they being distracted from?

>>6068626
>>While you’re here you should try and investigate the source of the fire

>>6068626
>While you’re here you should try and investigate the source of the fire

>>6068626
>While you’re here you should try and investigate the source of the fire

>>6068626
>While you’re here you should try and investigate the source of the fire

>>6068626
>PoV Switch to Asher and Tamlin in the Cathedral

>>6068633
>>6068658
>>6069985
3 for a little switch up

>>6068675
1 to pay a visit to Olivers

>>6068676
>>6068690
>>6068716
>>6069438
4 to find the source of the fire

Writing.

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>>6070166
There’s an old Stranger saying you’ve heard before, a bit of wisdom passed across a world of “demons” into yours even if most people that use it are just young nobles trying to sound smart at the Academy but you digress. While you can’t remember the specifics of the statement or what it’s called, most of your memory in that era was dedicated to magic study (ugh) and learning how to wield more weapons. Did you know that the reason elven bowmen appear slender is because they use a combination of magical reinforcements and strict dieting so they do not gain the muscle mass of a regular bowman? Oh, you’re off-topic. Anyway! The saying goes that you should look for the solution to a problem with the fewest number of variables, or something like that. Currently, you know of two variables, the first being that the manor is filled with magic-nulling stones and the second is that the fire must be magical in order to burn for so long at such intensity despite constant efforts to quench it.

Now you could theorize many possible variables from this, perhaps the anti-magic stones are set in a certain way that allows for magic to be cast should the user channel it just right. Maybe the fire itself is not special and there’s a complex scene of machinations that has been constructed below the estate- Wait stop, get to the simple answer already, Lorina! There are multiple magic users in the area, it’d be a good idea to get a read of them since if one of them is at fault for this disaster, you’re only working with three total variables. Sometimes your intelligence is frightening, but it should be. You are Lorina de Lindan.

So in all your infinite wisdom, you join the bucket brigade. You get a few glares and a muttering of “Finally…” As you and Marie fall in line. None of these peons truly know that a royal has lent down a magnanimous hand to assist them in their plight of passing along buckets of water. For soon, your deductive skills will relieve them of this task. You only need to figure out which one of the casters gathered here is the culprit, or if they are here at all.

The first one you rule out is the elf, he’s sweating far too much from the excretion of physical labor. Again, his kind greatly pride themselves on their psyche as in elven society excretion is seen as a sign of lower status, it is much the same as in human society now that you think about it but multiplied in their case. At first, you’d think he’d be faking it after all what fool wouldn’t use muscle reinforcements? Then you get a look at the man wearing the floppy hat, you see true weariness in his black irisless eyes and it seems his magic exhaustion level is high. The boyish fool probably never even learned that area of magic, deeming it to be beneath his role as a mage. A decently common story among their kind, or at least the few you met at the Academy.

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>>6070214
The next adventure is the armored human, he bears the insignia of the Diamond- Wolves was it? You can’t remember, but it’s a decently large troup your father has spoken of on occasion, the only reason you remember it. Regardless, the mana pool you can sense is unguarded and small, most likely only learned little bits of magic to help with his swordplay. Something you respect, even if he barely knows more than a few cantrips and buffs, it shows his dedication to swordsplay at the very least.

Then there’s the demihuman who is also very quickly stricken from your list of suspects. She seems to be some species of Woodfolk, a mix of man and plant, the leaves and flowers in her hair look rather pretty even if seeing patches of bark mixed with her earthy skin is odd at first. The woman wears the attire of a servant and looks to only have scant more for magic than what her kind would have naturally. Most likely a gardener or the sort who mixes magic into the soil to improve the beauty of the estate. You wonder if Cathrine hired a few magical gardeners to speed up the growth of her tulips? A thought for another day.

The final is by far the most suspicious, the hooded figure. They wear gloves seemingly not to reveal their skin, perhaps their a vampire and allergic to the light? Would it be rude to check? Hm, since you’re here trying to solve a mystery, and you’re royalty, it would probably be fine.

“H-hey, watch it,” The man pants as you brush up against his arm to grab the bucket from his hands.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to-” Your elbow “accidentally” bumps into him as you pass the bucket along.

He turns, “M-mi’lady please-” Then you turn to face him, grab both sides of this hood, and pull them down. He’s shocked, as are a few others who heckle you about “rudeness” but you don’t mind, because you see it. The black hair-

He looks at you under your hood as you face him-

The tanned skin-

He looks down just a little bit seeing the ramifications of your quick movements-

The smaller eyes, Like Marie’s-

He blushes-

You punch him-

“A T-tsundere-” He wistfully whispers as he falls back and rubs where you hit him on his cheek.

“Surrender, Stranger!” You shout over him uncaring for his unfamiliar words.

It’s then that a wall of flame appears between the two of you as he scurries back, much like a rat. Behind you, the flames of the house begin to dissipate as the ones in front of you grow longer and taller, the bucket brigade disperses into those fleeing and those gathering to fight… Which turns out to just be you, Marie, and the Mercianry. So much for being adventurers, you guess.

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>>6070217
As the three of you orientate yourself with the threat and your grouping the stranger lifts his hand into the air and behind his back. You also see the water ripple behind him as he does this along with the flames losing some intensity. Then from under his cloak, the Stranger pulls out a-

You gasp at the Stranger’s next actions-

He blushes deeper at your amazement over his amazing moves-

You compose your stance, in anticipation-

He sees your movements and understands the romantic undertone of this battle, blushing once more-

-a messer! Quickly Sturmfahrerin is in your hands, you cannot pass up the opportunity to test her against another of her kind! You completely tune out his words, unknowing he’s trying his best to flirt with you, as you get yourself ready for a fight, waiting just enough time to allow the fleeing a good bit of distance. For some reason, Marie is having trouble trying not to choke, whatever, you might get a duel today.

The man looks up his eyes resolute and melancholic and he glares at you, somehow a part of the fire dissipates without a chant to gesture as he charges, sword held high, “Forgive me, my love!” He yells causing you to grimace. He’s not the soppy philanderer type of duelist, is he? They’re the worst! With their foppish attitude and complete overconfidence.

You step in front of the mercenary so that you might fight first, and

>Match the Stranger blow for blow

>Use magic in some capacity [How?]

>Attempt to communicate with the Stranger [What do you say?]

>[Write-in]

>>6070219
>Use magic in some capacity [How?]
He’s seems to be some sort of overly romantic or perverted but pretending he’s not sort. Either use our illusion magic to make a few copies of us and Marie or to ensorcel him with our beauty. Then we can get talking once he’s been captured.

>>6070219
>Match the Stranger blow for blow
Messer vs messer
Also really? He's already in love? So easy.

>>6070219
>Use magic in some capacity [How?]
Definitely agree with >>6070255's suggestion to use a glamor spell on us to distract him.

Also, fuck this guy, only us and our swordmanship teachers are allowed to use messers. Although maybe we can give Asher one of our single handed messers as a reward after this whole debacle is finished? In character, Blitzreiter hasn't gotten used in a while, and out of it, it'd be a good way to learn about that whole "Give a coin to whoever gifts you a knife" superstition.

>>6070297
...just realized something.
He's not wielding a messer, is he, Strange QM?

>inb4 someone suggests a Kriegsmesser vs Katana argument to distract the guy for Marie to knock him out

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>>6070322
ONCE AGAIN I FORGOT THE PICTURE

>>6070219
>Attempt to communicate with the Stranger [What do you say?]

"Just surrender already. You only succeed with the element of surprise"

This is of course a blatant lie but it might shake him up a bit.

If someone comments on the Messer. 'you don't understand. I didn't choose the Messer, the Messer chose me!'

>>6070255
Thirding this. Hit him with the nasal exsanguination.

>>6070219
>Match the Stranger blow for blow

>>6070255
>>6070273
>>6070297
>>6070346
>>6070392
>>6070550
Writing.

>>6070322
He is, though he definitely doesn't know what that name means.

>>6070392
Jesus Christ, anon. Gnarly.

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>>6071759
“Surrender now and you may see some semblance of mercy. The only way you could win is with the element of surprise, something you’ve lost already,” You state with finality.

He smirks, ew, as if he knows something you don’t, “Love, there’s still so much about me you need to learn!” He cries as he leaps out of the flame and slashes straight through you. He looks terrified as the rest of your body disintegrates to black particles, his hands shake, and as he goes to scream. You don’t let him.

You swing for his exposed neck, only barely being forced back by a frantic guard. It wouldn’t have been the quickest duel you’ve fought, but oh well. The flames return to shield him, as a giant wall not as a quick flash. Normally a move like this would be a good way to overuse your mana, but seeing as you’re up against a Stranger that’s a rather mute point.

“A-aha, darling I should have known you wouldn’t go down so easily!” He says as he looks at a copy that is not you. He grows a rather dumb face as his head turns and he sees the five different Lorina de Lindans on the field. Then he blushes and shakily exhales which quickly turns into a lecherous smile as he looks at your copies, “I didn’t take you for an illusionist, shame we can’t use all of them now but I'm sure we will later” He says with that shaky but not scared voice. What did he mean by that? And besides you're much more than a simple illusionist damn him!

His eyes close as he strikes a pose with his sword. Then the flames are upon you, all of you. Four Lorina de Lindans are dissolved as the fifth braces herself with swiftly cast fire protection wards. Marie and the mercenary dodge the flames as you are singed, but only slightly. Yet, despite his attack dispelling your illusions, the only thing you can think of is how much of a fool he is. Again you set upon him with a flurry of blows, the expectation that this will turn into a battle of steel but as messer meets messer, but as knife meets knife you come to a startling realization. The Stranger is rather shit.

Your blitz has made him drop all concentration on his fire as he’s faced with the reality of a woman on top of him and not in the way he’d like. Multiple gashes line his body while his cloak is in tatters. In just a minute, and a couple of seconds of swordplay, the fight is over before it’s even begun. You’re left feeling rather disappointed as you level the tip of your sword at his throat, his body falls to the ground, his messer feet away. He frantically for something under his raggedy cloak, but whatever dagger he has cannot stop you so you keep your sword in place. In a delirious state, the Stranger looks around, “Yield,” You growl but he doesn’t hear you as his eyes catch on the pond behind him. He closes his eyes and lets out one last breath before a sharp pain in your shoulder makes you stumble back. I-is that a gun!? Did he just shoot you?!

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>>6071788
All questions are dashed as a tidal wave is set upon you. The four of you are sent crashing to the fallen ruins of the Cendre Château. With a spike of pain, you’re set upon the rubble before coughing up the water from your lungs as the wave ends. With a second to orient yourself you see Marie in a similar position to your own, the Stranger standing with his hands on his knees and the mercenary dying, a piece of the building's iron reinforcements protruding from his chest. In the distance, you also see a contingent of people racing towards the estate, guards perhaps?

Once you’ve regained your breath you’re forced to roll and dodge a spike of ice that rises from the puddles on the ground. Marie instead breaks the ones after her with beams of all-consuming radiance, the adventurer is not so lucky. At least it was quick. The bastard also knocked away Sturmfahrerin in the wave but as you go to find her the rubble from under your feet shifts. Then rumbles. Then flies.

From all angles you’re attacked by flying instruments of death, the fire gone but the ground and water having been turned against you. All as the air gets progressively harder to breathe. Thankfully your good hand, the one not connected to the wounded shoulder, finds the hilt of Bedelia and you’re able to smash apart the largest of the rubble and ice. But that doesn’t stop the smaller ones from striking. Soon you notice that there’s no follow-up, and even as lightheaded as you are you can turn to see the Stranger rooted in one place, using all his concentration to keep the assault on you and Marie, even if that means a stray bolt from Marie’s sword find purchase on his form. Another spike of ice is sent toward you’re head and you’re forced to again focus on defense. Still, from the corner of your eye, you see him bringing his gun up and towards Marie.

>You focus on defending yourself, you’re wounded and it’s the safest option.

>Without minding the damage it could inflict on your body you race towards the Stranger with Bedelia.

>You’ve noticed something about this Stranger, he’s put up no wards to protect himself. You could end this fight here with one lethal spell, forcing the fluids from his head to fall from his nose.

>[Write-in]

>>6071795
Wtf, did he enter the avatar state

>You’ve noticed something about this Stranger, he’s put up no wards to protect himself. You could end this fight here with one lethal spell, forcing the fluids from his head to fall from his nose.
Would prefer to cast this nonlethally if possible, but if not rather him than us or Marie

>>6071795
>You’ve noticed something about this Stranger, he’s put up no wards to protect himself. You could end this fight here with one lethal spell, forcing the fluids from his head to fall from his nose.

>>6071869
Same here. I just hope his actual Cheat Skill is the ability to dispense a lot of blood and survive…

Also, gonna roll for Lorina’s and Marie’s clothing damage, in case the ecchi helps defeat him. Let’s say d20s for each Inquisitor…

Rolled 12, 20 = 32 (2d20)

>>6071897
I keep forgetting this shit…

Lorina’s the first roll, Marie’s the second.

>>6071795
>You’ve noticed something about this Stranger, he’s put up no wards to protect himself. You could end this fight here with one lethal spell, forcing the fluids from his head to fall from his nose.
This is not exactly what I meant by nasal exsanguination, but Power Word: Nosebleed is even cooler

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>>6071898
>Rolled a 20 for ecchi clothing damage for shits and giggles
>Probably not going to happen
>Already bummed
>Suddenly realized I've wasted the very first natural 20 we ever got in the quest

...this hurts...

>>6071795
>Without minding the damage it could inflict on your body you race towards the Stranger with Bedelia.

>>6071869
>>6071897
Just letting you know this is a very lethal option but it will end the the fight instantly.

>>6071898
…I can work with this

>>6071904
Shit, what did you mean?

Not writing just yet so vote is still open.

>>6072811
>Shit, what did you mean?
I thought seeing multiple copies of Lorina will arouse him to the point the resulting nosebleed will be debilitating.

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>>6072811
Hmm... Even if the guy's a perv, I don't want him to kick it. ...admittedly because The Familiar of Zero was in my manga library in my younger years.

>>6072837
...you're a genius, anon.

Changing my vote to...
>[Write-in] Illusion up some nearly naked versions of ourself and Marie, complete with beams of light censors over anything poking out.

>>6072811
>…I can work with this
picrel

>>6072866
This guy is headed to the gallows anyway. Not only is he a Stranger, he's taking direct action against the crown.
Though capturing him for interrogation would be smart.

>>6072866
Supporting
>[Write-in] Illusion up some nearly naked versions of ourself and Marie, complete with beams of light censors over anything poking out.

>>6071869
>>6071904
2 to finally start killing people

>>6071934
1 to simply attack

>>6072866
>>6073984
2 for conveniently placed objects to stop any nudity

I'm away from the house for most of this month so my writing time is severely limited. Going to leave the vote open until this afternoon or tonight because of that but I can't promise an update then. Thank you for sticking with me.

>>6071795
>[Write-in] Illusion up some nearly naked versions of ourself and Marie, complete with beams of light censors over anything poking out.

>>6074267
>>6074660
Counted, writing.

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>>6075034
Then it seems you notice something rather alarming about Marie. You’re also not sure if it would be appropriate to comment on that thing for the flames of the Stranger and the unrelenting assault of debris seem to have left her in a rather [i]compromising[/i] position. Oh, how Cathy would rage at how the clothes she worked so hard to pick out have been reduced to little more than rags that cover her, well, then cover her. You will speak no more than that, or on the convenient floating stone that blocks out her unmentionables. Oh Goddess, there are a lot of guards racing here too they’ll see your face through your tattered robe. You need to end this fight fas and get out of here!

Think, Lorina, think! He will need to open his eyes to fire and then you can- That’s it! With a plan like that this duel is in the bag already, imagine if Herrman could see you know! It’d be like when you dedicated tournaments to him- DON’T THINK OF THAT NOW!

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>>6075128
Your eyes open both weary and tired. You have complete mastery of the elements, the boon She gave you so that you could get back against all the bullies in this world! You swore no one will ever hold you down again! But before you, down the sight of your iron, is yet another Goddess. You thought the silver-haired beauty was your perfect woman before, but that was before her. Skin as smooth as porcelain, sultry eyes, a youthful physique, and some very nice- ahem- parts. Your new fantasy lifestyle is about to let you score, this place is just awesome!

Oh, how it breaks your delicate heart to fire at such a beauty, perhaps you could..? Yes, you’ll shoot to wound this woman of Nihon, a woman led astray from her people to work with these fools of the new world. You’ll save her once this is all done, you’ll fix her, free her of whatever lies the Inquisition has filled her head with. The other did call you a Stranger, after all, an ignorant word to describe what you are, they must at least work with that decrepit organization. But you’ll lead her right, and you’re certain she’ll be thankful for your help. Maybe she’ll even- s-she’ll even-

Your pistol fires, and you wince as it leaves a mark on the woman's pristine thigh. You swear you’ll find a way to repair it someday! But with all the glares, the beams of light that work to cover her artistically beautiful nude form it’s so hard to aim. You wince as another of those shards of light grazes you, but you’ll endure anything you must to have a chance at-! Ahem, to be able to romance and save this beauty. There’s no way she wouldn’t fall for you, you’re strong now! Unlike before, there’s no way that you’d be rejected now the bullies can’t- Wait where did your blemish go? Her plump and pure thigh is unmarked, did she heal-? No, it’s still here but there’s two- three- four?

You can feel something warm dribble from your nose and onto your lip as you see so many Japanese Goddesses before you. Your brain goes into overdrive competing with another important part of your body farther down for their share of blood, and momentarily- or maybe for a bit longer- your concentration drops on the elements. The whirlwind you conjure, the storm in your control, resides for a moment as you appreciate the women in front of you before your brain wins out and you realize the cause of this. The Illusionist! That damn whore! She’s trying to distract-

You hear a loud crunch as a mace impacts flesh and feel a brief pain at the back of the head, and then you feel no more.

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>>6075140
You hope you didn’t kill him- Wait he’s still breathing, he’ll be fine. The more important question is will you be? Sure, you’re sore and wounded but nothing that can’t be fixed with healing magic, of which you’re already applying, but your head is revealed! Oh, and Marie is all but naked with naught but a conveniently placed bar of steel covering her but that’s her problem. You don’t mention how that bar also has an impaled man on it, that would be unsightly.

“LORINA, HELP!” Ah, it would seem her state is also your problem as well, at least she’s going to make it your problem as she grabs your shoulders, “They’re coming give me your clothes!”

“What no! Take his!” You say and point towards the unconscious Stranger.

“Ew, no! I'm not touching him! You do it!”

“No!” Rapidly you think of an excuse, “I-i’m unwed, and stripping a Stranger male would be a scandal!”

“You being with me is going to be a scandal when the guards get here in two seconds!”

Gah! She has a point, but no way are you stripping him or the corpse yourself, would you even have enough time? Are the leaves on that bush going to cover Marie long enough? Wait, why is her sword rattling? Why hasn’t it been dispelled?

It’s then that you bear witness to a blinding sight, literally, Marie glows a radiant white that practically overloads your senses with magic as strings of pure white fabric sprout from her sword that’s lodged itself in the ground. Through your fingers covering your face from the glare you can see her strike a multitude of what you think are supposed to be graceful poses as the fabrics wrap around her body and her sword flies into the air then her hand. By the end of it, she’s wearing a white outfit that you swear sparkles in the sunlight and there’s a beaming smile on her face.

But no time for that! There’s a rapidly approaching contingent of guards and- wait is that Alyssa? No couldn’t possibly be, ugh what do you do?!

Marie pouts at your lack of reaction to her display.

>You rush out of there with the Stranger to evade the guards, Marie’s “transformation” didn’t make you a new cloak!

>You wait with the unconscious Stranger even if the guards will notice you.

>[Write-in]

>>6075142
>>You rush out of there with the Stranger to evade the guards, Marie’s “transformation” didn’t make you a new cloak!

>>6075142
>You wait with the unconscious Stranger even if the guards will notice you.
Well, we were heading back home before we got sidetracked by the fire…

>”Alyssa, which of these knights do you think is the closest to my size?”
>”You there, knight! Give me your armor to cover myself with!”

>>6075142
>You rush out of there with the Stranger to evade the guards, Marie’s “transformation” didn’t make you a new cloak!

Be sure to drop a "nice duds" so Marie stops pouting

>>6075236
Almost forgot, whatever vote wins, ask Marie:

>"What is a Tsundere, and what should I do to not be called that by this wretch?"

>>6075142
>You rush out of there with the Stranger to evade the guards, Marie’s “transformation” didn’t make you a new cloak!

>>6075142
>>You rush out of there with the Stranger to evade the guards, Marie’s “transformation” didn’t make you a new cloak!

>>6075142
>You rush out of there with the Stranger to evade the guards, Marie’s “transformation” didn’t make you a new cloak!

>>6075236
I feel I should mention that only Lorina's cloak got torn apart, mostly the hood.

>>6075559
Oh. Well alright then.

I guess if we're going to book it, might as well suggest illusioning up a Lorina and a Marie where we are to distract the guards and turning both non-illusionary versions of us invisible to escape.

>>6075148
>>6075261
>>6075355
>>6075432
>>6075525
>>6075564
Writing, going to be a short update though.

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>>6075901
You didn’t get this far into the city to get caught now! A small chant and a bit more mana spent and a double, triple(?), of you, Marie, and the Stranger, is put in your place. As you grab the duck behind the rubble, grab the Stranger, and sprint away. Hopefully, the three fakes will fool them long enough that they can’t follow you, the spell gets progressively less powerful the farther you get until it completely disappears, hopefully, it’ll be enough. An invisibility spell would be an amazing benefit during your retreat from the estate’s garden if only a spell such as that was possible and didn’t solely exist in the realm of fiction, or Stranger magic.

It is rather vexing that those people are the ones who get all the ludicrously powerful magic just handed to them without needing years of studying. “Oh, I have a magic sword that lets me pilot and vehicle and gives me free clothes!” Insanity, plain and simple. It took you years to memorize all those formulas, prayers, and incantations, it’s unfair! Why can’t magic fall into your lap, you deserve it!

You don’t look back once you pass the fence, nor when you retreat down alleyways without any sense of direction, nor when you get looks of shock and confusion from commoners as you evade guard patrols with an unconscious man over your shoulder. You do cut it close quite a few times trying to evade the many guard patrols, some you’re pretty sure are looking for you specifically. It’s rather taxing, all things considered, seeing as you need to use quite a lot of illusion magic to trick your way across the city.

You finally catch your break when you spot a large stone bridge that goes over a particularly large portion of the river that the city was built on. A mixed district is put on top, stores of artisans and taverns on the bottom of large buildings while residents are crowded on the upper floors. It’s very crowded with the city on lockdown and people forced to return to their homes, and a few spells get you past the overworked guards and into said crowd. It only takes a little bit of maneuvering and climbing to find yourself under said bridge, in a little nook where the boats that pass below shouldn’t be able to see what’s about to happen.

“Alright, good job, Marie,” You say as you put the unconscious stranger next to the wall and tie him up with the same spell you used on Sally, barely taking anything out of your remaining mana.

“I didn’t do anything though?”

“You followed me and obeyed my orders, that deserved praise,” You say with a resolute nod at your handiwork.

“Go to Hell, Lorina,”

“No. By the way, I have a question.”

“Hm?”

“What is a Tsundere? And what can I do to not make a wretch,” You kick the unconscious man to emphasize your point, “like this, call me one?” You state with the utmost seriousness.

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>>6075907
She giggles, “Sorry, don’t think you can.”

“Why not?

“You fit the criteria, not perfectly but pretty close.”

“And what do you mean by that?” Your words are dangerous as you glare at the strange woman.

“Well, you got a cold and harsh exterior but you’re actually a softy on the inside.”

“I am not a softy!” You snap.

“See? That’s what a tsundere would say!”

“No, it isn’t!”

“You don’t even know what it means!”

“Shut up! Tell me how to stop it!”

“That’s an oxymoron,” You don’t pout your gracefully cross your arms and puff out your cheeks then you notice the Stranger start to wake and get distracted, “Maybe you could ask out Asher? Maybe that’d help you change your ways.”

“What?”

“What?”

Ugh, you can’t get anywhere with this woman. So you do the mature thing and dismiss her with a wave as you think about what to do once the Stranger wakes. You’ve never been in an interrogation before, so you don’t really know what you’re supposed to do. Threaten him? Pretend to be his friend? Seduce him? Ew, no not that last one.

>Marie suggests a routine called “Good Cop Bad Cop,” You’re told just to yell at him a bit.

>You’ll have him wake dangling over the rapids below, that’ll scare him!

>Maybe it would be best to try and be friendly? Catch him off guard?

>[Write-in]

>>6075908
>Marie suggests a routine called “Good Cop Bad Cop,” You’re told just to yell at him a bit.
Don't get him near water, he can control elements

>>6075908
>>Maybe it would be best to try and be friendly? Catch him off guard?
Treat him more like a political prisoner than a common criminal

>>6075908
>>Marie suggests a routine called “Good Cop Bad Cop,” You’re told just to yell at him a bit.

>>6075908
>Marie suggests a routine called “Good Cop Bad Cop,” You’re told just to yell at him a bit.
>Wonder momentarily how Asher would be able to teach us not to be… whatever that thing is called. Ignore Marie smirking.

>>6075908
>Marie suggests a routine called “Good Cop Bad Cop,” You’re told just to yell at him a bit.

>“You don’t even know what it means!”
Couldn't we figure out what it means from
>“Well, you got a cold and harsh exterior but you’re actually a softy on the inside.”

>>6075998
Lorina definitely can, but at that moment she doesn't really care too much about the strict definition. Both of them just want to yell at each other because it's fun and lighthearted banter is a good way to destress after a fight.

>>6076008
Man, I’m loving the banter ideas your conversations are giving me QM.

Regarding the “Designated Waifu”:
>Ota: “From the moment I first aimed down the sights at you, oh Goddess, I knew it was my Destiny to romanticate you!”
>Lorina: “Wait, like those Designated Waifus in your literature, Marie?”
>Marie: “NO! No, nonono. Not like that.”
>Ota: “Actually, while it’s sort of a generic term, it sounds like that cou-“
>(sound of a plank swiftly applied to the back of a head)
>Marie: “…no, I’m not. And I’m certainly not his.”

Regarding “Being a Softy”:
>Lorina: “I am NOT “soft”, in any way! Asher, tell them I am not soft!”
>(Asher desperately tries to ignore the extremely noticeable softness)

>>6075908
>You’ll have him wake dangling over the rapids below, that’ll scare him!

>>6075908
>>Marie suggests a routine called “Good Cop Bad Cop,” You’re told just to yell at him a bit.

Ah shit, did we grab either our own or the Stranger's messer? If we didn't get Sturmfahrerin, hopefully Alyssa retrieved her...

>>6075908
>Maybe it would be best to try and be friendly? Catch him off guard?

>>6076184
In my mind that was such an obvious thing Lorina would do I didn't even think it was worth writing about. Sorry for any confusion.

>>6076822
>>6075979
2 to be friendly.

>>6075913
>>6075991
>>6075997
>>6075998
>>6076095
5 for Hero (Lorina) Sidekick (Marie) Action

>>6076062
1 to accidentally put him back in his element.

Writing!

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>>6077563
To be fair, perhaps in one of your sentences you meant to say Lorina grabbed Sturmfahrerin instead of... a duck?

>As you grab the duck behind the rubble

...not that I mind getting a free mallard out of this, but you see how it could be confusing.

>>6077571
Yeah, didn't catch that. Tried to rewrite a sentence without deleting the previous one. On one hand I should edit more on the other hand I'm lazy and not sober.

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>>6077563
The Stranger’s awakening is anything but pleasant, you make sure of that. After all, you channel the scariest man you know, your father, into your actions, “You are aware that your actions would be enough to condemn a common man to death? That the only reason you’re still alive is solely through our mercy?”

“Wha-? Is there water-?” His voice is soft and confused, you decided to rectify this with a kick.

“Did I grant you permission to speak, ingrate?!”

“H-hey-” Another one, then another as he struggles. There’s blood falling from his nose again, you might have broken it. Oops.

“Dozens killed because of your actions today! Do you know how many families will grieve because of you?! Mothers left without their children, children without their parents.”

“I-I Didn’t-”

Your kick is harsher this time, “You think I’m joking when I say you should be thankful?! If it was up to me your head would be on a pike outside the city walls.”

Marie swiftly moves in after your sentence, sitting right next to the man and holding a cloth to his face, “But it isn’t up to you, right Lauren?” She gives a disarming smile to the hurt man, and a pleading one to you.

You cross your arms, “Hmph, might still be if he surrenders his information.”

“But you will, won’t you?” Marie says, her complete attention on the Stranger, she puts one hand on his thigh and he shivers, “Look, I know what you are and you know what I am so why don’t we agree to help each other? Countryman to countrywoman?”

“A-alright,” He has a strange look on his face, half scared, half comforted. Was that Marie’s goal? From what you know you’re supposed to torture somehow during an interrogation, not try and reason with them- Unless they’re a noble you correct. Even if that does seem rather unpleasant, is this a better way? “But who are you?”

“My family name is Suzuki, and this here is Lauren London, she’s my companion.”

“I’m Ota, n-nice to meet you?” He tries to smile at Marie, it looks pathetic.

“And it’s nice to meet you too. Now, Ota, we’re both Inquisitors-” The Stranger seizes up for a second before Marie moves in, the way she can just change her expressions and mood on the fly to what is what before scares you a bit. She raises one hand up his thigh, only the slightest amount, and drops the cloth stalling his blood and uses that hand to cup his chin and cheek. His entire attention is brought to him just like that. Marie looks motherly, she’s younger than you, and disarming, yet none of those emotions are real. She’s pretending. How is she able to do that? You certainly aren’t, at least not as well.

>>6077581
“I’m not sure what you heard but the Inquisition gets a bad wrap, we’re here to help stranded people like us adjust to this new world,” Alright, now that’s a bit of a stretch, but the man seems too enamored by her lips to care, “But people like us can make a couple of mistakes when coming here, I know I did,” She didn’t make any mistakes though and you’re pretty sure Johann didn’t either and he’s in house arrest, “You did too,” There’s a pause and you take that as a cue to jump in.

“Enough to land your head under the executioner’s axe!”

“And some people got hurt, and are rather angry about that. I can help you escape all that, but first, we need to know the answers to a few questions like-” She again stops.

Wait, What do you want to ask him?

>[Write-in]

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>>6077582
Alright, I've got a bunch of questions that this guy might be able to answer, so please bear with me...
>"It's obvious that someone gave you the idea to attack that estate you were at, particularly seeing since you've been supplied with one of your world's flintlocks and corresponding ammunition. Tell us what they told you about this place, and what they looked and sounded like."
>"What exactly convinced you that attacking the manor of one of the kingdom's most recognized and connected noble families would have been beneficial to your situation?"
>"Did your savior inform you that there were still servants inside the manor before you started?"
>"Did you notice anyone else who looked like they came from your kingdom of Japan? Perhaps a foreboding looking knight in black armor who swore a lot?"
>"Did you overhear anything from them regarding what is going on today, what with the assassinations and terrorism?"
>"Am I right in assuming that your employer did not inform you that our organization is willing to work with people in your sort of situation, either as employees or as contractors?"

>>6077571
>>6077580
Wait so do we have a duck now? I like ducks, ducks are cute, we should have a pet duck.

>>6077596
>"It's obvious that someone gave you the idea to attack that estate you were at, particularly seeing since you've been supplied with one of your world's flintlocks and corresponding ammunition. Tell us what they told you about this place, and what they looked and sounded like."

>>6077596
>>"It's obvious that someone gave you the idea to attack that estate you were at, particularly seeing since you've been supplied with one of your world's flintlocks and corresponding ammunition. Tell us what they told you about this place, and what they looked and sounded like."

>>6077582
>"It's obvious that someone gave you the idea to attack that estate you were at, particularly seeing since you've been supplied with one of your world's flintlocks and corresponding ammunition. Tell us what they told you about this place, and what they looked and sounded like."
>"What exactly convinced you that attacking the manor of one of the kingdom's most recognized and connected noble families would have been beneficial to your situation?"
>"Did your savior inform you that there were still servants inside the manor before you started?"
>"Did you notice anyone else who looked like they came from your kingdom of Japan? Perhaps a foreboding looking knight in black armor who swore a lot?"
>"Did you overhear anything from them regarding what is going on today, what with the assassinations and terrorism?"
>"Am I right in assuming that your employer did not inform you that our organization is willing to work with people in your sort of situation, either as employees or as contractors?"

>>6077596
Good ones.

I'll had a funny one
>Now, be a gentleman and roast that duck I caught. It will make fine dinner, and if you're able to control yourself enough, maybe a cook's life is waiting for you.

Cooking Mama Isekai Road

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>>6077979
>Duck votes to kick Ota's ass

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>>6078248
>>6077979
>>6077608
>>6077571
>Mystery duck is secretly also a stranger that was reincarnated into a dangerous monster that aesthetically looks just like a duck
>Ingratiates themselves into the party so it can live in the lap of luxury and perv on the girls without anyone’s knowledge

Update will come tomorrow since I've been moving around too much without any good wifi to write these past few days. Vote is still open.

>>6078248
>>6078856
>>6077979
Ask and you shall receive...

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>>6079005
Now let's have the monster duck team up with the haunted doll in a one shot adventure to peep on the main cast at the Japanese style hot springs (that is inexplicably found in a Western style fantasy world) without getting caught!

>>6079017
Inexplicably having an Onsen as a normal commodity in Lindan is actually a pretty funny idea...

>>6079005
Writing.

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>>6079627
For some completely unknown reason, the flight of a duck catches your attention as it seems to come up from under the bridge to the rest of a support beam in front of you. It quirks its head at you as you stare at it, wait- it almost looks like one of the ducks from the Cendre pond- You stop yourself, this isn’t relevant, “It’s quite obvious someone gave you the idea to attack the estate you were at unless you simply got a penchant for arson? Should’ve seen the other arsonists we caught, they’re hanging from a rope outside the palace right about now!” You should, allowing Marie to finish.

“Let me handle this,” She firmly states to you before turning back to the Stranger, “What she’s trying to say is your Cheat Skill doesn’t seem to involve firearms yet you had one. We want to know who supplied you with the munitions and sent you to that estate.”

“Y-you promise I’ll help me out if I tell you, right?”

She tilts her head a bit and widens her smile, you don’t think the Ota notices how brittle it is, “I was alone for a couple weeks after spawning in here, didn’t run into much trouble, but my antics at a broth- ahem- my antics caught the attention of another of us,” He gestures to himself and Marie, “And he taught me a lot about this world. He was a white guy, about middle-aged I think, and said he was a Desert Storm veteran, anyway, he had the power to conjure any weapon he wanted and knew existed,” Your lips purse as Marie goes a bit pale. Never before have you envied a Stranger as much as you do now. However, there’s also a different question.

“What’s a ‘white guy’ is that a type of demihuman?!” You shout to the Stranger.

You’re rather hastily corrected by Marie who stutters a bit at your outburst, “It means his skin looks like yours and not mine.”

“Ah. Why is that important?”

“It will help us identify him?”

You blink, “Everyone in this kingdom has skin similar to mine.”

Marie sighs “Whatever,” She says before continuing, “Did you know there were still people inside the manor when you set it on fire?”

“Of course I did,” He admits to murder seemingly without guilt or remorse, “But they’re not, you know,” Again he gestures to him and Marie.

“Can you please elaborate?” Marie seems to be struggling very hard to maintain composer, “They’re not?” The duck also seems to have waddled a bit closer on the beam above you- that’s not important.

“Like us, you know? From Earth. They’re basically NPCs, they don’t matter,” You think for a second that this whole good-bad routine is going to be useless as Marie strikes the man but then she brings her hand behind her, secretly summons her sword, and her emotions calm. It’s gone by the time she brings the hand back to caress the Stranger’s shoulder. She looks happy at a glance, but you can tell she very much isn’t. Tough luck, this was her idea.

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>>6079669
“Well then, what exactly compelled you to attack the manor of one of the Kingdom’s most recognized and connected noble families? Did you believe it would be beneficial to your status, lowlife!?” Perhaps you get a bit too close to his face as he stutters more severely, or maybe the proximity to Marie is finally getting to him. You’re more beautiful than she is but you’re also more intimidating so it really could be anything.

“N-no! W-well yes, I did!” He stutters, “B-but not like that- I mean I didn’t know that you were also good guys! But Sensei said my success would help cause enough chaos so that he could get some ‘real work’ done and start ushering in a new age of Earth dominance in the New World. But he wouldn’t say what that work was, I took him as the paranoid type, the kinda guy who has plans for plans.”

“So you knew you were working with more than one person?! Anyone else you know from this Kingdom of Japan of yours? Already caught one of your lackeys, a black armored knight who swore like a sailor.”

“I knew there were others of course but I haven’t met them, “He flinches as you raise your kriegmesser slightly out of her scabbard, “I-i’m being honest! After he spent a few days training me on my Cheat Skill and telling me about the Inquisition and stuff he gave me my mission and said if I succeeded I, along with others who succeeded in their missions, would be gathered to be informed about what happens next,” As he says this the duck flies down to the ledge you’re on, it seems to be trying to get a better look at the three of you? Or get closer? What does it want, food? You kick in its general direction to scare it away, doesn’t seem to work.

“I can assure you, whatever he told you about our organization is wrong,” Marie comforts, “I bet he didn’t even tell you that the Inquisition often hires Stranger as contractors for their Cheat Skills or even Inquisitors,” She smiles.

“Y-yeah,” He tries to smile back.

“So this organization your employer worked for, did he tell you anything at all?” You question.

“N-not anymore than I told you already, I promise!” The worst part is as far as you can tell he’s telling the truth, Marie can’t seem to find any fault in his logic either. Another bloody useful idiot this hooded figure got to work for him. You feel like you’re one step behind and you hate it. You pinch the bridge of your nose, at least you have a bit more to work with.

Then you look back at the tied-up Stranger, “Y-you’re going to help me now right?” He practically begs.

Yeah, right you

>Execute him on the spot

>Knock him out to deliver to the Inquisition

>Are cut off as the duck by your feet rapidly shifts- Oh Goddess! What is that?!

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>>6079671
Seemingly having heard enough or finally finding the right position to attack the duck from the estate launches itself as the Ota. As it does so its form rapidly shifts in a most disorientating and gruesome manner, wings and legs turn to long and gangly limbs, feathers to purple cloth covered in ghostly white patterns, and by the time the creature has completely changed forms long and sharp claws have found their way into the Stranger’s throat, silencing him forevermore. You bring Sturmfahrerin out in front of you as Marie reels back away from the attacker. It’s then that your mind puts together the pieces of what’s in front of you.

A tall but emaciated figure stands above the two of you, covered from head to two in purple sashes that reveal almost no skin other than its clawed hands and parts of its face. Its skin is a pale white littered with murky splotches and its eyes are the complete opposite of an elves whereas instead of a pure black, they're white, unsettlingly so. As it sets itself up to lunge again you scream “Changeling!” as you:

>Retreat, up the side of the bridge and into the crowds above you

>Launch into a melee with your multitude of weapons

>Cast a spell

>[Write-in]

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I JUST WANTED A CUTE DUCKIE, QM! NOT THIS! NOT THIS AT ALL
!
>>6079671
>Knock him out to deliver to the Inquisition
Not that it matters to the nerd anymore, but we might as well say we tried.

>>6079675
>Cast a spell
Glue, aimed right at the changling's feet. When it lunges at us and fails to move, throw what's left of our cloak over it. ...and pray our rolls are good this time.

>>6079675
>Launch into a melee with your multitude of weapons
It is in melee range...

>>6079675
>Launch into a melee with your multitude of weapons
The best counter to claws is slicing the hand off.

>>6079671
>Knock him out to deliver to the Inquisition

>>6079675
>Launch into a melee with your multitude of weapons

>>6079675
>>Launch into a melee with your multitude of weapons

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>>6079678
I've basically stopped using rolls in favor of having in vote be based on the strength of Lorina's opponent but usually fights have a success option, partial success or failure option, or failure options, with write-in's being graded leniently depending on what the plan is. Again, you guys have been really good avoiding trap options.

No update tonight but I want to remind you about your current arsenal
>Sturmfahrerin [Kriegmesser], a [Sci-fi Assault Rifle], [Stiletto], [Garotte], Cinder [Matchlock Pistol], [Various other hidden daggers], Bedilia [Mace], [Sap]
If you'd like to specify what weapon(s) you want to use please do so since I don't see how that choice can lose at this point.

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>>6080420
Well, now that I've realized the inspiration of this new character, I'm just going to put a final option down here we can use in the next update...

Genuine appreciation and kindness.

Also, I thought we would have snagged that pistol the nerd had on him as well as Sturmfahrerin?

Now I'm gonna go to the /qtg/ and beg Peekay to come back to continue Greenhorn and bring back Haremvania...

>>6080420
>Sturmfahrerin
Slice those claws off!

>>6080420
Writing.

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>>6080913
In the half-moment it takes for you to dodge the changeling's attacks and strike back, the purple robes are replaced with straps of leather and wool, and the pale skin with green as a burly orc stands before you, taking up far too much of the ledge for your liking. Regardless, with such a big target, your war knife quickly finds purchase in its form, even if it does block with its forearm. A cut that deep needs to hurt. Its new form makes it easy to dodge its strong but sluggish punches. You smirk, for your speed is superior.

Not even seconds later, that smirk is replaced by shock. You have to dodge an overhead swing from Marie, as the large orc twists and convulses down to shift into its much thinner true form. Then, as you're busy recovering from the near not-so-friendly attack, the changeling shifts again to the form of a tiny rodent that dashes towards your leg. You find Sturmfahrerin is remarkably less effective when swung towards tiny rats, and you're a bit too busy taking frantic steps back while avoiding the ledge's edge and the water far below to not hit the ground. You’ll need to polish her later to make up for that but it’s not entirely your fault since Marie continuously shoots beams of energy from her sword at the vermin, which means you also have to dodge her scorching spells making you dance like some court jester, or you assume so your father hated them so they were never apart of your courtly life. Though finally one of the bolts hits the rat's back, making the thing yelp in pain before instead suddenly it shifts back into its true form. If you weren't in a life-or-death situation far away from your time-traveling mentor, you might have found rat's yelps turning into curses in a demihuman language humorous. Still, you are in a life-or-death situation, so you don't. Instead, you use the time the changeling is stunned to get into better positioning, cast a few bodily enhancement and weapon reinforcement buffs, and analyze the situation.

Changelings are a very, very rare breed of demihuman to the point that this very well could be the first time you've encountered one, and it's not even just because humans vastly outnumber all demihuman species combined. Though you’re certain it's your first time encountering one in its true form. You’ve never before felt that sense of inhuman wrongness that is associated with race, it is such a strange feeling looking at it. You know for a fact that many choose to live their entire lives in an alternate form because their true one produces this feeling in other races, leading to their kind oft being despised. Why do they have this effect? You can't claim to know though the unsettling feeling that upsets your entire being is as you stare at the pale thing with its singed robes and back gives you an unnatural desire to extinguish its life in this fight.

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>>6080943
"If this ends up being another Stranger, I swear to God," Marie mutters before sidestepping you and engaging the fiend in melee.

In the following moments, you notice that the thing can deflect and parry her blows with its claws, most likely a combination of biology and reinforcement magic. Though it acts in a manner where its wrists and arms are prioritized in its defense, a weak point? You'll have to exploit that. You find your chance when Marie takes a blow to the arm then torso from the fiend's claws and is sent reeling back into the bridge's pillar, rather close to Ota's corpse. Instead of committing to ending her, however, it changes its form once again to that of a hawk, and its avian head turns towards you.

But it's too late for it, far too late, you’ve been given time to plan. You pull the trigger on Ota's gun and a bullet finds purchase in the bird's shoulder. The changeling shifts and falls from the pain. You take the initiative to advance with your eternal companion, impacting her with the changeling's wrist from what you figured is its dominant wrist, severing the entire hand from its body. Again, it shouts in pain as its claws fall into the water below, and its other clawed hand cradles its new stump. Words full of vitriol in both the common tongue and many you cannot claim to know are thrown towards you, Marie, everything, as it backs up towards the ledge and its body again begins to transform.

Yet, in a split second, it starts to grow scales, and you

>Go in for the kill. The enemy has an experienced changeling; it's too dangerous to let live

>Allow the wounded beast to flee with its tail between it's legs

>Knock the changeling out, but you're unsure if it'd even survive unconscious with three major wounds

>[Write-in]

>>6080425
Hey, it's not my fault she's best girl.

The urge to write more monster girls is a constant demon I must battle. Maybe someday I'll write a different quest with them as a focus.

>>6080945
>Knock the changeling out, but you're unsure if it'd even survive unconscious with three major wounds

>"See? A softy, just like I said."
>"Quiet, you."

>>6080945
>Go in for the kill. The enemy has an experienced changeling; it's too dangerous to let live

>>6080945
>Go in for the kill. The enemy has an experienced changeling; it's too dangerous to let live

>>6080945
>>Go in for the kill. The enemy has an experienced changeling; it's too dangerous to let live

>>6080945
>>Knock the changeling out, but you're unsure if it'd even survive unconscious with three major wounds

>>6080945
>Knock the changeling out, but you're unsure if it'd even survive unconscious with three major wounds
I want to interrogate them. If they were sent to silence Ota, they can be a valuable source of info.

>>6080945
>Knock the changeling out, but you're unsure if it'd even survive unconscious with three major wounds
We can't kill it, it's rare. Maybe even endangered.

>>6080945
>>Go in for the kill. The enemy has an experienced changeling; it's too dangerous to let live

>>6081692
>>6081087
>>6080970
>>6080956
4 for an execution

>>6081487
>>6081111
>>6081100
>>6080952
4 to knock out

Like usual for a tie leaving the vote open since I don't want to roll to decide Lorina's morals.

>>6080945
>Knock the changeling out, but you're unsure if it'd even survive unconscious with three major wounds

>>6081692
>>6082135
Well, the 1 post ID's cancel each other out so the nonlethal option wins.

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>>6082143
The changeling's form convulses once again to the form of a small fish as it jumps off the ledge. It's too bad that it isn't fast enough, though, as with a bit of magic to increase your speed you’re able to dive forward, grab the fish, and throw it as hard as you can to the nearest wall. You learn something new at the impact; changelings revert to their true form when unconscious. They also tend to bleed a lot. Doubly so when missing a hand, and with an open shoulder wound. "Marie! Dig the bullet out while I heal its stump!" You shout before exerting all the healing magic you can, praying you can knit its flesh together before it expires.

"Wait- I don't- Argh, dammit!" She yells before you see her kneel at the changeling's other side out of your peripheral vision. You realize she lacks adequate equipment as she reaches into the wound with her fingers. Out of pity, you give her one of your daggers, not Albrecht’s Stiletto, before resuming your task.

By the time the stump has come together enough so that the bleeding is manageable, you unclasp your shoulder cap and tie it around the stump before rotating the pale creature onto its back and begin healing the scorch marks left from Marie’s blast. Seems the wound expanded proportionally from when it was hit as a rat and much of the purple robes are irreparable. It's only when you're halfway through that Marie finally finishes getting the remnants of the bullet out of its shoulder, and you're forced to heal two wounds at the same time. It is taxing and time-consuming work, but the soft breath and pulse of the changeling reassure you it isn't all for nothing. Especially as it keeps breathing once its wounds are closed. It’s only then do you allow yourself to sit and relax, absolutely covered in blood and sitting between a corpse and what just might become one if not brought to a more advanced healer. What? You're a mageknight, not a doctor; you only know a little more than how to knit wounds on the field, not any advanced healing magics.

"Do you mind, or are you too exhausted?" Marie says while sitting down on her knees in front of you, gesturing to the lighter wounds on her person. They’re not exactly huge, but definitely painful, and nowhere near lethal. The process of healing this is honestly more relaxing than anything, even if it takes up until the very last drop of your mana. You need a nap severely, but taking one here would be a bad idea.

Then, Marie decides to playfully bump your shoulder and gesture to your state and the changeling, "See, you are a softie."

"Marie?"

"Yeah?"

"Be quiet."

"Yes, ma'am!"

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>>6082182
To your shame you’re too tired to make it so Marie doesn't have some slight scarring even if she doesn’t seem to mind, but overall you're satisfied with your results. You'd like to see Lyndale match what you just did! Fighting off a Stranger, Changeling, then healing someone from the brink of death. Ha, like that little commoner would ever be able to!

Then a wave of vertigo hits you once the adrenaline begins to wear off, you didn’t think it was possible to get more tired. Then you gag as rancid smells of the post-battle remnants hit your nose. You try to stand and find yourself unable to. A rather upsetting problem seeing as you need to rely on Marie to get up, and you're forced to practically hug her to walk a bit. But being above the corpse and body with her allows you to contextualize the new problem you face. What the hell do you do now?

You have a dead Stranger and an unconscious changeling under a settled bridge that has [i]very[/i] heavy foot traffic above due to the lockdown. The two of you are also completely covered in blood, your outfits ruined to the point Cathy would weep if she saw you, and you yourself are dead exhausted from mana overuse. Perhaps you could leave the two here and try to continue your private investigation around the city? It'd undoubtedly be challenging, but you're sure the changeling is stable, and it certainly shouldn't be awakening anytime in the next couple of days. You could also call the guards, but that complicates things, involving the authorities in this mess while you're still on the run. Or you could send Marie to the Cathedral to notify them or try to get Asher. You can do a wealth of things, but are any of them exactly good decisions?

>Go notify the guards above the bridge of what happened here

>Send Marie to the Cathedral [Would you like to play as Marie?]

>Leave the two here and go somewhere else [Where?]

>[Write-in]

>>6082183
>Go notify the guards above the bridge of what happened here
We can have Marie do it if it's too risky to show our face

>>6082183
>Grab an old cloak on a nearby washline and put a gold coin in the clothespin.
>Go notify the guards above the bridge of what happened here
>Head over to the Dawn's Light tavern to recover.

>>6082198
Supporting this
QM, if Strangers look like Japanese, how does Marie manage to pretend to be a local?

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>>6082212

>>6082212
Most people in Lindan are uneducated commoners and would assume that Marie is either a foreigner or a type of demihuman before jumping to the conclusion of a Stranger. It's easier to assume that than an actual demon is standing next to you even if they know it is a very slight possibility.

>>6082216
this could also be true.

>>6082183
>Go notify the guards above the bridge of what happened here

>>6082183
>Go notify the guards above the bridge of what happened here

>>6082186
>>6082198
>>6082252
>>6082364
Keeping voting open for now but letting you know it's unlikely you'll be able to sneak away if you notify the guards. There aren't many places for you to hide and once the news breaks the area will be swarmed with people and you'll be questioned for your involvement. That is unless you have a plan you'd like to add.

>>6083369
What if we leg it right now, have Marie notify the guards in a couple minutes after we've gotten some distance, and meet back up outside the area?

>>6083375
Did you forget how Lorinda’s using Marie as a crutch to stand up? I think running is off the table until a long rest.

>>6083380
We can't just take 5? Mana exhaustion blows.

>>6083369
I'll swap to
>Send Marie to the Cathedral [Would you like to play as Marie?]
Yes Marie POV

>>6083369
What if we flashed tits to convince them to let us go?

>>6083387
>We can't just take 5?
Consequence of keeping the changeling alive but you have a valuable source of intel because you did.
>>6083417
Dude.
Honestly, this would probably make a worse scandal than you're already in.

>>6083430
It works in my animes!

>>6083430
What if we have Marie flash them instead of us

>>6082183
>Leave the two here and go somewhere else [Dawn’s Light]
Probably not a good idea to go alone as Marie, seeing as she’s Lorina’s only defense now, and going back to the family will likely get Marie imprisoned or barred from going in with us and prevent us from informing Asher that there’s a Stranger with access to nuclear weapons because of dad’s “muh religious caste said all Strangers bad no exceptions despite the blindingly obvious truth otherwise” thing.

I swear to the Goddess, if we’re forced to take over for that ditzy bitch, the first thing we should do is exile the top ranks in the church, from bishop and higher, to permanently fight in the demon crusades as punishment for this bullshit, and exile the lower ranks who supported them to the least pleasant places of Wonderland, Oz, and the Kingdom of Wizdom’s Mountains of Ignorance until we say they can come back. Like, after ten to twenty years.

>>6083512
Oh, yeah, forgot to link it to my previous post >>6082198.

In fact, to make it official...

>>6082183
>Grab an old cloak on a nearby washline and put a gold coin in the clothespin.
>Leave the two here and go somewhere else
>Head over to the Dawn's Light tavern to recover.
Hopefully we can get Clarice and the Purse Pokers or whoever to help us contact Asher.

>>6082183
>Go notify the guards above the bridge of what happened here

Too tired today to finish the update I started writing but looks like notifying the guards is still the winner here. So I'll just ask if you'd prefer if Lorina were to meet with more of her family or those in the Inquisition in the next update, was going to roll for it earlier but this seems better.

>>6084559
Family if we have to choose

>>6084559
I'd like to try seeing what's up with Asher at this point.

You guys think after Lorina recover, we can try to call Asher up with magic by using Bedelia as a focus because of it's association as a gift we got from him?

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>>6084559
You stumble, forcing your fellow inquisitor-in-training to grab you then gently lower your form to the ground. You do manage to get a bit of distance from the corpse and body, but there isn't much room to spare down here. It's with a shaky nod and unvoiced understanding that Marie climbs to the bridge above. You try to stay awake while she's away, you really do. Stay vigilant and on guard. A defender of the Stranger's corpse and unconscious changeling, for you know, the Inquisition, the organization that is your escape from the noble world, will have a vested interest in both.

But you just can't.

The next time you wake, you're barely lucid and Strange voices converse with Marie. "Goddess, it looks like a slaughterhouse…"

"The Hells with that guy? Why does he look so strange..?"

"Hey, there's another person here! Wait, is that..?"

From the sounds of armored joints and different voices, it seems Marie ran into an entire squad and convinced them to come down here. It's a shame your vision is too blurry to make out anything but some rather drab colors. You feel as if you've been put in a barrel that was kicked off a waterfall. Why won't the world stop spinning?

"I'm sorry, Miss Adventurer, but this situation is outside the capabilities of your rank. As such, we’ll need to take you into custody for questioning."

"Care to repeat that? I informed you that it was a stranger, correct? This is official Inquisition business, as my other card here states. Please see the two bodies delivered to the Cathedral of the Goddess, posthaste."

"R-right, my apologies, ma'am!"

"Hey, captain, what should we do with her?" Another guard asks, his voice louder than yours.

Marie starts to speak again, but your lucidity fails you, and exhaustion takes you. The next time you awake, your vision isn't as blurry, but it isn't exactly clear. A woman in a dark robe sits on the other side of the furnished but bumpy carriage. The capitol's roads shouldn't be this bad; you must be moving fast. By the looks of her clothing, the robed woman must be employed by the royal court.

"Extreme magic overuse led to a severe mana shortage. Trivial external wounds. Should be in a much worse state than now. Shockingly high chance of survival." The woman rambles to herself, but there doesn't appear to be anyone else in the carriage. AT least anyone else you can see; it's shockingly brutal to move your head at the moment. And the cushion is so, so comfortable. You should rest your eyes for a moment. "Hm, strange energies flowing through the body in place of- mana? No. Blood? No. Life? No-"

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>>6085196
It's a familiar ceiling that you find yourself waking up to. As dawn's light reaches you under warm sheets through red curtains. You're still rather tired but haven't felt this rested in a while. Though your hand is unreasonably sweaty at the current moment. Your eyes are heavy, but with a great force of will, you force them open and sit up in your bed. The force of your rise causes one of the two figures in your room to stir, the one tenderly holding your hand. Your mother, Carroll de Lindan, sitting in a wooden chair she's brought next to your bed. She blinks the sleep out of her eyes before leans over to place a hand on your head analyzing your entire body, "Oh, darling, are you alright? Everything is fine now; you're okay now."

"Mom?" You stutter out in a dry voice.

"Yes, sweetie!?"

"W-water."

"Ooh, right!" she says before frantically looking around behind her until she finds a gold-encrusted goblet on your nightstand. "Here!" She practically shoves the chalice into your hands.

You drink slowly as you survey the state of your room. Everything seems fine, just as you left it. The curtains are all closed, so you can't see the city's outside or state. Though you know another silhouette, you're not exactly used to being here. She stands near your grand doorway, one foot pressed against the wall. A red cloak draped over her body, showing tiny but her face and gray hair, and two ears poked out from under her hood. You know this woman, for she is an Adamantite adventurer, the future queen of Lindan, an uncouth barbarian, and your sister-in-law, a wolf demihuman simply listed as "Red" on her adventurer card. She nods to you, but it is informal where one's head goes up instead of down.

"Yo," She says with a slight wave as she watches you.

You give a confused glance to the woman and then to your mother as you hydrate your chapped lips and dry throat. Why is she here? That is all you can think of, for you've had very little interaction with the commoner, primarily due to your father's general dislike of her and her tendency to leave the royal grounds at her leisure to take on more quests.

Red makes no intention of explaining herself, forcing Mom to speak. "She's been watching over you since you returned last night, seeing as-" She hesitates, and in that moment, Red takes the initiative.

"Seeing as ya ran away from home and returned the followin' day half-dead and covered in other people's blood. Gotta say, kid, I didn't know you had it in you; nice work," It's her honesty that's the worst part. From her smirk, you can tell she's genuinely impressed by your escapade.

"But what about the Stranger and the-" Your mom is the one to cut off your hoarse question.

"Shh, darling. We can talk about all that later when you're feeling better. You still need to rest." Unknowingly, you make a face at that, causing Red to respond again.

>>6085197
"She won't be able to if she thinks her friend might be in trouble. The Stranger girl you were with was pretty smart, got the body, and the demi carted off the cathedral before the guard could confiscate them."

"Then why am I?" Here and not at the cathedral? You would finish the sentence, but something tells you it might be the wrong thing to say in full, especially while back on estate grounds.

Thankfully, your mom picks up on the hidden intention: "Because she was worried about you and wanted to make sure you got home safely."

"I'd rather put my life in royal doctors vs. Inquisition one too, to be honest; the latter might try and dissect ya first if you're not careful," You don't think that's true, "Anyway if you're wonderin' about the riots they've seemed to have been quelled since word got out there's Stranger's involved. Nice job with that."

"What do you mean? Shouldn't that make more chaos, not less?"

"People tend to listen to the guard more when they know Stranger's's out to get them. Also, whoever's behind the attacks will have a harder time recruiting since nobody wants to work with a Stranger. 'Cept you that is," She shrugs, "But hey, I ain't judging."

"Your father and brother are currently with his advisors and the Lord Inquisitor to discuss what will happen going forward. Don't worry, Ina, everything's going to be fine," Your mother reassures with the warmest smile she can muster.

Red again shrugs, "Sorry, but I ain't gonna help ya sneak out this time, kid. Art told me to watch you while you're resting, and I will do that."

Your mother makes a face, "And don't think you aren't in trouble either, young missy! I-I won't let you run off to the Inquisition either!" Her tone is much more shaky than Red's.

>" Then can I at least be taken to the discussion Father and the Lord Inquisitor are in? I have intel they'd like to know."

>You sink back into your bed and stare at the ceiling; you really aren't escaping this time [PoV Shift to Asher]

>[Write-in]

>>6085199
>"Then can I at least be taken to the discussion Father and the Lord Inquisitor are in? I have intel they'd like to know."
>"No, mother, it is not fine." (clambers out of bed)
>"Get Marie and Asher. The Stranger we're fighting has the ability to create their world's weapons, and was in some sort of war in a desert. They probably know more about that better than anyone else, and if their world has anything like what I saw with the Metal Island, Asher WILL be needed."

>>6085199
>>You sink back into your bed and stare at the ceiling; you really aren't escaping this time [PoV Shift to Asher]

>>6085207
Supporting

>>6085199
>" Then can I at least be taken to the discussion Father and the Lord Inquisitor are in? I have intel they'd like to know."

>>6085207
+1

>>6085199
>" Then can I at least be taken to the discussion Father and the Lord Inquisitor are in? I have intel they'd like to know."

>>6085207
>>6085350
>>6085587
>>6085604
>>6086057
Wins by a wide margin.

Sorry again for the delay but I'm finally back home. Writing.

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>>6087591
You feel uncomfortably weak trying to move out of bed. All your limbs shake, almost as hard as your mother trying in vain to stop you, yet you soldier on regardless. Your mind flashes to the now-dead Stranger and what he let slip, then to Marie’s face losing its color, then finally to the Metal Castle and all the things you could barely comprehend. What weapons of annihilation can Earth still offer? You’re unsure you even wish to know. Fights should be between combatants close enough to feel their opponent’s breath, where the victor is decided by skill alone. Yet, even the fantastical rifles of the skeletons, of which you still own one, could change warfare forever in this world.

“No, Mother, it’s not fine,” You say as you clamber out of your nice, lavish bed and into your slippers. It seems you’ve been put into your nightwear while you were out, and they probably burned your previous blood-covered outfit. Still, that doesn’t stop you from shuffling away as your mom tries to guide you back to bed. It’d be easier for her if she touched you, but she refuses. She probably thinks you’ll shatter if she tries to grab you, “I have things I should tell Father and the Lord Inquisitor. T-they’ll want to know.”

“H-honey, I’m sure they already know- you don’t need to-” The robe feels nice around you. You’re surprised you haven’t been stopped yet, given the looks your mother is giving your sister-in-law.

The gray-eared demihuman rolls her eyes, “If she doesn’t leave the palace, I ain’t gonna bug her,” She says before eyeing your walk-in armory, “Though I wouldn’t mind staying here for a bit longer. Nice collection, by the way.”

You mumble some form of thank you as you continue in your march. It is totally a march. Anything less would be demeaning, no matter how much mana exhaustion sucks. You haven’t felt this tired since arranging all those events for the Academy’s cultural festival. However, you realize a mistake you made as you open the great doors to your room and walk into the hallway where a few menial servants do their duties. You turn to your mother, who is just walking behind you, “Where’s dad?” You ask, moreso whisper.

All she does is sigh.

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>>6087663
The Kingdom of Lindan is well known for the privileges given to its nobles and even its commoners when it comes to governance. A shining example is when a Magnum Concilium, Great Council, is called to discuss matters of great importance with people from all walks of life attending and given equal opportunity to speak to the king. But given how messy this whole situation is, only the Curia Regis, Royal Court, has been called into session. It comprises a much smaller group of year-round members, all very high nobility or, in one case, of the eight members, an exceptionally wealthy merchant. Even Duke Edwin de Cendre is in attendance; a rider must’ve been sent to him as soon as the attacks started. Other than the king and his advisors, two different people of importance are in the room you enter, your brother Arthur de Lindan and the Lord Inquisitor, a bald and very fat man with an uncomfortably large smile as he looks in your direction.

Everyone looks in your direction as you enter the highly formal and secretive meeting with a tremble. Not because you’re nervous, mind you, but because you’re ill. You feel somewhat underdressed here, especially so with how “fashionable” some of the nobles here are. Your mother and Red trail a few feet behind you; the latter gives a half-wave to her husband. Your father’s face does not look all that happy to see you, “Lorina…” He trails off.

You give the best bow you can manage. A curtsy is too hard right now, “Esteemed councilors, may I please have a moment of your time? I believe I possess information that will be vital to the discussion here.”

A wave of confusion ripples through the advisors, soft whispering, and raised eyebrows. You understand the last thing you should be doing is attending a high-society gathering, and you haven’t even had time to brush your hair. Yet, here you are, “Lorina, this is not the time for-”

Surprisingly, the Lord Inquisitor cuts your father off with a wave of his sausage-like hand; with such little regard for your father’s authority, you glare, “Oh, don’t look so dour, Lewis, let the poor lass speak. Is she not the woman of the hour? I’m sure whatever she has to say will have our interest piqued,” Wait, is his voice familiar? You quickly disregard that thought as the man grins more at your staring, and you look away.

“Fine, Lord Inquisitor, just this once. Lorina, you have one minute to state your piece before you’re dismissed so you can stop making a mockery of court customs. Speak,” Your father commands.

>>6087666
“R-right, I’m not sure what’s been told already, but when Mar- I mean Inquisitor-in-training Marie and I caught and interrogated a Stranger,” Another concern rippled through the room, “Attacking the Cendre Estate, we got some rather. First is that Strangers are being collected and tested by the orchestrates of the attacks, but more importantly, the recruiter of them, another Stranger, has an extremely worrisome Cheat Skill. He has the ability to create any demontech weapon he desires a-and I’ve seen what demontech is capable of first hand and believe-” What is it you believe? What are you allowed to share if you don’t wish to be kicked from the Inquisition? Probably not Asher’s and Midori’s secret, “I believe that this is a situation only the Inquisition is properly equipped to handle,” Is this a good idea? Undermining royal authority while being a princess? Probably not, but the situation is too dangerous, “Especially those well-versed in demontech like the ones I’ve worked with.”

At least no one questions why you’re here after that, even in a room mostly filled with old codgers, the words “Stranger” and “demontech” are enough to unnerve them into silence. But that’s the end of it, right? You got up and informed the Curia Regis of information the Inquisition might not have shared willingly. You should go back to bed, right? Your father looks to be about to dismiss you already, anyway.

>” And I’d also like to formally take part in bringing these Strangers to justice.”

>” That will be all esteemed council members. Thank you for listening to me.”

>[Write-in]

>>6087667
>” That will be all esteemed council members. Thank you for listening to me.”

We can worm our way in later when we're not on the verge of passing out.

>>6087667
>”And I’d also like to formally take part in bringing these Strangers to justice, once I recover enough to take part.”
I don’t want to have to sneak out of the palace again with the security increased.

>>6087667
>” That will be all esteemed council members. Thank you for listening to me.”

>>6087667
>>” And I’d also like to formally take part in bringing these Strangers to justice.”

>>6087667
>”And I’d also like to formally take part in bringing these Strangers to justice, once I recover enough to take part.”

>>6087667
>” That will be all esteemed council members. Thank you for listening to me.”

>>6087667
>” That will be all esteemed council members. Thank you for listening to me.”

>>6087685
>>6087748
>>6088711
>>6089353
4

>>6087710
>>6087795
>>6088282
3

Writing, going to be another short update.

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>>6089761

“That will be all esteemed council members, thank you for listening to me,” You say with another bow. When you rise and survey the room, you see looks of distress and heavy thinking, but none look outright upset at you. Except for your father and the Lord Inquisitor, that is. You suspect your father is upset at you in general for being here, while the Lord Inquisitor may be upset for letting you lose information he himself didn’t give. However, you get a strange feeling that isn’t why, moreso he looks expectant. Like he’s waiting for you to say more, yet you don’t.

“Then you are dismissed, Lorina. Please get some rest,” your father says with a wave of his hand. You do not hesitate to leave the room as he looks away from you, though you’re certain there is concern in his words, even if they do not match his tone or expression. He didn’t mention anything about a punishment!

Once you’re out of the chamber, your mother gives a huge sigh of relief at the fact you didn’t do anything too stupid other than appear before some of the most influential people in the country in your nightclothes and slippers. But as she goes to speak, most likely to chastise you, the door opens, and you’re enveloped in a crushingly painful hug courtesy of your older brother, Crown Prince Arthur. “Ack! Let me go! Let me go, you fiend!” You try to scream, but the embrace only gets tighter.

“It’s good to see you safe, Ina. You had us worried the other day, should’ve seen how much mom cried,” Arthur says as he relents the embrace. Your eyes get a fuzzy feeling as you stand on your own feet again, and you need to clutch your mother for support.

“Were you trying to kill me!?” You say in a tone that’s quieter than you’d have liked.

“Aha, sorry, Ina. I just wanted to let you know we’re all happy to have you back home. Even if it’s because of bad circumstances.”

“Knowing you’re here, I’m going to try to leave twice as hard now.”

“I think Red’ll put a stop to that real quick. Right, honey?” He says to the cloaked woman, only getting a shrug in response, “Ah, well, I hope you’re at least here come tomorrow morning, Lorina. I’m going to be too busy today to hear all your Inquisition stories,” He says before jerking his head to the door behind him, “But I’m glad you’re safe,” With a small goodbye to Mom and a small kiss to his wife, ew, the prince reenters the council.

The rest of the walk back to your room is spent in relative silence, only your mom whispering encouraging words as you stumble back to your bed. How humiliating it is to be treated like a kid when you’re nearly old enough to graduate from the Academy. You can only imagine how your friends would- Ah, they’d laugh at you regardless, wouldn’t they? At least Cathy wouldn’t.

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>>6089822
It’s more dreams about that Academy that you find yourself sleeping in. Not even dreams of the Inquisition that’s totally affecting more of your life right now. So why can’t your mind stop drifting to that wretched place! If its headmaster wasn’t a member of the Curia Regis, you’d have half a mind to get it shut down. At least that’s what you grumble about as you wake from those horrid dreams. But quickly, you shake them from your head. There’s no way the Academy can be mission going forward, no way at all.

As you rub the sleep from your eyes, you feel groggy but now overtly tired. Actually, you barely feel tired at all. Someone must have helped refuel your mana, a dangerous procedure for anyone, not an experienced healer or priestess. You feel a little sting that twinged with annoyance near your chest, the place where you stored that strange photo, but someone changed your clothes, so it shouldn’t be- It is still there. Ah, you should’ve guessed something from that strange girl wouldn’t easily be disposed of. Yet, as you fully slip into full consciousness, it dies down. It almost feels like a magic item in the process of being dispelled. Maybe because of your repeated attempts to deny Alice, it’s not being allowed in?

Whatever, you don’t like to think about that stuff anyway. As you look around your room, you see it’s rather dark but does not yet require a candle. Seems you’ve slept for an entire day. Your mother appears to be gone in her place, your servant’s bell and a note explaining to ring for an attendant to bring you dinner. Red’s still here, but now she’s moved to sit on a plush chair, reading a book in one hand and a bundle of cloth in the other. She doesn’t make any motion to recognize that you’ve woken up other than a glance and shake of her head. You’ll never understand how this woman, of all people, was allowed to marry the prince. It’s like allowing a commoner into high society, like Lyndale was allowed in the- Argh, curse that damn dream!

You need to do something to get those thoughts out of your head, but the question is, what do you want to do?

>Ring the bell and get a maid to bring you dinner

>Talk to Red (but only since she’s the only one here and absolutely no other reasons) [About what?]

>Try to sneak out? Maybe Red won’t care?

>Try to convince Red to go for a walk around the halls of the castle

[Write-in]

>>6089831
>Ring the bell and get a maid to report on the status of the assassin hunt.
>Ask Red about her (suspicious) nonchalance towards our working with Strangers.
>Ask both Maid and Red about Asher and Marie, and if we’d be able to see them again.
Phoneposting while on trip. Forgive me.

>>6089831
>Try to convince Red to go for a walk around the halls of the castle

>>6089831
>Talk to Red (but only since she’s the only one here and absolutely no other reasons) [About what?]
Weapons. Surely she knows them well as an Adamantite rank? Something you can bond over.

>>6089831
>Ring the bell and get a maid to bring you dinner

>>6089831
>Ring the bell and get a maid to bring you dinner
>Try to convince Red to go for a walk around the halls of the castle

>>6089831
>>Try to sneak out? Maybe Red won’t care?

>>6089831
>>Try to convince Red to go for a walk around the halls of the castle

>>6089877
>>6089898
>>6089925
>>6089947
>>6090133
>>6090446
>>6090487
Writing.

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>>6092101
Curses, it may be pretty late into the day, and you’re probably under house- room(?) arrest, but you’re not exactly tired. You just slept for a whole day how could you be exhausted? But Red is the only person around. Goddess, you could probably have more fun talking to one of Herrman’s friends than her, but she’s all you got. And you probably don’t want to offend the barbarian too much if you have any hope of her allowing you for a walk around the palace grounds. A brief thought has you wondering if you could use that to escape again, but you dash it. You’re strong, but you doubt your Adamantite rank strong, not yet, at least. You’d place yourself as a recent MageKnight “Graduate” at the top of her class at around Gold, rank 6 of 10, Diamond, rank 7 if you’re charitable. Those in ranks above that usually have years of experience to complement their raw talent and skill, of which you have an abundance of. The skill and talent, not the experience. You wonder what ranks Asher and Marie might have should they have joined the Guild formally- wait, they have, haven’t they? Marie is rank 1, Copper, and even if that’s not true to her abilities that’s still her legal rank. You aren’t sure what Asher has. Maybe you should ask him?

*Ding*

You ring the bell as you’re distracted by outside thoughts, “You hungry, kid?” Which Red chooses to catch on.

“It’s not like there is much else for me to do while confined here,” Your stomach betrays you with a growl, to which the cloaked woman raises an eyebrow. You sigh, “Yes, I am hungry as well.”

The woman snaps her book shut, causing a loud clap to resound throughout the room. Surprisingly, her baby does not wake from it as she sets the book down. “Makes sense; you haven’t eaten all day. Mother said it would take a few minutes for them to warm up something for you. Said it was your favorite or something.”

Oh, how thoughtful of mom but that doesn’t explain, “Why are you so attentive all of a sudden?”

“You’ll find out when they get here.”

“That doesn’t explain anything at all.”

“I know,” You make a face that isn’t exactly pretty or ladylike at her in response. But after a few minutes of just sitting in your bed, the silence gets awkward between yourself and your guard. “So…” You trail off as your eyes look around your room, searching for anything to discuss. Aha! “What do you think of my armory? You must have something similar as an Admantite, no?”

“Biggest personal armory I’ve seen I’ll give you that. Bit excessive in all honesty, how often do you even use everything in it? You’d have to be some kinda maniac to try and master all the different types of weapons in there.”

You feel a vein pulse on your forehead as you glare, “I can assure you that I have used everything in there in at least one duel. I would think someone of your prestige can at least appreciate how well-maintained they are?” You sniff condescendingly, your head turned up.

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>>6092213
“Eh,” She shrugs very lamely, “I’ve always stuck by ol’ reliable. Ain’t met anything that can stand up against my hand cannon and ax.”

“That’s a rather strange combination of arms.”

“Oi, I don’t wanna hear anyone disrespecting the lads, not even family,” Family? She actually considers you her-

There’s a knock on your door, which disrupts your conversation. You yell for the maid to enter, ready to finally receive something to eat, but you are shocked at the well-dressed blonde who enters. Alyssa May should still be resting at Asher’s or some other facility, not working as your maid. How’d she even get here? You’d think she’d be exiled from the capital entirely for the stunt she helped you get away with. For that, your eyes rapidly dart from her to Red, but your brother’s consort makes no moves that indicate hostility. Does she even know?

“Commander,” Alyssa says as she sets up a folding wooden table next to your bed before placing a plate of food atop it and bowing, “Shall I be of any more assistance?” Still, your eyes look between her and Red, confusion and a different, less pleasant emotion written all over them.

“How?” You stutter, “Shouldn’t you be-” You find your words failing you.

“I understand commander. I must apologize for my failure to defend you earlier this morning. I know there is no excuse. I will accept any punishment that you deem fit to deliver,” You bow again before continuing to watch you with that robotic stare of hers.

“No! That’s not- I didn’t- Um, uh. Are you okay?”

“I am currently combat capable, yes.”

“I’m better!” Red shouts to no one as neither you nor Alyssa pays her any mind.

“I can see that, but how? You should still be recovering,” Her bones were quite literally crushed. Even with healing magic, that’s still a wound that should take months to heal.

“I do not fully understand. I awoke sometime after the fight, fully healed after a strange dream I cannot currently recollect. I found your note and ran to the city to provide my assistance. I once again failed as I could not find you, again I must apologize,” She bows, “I then set out to find Lord Beneger, found him in discussion with Inquisitor Asher, and was once again send to provide you with assistance once you were found.”

“How did my parents even allow you back in? You- do they know?”

“Oi, kid, don’t think we’re a bunch of idiots, yeah?” Red again calls out. This time, you do pay attention.

“Then why?”

“Don’t rightly know the full story but from what Art told me, the Lord Inquisitor requested her placement. If you somehow didn’t know, he’s a very hard man to say no to, y’know, since he’s the Lord Inquisitor? And since Miss Spy here only did what you asked of her, it’s not like we could claim she endangered you, of her own free will at least. Mean we could but it’d become this whole thing we don’t have time to deal with.”

“I only wish to serve, commander.”

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>>6092216
“I’m also pretty certain she’d find a way to sneak in if we didn’t allow her, and that’d only serve to make my workload larger. You aren’t sneaking out again, by the way.”

“I didn’t plan to.”

“Uh-huh, sure.”

“Commander, your food is getting cold.”

“Oh,” You forgot about that, “Right.”

It’s with a full stomach that you manage to convince Red to let you walk around the moonlit halls of the palace. It helps with digestion, after all, and the chirping of birds and bugs at night does well to mask the sounds of conversation. At least more so than the echoes of your large and mostly empty room. However, you take a slight detour in your mostly silent walk so that Red can “dispose” of Edith by forcing her upon your exhausted brother. The way the intense woman’s tail started to furiously wag at the sight of him and her child together was certainly a weird sight. But after all that, you find yourself sitting on a bench surrounded by hedges and flowers overlooking a large fountain. Alyssa sits next to you while Red looms a few feet away, arms crossed. By this time of night, only a few should even walk across the garden, and with your hushed whispers, they shouldn’t be able to hear any of your conversations.

“You were with Asher earlier, right? Was Marie there? What are they doing? I want to know everything,” You ask in rapid succession once Red signals that no one is around. Then you immediately catch yourself and eye the wolffolk demihuman, “Everything that you’re allowed to-”

“Kid, I’m a part of the Royal Family. I know everything everyone else here does, that includes your Stranger buddies.”

“Stranger buddies? That’s a rather nonchalant way to address what most people, including father, see as demons,” You goad to get her reaction.

Unsurprisingly she shrugs again, “I’m Adamantite, you don’t get that high up in the Guild without witnessing some crazy shit. Sure, this Inquisition shit is new to me, but it’s not exactly surprising. You get that?”

“What could be stranger than-” You catch yourself again, looking around for any spying servants or guards.

Red groans, “That’s not really important to you know, is it? Pretend I’m not here.”

“Hphm, fine. Alyssa, speak.”

The maid nods, “Asher has been working with Lord Beneger for most of the day, seeing about the application of the ‘Slaver’s Crest’ Cheat Skill you and him recovered on the Stranger he captured this morning, the one we fought against.”

You make a face, “They’re using that thing? How? Why?”

“It was under Lord Beneger’s orders, sadly I have no other knowledge. However, I also learned Asher underwent a ‘Phonecall,’ a form of strangetech communication, with another Stranger in Ivern who has apparently been compromised. Said Stranger has been instructed to hide until a train arrives to extract him. The train will leave early tomorrow, Asher will be onboard.”

You force yourself to continue, hoping to process that as Alyssa continues to talk, “What about Marie?”

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>>6092221
You force yourself to continue, hoping to process that as Alyssa continues to talk, “What about Marie?”

“She has been tasked with interrogating one other Stranger who was captured today by Inquisitor Edgar due to her otherworldly status. I was not allowed any information other than basic rumors. Still, it seems that Stranger was cooperative and told me the location of the meeting place where many Strangers will be gathering tomorrow morning and succeeding in their attack plans during the arson spree.”

“Wait, I know about that from the Stranger I defeated today,” you say, connecting a few dots in your mind. “Is there anything else you can tell me? Please?”

Alyssa offers an apologetic hanging of her head, it is a very robotic gesture, “I am sorry, commander. I was not permitted to know more, only instructed by fa- Lord Beneger to return to your side.”

“And do you know why that is?”

“No,” Finally, she raises her head, “My apologies.”

“It’s,” You swallow, “It’s okay. I forgive you,” You say very wearily, still unsure what made her this way or why she apologizes so much. You don’t expect a smile to appear on the servant’s face. It’s a small thing, barely more than an upturn of the corners of her mouth, but it’s filled with more joy than most you’ve ever seen, so used to the fake emotions of court as you are. It’s almost childlike how pure her emotions seem to be.

“Thank you,” And after a few more moments it’s gone, her face returned to it’s careful neutral.

“Well, I intend to-”

>Join-

You’re cut off, “Go back to bed and sleep?” Red asks rhetorically, “Stay in house arrest like a good little girl? Think I should let you know that Father’s back into looking at marriage proposals for you.”

“What!” You shout, scarring a few birds from nearby trees, “But I- The dismissal! My reputation was tarnished! I’m unmarriable!”

“Hey- hey, keep it down,” Red tries to shush you, her silent smugness replaced with frustration, “Look, you’re still a Princess, third in like to the Kingdom? Sure, your propositions might not be as good, but they’re still there. I’m sure he’ll consult you as well, so you shouldn’t need to worry too much-”

“No, unacceptable!” You declare, “I’ve been taken out of courtly life; I have no desire to return as of the present moment.”

“Sorry, kid, but that’s not exactly your call to make. Look, maybe you can convince him to send you to some cushy army position on the frontier if you don’t wanna marry. But in no way is he letting you join back with the Inquisition. Least, not from what I know.”

“I am at your disposal, commander,” Alyssa reassures? You’re not exactly sure what she’s implying. Despite how skilled and talented you might be, you’re not sure even the two of you could take down Red, even if she doesn’t have a Cheat Skill and you can’t see any weapons on her. Though you could always try.

>>6092223
>You’re insistent on getting yourself on that train heading to Ivern with Asher [But the question is how?]

>You’re insistent on going to that Stranger meeting with Marie [But the question is how?]

>You sigh and return to your room and your bed for now at least

>[Write-in]

>>6092224
>You’re insistent on going to that Stranger meeting with Marie [But the question is how?]
>"I assume father's answer is a Nunnery, then? Live my life with no friends locked in an abbey in service to a Goddess that decided the best way to gain my support was to break my heart twice and saddle me with nightmares of maddening liars and fake allies? No, I think not."
>"Those two might have been Strangers, but they were kinder to me than nearly all of the nobles and wealthy businessmen I went to school with. And if that's not an indictment towards the peerage and the gentry of Lindan, I don't know what is."
>(stomps back to room)
>"Well, Alyssa, if we cannot leave here... we'll just have to bring them to the palace instead."

>>6092232
FYI, I'm nv49wCJR and H/S+gXZH.

>>6092232
Damnit, I got to read the updates twice...
>"I assume father's answer if I refuse to have him break my heart again with another betrothal to someone who probably was present to the recent MageKnight gala, or as I know it, the worst night of my life, is to send me to a Nunnery, then?"

>>6092224
>"I assume father's answer if I refuse to have him break my heart again with another betrothal to someone who probably was present to the recent MageKnight gala, or as I know it, the worst night of my life, is to send me to a Nunnery, then?"

>>6092224
>You sigh and return to your room and your bed for now at least
Maybe we can convince any man to run away and join us?

>>6092224
>You’re insistent on going to that Stranger meeting with Marie [But the question is how?]
Bring the meeting here obviously

>>6092224
>You sigh and return to your room and your bed for now at least

>>6092274
I think you should go for a third time

>>6092232
>"I assume father's answer is a Nunnery, then? Live my life with no friends locked in an abbey in service to a Goddess that decided the best way to gain my support was to break my heart twice and saddle me with nightmares of maddening liars and fake allies? No, I think not."

We can also tell her outright to either help us, as our sister, or stand down and let us leave.

>>6092224
>>You sigh and return to your room and your bed for now at least

>>6092274
>>6092468
>>6092639
3 for the write in

>>6092485
>>6092631
>>6092989
3 to go to bed

>>6092587
>>6092232
2 have said they wish to go help Marie

I'm not exactly sure what to write for the write-in other than Red's reaction to it. So unless otherwise stated in the next few hours before I start writing I'm going to add that to the return vote.

>>6093926
I guess what I was trying to imply was that Lorina and Alyssa should try to find a way to interrogate the Stranger inside the palace with Marie. My best guess is to do that under the guise that we think there is a terrorist threat to the kingdom akin to that explosion we saw in Ivern, and as one of the few survivors of that, we have to make sure it cannot happen here.

Slightly off topic, but I really don't get being passive about this. It feels like the more we wait, the worse the situation becomes, and our parents just won't commit to keeping their kingdom safe due to their worry to keep their family safe. Not to mention that I'm pretty sure one of Dad's proposal meetings is going to become an assassination attempt by whoever wrote us that letter.

>>6093926
Writing, short update for real this time.

>>6093943
Yeah sorry, while that's a creative write-in I don't think Lorina would be able to convince anyone to bring a Stranger into the Royal Palace at least in a timely manner. As QM I can't speak on the spoiler though.

>>6093976
To be fair, the spoiler was more towards the other players. I guess I’m just wondering about their logic for staying put.

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>>6093976
You laugh. It is a rather pitiful thing, bearing no humor or joy. “So that’s it then?” You question to nobody except the world itself, “I assume father’s answer if I refuse to have him break my heart again with another betrothal to someone who probably was present at the recent MageKnight gala, or as I know it, the worst night of my life, is to send me to a Nunnery, then?”

“Eh, like I said, military backlines is more likely. No real reason to have a priestess with Mageknight training,” Red says in a lame manner, taking your statement as an actual question rather than understanding its meaning.

“That’s not the point!” You cry out, “For the first time in my life, I’ve had autonomy and real freedom, and I handled it well! Hell, my mentor was ready to make me a full-fledged Inquisitor, but now all that’s being stripped away, and for what?! To marry me to some decrepit nobleman whom I’ll never love as I did Herrman? Phewy! I should be out there helping, yet my abilities are being squandered, and I await nothing but a life of tedium!” You turn, “Come, Alyssa,” And stomp off in the direction of your room. Leaving Red behind.

The demihuman looks confused at the retreating form of her silver-haired sister-in-law. All she can think is why is she the one Lorina’s ranting to? Not like there’s anything she can do to make a difference, she’s just guarding her as a favor to Arthur. “Always with the drama in this family,” She sighs before following at a far enough pace to still hear the princess while not being too close to strangling the poor girl. Metaphorically, of course, teenagers need their space after all. Wait, is Lorina still a teen? Red’s never been good with birth dates and the like, something grandma was never quite pleased with.

Your room is almost exactly as you left it, the only difference being a servant removed your plate of food and made your bed. You feel antsy as you look over it, you wish to join Marie and continue where you left off but as Red enters the room behind you, sits down, and picks up her book, you intimately understand how trapped you are. You’re certain Alyssa and yourself could defeat any number of guards, but the demihumans? Not as likely. But just how long does she intend to watch over you? Would it be possible to wait her out? Maybe convince her? By now, you’re certain every other member of the Royal Family is asleep, and should she leave, you’d have free reign over your life for one more night. But come morning, should you sleep, you’re confident you’d meet with your parents again to discuss your fate, overlooking many proposals and the like. It’s not like you’d be exceptionally upset living the life of a consort. You were perfectly continent with that being your life path only a year ago.

But now, it wouldn’t be with Herrman.

>You try to convince Red to leave [By saying what?]

>You try to wait out the adventurer with Alyssa

>You just go to sleep

>[Write-in]

>>6093987
Okay, so I'm leading towards the first option, but I need some clarification. Is it "convince Red to leave your room" or "convince Red to leave with you"?

>>6094003
To leave the room

>>6093987
Hmm. Alright, I was coming at it through convincing her to come along...

I guess the best options I got for convincing her are...
>1. Piss her off or offend her to the point where she leaves, or is forced to leave after she assaults us.
>2. Make her uncomfortable by either telling her the disturbing things we saw on the island or by having a bout of crying. (Crying will probably come with a risk of us falling asleep, though)
>3. Have Alyssa set up a distraction somewhere in the castle, perhaps rigging up our rifle aimed towards our bedroom outside and setting it up to fire wildly into our room as a staged assassination attempt, where we'll bring up the letter we got from the mystery noble and convince them to let us leave the capital for our safety.

I'll just put them down as options for right now, though, not going to vote just yet.

>>6093987
>You just go to sleep

>>6093987
>You try to wait out the adventurer with Alyssa

>>6093987
>You try to wait out the adventurer with Alyssa

>>6093987
>>You just go to sleep

>>6093987
>>You try to wait out the adventurer with Alyssa

>>6093987
>You try to wait out the adventurer with Alyssa
We slept for a full day. She didn't.
We can even lace some subtile sleep magework.

>>6093987
The hell with it. Here's my vote.

>You try to wait out the adventurer with Alyssa

>>6094714
Get something to mask our scent before we leave, too.

>>6093987
>You just go to sleep