""""""""Welcome Back, dear Master!""""""""
SIXTEEN GORGEOUS MAIDS.
EIGHT ON EACH SIDE.
SAYING THAT IN UNISON WITH ALL THEIR HEART AND PURE SMILES!!
AAAAH! THIS, THIS IS THE BEST!
THE BEST I TELL YOU!!
HMM! JUST LOOK AT LOUISE! THAT APRON IS PURE JUSTICE!!!!
OOOOOOH!! ROXXYYYY!!! PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN MAID AND SMITH OUTFIT!!! HOT AS THE METAL SHE POUNDS!!
NERINNE, I LOVE YOUR MODIFICATIONS THERE!!!!!
BUT LET'S INTRODUCE OTHER BEAUTIES TOO!!
HM?! LUCY WINKED AT ME!! THE BLONDE, SPUNKY AND JUMPY MAID THAT CAN NEVER BE MISSING!! YES! YES! YES! HER MAID OUTFIT JUST SCREAMS SPEED AND MOBILITY!
IN CONTRAST WE HAVE MIKA!!! HER BOB HAIRSTYLE AND GLASSES GO SO WELL WITH THAT CASTER MAID OUTFIT AND HER STUDIOUS ATTITUDE!! OH! SHE IS GETTING EMBARRASSED! NICE!!! GLASSES GIRLS ARE JUSTICE!!
AH! THE COOL BEAUTY THAT IS JULES!! THAT WONDERFUL DARK GREEN LONG HAIR OF HERS AND OVERALL SLENDER FIGURE GOES PERFECTLY WITH HER HUNTER MAID OUTFIT!! HER EYES ARE SHARP BUT THAT SMILE!! THAT SMILE!!! MMMM...APPROACHABLE 100%!!
BERTIA!!! SHE LOOKS SO BEAUTIFUL WITH HER SIMPLISTIC LOOK!! HER ORANGE HAIR LOOKS WONDERFUL WITH THOSE TWINTAILS!! SHE REALLY SCREAMS GIRL NEXT DOOR WITH HER LOOKS!! AND HER MAID OUTFIT LOOKS PERFECT FOR UP CLOSE COMBAT!!
OH! SOMEONE IS APPROACHING! IS ERICA!! THE BLONDE SHORTHAIRED WARRIOR!! THOSE BLUE EYES LIKE THE SKY! THAT POSTURE FITTING HER SLENDER YET FIT FIGURE!! TOMBOYISH CHARM ON PAR WITH KRIS'!!! SO HOT!!
NERINNE, THIS IS PARADISE!!!
"On behalf of all of us here, you have our gratitude, Master. Thank you for helping in bringing an end to Illumbee's sickness."
Says Erica as she bows, and the others follow suit.
"Uwaa...there's more..."
I can hear Sophie getting surprised and disturbed at this beautiful scene. Such a lack of culture.
"Everyone is so beautiful..."
I knew you would understand Sylvie!
Aaaah...I wish I could enjoy this a bit more, but it is obvious that I have to say something now.
"Hmph. Save the gratitude for when we have dealt with the one behind the sickness. Rise."
I channel my waifu while saying that and start walking past Erica and the rest of the maids, and towards my throne, which is at the back of the room.
There I can see Nerinne and Ilya waiting for me.
They look at me with loving eyes as if saying 'welcome home'.
It's quite moving for a sort of loner like me...but I can't get too sentimental though. Got to maintain character.
Meanwhile, the maids do as I say and stop bowing immediately.
"But even so...this is a victory. Not mine alone, but of this Order. So, feel proud and be aware of your value. I have no need for those who decide to ignore that."
Erevain, Gabrielle, Luca, Kris and the newcomers join the other maids in the horizontal formation they have taken to listen to me.
Erevain and Erica step to the front as leader and sub-leader respectively.
""Yes, Master!""
They nod and say that in unison.
So good!!
Now...
"...with that out of the way, there is a certain misunderstanding that must be made clear."
Immediately after saying that I unequip my breastplate with magic, leaving me looking exactly as my waifu's famous nickname, 'The Under-Boob King'!
"""""...!!!!"""""
Some maids are just surprised, some are flustered, others are gulping while getting more and more red, and still others have an 'I knew it!' written on their faces.
Heh. I'm glad that it wasn't as widespread as I feared.
Also, Gabrielle seems to be enjoying all of this since she looks kind of smug. Maybe she already knew?
"As you can see, I am a woman. I care not how you refer to me, be it Lord, Lady, Master or even by my name. Do so at your own convenience. And for those who were having a bet about this, congratulations to the winners."
I say so with a smug smile of my own.
Why? Come on, it is obvious now with all those reactions that at least some had already discussed about my gender and a bet is not that farfetched.
Like Lucy, that face of hers is brimming with happiness clearly celebrating while Mika at her side is showing a defeated expression.
Classic, the studious introvert one lost to the cheery extrovert, heh.
Hmm...they make a good pair though.
"Erevain, give them a detailed report about the whole situation. That includes Sylvie, she is part of this now, even if she is just an apprentice. I shall be waiting in the meeting hall; there we shall discuss our next move."
I say that while getting back into a more serious disposition.
"At once, My Lord."
In response, Erevain nods, bows lightly and turns around to face the other Maid-Knights.
By the way, Ilya has been tugging at my hand all this time and with this I will have a bit of time to hug her a lot.
Just wait a bit more my sweet cinnamon roll of a daughter!
Ah! Almost forgot! How can I be leaving without saying this first?!
"Before I leave, that...was a fine welcome. Good work."
Hearing this, my welcoming maids' eyes widen a bit before they turn to each other while giggling and then nodding, almost as if they were planning and agreeing on something.
That is when they turn their gazes back to me and...
""""""""You're welcome, Master!""""""""
HHHHHNNNGH!!!
I-I mean...they exclaim that in unison...
Such destructive power...
I won't be able to stay in character much longer if I stay here so I turn around and go to the meeting hall along with Nerinne and Ilya.
______________________________________________________________
"Fufufu~~~, I am glad that you liked your reward, my dear."
That is the first thing Nerinne says after I close the door of the meeting hall.
"You were behind this? When? You were talking to me most of the time."
I say that while carrying my cute daughter on my left arm as if she is sitting on it, all while hugging me.
"Multitasking, my dear~~~. That is one of the perks of having a Goddess as your girlfriend."
Nerinne gets near me, caresses my face and then kisses me, before hugging me too.
Ah...I love this...
Obligatory fanservice shot of two pairs of soft 'things' coming together.
"Besides, Erica actually came to me and asked on behalf of everyone about what they could do to thank you for helping their people. She was a little nervous, but I was happy to see that she tried relying on me as another resident of the castle instead of a Goddess. So, I did my best."
You know that she might just be obeying your wishes as a Goddess, right?
"..."
She stopped hugging me. She is looking at me in way that is scary...
"Mou!! Let me have my bonding moment with them!! You cheeky protagonist!"
Ouch! My cheeks! Stop pulling them!!
"It hu-rtsh!!!"
My face is going to get messed u—OUCH!!
I'm...
"...shorry..."
We hear a small, almost silent, giggle.
"Happy. Ilya is happy. Seeing Mother and Father...like this...makes me happy."
""...!""
Our hearts just melted after hearing that and we both hugged Ilya even more bathing her in all our love.
"You can pull you Father's cheeks anytime you want Ilya!! Mother gives your permission!"
"Yes! You can pull my cheeks!"
After saying this, Ilya looks at me, I nod, and then she begins pulling my cheeks in a really cute and soft way while smiling...
KAWAII!!!
"Fun..."
You can feel the happiness in her voice even if it still sounds a bit monotone. My volcano daughter can't be this cute, BUT SHE IS!
"Ilya, you've been doing a great job guarding the stone I gave you, right?"
She nods at my question.
"Yes...Father...helping you makes...me happy...too..."
Did you hear that? She is such a good girl.
"You are a good girl, Ilya."
I pat her on the head, and she blushes to the point her pointy ears are red too. Her hair is soft as silk.
"Yes, that is true, Ilya. You are a really good girl."
Nerinne joins in the patting.
Ah...this warms my soul...
We kept spoiling our cute volcano daughter until Erevain knocked on the door.
________________________________________________________________
"I'm deeply sorry, dear Goddess!! I didn't recognize you!! Please forgive me!!"
Exclaims Sylvie while kneeling on the ground in almost dogeza-like style, just after I opened the door of the meeting hall.
"My! Oh my! You did nothing wrong, Sylvie. Get up. Come, let me help you."
Nerinne went instantly into Divine Grace mode and extended her hand towards Sylvie to help her get up.
The Maid-Knights don't know what to do, because that would mean trying to stop Nerinne from doing something and that is pretty much out of the question for them.
Poor Luca, it seems that she still can't handle herself well in the presence of Nerinne. Ah, Gabrielle is right behind her just in case she faints again. What a relief...
"Ah! No thank you, I can do it alone, dear Goddess! Please let-"
Sylvie tries to reject Nerinne's help buuuut...
"Nothing! Take my hand, now!"
...she is having none of that. You can almost see the vein popping up in her forehead even if she is smiling. Sylvie doesn't have any option but to take her hand.
Maybe she was reminded about what I told her?
"Th-Thank you, dear Goddess..."
"No problem, Sylvie. But please, Erevain must have told you about me and how I want to be treated. Yes?"
"S-she did, dear Goddess. But is it fine...?"
Oh, she is considering it?
"My...whatever shall I do to convince you? Ah! Here!"
Nerinne surprises Sylvie by hugging her.
"Let's be friends Sylvie!"
Sylvie's eyes go wide open and then she starts smiling.
"Yes! If that is what dear Goddess wants!"
Wow, it sure didn't take a lot to convince her, huh?
This kid is really good with stuff like this now that I think about it. She wasn't scared of me when I showed her my true race and now, she is pretty much hugging back the Goddess of her world as if they had been friends all along.
"Ah, Sophie. Do you want a hug too? Fufufu~~."
"Hiih! N-No thanks, ma'am! I-I'm fine all the way b-back here! D-don't worry about m-me..!"
Now that's just bullying, Nerinne...
_______________________________________________________________
After that whole thing we finally managed to get the meeting started.
"The capital is our next objective. There it lies the reason behind what happened, not only in Illumbee village, but also the villages that were under threat of being razed if those conscripted failed on their jobs."
Says Erevain while standing at my right side.
Nerinne is present in the meeting and is seating at my left with Ilya sitting on her legs.
"Our Lord confronted the Dragon Lord of Eternal Winter, Brynn, and managed to confirm that her Master has a hand in all of this, to the point that they have someone within the royal family doing their bidding. And, as per the information given to us by Sophie, that person commands a hidden faction within the Kingdom, one named 'New Glory'. Which includes a select group of high standing nobles and knights..."
The expressions of all the Maid-Knights except Sophie are heavy to put it in one word.
To put it on more, some are disappointed and frustrated, some are looking at Erevain with concern and others are plainly angry about all of this.
"Our Lord and I will go to the capital, accompanied by a team of her choosing. Once there, we will search for the identity of those involved and put a stop to them. It is worth mentioning that there is a high chance that we will need to infiltrate the palace to do that. For that, My Lord, I suggest we divide ourselves in two teams, one will obtain as much information as possible while the other team will try to find a way to enter the palace to deliver punishment."
She looks at me expecting my response to her suggestion but someone else raises her hand.
It's Roxxy. Our resident maid blacksmith.
I nod at her, letting her speak.
"It's almost certain that there will be a confrontation between us, and that Dragon Lord's forces after we mess with'eir little plan, aye?"
Her question is a bit on the obvious side, but she is clearly going somewhere with it.
"Indeed."
Her expression hardens at my words and then she takes out a piece of paper that seems heavily used.
It looks like a list.
"I need materials then, Master. Lots of'em."
She says so with a serious expression on her face and hands over the paper to Erevain.
"Our Goddess here gave us a true gift with these combat clothes that perfectly fit our roles and needs, but our weapons..."
She looks downwards and clenches her hands as she continues.
"...they are degraded to a point that...aye, they work, but I can't trust'em. Not with the lives of my comrades or Master's. I spent the last two days doing their maintenance, hoping to not bother Master with acquiring materials for new ones, but the years we spent in the forest have taken their toll on'em."
I see, she is frustrated because she was driven to bring this up by the consequences of their previous circumstances.
"I'm sorry everyone. I know those weapons mean a lot to you, just as much as they mean a lot to me, but I can't, in my right mind, let you go into battle with'em."
The other Maid-Knights look at Roxxy with expressions full of understanding and sympathy, no one questions her words.
I have to say something here. I mean, this is the perfect prompt!
"Three groups, Erevain. We shall act in three groups while we are in the capital. The third one shall go to procure a small quantity of every single material that is on the list. That is as much as we need thanks to the nature of this place. It shall provide the rest. Also, add to the list materials for survival kits and basic supplies, plus materials for blankets greatly resistant to cold. We might need to help civilians, so it is better to be prepared."
Some of the Maid-Knights look at me surprised, probably not expecting that I'd think that far, and others smile pleased, as if I have met their expectations.
I catch Lucy going all 'that's our Master!' with a lone hidden fist pump.
Erevain is part of the latter group too, although she also seems to have reached the same conclusion as me and was already finishing writing down everything that would be needed for those things.
Roxxy's expression is one of absolute relief, as if I have lifted a humongous weight from her shoulders.
Although, I still have more to say and that could put it back on her.
"Roxxy, you are mistaken in something. This is not a bother. This is one of my responsibilities as your master and part of the promise I made with Erevain. I do not want to hear from you thinking the opposite again. You will report to me and Erevain the status of the materials, weapons, and whatever project you intend to or have already developed, every week. Understood?"
She nods in silence.
"I want you to work on everyone's new weapons as soon as you receive the materials. Take whoever you need as assistants to ensure that they are ready before the confrontation against the Dragon Lords' forces. My instinct tells me that we have at most two weeks starting from our arrival to the capital, but do not count on it, there is a high chance that we will have only a week if they intend to hasten things. For we are against the master of Bryn, eldest of the Chosen Four, The Dragon Lord of the Violet Death."
The second I say that title, the tension in the meeting hall becomes apparent. Only Erevain, Sylvie, Ilya, Nerinne and I don't react like that.
Erevain didn't because she already steeled herself in the village. The two youngest didn't because they honestly don't know. Nerinne didn't because she knows that we can win. And I didn't because I trust her.
"Erevain, tell me what you know of them."
My voice ends the brief silence that had taken this room and she immediately follows suit, showing her fortitude.
"At once, My Lord. Besides Bryn, they also command a legion of undead that are said to be summoned from one of the multiple ancient grimoires they own. But that is not all, they also command forces made up of tamed monsters and lizardmen commanded in the field by lesser dragon lords. Their magic beside those of the grimoires is unknown. That should be all the information the Draconic Front has on them after all these years, and I do not believe it has changed that much given that they rarely enter battle. That is also why information on them is so scarce. Furthermore, only a fraction of those forces staged a siege on the Kingdom a few years ago, and they were stopped not by the Kingdom's forces, but by the order of said Dragon Lord as if they had grown bored with it. Lastly, the times they have entered the battlefield were times when total annihilation was an absolute certainty. Leaving behind only a battlefield turned into a bloody garden of violet flowers..."
To be continued...(cue foreboding ending music with a certain already seen flashback playing instead of the usual ending video)(Also, you will find links to our discord, ko-fi and my twitter in the comments below!)
Glossary entry #19
Dogeza: Do you remember all those times when an anime character prostrates on the floor with their head touching it? Yeah, those times when they seem to be asking forgiveness or a favor. That's dogeza.