My life was a comedy where I always ended up face down. The debt of 10 coins to Ylva, because of the fiasco in the cave, was yet another burden on my back, and Melina's song about "the strippers of the stalactites" was already making adventurers laugh even in the taverns of Vaelor. My head was a whirlwind. Elara, Vespera, and Liriel messed with my feelings in ways I couldn't understand. Elara's shy glances, now more intense after her memories returned, made my heart race like a wild horse. Vespera's teasing, softer since Infernia, still made me blush like a bonfire. Liriel's jealousy, hidden behind sharp sarcasm, left me more confused than ever. To make things worse, Princess Lyra sent another letter, filled with passion, praising my "tireless strength," while Thalira, the elven envoy, threw me glances that mixed curiosity and desire—causing Elara and Vespera to huff. Elowyn, with her druidic messages, sent me a carved stone pendant, saying, "For your courage, Takumi." That only added to the emotional chaos. Vespera's kiss during the Moon Festival still lingered in the air, with her avoiding my gaze, while Elara hesitated to speak. I wanted to understand what I felt, but with this group, it was like trying to read a scroll in a hurricane. The amulet, scepter, sphere, tome, orb, crystal, scroll, ring, cube, medallion, bracelet, necklace, royal scepter, cord, orb, diadem, key, cord, ring, stone, necklace, bracelet, ring, bracelet, medallion, ring, pendant, cord, bracelet, fragment, cord, scepter, pendant, necklace, bracelet, bracelet, cord, and stone in my backpack all glowed together, and Elowen said the Demon King's ritual was getting closer. The danger felt like a low thunder, but today, I just wanted to pay Ylva's debt and avoid further humiliation.
At the Vaelor guild, after recovering the enchanted stone, Elowen warned us about an imminent attack from Kaelthorn's minions in a nearby village. "They're getting bolder," she said, her aura mysterious. "Stop them." The guild gave us a mission: protect the village and gather information on Kaelthorn. Liriel grumbled, "Filthy minions? Beneath a goddess!" Elara, gripping her staff, promised, "I'll use my spells carefully, I swear!" Vespera, with her bow slung over her shoulder, smirked, "A battle? Sounds fun." I tried to sound firm: "No crazy magic, no crooked arrows, no succubus charms. Just protect the village." They laughed, as if I were dreaming. Lyra sent a royal bracelet as a "symbol of support," and Liriel threw it to the ground: "Spoiled princess!" Thalira, who accompanied us, said, "Your leadership is inspiring, Takumi." Elara muttered, "Why is she always so close?"
The village was a scene of wooden houses, partially rebuilt after previous attacks, with scorched fields and a dark magical aura. Elowen introduced Torvald, a local warrior with a graying beard and a heavy axe. "The strippers? Don't wreck my village!" said Torvald, his tone a mix of seriousness and sarcasm. He explained that the minions—creatures with claws and glowing eyes—attacked at night. Melina appeared, strumming her lute. "New verse ready!" she announced, drawing the villagers' attention. Elowyn touched my shoulder: "You lead with heart, Takumi." Elara and Vespera huffed, while Liriel kicked a fence: "Stupid princesses!" The air was thick with jealousy, crackling like firewood.
The clash began, and chaos came quickly. Elara tried a barrier spell to protect the villagers. "Just for defense!" she said. The spell glowed for seconds before she collapsed, gasping. "Mana... gone," she groaned, falling into my arms. Her face was so close I could feel my heart racing. "Takumi, I... I wanted to..." she began, but the spell created an unstable barrier that crashed onto a cart. Vespera, trying to attack, used her charm, but distracted Torvald, who dropped a barrel. Her crooked arrow hit a tree, which fell. "What a lovely mess!" she shouted as a villager shoved her, and she seemed to enjoy it. "Liriel, do something!" I yelled. She raised her wine cup. "Divine purification magic!" The light exploded—but set the cart on fire, spreading smoke. I tried to hit a minion with my borrowed sword but slipped in a puddle, crashing down and knocking over sacks of grain. Torvald defeated the remaining minions, but one left behind a cord with markings identical to the items in my backpack.
Amid the chaos, Elara, still in my arms, murmured, "Takumi, have you ever felt... that you can't save everyone?" Her voice was fragile, and I felt a tightness in my chest. Vespera teased, "Getting cozy, Takumi?" Lyra, who had joined the mission, said, "Your bravery is enchanting, Takumi." Elara blushed, muttering, "Why is she so close?", while Liriel, her eyes burning with jealousy, shouted, "Focus, mortal, or you'll burn down the whole village!" Thalira laughed: "Your chaos is almost heroic." Elowyn, with a druidic glow, said, "You're stronger than you think, Takumi." Vespera huffed: "Another princess!" Liriel kicked Lyra's bracelet: "Stupid princesses!" Torvald sighed, dousing the fire with a bucket, but the cart was in ashes. He picked up the cord and said, "Curious. Seems tied to Kaelthorn." When he touched the cord, it vibrated, knocking over more sacks. Torvald growled, "You'll pay for this." The villagers laughed, and Melina sang, "In the village, they strip the carts, the strippers fall in confusion!" Torvald grumbled, "You're a curse!"
We returned to the Vaelor guild with the cord but a damaged village. They paid us 50 coins, deducting for the destruction. We settled the debt with Ylva, but Torvald charged 10 coins for the cart. At the inn, I sat, exhausted, as Elara and Vespera argued over who "messed up less." "I only used one spell!" Elara said, cheeks red. "And I only shot one arrow!" Vespera retorted, avoiding my eyes. Liriel, sipping wine, mocked, "You're pathetic. I did everything." Elowen appeared, examined the cord, and said, "Another piece of the Demon King's ritual. Kaelthorn draws near. Be careful, strippers." She left without further explanation. The air was heavy, with Elara, Vespera, and Liriel throwing jealous glances, and the words of Lyra, Thalira, and Elowyn only made it worse. "What's going on, Takumi?" Elara asked, jealousy clear in her voice. Vespera muttered, "Nothing, just spoiled princesses."
When Elara and Vespera left to get food, I pulled Liriel aside. "If you're a goddess, who's on your throne now?" She shrugged, smiling lazily. "Celine, my assistant. She's annoying but handles things." She took a sip. "Why? Planning to send me back, mortal?" She smiled, her gaze leaving me dazed. I looked at the glowing items—amulet, scepter, sphere, tome, orb, crystal, scroll, ring, cube, medallion, bracelet, necklace, royal scepter, cord, orb, diadem, key, cord, ring, stone, necklace, bracelet, ring, bracelet, medallion, ring, pendant, cord, bracelet, fragment, cord, scepter, pendant, necklace, bracelet, bracelet, cord, stone, cord. Vespera's kiss, Elara's memories, Liriel's jealousy, Lyra's letters, Thalira and Elowyn's flirting, Torvald's debt—my life was a nightmare, and I just wanted one day without being called a pervert.