236 Violet

"Violet, humour me this. When you said you tried to sneak into Nightmare Castle. How did you do it?" Asai and Violet clinked their mugs together before downing it. She was feeling quite embarrassed from having to explain herself, literally exposing her failures and woes in life.

"I-I know... It was stupid of me to try. I couldn't even make it halfway through the bridge before the undead sentinels caught me. It's not fair! Why would they build only a single bridge to enter and exit the place! Ugh... The ravine below is way too deep, trying to cross any other way is suicide." She pouted, as she misunderstood Asai's further digging as teasing.

"Wow. Asai is literally making her sing songs. Do I also open my mouth so easily when I'm drunk?" Rosemi, now deigned herself as to the times she had drank alcohol. Hoping, not to find anything too embarrassing.

Asai poured the girl another mug of ale. "A single bridge to enter and exit. Perfect, destroy the bridge and it's mission accomplished. No bridge, and their army will be stuck playing bob-the-bridge-builder."

Asai glanced into her grey eyes.

"If I destroy the bridge and leave. Will they execute Violet for exposing all their information? I'm certain when questioned, the villagers will instantly point their fingers at this girl. Probably explains why they didn't even bother telling me their names at all, less accountability I guess."

"Violet. I was being serious. Come with us, come with me to Via Marea. It's safe there, and I can provide for you. Think of it as thanks."

Her mind no longer functioning properly, being completely tipsy and influenced by alcohol. She spoke whatever entered her mind first.

"I'll join you. Take responsibility and provide for me and I'll come. But, please tell me this. Why do you want to leave Ignis? You're so rich and powerful here."

.

"I simply do not desire to live in Ignis. I like Via Marea more, I've already visited the place twice, and the people there has been most welcoming. Does that suffice?"

Violet nodded, seemingly having her curiosity satisfied. "Maybe he's fed up with Her Majesty being such a tyrant? He's also probably fed up with all those pompous spoilt nobles too. I'm sure of it." She continued nodding as she answered her own questions for him. Filling the gaps with her own imagination.

Violet continued nodding until she literally passed out asleep. Her head suddenly slamming into Asai's lap. Rosemi peaked an eyebrow in interest.

"Smooth, just 40 minutes of meeting her and she's already jumping into your pants."

Asai raised his hands in indignation. Chuckling along with her. He knew for a fact she was just teasing him for fun. Thus, he quickly scooped the dark-elf up and placed her in bed. Returning to Rosemi, the two decided to rest, leaning against each other whilst the gentle fire continued to flicker away.

...

When night time arrived. The entire village was filled with an eerie silence.

As the last rays of day vanished from the sky. Skeletal hands and ghouls punctured the dirt, emerging from the grounds as they dug themselves free.

This sudden hostility immediately awoke Asai. His mana sense informed him that he was surrounded by a dozen thousand undead. 

"Fucking hell, I never thought I had a weakness, but it seems the undead are my bane. Insanely numerous, and doesn't provide health, stamina and mana regen." 

He noticed Rosemi twitching slightly, thus, calmly stroking her blonde soft hair. Asai eased her back into slumber.

He kept watch for another few dozens of minutes, to realise what Violet said was true. As long as they remained indoors, the undead simply wandered around aimlessly. Enforcing martial law.

Thus, Asai quickly fell back into slumber. Resting his weary body and soul.

...

When morning came, Asai had Violet lead them towards Nightmare Castle. He wasn't sure if she was 100% on board with following him to Via Marea, but he did have a way to force her hand.

As for the rest of the village? Asai tried to think little of them. He barely spoke to them, and even then they didn't even bother introducing their names. Thus, as far as he was concerned, they were strangers to him.

And in all honesty, no matter how much he dwelled upon the subject and idea. He couldn't find any way to safely rescue such a large number of people in one go.