Chapter 291: A Blessing in the Shadow.

Chapter 291: A Blessing in the Shadow.

1 dragon has become your followers

Total follower count updated. Total follower of [Young Sunfang Dragon, Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor]:7879

Urgh, urhm Saori began to groan and move around on the clinic bed, pushing her body up whilst scratching her head. Her eyes blinked multiple times, rubbinging the sleepy sand out of her eyes before she turned her head around, looking at me in confusion. Hestia?

Morning, sleepyhead. Pretty nostalgic, right? You, unconscious. Me, staying up the whole night, worried.

Saori blinked even more, trying to understand what I was saying before she eventually realized and facepalmed herself gently. Oh I was careless. Sorry. Well, I guess its payback for having me worried for three weeks.

Haha! I laughed, unable to be mad at that response. Saori giggled with me.

After our joy that neither of us were terribly harmed from our accidents, Saori sighed, looking disappointed at herself. I am sorry I cannot believe How long did I stay unconscious? All I can remember is that I rescued a few slaves before some guards tried to fight me.

Tasianna, Grimnir, and Daichi rushed back with you after the color of the moon changed, so after midnight. And then, you stayed like this for a whole day. Its the 1st of HarvestBloom now.

Saori shook her head. Are you kidding me?

I let her calm down a bit before I signaled Tasianna to come into the room with [Telepathy]. We have a lot to talk about, but first, how about we enjoy breakfast together. Youre probably starving.

Good point, thanks. And, thank you for saving me, Tasianna. I presume it was you.

All three of us did our part, Miss Saori. Please, rest yourself and recuperate your strength.

It was usually very obvious who made our breakfast based on what was served. If it was more western style with bread, eggs, meat, and fruit, you knew it was either Tasianna, Svena, or Josine who cooked it. If it was traditionally Japanese, then Saori or Asaka were responsible. On the other hand, if it was a mix between multiple cultures, then Tamae was the chef behind the meal.

In this case, we had fresh rice, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, sausages, sauteed mushrooms, kimchi, and a warm vegetable soup. Gosh, it smelled wonderful, but I always questioned if such mixing was necessary.

Tamae-chan was creative again I smiled wryly before putting a sliced sausage with mushroom on top of some rice into my mouth. My mouth widened and my cheeks felt the heavenly juices of this wonderful combination.

Good food is good food. Even if the style of the breakfast does not fit together that perfectly, it is not weird to see these things combined together in another meal. Tamae knows what a healthy diet is and when you need to experience cuisine. Saori ate some of the baked beans before indulging herself in the soup. Ahhhh how I wanted this to be miso soup~

The meal was refreshing and invigorating. Food was good for the soul, not just the body.

After we were done, we became serious and asked Saori what exactly happened. I had heard the story from Tasianna, Grimnir, and Daichi, but I also wanted her perspective.

The warehouse at the docks, the one Asakas stranger told us to go to, was not exactly one owned by the Resurrection. It had that serpent tattoo on it, but it was actually a building reserved for a large-scale slave auction with its wares delivered by ship through the other countries down the river from Gleislain.

I frowned. It was exactly as I heard from the others.

And the worst part about this was that it was a known public event promoted by the eight Olden Money. In other words, the patricians of Estralia. The mark designating the warehouse was in fact to help the Resurrection pinpoint which warehouse to attack.

While we were mingling amongst the guests, we learned that the auction was hosted by the OBlooms, the Plymeirs, and the Urlandors. It helped that they were glorified as such by the announcer, Saori stated, mentioning two senator houses who used to work with the Layavete cartel. While the auction lasted throughout the evening, there was suddenly an attack by the Resurrection.

There were only beastmen and they were all wearing black armored suits; those were very easy ways for us to identify their members, or at least, the attackers from this crime syndicate.

The guards and the Resurrection members attacked each other, giving me some time to get into their offices and find some stuff. Saori pulled out sheets of parchment with words hastily scribbled on them from her storage. Sure enough, Gleisvale is the hub of all trade in this part of the continent. Food, dungeon materials, artisans, and slaves. A lot is imported and exported year round.

Saori handed me the papers to look over them. A majority of the records showed the OBlooms being mostly in charge of the operations, which I presumed was due to the Plymeirs and Urlandors slow decline after what the Layavete cartel did to them.

Imports came through ships and as well as through the dwarves train, but mostly the former. The OBlooms seemed to have dealings with quite a few notable members of the different countries along the mid-western part of Altrust: the Kingdom of Rakartheen and Astraford, the Divide of the Five Princes, Aleistunum, and also Aureolis. All cause of the river Gleislain.

On the other hand, their access to Artorias had been severed, it seemed. The records show little to no interactions with the Kingdom of the Griffon starting about two months ago, around the time we began annoying Hamil. Even their imports through the train was only done through one source, a beastman. Adhi Bayudra, a levianewt and ship captain, it mentioned. The smuggler who was responsible for the elven yeast the OBlooms needed.

This levianewt has only been doing it for two months now, but I heard the OBlooms pastry shop is older than that. A different source and they changed the carrier? The transporter?

Those Resurrection members, I heard from Tasianna that they were there to release the slaves, I asked after I was done with the notes.

Only beastmen slaves, Saori corrected me. They did not bother with the humans, even if some of them were children or teens. They were the reason why I had to go back into that place even after the fight caused the warehouse to go in flames. Now that I think about it, I think I fought a couple of the warehouses mercenaries and guards, and while rescuing one of the slaves held hostage, an explosion was triggered.

I sighed at her recalling the events and pulled up a mask and threw it onto Saori. Tasianna said you saved more than just one, you were literally leading all the saved human slaves outside before having to save them from falling debris and such. While you did so, you probably breathed in too much of the carbon monoxide.

As Saori looked at the mask, I continued, Next time you want to act like a hero, maybe put on a mask. Asaka gave me this dwarven mining mask to give to you, for your information. Or, just use your [Shadow Armament] cowl or mask. I still dont understand how you were knocked out in the first place. We traveled through the inside of an active volcano, and you managed to survive that.

As you guessed, I had my mask on back in Cedarailles dungeon. I had it on during the rescue at first, but I took it off after I noticed the kids being too scared of my appearance to trust me Saori looked away, obviously ashamed of what happened. She wasnt even close to death when she arrived in the subspace, and I didnt think she would have died with how high her stats were, but good gosh, it scared me when I saw that she was unconscious.

I shook my head in exasperation. If you want to be a firefighter like your dad so much, next time, put on precaution.

Dont bring my father into this, Hestia, Saori snapped at me.

No, you should probably reflect on this, Saori. You were the one pestering me to stop taking risks when we were in the Belzac forest, but, if you ask me, youve turned more into the person you didnt want me to become: a hero.

Going against Davison, entering the cave during the grimgarian raid, and also her fight with the necromancer in Griffonpeak. If you thought about it, Saori really sounded like a hypocrite. Not like I could judge her, as I thought of myself as one, too.

Honestly, she was slowly becoming what she hated about her father. A firefighter who died during a rescue, leaving his family to deal with the aftermath of his death. It broke Saoris mum and also changed Saori to be more focused on earning money instead of pursuing her dream of becoming a historian.

And it seemed Saori was beginning to understand what I meant about this. I was angry at her for risking her life like that, but I couldnt outright say that to her, as I also found it rather inspirational. I also heard from Tasianna how Saori wanted to stop the slave auction despite how it would anger the local crime syndicates. If you asked me, her changing and becoming more heroic was a good thing. She was breaking out of her shell, kinda.

Sorry. Also sorry for snapping at you. I really shouldnt have acted like that. She frowned and massaged her forehead.

Considering how conflicted she was with her father, I could understand her outburst. A firefighter who valiantly died to protect people while working, but due to his death, it left Saori in ruin. Her mother became sick from the stress, mounting in medical bills. Meanwhile Saori had to give up on her dream to pursue her teacher job for the money.

She loved her father, but at the same time, she didnt want to be compared to him.

Its okay. Here. Gael came over after he heard about the news, I drew Saoris attention away from our previous talk. I was content with her simply thinking over her decisions. The warehouse you were sent to wasnt the one the Layavetes spy obtained that mana battery from.

Seriously? Saoris eyes widened and I nodded.

Yes, and I think that place is the final key for us to solve all of this properly. I then placed two fingers on my head and then spoke with [Telepathy]. [You can come in, now]

The door opened up again, but this time, three other people came in. First, it was Asaka, then Mother, and the last was the person Mother was happily talking to.

The elven stranger Asaka talked to. In other words

Saori, let me introduce you to the first god youll meet in person. Ilsaphone, Goddess of Death and Necromancy.

What?!

The black-robed woman took off her hood, revealing a beautiful, albeit, pale face with lustrous ebony hair like the nights sky. With her white eyes, she looked almost like a corporeal ghost or soul, which would have made her unnerving to look at if it werent for how pretty she was. It also didnt help that a small haze kept seeping out from around her neck, showcasing some stitches around it, as if she was once decapitated.

A healthy and long life to you, Saori, she spoke in a modest and reserved fashion, sounding more like an introvert being forced to speak. I apologize for it taking this long to meet you after giving you my mark.

Uhm, I know this might be inappropriate to say now, but I cannot understand you. As expected, I knew this would happen.

Are you also hearing an accent or something like that, Segawa-san? Asaka asked, smirking as she also knew this would happen.

Seeing her acting so smug, Saori frowned and simply ignored her, turning around to me. Her eyes told me she agreed with what Asaka said but didnt want to admit it.

Hold on, let me give you the translation. I sent over what I heard from Ilsaphone. The reason why you and Asaka-san cant understand her properly is due to her being a god. You know a gods followers always have to interpret what they mean? Yeah, that accent is the reason.

It was a defensive mechanism to protect a mortals soul from a gods words, as even a hello could break a soul apart if they didnt have proper protection. Even saints and champions couldnt hear them properly despite having a blessing. Even Mother, whose soul was strong enough to chit-chat with Kramps if she wanted to, wasnt perfectly suited to listening to a god.

On the other hand, I was a big exception to this rule. My soul was technically pretty weak right now since it was fractured and still recovering, but thanks to Aurenas and Kramps work on my soul before I was reincarnated, I was quite resilient to the aura and words of a god if I accepted them. Unlike how Aurena had to shoo me out of her divine realm at the beginning to safeguard me, I could pretty much handle a lengthy talk without any problems after being exposed to them so often.

As such, similar to with Kramps, I was acting as the translator here. If KleaHatma were here too, she could have helped out.

I see, Saori blurted out, but I could see she was still confused as hell with everything. Actually, no, I do not understand what is going on. Why is there a goddess in our subspace? What is with that warehouse she pointed us at? I have too many questions.

Her irritation blew up. I guess it was still too early in the morning for this. As such, we had to begin at the start.

Saori. Ilsaphone sat down on a chair before scribbling something on a wooden slate she had with her. She turned it around, revealing a Can you read this?

However, Saori turned her head around again, looking even more confused. I had to tell her what was written there. The voice and writing of a god was too divine for people to understand, and I could see Ilsaphone pouting about it.

Saoris and Asakas souls arent properly fortified yet, Hestia. Your blessing hasnt reached the level of a demi-gods yet. Ilsaphone looked at me as if this was my fault. How the hell was this my fault?! Hello?!?!!?

Hey, I looked at them as if they were crazy. You do know what Ive received from all of my work for Aurena, right? Quite a lot of stuff. Are you two serious about declining it like this?

I dont want to continue dealing with this. One promise is enough, and now they want me to not only free them but also find a safe haven? Ill do it, but not again. The saintess crap is too much Asaka began to give her usual speech about her unwillingness to take responsibilities, albeit with a more reluctant side.

On the other hand, Saori just shook her head. I will be honest, I still have some misgivings about Fulsara, Goddess Ilsaphone. If I have to deal with that all the time, I would rather become inconspicuous again. A goddesss blessing sounds interesting, but I think I can achieve greater strength on my own.

If that is your wish, then so be it. Ilsaphone stood up from her chair, about to leave the room. However, I will leave the reward in the Quest. To become a champion or saintess, you will have to accept it willingly in the first place. Everything will work out in the end.

I heard the God of Darkness is also the God of Fate, Mother suddenly brought up. Did you inherit some of that fate power, Goddess?

Hiehie I am no Goddess of Time, Melloxtressa. But if I may give a tip. Saori, retrieve all four pelts of your shadow garms. And with that, she left the room. I closed my eyes, also noticing she had left the subspace.

Damn Asaka clicked her tongue before mumbling under her breath. I should have asked her about Elrick

I should have asked her about this step-sister thing, too. I lamented, remembering how Vivachel, the elven woman I met at the pastry shop, mentioned that. But, for some reason, I held it back, thinking she wouldnt have answered that anyways. Maybe I should ask Kramps or Aurena about it.

In any case, our plans were settled when I told everybody our plans in the evening. Now, it was about executing it and then cornering both Reajaen and the second demonkin contractor. Find the proof, denounce them, and then get things rolling.

But, for that, I shall leave it to the rest of Aurora. As for me, Mother and I still had a very important project for all of this, and until then, I had to focus on that~

A note from AbyssRaven

I feel sick and tired. I want to sleep. However, chapter needs to come out. Please, enjoy it! Not too sure if I can release another one in two days, though. Sorry!

If you guys want to support me, Hestia and "A Dragon Idol's Reincarnation Tale" (or just read up to 20 advance chapters + any Patreon-only chapters) please check out my Patreon: Rawr!

For two dollars, for the cost of a coffee, you can read up to four chapters for the whole month! You will have my eternal gratitude for any support you can give me! Please.

Thank you for reading this chapter.

PayPal

Patreon

Previous

Chapter Fiction

Index Next

Chapter

RSS

About the author

1 Fictions 7 Posts 1 Threads

Monday, April 25, 2022 2:14:41 AM Germany [Member of Zard Skwad]

Bio: Hey there, AbyssRaven here. I'm just an avid Light Novel and Fantasy story reader who randomly thought of a story and began writing about it.

I eventually found out that I've been spending a bit too much time with building, planning, and researching for the story, that I've decided to just share it with others.

Writing is mostly a hobby for me, but I would still love any kind of criticism to improve on it.

I'm also german, so please excuse anything that sounds a bit weird...I wouldn't mind you pointing it out though.

Achievements

Comments(5)

Set Compact

Log in to comment

Log In

Load Comments

Log in to comment

Log In

Theme (Entire Website) Dark Light Dim background 0% 20% 40% 50% 60% 80% 100%

Font Size 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 22 24 28 32 Reader Width Max 90% 80% 70% 60% 50%

Font Family

Default Open Dyslexic Atkinson Hyperlegible Arial Roboto Open Sans OS Default Comic Sans Lucida Verdana Ubuntu Ubuntu Condensed Franklin Gothic Garamond Caslon Minion

Font Color

Indent

Color Scheme

Theme Default OLED Black Royal Road Dark Dark Gray Gray Light Gray Sepia White

Paragraph Spacing

Close

Points You can specify how many points you want to give (minimum: 0, maximum: 0).

Comment (optional) Why are you giving this user reputation?

Give Reputation Close

Royal Road is the home of web novels and fan fictions! In our amazing community, you can find various talented individuals who write as a hobby or even professionally, artists who create art for them, and many, many readers who provide valuable feedback and encouragement.

Royal Road is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Dark Light Create a support ticket

Contact Us by Email

Ads for Authors

Programmatic Advertising

Royal Road 2013-2022

Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Blog | Status

Tap again to scroll to the top!