CHAPTER 236 STATE OF THE WORLD

CHAPTER 236 STATE OF THE WORLD

My tent flap opened to reveal Mary. The woman had rarely been out of the Gantz armor after I gave it to her. She was out of it now. Her red hair bright to my eyes in the dim light she blushed as she caught me staring at her. Wearing a simple white nightgown she was barefoot as she stepped into the tent.

“What’s up?” I asked as I sat on my bed. I had been practicing my Nen whenever I had a chance. Trying to make my attack with the ability, I wouldn’t have it ready in time for my next Challenge, but I hoped to have it soon.

“I-I wanted to thank you,” she whispered as she gulped.

“For what?” I asked, playing dumb.

“Everything,” she admitted. “You um-I’ve never been treated so well by a man.”

“You have pretty low standards then,” I said, but didn’t fight the smile. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you’re here with me.” Everyone stayed with me. All a little lost, the girls had clung to one another. I announced I was leaving camp and they started picking which tents and horses they wanted. Talking excitedly as we headed away from the site of their torment a few days ago.

“Anything else I can help you with?” I asked innocently.

She bit her lip, her fists clenching as she held back her anger. “I wanted to know if you wanted anything from me,” she said through gritted teeth.

“Just keep up the good work,” I said, giving her a thumbs up. I looked back to my hands as I pushed Nen into them. She didn’t move though. I let the silence linger for a full minute before I looked back up. “Yes?”

“Are you dense?!” She yelled. One thing I found I liked about her was her anger. I was surprised she hadn’t had more bruises when I found her. The auburn haired woman had a wicked tongue if left unchecked. “Or maybe gay?! Every guy I’ve ever met in my life only wanted one thing from me! Are you stupid?!”

“Oh, did you want to have sex?” I asked, acting like the idea hit me. “Why didn’t you just say that?”

“I don-fuck you!” She spat as she turned around. I swept her off her feet and carried her to the small bed as she yelped. Her face red she fought me for a moment, but as I laid her down she quieted. Nervous, I could feel her breath quicken as I stared down at her. She had been giving me looks lately, so this wasn’t too surprising. In a world where women were used, and only the strong survived, I was sure she wanted to use this as a way to cement herself with me. I had shown her plenty to make her question what I could do. Practicing my Tremor Devil Fruit I had caused more than one horse to run off after letting the Tremor loose a little too much.

“Are you safe to have sex?” I asked.

She bit her lip. “Safe?”

“Are you at risk for becoming pregnant?” I asked bluntly, having learned my lesson after Jill.

Mary quieted. Her eyes looking away I wasn’t sure what that meant. I waited patiently until she spoke. “I don’t know,” she mumbled. “I was raped daily for weeks. And those pigs weren’t always quick with the pull out method.”

I was speechless for a moment. I hadn’t thought of that. Blowing a raspberry I sat on the bed next to her as I thought. “So you’re here to overwrite that?” I asked, slowly. She looked at me confused. “You’re hoping if you’re pregnant this would make the kid mine?”

She bit her lip. “Maybe?” She asked, nervous as she stared at me. I was starting to see why Bands were usually men. Maternity leave wasn’t exactly a thing in this world.

“Fine,” I said. “Send the others to me too.”

“What?”

“You and the whats,” I mumbled. “If there are others scared about it, have them come to me as well. I’ll take care of them all.”

“Really?” She asked, surprised by my words.

“Yeah, I’ll figure it out,” I admitted.

“You don’t have to...”

“You think I can abandon any of you?” I asked angrily. “No, rather than it being just on you all. I will help how I can.”

“Are you serious about this whole Band thing?” She asked, sitting up on her elbows.

“I am,” I said. “You’ve seen how strong the armor is.” We had tested and they held up easily against arrows. “It’s time to take back some of the power, Mary. So if that means taking care of a bunch of kids we will just have to hire some nannies in the next town.”

Mary sat up, watching me for a time. My mood was ruined, but as I looked back to her, the nightgown really did cling to her nicely. Her C-cup breasts staring at me I couldn’t help but want her more.

“What are you going to do in town?” Oscar asked, the gruff old man behind me, he hadn’t talked too much. Though I had helped save his granddaughter he still held some animosity toward me for some reason.

“No idea,” I admitted.

“And you want to make a Band?” He scoffed. I nodded, giving him my best smile. “You’ll have to sign up with the local lord. He will probably test you.”

“Simple enough, what else?” I asked.

“What else?! Everything! Running a Band is a big undertaking. And you have what? 12 girls and you?”

“And you,” I said. He frowned, grumbling under his breath. “We will figure it out. Don’t take life so seriously, Oscar.”

“I take everything seriously. It’s how you stay alive,” he said.

“Right,” I said, biting back a retort. We continued on the main road. Mary moved up next to me.

“Can we do that thing,” she whispered.

“What thing?” I asked, pretending to be confused.

“You know,” she mumbled. “Don’t make me say it.”

“Oh sex!” I yelled. She cursed under her breath. “Yeah, whenever.”

“I hate you,” she hissed. Her face beet red as she ignored the stares from behind us. I was with her for the first time only the night before, but she had already turned into a horny bride. I had woken up to her playing with my dick. She blushed deeply, but I simply maneuvered her over and she rode me like her life depended on it.

“Aren’t you hurting,” I said, looking to where her crotch met the leather saddle on the horse.

“So bad,” she whispered. “So good though. I didn’t know it could be like that.”

“It gets better,” I promised.

“How?” She asked quickly.

“Have you ever tried anal?” I whispered. She blushed, shaking her head slowly. “We should fix that.” She quieted as we continued on. It wasn’t long until we were interrupted though. A flag appeared around a bend. A white sheet with gold edges and some kind of animal printed on it Oscar moved to the side of the road and the rest of us followed.

A dozen men in suits of armor rode toward us on elegant horses. “Ho there,” the man at the front hailed as the men slowed. He had a tall helmet with a red tuft on top marking him as the captain. “Whose colors are you flying there, boy?”

“My own,” I said with a smile. “We are a new Band.” The men stared at us for a moment then burst into laughter.

“Which group are you with, boy? Where is your Band?”

“This is it,” I said unashamedly. “Haven’t signed anything yet, but hope to do that in Duke Cangston’s town.”

“We are Duke Cangston’s knights,” the man said, a smile still on his lips. “And we are looking for men for a skirmish coming up. But you would need to add many to your number.” He had a haughty way of talking. I was surprised he didn’t have a British accent, but that was my Americanized view of medieval worlds.

“That’s the plan,” I said. “Have a good day.” I kicked the side of the horse and headed off once more. The knights grumbled, but as the others followed me they started running off once more.

“You’re crazy, you know that, right?” Mary asked.

“You like it,” I said, giving her a wink. She didn’t retort but let out a sigh in response. It wasn’t long until the town came into view and Oscar began bitching again.