Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

Chapter 775: Uncertainty And Unrest

As the shadow of other gods was lifted from Eclanor, Athenia finally noticed the glassed desert with only the kingdom of the giants being secure. Everything else had turned into a massive mirror reflecting the light of the sun and turning the already harsh environment even harsher. But before she could do anything about it, her mind wandered to the only wall of the kingdom that too had turned into burnt glass.

’The prince must’ve used his powers to prevent the city from burning as well.’ The prince of Nile had been a quiet savior for the kingdom of Eclanor while Athenia’s senses were masked by the influence of other gods. However, instead of admiration, the goddess was made to wonder just how powerful he truly was and if his talk about being weak was no more than mere talk. ’Even if that’s the case, at least he’s on our side.’

With that in mind, Athenia began repairing the desert one mile at a time. Thanks to her divinity and her affinity for life, she could turn the glassed terrain back into a sandy desert, but this time instead of monsters and beasts, it was oases and wildlife that she’d decided to bring back to the harsh lands. As for the lives of the monster clans, she couldn’t push her luck any further to bring them back to life. After all, Razor was, to say the least, quite pissed about the heavenly laws that had been broken in such a small span of time.

In the meantime, Linkle was preparing the brand that would soon turn Frazer’s party into slaves. As for Raven and the others, they were still struggling to rationalize this step but had at least come to the conclusion that it was necessary after what had happened with Felix and Astra betraying them.

However, as they waited for the brands, the party had decided to reunite with the rest of their group waiting to meet them outside the mansion. Leaving Frazer in Helga and Maria’s care, as the demon’s servants were soon going to be branded as well, the party finally stepped out to what felt like an ocean of people just standing outside the front gate and waiting for them.

Some had gathered to look upon them and confirm with their own eyes that they were alive, and that included soldiers who’d already been given the order to head back to their respective cities for now. Then there were also those protesting their very presence after having believed the lies being told by the giants, but given the army’s presence, they hurled insults from the very back of the crowd.

The news of the giant’s death had already made it out of the mansion as well. And although many riots have broken out throughout the city, the Mistress, out of everyone, has been taking care of the problem. Succubi and incubi that appeared like regular humans were scattering the crowd and leading them to places where they could take their frustrations out in any other way than violence.

Approached by Liliyana, Rose, Diane, and the rest first, the group was quite overwhelmed already, but that didn’t stop them from mingling with everyone. Only a day ago, the girls had assumed the party to be dead and were in constant mourning for their loss, but now, to see them standing in front of their eyes, their hearts may be soothed, but they bled even more. Crying with tight hugs and constant questions about what had happened overwhelmed the group entirely; however, with so many people waiting in line, they had little chance to compose themselves.

Questions upon questions piled up, and although they could never answer any of them at all, the very fact that they were alive was enough for everyone. Nobody pursued them over their question, and eventually, as the situation calmed, it was time for folks to head home one after the other. The whole day was spent watching people disappear, and by the time it was night, the soldiers were gone and the holy order was off to rebuild the city’s temple for their own goddess.

Erika, however, remained with the party, for she too was tired, and to satiate their hearts and minds, the group decided to hit the inns with a ballad of drunks. Ale and good food, that’s all that was needed to cure the stress in their sore muscles and bones. Crowding the inn with their numbers, Raven and everyone else, including the monster girls, took it upon themselves to empty all barrels in this one moment of carelessness.

A moment of tranquility, a much-needed one. For a life lived with danger dangling by the neck, who knows when the noose of death might squeeze on tight? In that moment with ale gliding down their throat, their morality began setting in. Some had mourned their deaths already; they’d nearly escaped the clutches of the angels, and had it not been for divine intervention, perhaps this would be the end of their journey.

But what is this journey exactly? In this drunken state, Raven began to question that himself. The general had mentioned something about a test before dying, and ever since then the thought simply wouldn’t leave Raven’s head. He’d always assumed that any test of his strength would’ve happened before he became the chosen of a goddess, but then what did he mean that the journey itself was a test in its own right?

Looking back onto his shoulders, he gripped the mantle of heroes and wondered whether he should ask one of those souls trapped within the cape. But then again, though the number of wishes was quite a lot, it wasn’t infinite.

’I will think about it once I’m sober.’ Making that wise decision, he tossed some glasses and continued to drink with his women. From Moxy and the other civilians to Regalia, even Mercedes and the twin, the party kept on drinking until their minds went numb, and before they knew it, the streets of Eclanor were crowded with stumbling footsteps as they tried to get back to the mansion, as the inns were already filled to the brim.

However, on their return the group was heavier than when they’d gone out for the drinks. As the trio of milfs, having gotten drunk as well, had decided to tag along and stay with Raven while their families slept carelessly. Even so, they weren’t the only ones who’d decided to accompany the party, for there were a total of three other women who wanted to thank Raven once they’d met Frazer and ensured that he was doing better.