Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

Chapter 939: Late Night Musings(Recap+New information)

Thus far, in a span of a few days, everything has changed. From a simple voyage through the skies to reach new places to going through the mantles of hell for the second time in the same day. A lot had occurred, and a lot more unwound in the hero’s head. Sitting alone in his room after being given reports of everything that had happened in Eclanor, Raven had concluded that it was best to dock the ships in Inktaus and also let the rescued citizens mingle there for a bit.

But such matters would come later, for he still had to untangle a few thoughts within himself. First came the report from Melenai’s aid of how she stood in the face of danger until the enemies, albeit unharmed for the most part, were driven away by the phoenix. Where exactly did they go? Nobody knew, and the same held true for the phoenix, at least for now.

A brief conversation with Kara had also revealed that she was directly contacted by the goddess Mesmerazia while she was on her way back to a city known to her with her flock of underlings. The high priestess of Aphrodite was meant to guide them back to a secret settlement of the dead goddess’s faith. Having completed their pilgrimage to the service of life, the priests and priestesses were longing for their homes.

Alas, Mesmerazia made them an offer. Aid the city of Eclanor, and she will grant them better means of transport for all future endeavors. Kara took the deal, not for the boon offered, but to aid the needy and catch a glimpse of her old friends if possible. On her way to the city of giants, however, she whispered a name–a warning that carried far but fell lone on a single pair of ears.

Razor, he’d heard his daughter’s call and ventured to the islands seeking to offer his aid. And from the reports Raven had gotten from Kara about his progress, it appears that the islands were bound to be under attack when the demi-god of time stole a moment of time and turned the enemy’s boats right back around.

As expansive as the ocean is, all directions appeared equal; only the occasionally perceptive member of their voyage would point out the curious change. However, listening to mad men and women who kept claiming that the boat had turned around for the umpteenth time got old pretty quickly, and most of them were either beaten into silence or simply thrown overboard.

As for Lululalia and Aesteradia, the two were attacked, and news of the assault was finally carried through the sending stones. A few calls here and there revealed the severity of the situation; unfortunately for the attackers, however, not only was Aesteradia the training ground for new soldiers, but it had also just received another Trident support that had flown off from Elcanor before the assault on that city itself.

Having incurred massive casualties against a handful of chosen who’d shown up there, the people of Aesteradia had managed to hold on their own. Although the kingdom’s rebel clans had requested to be left alone for a time, as the piles of bodies in their homeland required a respectful burial, and for some, they would have to scrape their remains off the ground–something the rebel clan cleans aboard the helm trident were informed of.

All that was left was to brief themselves on the situation in Elenaris. No news had come from the kingdom of absurdity. To get there, however, would still require a few hours. And in that time, who knows what could happen? The only hope the hero had in that situation was that the queen could hold her own, perhaps Shamisha and the others could aid her and hold back the enemy just long enough for them to reach the kingdom.

With all of that in mind, it almost seemed that the storm had come to pass. And yet the eye was set inside the hero’s very soul as unrest began to spread about his loss of corruption and the lack of summons that he could not do too long ago. In its place were gibberish skills with no way for him to decipher them.

’Nightsilver said to free the fairy mothers, let’s hope they have some answers.’ Setting his pen on the desk, Raven washed his face with the palm of his hand. Breathing into it with a sigh and contemplating the remaining matters of import. Staring out into nothing through the gaps between his fingers, he hoped that Meimei had finished Athenia’s blood Ironcore, for the Phoenix was gone, and they had no clue where to look.

Now, if Mono were dead or unconscious, that plan would fail either way. Moeria had yet to acclimate to the new human body, but if she doesn’t get herself upright soon, then Nerva, who was already expecting a raid, would have more time to corrupt Aurora in her prison. Replacing the teleportation jewels was another tall order, for which Linkle wished to talk with Elenaria at her church.

Even now, he hasn’t visited his lovers and companions in their private chambers for more than a passing moment, which in itself made him uneasy about their mental state. Then there was the message blade by Bellona, the elder goddess of war. Freeing her would mean a fight against the king’s guard, but even a success wouldn’t quench the fiery goddess’s thirst for conquest.

”Gods, I hope Mono handled the situation in Elenaris.” Leaning his head back against his chair, Raven could only pray that the queen of the only place that they couldn’t get to in time managed to handle the intruders herself.

In quiet recollection, a weight felt like it had been lifted off Raven’s shoulders. Compared to what he’d expected, the kingdoms have fared much better; perhaps Eclanor not having a fighting force ready was the only reason it became the heaviest casualty from this whole debacle.

’They have to take care of themselves more. We can’t rush back every time, and Linkle has to fix this damned teleporter!’ Relief and frustration went hand in hand for the hero that night, but soon comfort awaited–it was only a matter of time, only a matter of time...