Ep. 29: Do Not Take the Lord's Name in Vain <Side: Myrit Ledias>

Cross Moon Territory - Day 24 (Morning)

After Liza left the house, I geared up with my equipment and potions for the search, then followed behind Guard Captain Francis as we headed out beyond the territory.

He'd worn a troubled expression ever since the incident, but today, finally having a lead on the culprits, he looked a bit relieved. Is this the hardship of middle management...?

"Your face has relaxed a lot, Francis."

"Yes... you're right. It feels like we've finally found light in the pitch-black fog. I hear the first person to report that the culprit was from outside was Raysi from your party, Myrit... Though she's in quite a critical condition now..."

"Ah... you don't have to beat around the bush like that. They probably already know she turned into a woman anyway. Raysi's situation is unfortunate, but let's call it a noble sacrifice for the greater good. I've never even heard of gender-swap magic, but Heri will figure something out. She's a grand mage, after all."

What a considerate guy. Unprecedented magic that changes gender. Even if it's some bizarre spell dug up from ancient ruins, the fact that even a grand mage like Heri doesn't know it means it could be a real pain.

So today, more than ever, we need to stay sharp.

"We've arrived at the forest, Myrit."

"Whoa... haha, we got here already while chatting. Let's hurry to where the others are. It'd be inconvenient if we held up their departure."

"Understood. I know the assembly point, so follow me."

In this short time, major incidents had piled up one after another. A massive disappearance of vagrants without a sound or trace, gender-swap magic, and this morning's report that Priestess Muse had been attacked.

As we chatted about it all, Francis and I passed the territory's guard post and reached the forest entrance. Once inside, we followed his lead deeper in. Markers dotted the path at intervals, and we heard animals crying out big and small.

This vast forest was probably already under Ani's palm by dawn. Scary as hell...

"Everyone's gathered this way. Let's go. Oh, and Heri's magic is up ahead. Please watch your step."

Not long after entering the woods, space warped around a thick tree trunk. I froze for a second, but Francis's words made it click. Probably Heri's way of hiding the assembly point.

Hiding space is advanced magic, or so I'd heard, but using it casually over such a wide area—classic Heri extravagance.

Slipping through the distorted gap, I saw armored guards with weapons. In the center, on a platform, Ani was briefing the operation, with Heri standing beside her staff in hand.

Spotting me, they approached with grim faces.

"Ah... briefing ends here. I've covered infiltration routes and enemy strength roughly, so get details from Francis."

"Ahem... you're a bit late, Myrit. No need to explain why. Seeing you alone... Beth must've gone as Raysi's escort. Don't worry, though. This forest is blanketed by my and Ani's familiars, and I can issue direct orders through my kids if needed."

Francis swapped places with Ani, and Heri approached me, casually bringing up Liza, who'd gone as Raysi's escort.

It was Heri who'd first suggested assigning either me or Liza to guard the transformed Raysi. Since she'd shored up any force gaps, I decided not to press it...

"Hm?"

I suddenly spotted two figures. Those are the new party's members... wait, no way. This is a top-secret zone known only to search participants. No way newbie adventurers would stroll their front yard like that.

Just to be sure, I asked Heri about their party. If she knew Raysi's fiancée was attacked, she'd have handled everyone connected to Raysi.

"Heri... just to check, what happened to those three kids with Raysi back then? You said yesterday they'd join the op..."

"Ah...! The kiddos? We planned to use the swordsman and mage from that party, but Muse got attacked this morning?"

Heri grumbled.

"Changed plans. They might target Raysi connections, so all three are on standby at the inn. Guards and trusty familiars are posted around, so it's covered for any attacks."

"My cute pets are watching the skies and streets nonstop. Their sights and sounds flow into my head right now—no issues yet."

Heri and Ani stood with hands on hips, chests out, proud as punch.

With them so certain... did I imagine it? Haven't slept easy since the expedition, but hallucinations? Gotta wrap this up and crash for days.

Come to think, those two shadows had flaming red and emerald hair... clearly different from the kids. And bigger builds...

Clap!

"Alright, chit-chat over. Time to move. Let's give those filthy black market scum a thrashing!"

Ani clapped, rallying everyone with a deep breath and shout.

"Oh, right—you haven't gotten the map. Here. My pets mapped the forest corners by dawn. Red marks are spots with big terrain shifts or mana from cross-checked timed maps."

A nearby guard handed me a rolled map from his belt pouch. I unrolled it quick—crude but useful, all essentials marked.

"Heri's familiars confirmed layered camouflage magic. We're assaulting it as the black market base."

One red mark. That's the base Ani mentioned. Her 15 years as adventurer make her ace at this—reassuring.

Whoosh...

As I checked the map, heavy wingbeats announced Francis's landing. He'd finished briefing the troops.

"Then, Lady Anidiaht. I'll stand by airborne to spot any sky flee attempts, per orders."

"Yeah... good luck, Francis. As I said, enemies might use unknown magic. No pursuits. Report runners to us first. Secure base, track remnants later."

"Understood. Good luck to you. Lady Anidiaht, Lady Heri, Myrit."

Francis took Ani's reminders and soared up. The guards prepped to depart. The end of this damn disappearance saga.

"Alright, we're moving! Everyone ready!"

At Ani's command, we split into squads to encircle the marked spot. Me, Ani, Heri led each trio. Follow markers inbound. Engage if enemies appear, but watch for their magic. Prioritize squad comms, report every 5 mins.

Organized tactics, nothing like adventurers' free-for-all. Kinda funny me leading, but Ani and Heri had reasons...

"Whew... Guards, I'll take point. Let's end this quick, this nasty disappearance mess."

* * *

How long had we advanced, following colored markers on tree trunks? No people, not even monsters. Should be a win, but the enemy's silence was suspicious. Lulling us for ambush? Or chanting weird spells already?

Only footsteps echoed in the quiet. Nearing the mark...

"Hm? Hey~ Myrit. Here!"

"My... Heri and you look fine—no attacks? None here either. Eerily empty..."

Ani sensed the weirdness too. With all our caution, zero contacts? Beyond safe—anticlimactic.

As Ani and I discussed, Heri waved her hands in air, searching. Suddenly, her magigun flashed orange, firing a blast that split the air.

Beyond... an underground entrance.

"Black market bastards. Smart, layering camouflage like this... Wouldn't find it without a mage like me."

Her magigun revealed a stair down. Ask 100 people, all call it a secret passage. Didn't expect it this easy. Heri's skill? Or bait?

But we found it. Heri beamed, but everyone felt ominous or absurd. Reasons to enter abounded.

"Uh... ahem! ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Focus, all! Descending stairs now. Some stay topside on watch. Me, Heri, Myrit lead—rest follow swift! Gary! Freki! Go!"

Ani's bold orders sent us charging the hidden stairs. Ani and I upfront with her massive wolves. I followed with heavy ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠gauntlets, pounding down. Rear: Heri buffing leads with enhancements and shields.

We plunged underground fast. Midway, a cloying sweet-sour blood stench assaulted us—from the bottom.

Dim lantern light revealed a huge red puddle. Massive amount.

"Sniff... thick blood smell. Fight happened here for sure. This much, someone's dead—but no bodies or people."

"Not the time. Plenty suspicious, but could be their ploy. Push in. No more games."

Ani sniffed deep. Blood spread suggested fierce battle, fresh too. No time to dwell—lowlifes scheming inside.

Passing her guarding wolves, I flung open the gold-leafed door—misfit for the passage.

Inside...

"Stage...?"

High seats for looking down, bright lights on a huge stage. Empty. Or rather... people had vanished.

Seats littered with bracelets, hats, snack remnants. Stage: lone skeletal armor rack center.

Trap? But with prior clues, hard to tell real from fake now.

"Enemies could strike anytime—stay alert, descend cautious. Slow encircle, seize stage."

Ani whispered, signaling. We crept in careful. Deeper, that smell intensified.

"Ugh... nose-burning stench..."

"Myrit, you smell it too? Not just me? Revolting... what did they do here?"

"Hey~ ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Ani? Myrit? You smell this foulness? Scanned with appraisal—no human harm. But careful anyway!"

Ani pinched nose with tongs, Heri too—guards grim. But... what stench?

Mine was novel sweet. Others recoiled. Why...? Gender difference? No. What sets me apart...?

Ugh... head spinning... world flipping... stomach churning...

"Urk...!"

"Ma□rit? Wha□ wrong?"

"Hm? You □kay?"

Voices muffled... mind foggy... vision blurring... what hap...pen...ing... to me...

* * *

What the... a demon with Liza's face? Purple skin smeared, sporting a monstrous horse phallus.

Pink-haired demon calling herself Rachel, in mystery rune-covered clothes with holes at ass and crotch. Thick cock asserting itself proudly.

Purple demon hoists pink demon's legs, pistoning fiercely.

Slap slap!! Squish squish squish♥

Splurt splurt splurt splurt!!

Beast-waist-shaking purple demon hilted deep, frozen. Long tongue lolled, vertical pupils glowing red.

Impaled cock and diseased-swollen balls thrashed, white waves surging from tip. Purple demon's cock leaked thick remnants, soaking floor.

* * *

"Ha, haaa...!"

"Myrit, you okay?"

"Hm? Alright there?"

Wh-what was that? Enemy illusion? No, too vivid... Never fantasized futa demons fucking—don't have twisted tastes!

But that scene... instincts screaming! It's future fact!

Hands feet shaking, froze. Ani Heri worried, but no time.

Paranoia? Maybe. But why Liza and Rachel faces? Liza turning demon like that...?

"No, overthinking..."

Got worked up. Cheap illusion, I got snared unlucky—others fine, targeted me. Overcame it, ignore.

Yeah...

"All halt! Multiple reactions behind stage! About... 200?"

Heri's urgent rear call snapped me back. 200... meaning clear.

Others thought it too, but no rush—black market fooled elite guards, traps likely.

Can't stall, though.

Crackle!

"Hey, Myrit wait! Don't know what's—!"

Steps light. Why? Mind cleared, excited maybe. Heart screamed go—I obeyed. Had to.

Ripped open red curtain blocking backstage.

Beyond... multicolored-skinned hermaphrodite demons... no, the missing hundreds of vagrants.

Found them. Relief washed faces—laughing, crying, ecstatic...!

* * *

Cross Moon Territory - Day 24 (Noon)

"Myrit. Before details, let me say: well done. I commend your efforts."

"Too kind, Lord. But... I can guess what you'll say."

"Hm, you ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠suspect? Speak."

After rescuing hundreds from black market base, we returned. But suspicions galore. Lord noticed too—summoned first finder me for details.

"After finding them, checked what seemed boss room... lots shady."

"Oh? Like?"

Lord probes. Knows from reports, but...

"You heard mole suspicions. They might've emptied or ambushed knowing raid."

Flash: empty market, facing troops.

"Raiding base today, ghost town—fits."

But erase with black ink.

Recall boss study.

"Yet leaving ledgers, client secrets? Nonsense."

"We see eye-to-eye. Was gonna ask. Just read them. Latest: Empire straggler Commander Elaine. Weeks post-war, odd. Confirm: no one but missings?"

Lord's red gaze pierces. Truth check. Past simple hunter view shames me.

"Yes, all agree: zero people... but not from start. Vagrant testimonies, stair blood, seat hairs/snacks—people were there."

Replay entry vividly, explain step-by-step. Mass vanish like group teleport—overkill.

"They vanished... around our entry."

Guesswork. Empty save vagrants—unnatural. Not bait, we escaped with them. Existed, then poof.

This sparked one thought.

"So, Lord. Something clicks? Like back-alley vanishes. Bigger shadow than market? Won't reveal full truth public, right?"

Lord stroked chin, pondering. Spoke after pause.

"Myrit. Example: even kings, chiefs heed advisors before rulings. Tiny lord me too."

Closes eyes, leans back, sighs deep.

"Thus, weigh aides, public opinion cautious. Your guess credible. Vagrant news spreading too."

Power yes, responsibility too. Protecting folk, territory—next words obvious.

Probably cover-up.

"But case closes now. You saw guild board—guard captain's market tip. Couldn't hit ourselves, relied informants—sore spot."

Saw it often, long-posted. Failure to find screamed incompetence.

"That notice? Overrode aides, ordered captain post. Admit failings for peace, stability."

Lord's face heavy. Like wild wolf chained.

"But this huge. Planned announce arrests, deter rebuilds, show guard strength... but mass abductions, trafficking, sex-slave brands—spreading poisons."

Glances ledger piles. Slave names/IDs crammed. Volumes meant thriving trade, lord failure...

Raid success, but "why not sooner?" backlash.

"Told alley folk ahead. Gratefully understood. My fault leaving them there... hurts deep, my incompetence."

Lord pinched brow, genuine regret. Boss woes? Wrinkles deepened quick. Not my worry, but...

One more loose end.

"Tough... but address: spies among rescued?"

Lord narrows eyes. Expected.

"Thought so. Not assuming moles only ours. Told guildmaster: investigate pre-transport. Mind control, bugs possible."

"Results?"

"None. Zero magic. Double-checked, clean. My call to admit. Now aid station: treatment, statements—abduction details, perps."

As suspected... nothing...

Foolish. Certain: puppetmaster exists.

"Two possibilities, Lord. Innocent victims, or grand mages fooled by intricate spellplay. They use gender-swap too."

Lord chuckles soft.

"Haha... endless suspicion then. Understand caution, but no more leads. Even real shadow, prevent recurrence, cope—that's it. My burden now."

"I see..."

"Unload, rest. Heard stench stalled you—aftereffects? Check-up. Sorry summoning post-expedition."

Shuts topic. Understandable, but nagging.

Handled it, bit excited maybe.

"No. Fine, no issues."

"Ah. Sent runner to Elizabeth too. Guards for Raysi—worry not, couple time. Again, well done. Impressed true. Rewards later."

"You too, Lord. Farewell. Stay well."

Grudging accept, exit. Relief no more ties, but lingering unease. At least time with Liza now...

* * *

"Yeah, Liza worked hard. Buy her fave apples long time?"

Lord sent runner, so prep food for her return. Bought shiny apples from shop, headed home.

"Dinner stuff left? Grab sides too. Hm...? That... no way..."

Turning for more, familiar purple hair caught eye.

Definitely Liza. Fast return. Seeing her washed fatigue instant.

Cheery call: "Liza! Here, here!"

"Uh, ah... you. What brings you...? Should be searching now...?"

Hm? Off. Here means Raysi escort done? Knows case closed? But clueless vibe. Unauthorized leave? Nah, not Liza.

Whatever, she's here—details later.

"Ah...... you bought apples. My fave...... sniff... you smell amazing. Perfume...? Aa, ahahat♡ Love♡ This love♡"

Suddenly, Liza buried face in my chest, sniffing deep. Un-Liza-like...... ah... sweet scent from her too...

Where'd I smell this...

No deep think needed. Sniff now important. Details later.

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