Battle's Shadow and Street Chaos
"Haa...."
I finally exhale the breath I've been holding as I gaze at the battlefield now being cleaned up. Siron, who's been silently gripping my hand, glances at me and asks, "You okay?"
"Yeah. I'm fine."
"Doesn't look like it."
Even as Siron questions me with worry in her voice, I just shake my head. There's nothing actually wrong with my body, after all. My stomach's just a bit queasy from the brutality beyond what I imagined, and the tension that had me clenched up released all at once, leaving me with some minor weakness in my limbs. Guess I'll skip dinner tonight....
I thought I had some tolerance since I could watch even the goriest movies without flinching. But nope. This was on a whole different level. Forget mental preparation—I even tried hypnotizing myself into treating it like just another flick. But all that shattered in the first clash.
Spears crossing, bodies pierced, blood spraying, people collapsing. It all happened in a flash. From the moment they collided until I blinked—that split second—countless folks hit the dirt. Honestly, I never want to see it again. My ears still ring with the faint echoes of those tiny cheers, buzzing like they're trapped inside my skull.
In that gut-wrenching mess, when Kernax and the soldiers charged through the broken lines toward the enemy... fuck, I thought my breath stopped for real. And the moment I saw that black arrow rain falling on them? For a split second, my heart legit skipped—dizzy as hell.
They ended up turning into human pincushions but stormed the enemy's empty main camp anyway. Watching it all? Feels like I've aged ten years, all dried up and withered.
"Tch, ended before the fun even kicked in."
As I catch my breath, Siron mutters beside me with real disappointment. I can't relate at all, but since she's the type who digs this culture sometimes, maybe it hits different for her. I don't bother replying this time.
"No, but come on, that was badass. Blocking incoming arrows like it's nothing? I knew it vaguely, but seeing it live? Just fuckin' ridiculous."
Siron downs the last of her dark beer and sets the mug on the table.
"So. When you bringing the gold?"
"...The calculations got a bit complicated, so is it alright if I send it to the castle by tomorrow?"
"Fine, whatever. You won't stiff us, right?"
"Absolutely not. I won't forget a single coin—rest assured."
Siron smirks at Nyaho's serious reply and nods.
"Alright, time to head out?"
"Just a bit longer."
"Huh? Why? You hurt somewhere?"
"Is something wrong?"
Siron and then even the quiet Giena ask after me. I smack my lips awkwardly.
"My legs are kinda shaky... ahem."
Saying it out loud makes my face burn. I didn't even grab a spear and charge—just sat comfy and watched, and my legs are trembling? But the two flanking me don't look down on my pathetic state; they just eye me with concern.
"Jeez, if you'd watched live, you'd be foaming at the mouth and passing out."
"Let me massage them a bit."
"Cut the bullshit, you bitch."
They bicker over my thighs, hands tussling. Their antics draw a chuckle from me, and Giena's unexpected side surprises me a little.
"Um...."
As if on cue, we all turn to Nyaho.
"By any chance... the reason those soldiers targeting Bastianum's main camp survived the arrow barrage...?"
Her jewel-like odd eyes fix on me without a blink. I nod slightly instead of answering.
Flap flap—!!
Nyaho's slightly drooping ears perk up. Her tail, hidden behind her back, sways fluidly into view.
"Mind if we chat details? Not today if you're busy—no rush. If Bazelan's schedule is tight, I'll come to you in Molingta."
She's coming on strong. I'm a bit slow on the uptake, but even I can't miss that. No deep thought needed—I reply casually.
"Nothing much to say right now. Can't sell product on the spot anyway. But if you visit Molingta later, we can talk then."
Nyaho blinks a couple times, then nods slowly.
"Understood. I'll visit personally later."
"Don't come chasing right away, okay?"
"Of course. I'll give it time."
She smiles softly and nods again. I nod back, satisfied. No rush now—once home, chat with sis again, and if chance arises, with Ardella too.
Time to stand.
After some chit-chat, with Siron and Giena each kneading one of my thighs, the shakes stop. Strength returns normally.
"Ready to go now?"
"You good?"
"If you're weak, I can carry you."
"Fuck off. For real."
Giena averts her eyes as Siron growls low. Siron snorts, swaps her hand from my thigh to mine, interlocking fingers. I stand from the sofa, fingers laced with hers. They rise too.
I thank Nyaho, who's stepped aside.
"Thanks a ton today."
"No need. Just the treatment you deserve—don't worry about it."
She bows with a gentle smile. Her tail emerges fully, swishing happily.
"I'd love to see you out, but duties call. Farewell here."
"Ah, sure. Thanks."
"Yes. See you in Molingta next."
We leave after her goodbye. I consider asking about a good sword for Kernax but decide against. Gifts from my own earnings, and giving only to Kernax might piss Siron off big time, reason or not. Better prep for sis, Ardella, Giena too.
"Ah."
I stop short; everyone halts and turns.
"What?"
"Guess I should carry—"
"You bitch."
Siron glares at Giena again; Giena turns away. Meanwhile, a suited woman waiting to escort us approaches.
"Forget something?"
"Uh... looking for good booze."
Sis told me to bring a bottle when she returns. Booze I can do—gotta nail this. She's already dealt with my screw-ups; show up empty-handed? Skull might cave in.
"Booze? Sudden much."
"Sis said grab some."
"...Then grab it."
Look at that—even Siron rolls her red eyes and agrees.
"Unless super rare, Black Thread can get any liquor. Name your type; I'll pick fitting ones."
"Hm...."
What to get? Sis loves booze, but she chugs that nasty barley ale daily—zero clue on prefs.
"Beer... assortment okay?"
"...Dunno. Your call."
Siron dodges my eyes and answer. Gonna hang me out to dry, huh? Kinda miffed, but I get it—nod anyway.
"No need one bottle. Variety pack? Amelia'd love that."
"Oh...."
Giena's idea lights me up. Why didn't I think of that? I grab her free hand in thanks.
"Genius. Perfect."
"G-glad it helps."
Giena turns away like Siron.
"I'll select nice ones, send with gold to castle tomorrow."
"Deduct booze from payout?"
"Done."
Sweet—skull safe. Deduct from Siron's share; repay Giena tomorrow. Fair math.
We descend stairs. Hits me: after merchants' guild, straight to castle rest. Tonight, pour soldiers drinks, soothe Kernax—skipped her for Siron lately. Blasted six rounds yesterday; gotta recover stamina pronto, cram food, bed down. Battle's got my gut churning at food... but for Kernax, I'll force it.
Ugh, why's this hand so hot?
"Siron. You hurt?"
"...? What bullshit."
Descending together, Siron frowns. I fidget with our gripped hands.
"Your hand's burning up."
"...?"
Her head tilts. ...? Her reaction snaps me—something off. Hand is hot, but... I turn, lift opposite hand. Faint red glow on the one I'm holding.
"Ah."
Right—thanked Giena, grabbed hers. Held since. I release gently.
"Sorry, Giena."
"...No. Fine."
She shakes head, hides hand behind back.
"Making a fool of yourself."
Ahem....
Siron tsks; Giena coughs softly, looks away.
"Goods packed, to castle before lunch tomorrow."
"Thanks for care."
"Just duty. Safe travels."
Escorted by suited woman, we exit to alley.
"No gate guards."
"They dipped for break, probably."
Makes sense—big day guests came morning; empty now. They lock side door behind us. Alley dead quiet. Then, hitting street with soldiers—
"You fuckin' bitch, got proof?!"
"Proof? My eyes are proof, you cunt! Stole my gold?"
"Crazy bitch. Fuck off busy folk, clear the road?"
Quiet area erupts. Merchants' guild main entrance: group glaring, yelling, primed to lunge.
Some spot lead soldier guiding us, point and shout.
"Hey!! There!! Soldiers!!"
Opposing side turns to us.
"Fuck yeah, bitch. If you're so clean, ask those fine folks to pat you down? Can't, huh? Thief bitch!!"
"Ha... psycho. Hey. Nothing? Then I rip your useless eyes out?"
"Eyes only? Gut too, fuck."
"Keep word, bitch. Soldiers!!"
Ten-plus swarm our way. Lead soldier steps up, yells.
"On duty—back off or I slice—"
Thwack—!!
Before finish, woman from mob rolls forward. Hits ground at soldier's feet, clutches face, screams.
"Th-that fuckin' bitch is running!!"
Trigger pulled.
"Thief confirmed!!"
"Grab her!!"
"Bullshit!!"
"Here!! Thief here—come nab her!!"
Instant melee—fists fly, rolling, popping up to dive again, drifting our way weirdly. Lead soldier draws sword; another joins, blades out. Dead serious.
"This way...."
"Whoops, lemme pass."
Parting rear soldiers, burly women march straight at us. All fierce faces, hulking builds—soldiers might struggle. Rear guards fumble draws, but—
"Hehe~ We're adventurers. Adventurers. Just rushing somewhere—easy does it. We'll handle those crazies. Girls."
"Yes, sis."
Biggest waves; five dive brawl, peel entangled women gently. Look like they'd husk corn from anyone, but soft hands.
Self-proclaimed adventurer sidles to us, grins at me between Siron and Giena.
"Damn, bro's built fine."
"What the fuck, psycho."
Siron bares teeth—even at head-bigger foe. Woman just chuckles, eyes Giena.
"Red bitch got fire, might scrap. But bow girl? Sketchy."
"Deaf, oaf? Fuck off."
Siron growls forward, fist-ready. Woman giggles cutely, to me.
"Hey bro. Need guards? Hire us over cute bitch and elf-lookin' retard—"
I blink—huge woman vanishes, no warning.
KABOOM—!!!
Deafening blast silences chaos. Eyes lock on source.
"Eek...?!"
Someone shrieks in terror. Fair—understandable.
Who wouldn't? ...A person's embedded in building wall.