13. Myths and the Bell Tower
We returned to the city.
Even though we'd only stayed four days—and in an inn at that—this nostalgic sense of relief washing over me... what was that about?
"It feels so nice to be back, doesn't it?"
Fam felt the same way.
We parted ways with Aidan at the guild. The rescued villagers were placed under guild protection for the time being.
After booking rooms at the Asuka Tei, we headed to the church. To get my ribs healed.
"Can you really fix it?"
"For a donation of twenty silver coins, yes."
Myra smiled sweetly.
"You money-grubber."
"God's miracle for a mere twenty silver? Isn't that a bargain?"
Was a miracle you could buy with money even a miracle? Of course, I shelled out the silver anyway.
"Still, it's weird."
After the treatment, I muttered to myself.
"What's so weird about it?"
Myra asked, so I told her about this quest. The survivors being there at all—that was the strange part. Sure, it was better they were alive, but I'd figured they'd all been massacred.
"Weren't all the survivors women?"
"Huh? Now that you mention it, yeah. Any reason for that?"
Myra and Fam exchanged troubled glances.
"Master, that's because the goblins left them to breed."
"Is that right?" The fact that Fam answered meant it was common knowledge in this world.
"Offspring from monsters and living creatures become half-monster, half-beast. They inherit strong monster traits, turning into powerful lifeforms. Even goblins born from humans become mighty goblins."
"Wait, humans can give birth to goblins?"
I was stunned by Myra's explanation.
"Yes. Between humans, children are born of the mother's race. If the father is human and the mother dog-eared, it's a dog-eared child. But mating with a monster produces a monster."
That explained why Fam and Aidan had wanted to stay in the village. They'd been operating under the assumption survivors would be there from the start.
"Hidden lore like that, huh."
"It's mythology."
Myra pointed skyward.
According to myth, the gods first created humans in this world. Humans intermingled—deepened exchanges—with all sorts of creatures, giving rise to dog-eared folk, cat-eared folk, and various other races.
"So humans with dogs and cats...?" "Ahem!" My question got drowned out by Myra's cough.
"Elves and dwarves are said to have been born from unions with the gods themselves."
Dwarves lived two hundred years, elves a thousand. The secret to their longevity was divine blood.
Myra continued. Humans even coupled with magical beasts, birthing the demonkin. The gods, appalled by the lack of restraint, imposed divine punishment and order. Thus, races became fixed as they are now, with children taking after the mother's traits.
"That's the legend preserved by the church. Elves, dwarves, and demonkin have different versions, but the punchline's the same."
"Punchline? Really? Well, good to know."
"If you liked my story, how about a little offering?"
This church was starving for cash. I made a donation for the sake of Myra's tits.
After the treatment, we climbed the bell tower. It was right around dusk.
The view opened up, and the wind felt great.
The observation platform was empty except for us.
The whole city sprawled below. Viewed like this, Rishel was smaller than I'd thought. Compared to my original world, the population here was laughably sparse. In the center stood the palace—the seat of House Rugul, rulers of the city. The massive structures around it were government buildings.
The other big landmark was the arena. It resembled Rome's Colosseum, but the stands were barely half the height. No gladiator fights here—too few people and participants.
Rivers and roads ran north-south through the city. Follow the northern road to the imperial capital. The southern one branched off to other towns, but neither was visible from here.
Beyond the walls stretched farmlands that eventually gave way to forest. Scattered villages dotted the woods. Past that, plains and lakes, then mountains.
No ocean in sight.
I searched for the village from Aidan's quest but couldn't spot it.
"Back to gathering herbs tomorrow?"
"Dunno. Our levels went up, so maybe hit a dungeon. Need more combat experience. Once I'm confident, let's head to Migurut in the east."
On the city's eastern wall, beyond it, a shrine was visible. The dungeon entrance lay inside. Wind's Blade, Mizuki's party, should be in there too.
"I'll come with you."
"Nah, stay behind. If you start crying or wanna go home and fight me on it, that'll be a hassle."
"Ugh, I won't cry, and I'll obey next time."
"Kidding. I'm glad you'll be there. No need to obey—just do what Fam thinks is right."
Beyond the shrine, past the forest, a hazy white mountain range loomed on the distant horizon.
"Your village was around those mountains?"
Fam shook her head.
"No, much farther than that."
"Guess the world's pretty big, huh."
Beyond those peaks, Fam had lived with her family.
"Where's Master from?"
"Secret. Up there."
The city glowed red in the sunset, but the sky above was already darkening, stars beginning to emerge. I pointed to one. Fam looked up.
"How'd you get here from there?"
She seemed to believe it. Was that even possible in this world?
"Know anyone from the stars?"
"No, just in stories."
What kind of guy was this "Master" of hers? Time to stop with that title. I'd love a proper sit-down talk.
"The star thing's a metaphor, a joke. Truth is, I transferred from another world."
I hadn't planned to correct her, but oh well.
"Like the holy knight who defeated the Demon King a hundred years ago?"
I'd heard it was the Holy Knights' Order, but maybe they were led by a holy knight.
"Don't know about that one, but probably. That's why I don't know jack about this city—or this world."
"So Master's a stranger here too, just like me. Someday, I'd love to gaze out over other cities like this."
Fam fell silent, staring at the stars. Was she taking my transfer story as a joke, or believing it? Her face gave nothing away.
"Master."
Time passed; the sun sank further, night approaching. Fam turned to me, expression stiff.
"What's up?"
She stared, eyes glistening.
"I like you, Master. I want to be with you forever."
My first confession ever. Her tension infected me—heart pounding, palms sweating. Had to say something. Fam looked anxious in my silence.
"It's only been ten days. I'm a middle-aged dude, y'know?"
"Not in the mood for jokes."
She pouted.
"Days don't matter. I've been drawn to you from the start."
Right—Aidan had mentioned her hitting on me before the quest. Had she been planning this confession then? Her straightforwardness was dazzling.
"What do you think of me, Master?"
Timidly, she reached out, grasping my sleeve.
She slowly closed her eyes, awaiting my answer.
I pressed my lips to hers. A light touch, then pull away. Soft. That sensation wrapped my body in sweetness.
It lingered even after.
"I think you're cute, Fam. I like you too."
Her face softened. She hugged me tight.
I wrapped my arms around her back. So warm. Wanted to hold her like this forever.
Craved that sensation again. Touched her chin, tilting it toward me.
"Master..."
Our gazes locked.
Then—footsteps ascending the stairs.
We sprang apart, but the heat of her body stayed with me.
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