Journey to the North - 5
The protagonist of Aslan Chronicles represented the player.
In other words, users could name them.
The default name was Eugene.
Gender was completely free, so it seemed they'd gone with a neutral name.
I never imagined I'd end up in a role where the protagonist saves me...
And I sure as hell didn't see the main heroine getting her head smashed in coming.
It was a relief that the plotline connecting Eugene and Lara was gone, but it left a bittersweet aftertaste. Even if it was a bad ending, those two had looked so happy in that moment they got together—their future shattered beyond repair.
"Is this one of those situations that's hard to explain?"
"Oh, no. I just thought it'd take too long."
"Could you at least summarize the key points for me?"
Yeah, no point dwelling on Lara's death.
My goal was to keep the Empire from falling and crush the cult.
I'd barely taken down the Nidhog cult, and if Lara tried to overthrow the Empire, it'd be a headache.
I resolved to treat her death as natural causes and focus on my own business.
"A cult group called the Nidhog Church invaded the village."
"Nidhog—the evil dragon from legend, right?"
"Exactly. They're the ones trying to resurrect that evil dragon."
"Resurrecting an evil dragon... Can't let that slide."
Eugene looked cold and aloof thanks to her appearance, but inside, she was brimming with a strong sense of justice. That much was clear from how she'd smashed Lara's head—but the justice she pursued was a far cry from the ordinary kind. Still, she was treated like the protagonist because she never forced her beliefs on others and stuck to her principles.
"Looks like they need a good clubbing. I'll be right back, so stay here."
"You're going alone?"
"I don't really know how to fight while protecting someone."
To Eugene, I was just a burdensome tagalong. Her judgment was spot-on, but I couldn't let her go off solo. My crew was still in the burning Ludmilan Village, searching for the hidden Rune Fragment somewhere in town. I couldn't let anything interfere with that.
"My group's still inside the village. I've got separate protection for myself, so just let me tag along."
"That beastkin girl behind you is your guard? Yeah, she looks pretty strong."
Eugene glanced sideways at Coco and nodded.
Coco—far younger than me—getting a nod of approval from the protagonist stung, especially since I'd transmigrated into a scumbag noble.
"If you've got a guard, tag along as you please. But just in case, how can I tell if someone's part of your group?"
"If you call my name, they'll know."
"What's your name?"
"Hines."
The Nidhog cult remnants probably had no idea who I was. I'd used the alias "Ketchup" in front of Ludmilan's fanatics. So if I gave my real name, my crew would react clearly, while others would be vague. Eugene was sharp; she'd pick up on the difference. No risk of clashes between her and my group.
"...Alright, Hines. Aren't you gonna ask my name?"
"Hm?"
"Usually when someone gives their name, you ask theirs back."
"Oh, right."
"I'm Eugene."
I hadn't even asked yet?
Seeing her faint smile of satisfaction, I couldn't bring myself to point it out. Come to think of it, before meeting the heroine, the protagonist had no one close enough to call a friend. Maybe she saw exchanging names as becoming buddies? The loner protagonist's behavior hit me right in the feels.
"What's that kid's name?"
"Coco!"
"Cute name."
"Ehem!"
Coco puffed out her chest and struck a dignified pose. I'd named her myself, and seeing her so happy brought out my dad smile. As long as she liked it, that was what mattered. I patted her head, and her fluffy tail started wagging like crazy.
"Let's get going. We should save at least one more person before it's too late, right?"
"...Yeah."
Were there even people in Ludmilan worth saving? The villagers were fanatics who'd worshiped a nonexistent god and slaughtered countless travelers. No redemption there. I'd considered telling Eugene the truth about Ludmilan but decided against it. If she learned what scum they were, she'd abandon the place without mercy. I needed her to hate the Nidhog cult instead—witness their brutality firsthand, like Lara would have.
"This is gruesome."
As we entered the burning village, the first thing to greet us was a charred black corpse. Next to it lay another, hacked to pieces. Screams and mad cackles echoed nonstop, buildings crumbling one by one. Blood and flames stained the streets everywhere. If hell existed, it'd look a lot like this.
"If I charge ahead on my own, forgive me."
"Do whatever feels right. Don't worry about us."
"...Got it."
No sooner had she finished speaking than Eugene bolted forward, plunging deep into the village. Crack! As she rounded a corner to the right, a clear impact rang out. Not once, but repeatedly. True to her club-destroyer rep, she was smashing Nidhog cultists' heads as she advanced.
"Club super strong!"
"Want one like that?"
"No way! Coco's dagger from big bro is enough!"
My heart swelled even as Coco dashed past me, stabbing a cultist's heart clean through. She kicked the next one's shin, forcing it to its knees, then used its leg, shoulder, and face as stepping stones to leap high. She hurled her dagger at a waiting cultist, nailing it between the eyes. As it fell, she Shadow Stepped into the shadows. Moments later, she reappeared behind an archer drawing a bow and tore into its throat.
"Ptoo!"
Coco spat out the flesh and wiped blood from her mouth with the back of her hand. She yanked her dagger free from the corpse on her way back—cool as could be. Kizen had trained her well. Right now, Coco wasn't some innocent girl; she was a blood-hungry wolf.
"Big bro's dagger super tough—love it!"
Though the moment she stood before me, that fierce wolf turned back into a fluffy pup. As I rewarded her with headpats, I realized Eugene had vanished from sight. She'd probably pushed deeper to clear out more cultists. I considered following, but splitting up didn't seem so bad.
She's the protagonist, after all—and she took down elite knight York. She'll be fine.
I shifted plans: rally the group, grab the Rune Fragment, and bail from Ludmilan. I'd have loved more chat time with Eugene, but messing with her fate too much was risky.
"Coco, know where the others are?"
"Everyone but Maribel sis is in the nearby forest!"
"Good—they found the Rune Fragment."
We'd agreed: find the piece early, signal, and regroup in the woods. With Kizen or Rena holding it, all we needed was to grab Maribel and go.
"Where's Maribel?"
"In that building!"
"That one's... the orphanage?"
Ludmilan Village had a unique setup: all kids went to a central orphanage. Instead of family care, nuns handled "education." But It really was brainwashing them from a young age into becoming loyal slaves of Na-rald. The sight always turned my stomach—I'd wanted to raze the place. Looked like Maribel felt the same. But during an invasion, the orphanage was the last place you entered.
Most cultists would swarm there...
Kids had pure, untainted souls—prime sacrifices for the Nidhog cult. It was the only building not burning, their intentions crystal clear.
"Coco, let's head to the orphanage and help Maribel."
"Okay!"
I wanted Kizen and Rena's backup, but no guarantee on timing. We hustled to save Maribel first.
"Tons of enemies at the main gate!"
"Coco, can we slip in through a second-floor window?"
"Can do!"
Coco scooped me up and leaped high. As cultists spotted us, she chucked a rock through a pre-smashed window and dove in.
"Maribel!"
"L-Lord Hines?"
From the second floor, we saw Maribel in the first-floor central hall, barricaded and holding off enemies. The nuns who'd "cared" for the kids were vomiting blood; Maribel was covered in wounds too. But she wouldn't retreat—not with the kids huddled safely in the corner, trembling in fear.
"D-Don't come this way!"
Maribel knew damn well how dangerous it was. She was telling us to run before we got dragged in too. But who am I? A weakling armed to the teeth for every crisis. I'd prepped ways to handle incoming foes. First, though—time to give the Nidhog cultists some despair.
"Coco, can you buy us a little time?"
"Got it!"
I sent Coco in to give Maribel breathing room. Meanwhile, I approached the panting Maribel. Ignoring her death-glare for barging in against her wishes, I had no time to hesitate.
"Sorry in advance. But there's a reason—just bear with me."
"P-Pardon...?"
I grabbed her hand and pulled her before the kids. Confirming all eyes on us, I flashed a sleazy grin.
"Kids, out of the blue, but today we're learning about the mysteries of life."
"L-Lord Hines? What are you—ah?!"
I yanked Maribel into a hug from behind and licked her cheek. Her back arched, her ample chest bouncing up and down. Anyone seeing this would think I'd lost my mind.
But I had my reasons.
"W-Wait! That's sensitive... Ahhn!"
Licking her neck drew even louder moans from Maribel. The kids, who'd been terrified moments ago, now stared wide-eyed at our display. At the entrance, frantic shouts erupted from the Nidhog cultists.
"The children's pure souls are being corrupted by lust!"
"Stop them! Hurry!!"
"That crazy bastard!!"
But this is sacred sex ed, isn't it?