Everything was neatly unpacked by the mantis, your heavy clothe felt rather unneeded during the warm day but now you feel grateful for them for the night is quite a bit colder compared to the castle of the Queen, or maybe the lack of fire is to blame. The unique source of light come from one of the two available lamps neatly placed in the middle of your very basic, temporary encampment, not that you’d need to place any tents: you are due to the capital tomorrow after all and the ground look neat and healthy, the bed rolls will have to do.

Sylphis is simply staring around; the surroundings are full of trees and fallen leaves but with a simply stare to your left you can still spot the road you’ve been travelling in, free of any kind of moving shadows or sound: absolutely everything is dead silent beside the various breathing and clicking, either coming from your sword or the large armor of the angel who, you see, is walking toward you and, once in reasonable range, give you a slight nod.

‘’Siegfried, do you believe you would need a fire? I am more than willing to explore the area and gather the needed supplies’’

Sylphis give her a rather absent stare, the link tell you of a certain… grief? Perhaps saying sadness is the best, but she’s rummaging through the pact and take out what are looking like dried, round looking… things, it almost look like pastry.

Time to eat it seems, tomorrow is going to be a long day, perhaps it would be best to concentrate on sleeping now, Hadraniel did offer to take watch all night, as well as gathering the necessary woods.

>>19080642

Does it look like its gonna rain?

If not we should not need the fire. Would probably attract some attention too.

Take a watch as well. Can't have Hadraniel stand guard the whole night.

Should probably go talk with Sylphis before we sleep as well.

>>19080720

No rain, the sky is perfectly clear of clouds

>>19080747

Then no fire.

>Bump for MGQ

i guess thats sensible
no fire then

Stretching and rubbing your slightly aching legs, you let out a small satisfied sight at the prospect of being able to sit and relax for the real first time since your departure this morning, but your attention is caught by Sylphis who slowly extend you one of the…buns? At least that what it look like, so that’s what you’ll think of it.

‘’Yuria made them this morning… they’re still fresh’’

The mantis is eating eagerly, that spider wouldn’t poison traveling foods….right?

‘’Hadraniel’’

Your hand squeeze the bun a bit, but you look at the blond angel right in the eyes, she got used to your rather authoritative presence so she support your stare without flinching.

‘’I don’t believe we would need a fire for we will reach the capital fast, as well as grabbing unneeded attention from any denizen of this forest’’

You make a pause, and then give her a smile.

‘’I also will not force you to take watch all night, it simply wouldn’t be proper, would it?’’

She frown, you expected her to disagree on that given her selfless nature.

‘’But I simply lingered in my shrine while the two of you travelled and exhausted yourselves, it is truly the least I can do, allowing both you and Sylphis to rest for the trials tomorrow’’

The angel is eager, you see her grabbing the heft of her spear while a wave of frustration extend from her, she’s feeling useless, at least that the most possible deduction.

weeeeell, i guess it's alright
could we try going through her memories to strengthen her or would we need to go into mana mode and take several hours?

>>19081003

You don't know how the process work, but from what she's hinted so far it seem to be something quite dangerous and very likely to be exhausting

>>19080909

"No you're not, Hadraniel. More than that, you are something our opponents will not expect. You are our trump card, to be unveiled at the right time for the greatest impact.

So save your strength, for when we need you, it will be at our greatest need."

‘’Hadraniel’’

Your voice is soft and friendly, your free hand lightly taps her shoulder guard, forcing the divine creature to look back to you, her stare is eager indeed, and those blue eyes would make anyone lose themselves.

‘’You are something our opponents will not expect. You are our trump card, to be unveiled at the right time for the greatest impact.’’

In-between the mindset of a general and the simple care you have for her, your voice is nonetheless steel for you know she’s just a duty driven as you.

‘’So save your strength, for when we need you, it will be at our greatest need."

Closing on that, you take some time to stare at her for your words to sink in and a heavy sigh escape her, followed by a slight mutter you don’t catch but it seem she gave up.

Sylphis seem to have already finished her food in the meantime and is now staring at the lamp, the sound of the wind tickle your ears as middle breeze suddenly install itself.
Are you going to take first watch? Last? Mayhap you could speak to your troubled mantis friend, she’s trying to hide it but the link let you see through her mask easily.

talk to her and take first

>>19081146

We'll take the first watch. That lets us speak with Sylphis for awhile before she goes to sleep.

>>19081208
>>19081209
Agreed.

There was some protest of course, but it was half-hearted at best, provision were eaten (that pastry was delicious) and a pleasant atmosphere installed itself in the small group, chitchat being exchanged here and there but soon the Angel went to sleep, for she was to take second guard and you have every reason to expect she won’t be waking Sylphis for the third.

Seem like the angel sleep like any other people, although doing so in armor look… uncomfortable, she slipped in the land of dream in mere minutes, her regulated and quiet breathing being the only sound, soon the Mantis speak while avoiding your gaze.

‘’I’ll go sleep now, don’t overdo it, okay?’’

Seem like she doesn’t want to talk, do you?

>>19081280

"Do you mind if we talk for abit first?

I can tell you're not feeling alright."

‘’Would you like speaking to me before you rest, Sylphis?’’
The mantis blink at your friendly tone you have to admit that you’ve got quite a hard time being…relaxed, so to speak, not that she’s making you nervous in any way.

‘’I can tell you're not feeling alright."

You’d probably never have guessed without the link, the yellow eyes of the mantis widen in surprise form your statement before she look away with a grimace, but then a sigh escape her, her scaly hands and arms hugging themselves.

‘’I’m just…worried’’

She looks at you after her uncertain pause.

‘’I just… I wonder if Athena is going to be alright’’

… So that’s what it was huh? You were thinking that, maybe, having her lifespan known was the reason for her being downcast, but that wasn’t it at all, it’s easy to tell she’s worried about the lizardwoman, and you have nothing to ease her worry expect believing in the swordswoman.

‘’That’s all, I’ll be focused tomorrow, worry not’’

Still, how is she doing indeed…?

>>19081383
Athena's too far away for the link to work, correct?

>>19081393

Indeed, all you feel is the impression of ''knowing'' she's down south, and that she's alive.

>>19081383

"She will be, as she is likely worrying over you as well. Fear not, Amy is there and Athena's skill with her sword is unparalleled. They only way she would lose would be if she was seeking death; and that is not something I believe she seeks now."

Wait a heartbeat for her to relax abit and continue softly.

"Did you not want me to know your age?"

You watch her move to bedroll, for an instant her silhouette seem very, very lonely and you can’t help this vague of empathy from forming in your heart, but as she turn to give you one last stare, you nod to her and talk.

"She will be, as she is likely worrying over you as well. Fear not, Amy is there and Athena's skill with her sword is unparalleled. They only way she would lose would be if she was seeking death; and that is not something I believe she seeks now."

The mantis stop after your words, biting her bottom lisp while closing her eyes, she heave a sight to conceal her sadness, while shaking her head slightly, making her antennas move in the air in a rather comical fashion.

‘’Athena always seemed to be carrying a burden of her own, but she has always been acting as my… big sister, ever since she found me 4 years ago’’

Her face and emotions are clearly one of nostalgia, for a moment your stare drift to Hadraniel whom you suspect to not be sleeping, but you don’t find yourself minding, the angel is very likely to care much more about the mantis on this journey.

In a way, Hadraniel is very similar to you.

"Did you not want me to know your age?"

This time you voice your own insecurity, but you keep your stare on Sylphis and you have to conceal a smile when she look back and tilt her head.

‘’I have come to term with my short lifespan, I’m just a bit scared if I ever get… too close to someone, but I’m happy to be useful to Ame-no-Uzume’’

Still in her traveling gears minus boots, Sylphis make herself comfortable in the bedroll.

Do you concentrate on the watch? Or mayhap talk some more?

>>19081383

Athena is fine, she'll do well I have faith in her ability to succeed.

But how are you doing personally. I'm worried about this grief i feel through our link.

let the poor thing sleep and focus on keeping watch

>>19081588

watch. we have a duty to protect these women from horrible bandits that will seek to rape us... wait thats not right. How is protecting ourselves from rape helping them...Ah whatever

>>19081656
>>19081642

Very well then, I require a roll.

1d20

>>19081588

"Like when I had to find you under that blanket?"

Chuckle quietly and a little sadly.

"Even if we do want to? No matter the thorns, you are important to us and we will come to bring you home, whereever you may run to."

rolled 16 = 16

>>19081680
and here comes the rape train

"Like when I had to find you under that blanket?"

A small chuckle, the mantis grumble while looking away, but you do hear the ‘’that is irrelevant’’ coming from her prone form, still, you look at her for a moment.

‘’You are important to everyone in the castle, Sylphis, and we will come to bring you home, wherever you may run to."

She doesn’t reply, you try to examine the link and she seems calm, in control, you certainly hope your honesty manages to help her woes, but how can one accept having such a short life? Simply 5 years olds and already grown…

Ah but you have a watch to keep

--

A short wind soon installed itself, fresh and cold but thank to your clothing you simply feel a bit more frost, all around the camp are the fallen leaves, trees and all the usual grass and roots of a forest, however, there was a sound that seem…unusual?

The rustling of leaves, not that couldn’t be the fault of the wind but it did perk you up, but to immediately accuse something or someone being at fault…

A grunt escape you, but you make sure to make it look like you haven’t heard anything, after all the wind is at fault for much of the sounds, while the steady breathing of your two companions calm your nerves, the light from the lamp is just enough to illuminate all of the combined belongings, but you could always grab the spare lamp and go look.

Or maybe you’re overthinking, but you did hear something slightly unusual…

>>19081870

Leave the lamp, close our eyes and look away from the light awhile before opening them.

Get accustomed to night vision, then take the spare lamp and peak out a little. Do not turn it on yet. If we time it right, we can use it to blind anyone creeping up on us.

>>19081870

walk around some. get the blood pumping, but don't look into the torch light(kills our night vision)

You take a deep breath and close your eyes, concentrating on your hearing while turning your head from the light lamp, all around, nothing but the sound of frigid nature, the wind moving leaves, filtering between the trees, but sometime, just sometime, you hear the dried leave producing a sound so extremely soft it, for certain, would never wake a fragile sleeper like Sylphis.

You had the insight of keeping the spare lamps right next to you, when you open your eyes, the night vision is almost completely installed so you make certain to not look anywhere in the camp and concentrate on the environment around you, in less than a minute your vision has installed and you see everything relatively well except the far off distance, masked by trees.

You take the lamp and walk out with as soft a step you can manage, killing any of the fear creeping up in your breast, you walk in slow elaborate step, all sense alert.

>Need another 1d20

rolled 6 = 6

>>19082016

Rollin'

>>19082033

thats not good, not good at all

rolled 60 = 60

come on

>>19082173
this converts to... an eleven?

rolled 16 = 16

>>19082016
Trying my luck.

Shit fucked up the last post, retrying

>>19082033

Hmm… look like you went slightly too far from the camp, but you’ve been looking absolutely everywhere, be it the various, large amount of leaves that could camouflage something or simply around, the floor is uneven like any forest and the grass is mostly up to your knees, but then you hear it: an unnatural, extremely delicate but so easy to miss, trampling of one dried leaves..

Right behind you.

You snarl and immediately light your lamp while charging to the side but-

>cont

You don’t even have time to use the damn things in your hands, you see a shadow, a long one, charging while anticipating your movement and you find yourself knocked off your feet almost without a sound beside a gurgled ‘’urgh’’ while you land, but even so it take more to knock sense out of you!

Except the aggressor wrap itself around your torso, hell even your legs while the disorientation of your flight allow her, or it, to pin your arms with its own.

‘’Wha-‘’

You can’t voice, it wrap and squeeze your abdomen and you can only let out a cough as wind escape you and you can only take in breath, the damn thing sneaked up and went behind you!?

You steel yourself and look at the aggressor and find yourself speechless, it’s a monster no doubt, one with a quiet, gloomy face but nonetheless charming, dark hair and eyes while a cloth covered in sticky, wet mud allow her, or it, to keep some form of decency, but her face is covered in tears, actually she’s crying silently while holding you and if anything, she completely lack any predator aura, although your constricted self is more than alarmed enough to be scared.

You spy some antennas as well as two heavy looking mandibles near the base of her jaw, extending toward her neck, looking more like protection than a weapon.
Her tears fall on your face, but she simply stare at you, unmoving, seemingly as scared as you are.

Or suffering from some kind of grief?

>>19082265
Can we tell if Hadraniel has picked up our surprise/fear?

>>19082265
Do we as a character know the information in the monster manual page, and are we in a state to act on it?

Also, can we yell out the fact that we're under attack?

If we can't I suppose we should focus and then run her through, try to impale her in such a way as to lift her away from us, then retreat from under her.

"Greetings miss, you sort of... Surprised me there. Are you alright?"

>>19082341

You do, actually, but almsot all the non demonic page on the monster manual were proven to be mostly false when a mosnter is completely free of corruption

>>19082362
this one

>>19082373

We'd better not.

If we kiss her, those mandibles will bite into us.

If we spit, it can be taken as a hostile act.

Diplomacy this away.

if worse comes to worse we can lick the poison glands on her stomach

"Greetings miss, you sort of...’’

You take a breath as the pressure on your body lessen, the numerous… things you can’t exactly see stop digging in your body, giving you some respite, thus your tone change since you don’t have to grunt out each words.

‘’Surprised me there. Are you alright?"

The creature… no she let out a brief spasm as tears run down her face, but she catch herself and still pin your arms, however you feel a vague of worry coming from Hadraniel, while Sylphis seem to still be sleeping tight, it must have been the link.

Still, the creature seem to just be… staring at you, her dark eyes are the perfect image of someone being utterly lost, afraid and so, so very sad that you can’t help but feel some kind of empathy for the poor girl.

No, not now.

Although she’s holding you, her bust is elevated, meaning you’ll perfectly be able to run her through with a quickly casted ice spike, but Hadraniel grim resolution also means that she’s caught on the situation while the monster just… stare and cry, her mouth moving without uttering any words beside choked breathings.

What the hell is going on?

lets enter focus and see if she has something wrong with her
we can also freeze her, and get off before our angel rushes over here and runs her through

>>19082477

"Are you unable to speak?

Nod your head if you can understand me."

Be relaxed. No sudden movements unless we need to.

>>19082519
I don't think we should enter focus. It could alert nearby mages to our position.

>>19082477

Radiate to Hadraniel guarded caution if we can.

She needs help if we can give it.

fine, focus last resort
this then
>>19082525

>>19082477

can you please let me go miss, I'd hate for my companions to come across us like this in such a... compromising position.

"Are you unable to speak?’’

As more seconds pass, the more she stay still as she look, her feature sometime grimacing as more tears fall out of her eyes, your voice seem to shake her to her core as she stare at you with some kind of grand disbelief, her antenna moving at uneven time, you made certain to keep your voice neutral beside your… predicament.

‘’Nod your head if you can understand me."

She simply stares, but you see her eyes moving to your mouth, fortunately her bewildered expression ceased her tears.

However you keep yourself from wincing as a wave of bloodlust wash on you coming from Sylphis, oh hell this isn’t good those two are DEFINETLY preparing to do something lethal.

The grip the monster has on you soften somewhat, but she’s clearly oblivious to the others two moving softly toward her, but you can only spot Hadraniel whom spear is raised, ready to charge and impale.

last resort time, focus, and make a wall surrounding you two and have it disappear gradually so they calm down

>>19082634

>antenna...

Hmmm most species of insects communicate with those. Slyphis might be able to make sense of them.

Radiate to Hadraniel and Slyphis to STOP.

Or otherwise speaking with a louder voice but with a calm tone.

"Slyphis, Hadreniel. Cease. This one has no hostile intentions."

Can we move our hands or limbs? If we can, slowly stroke the mandible grabbing onto us. Like how one calms an animal. Keep talking to her calmly and softly.

"Hadraniel, Sylphis, stop. Don't hurt her. I'm alright. Just... Don't do anything that all of us might regret."

>>19082634

shes just confused or something.

As you look into her dark eyes, you can’t help but feel more and more of this empathy of yours, thus you’ve decided to make your choice.

You mask your expression as best you can as you radiate with the most grim, authoritative expression you can put on short notice, as you imagine Hadraniel and Sylphis stepping out of line and, like any man under you command, you needing to reprimand those at faults in the booming voice of the warlord.

You are collected, incredibly so and in your silence, you voice your intent in the commanding emotion of STOP, which is successful due to the bewilderment coming from both of them, Hadraniel stop right in her track, as does Sylphis you bet even if you can’t see her.

Slowly, so very slowly, you move one hand while looking at her, giving an inviting smile while nodding your head, the creature doesn’t budge but, strangely, start to shake lightly as tears pour out of her eyes once again, but her grip weaken noticeably, all of it, be it your pinned arms or your body wrapped by her long, insect one.

From behind the creature, Hadraniel stopped pointed her with her spear, but is looking at you with an incredible intensity.

>>19082868
"Please, put me down. Let me help you."

>>19082962
seconded

>>19082634

>see her eyes moving to your mouth

>>19082868

Damn, she might be mute AND deaf.

Are the arms pinning ask her human limbs?

Is our writing script the same as that used in Zipangu?

If yes to both, write on her hand: 'Can you understand me?'

Speak in the same tone but loud enough for Hadraniel and Slyphis to hear us: "I'm alright, she doesn't seem to want to hurt me. Just stay put."

>>19082999

Unfortunatly, you have nothing to write with

>>19083057

Write on her hand.

Use our finger to trace the script on her palm.

how about using your own fingers on her palm or stomach?
i think i've seen that in movies before

>>19083076

i love you and your use of mini idols.

>>19083057
there should be mud right, wipe our finger in that and then write, after all you said she was covered in the stuff practically

>>19083110

It gets abit problematic when you're searching for that one specific image to post with.

Sorting them all is abit of a nightmare.

>>19083081

Stomach might not be a good idea.

Since the MGE says that their poison glands there are sensitive.

"Please, let me free. Let me help you."

Your tone is gentle, soft spoken; her eyes fall on your lisps once more, her mouth move, and her voice is soft as she voice.

‘’a-aah’’

But you don’t frown, you simply look at her and, after a long, long moment, she slowly let go of your wrist, looking at her own palms as she then slither away from you, both of her human hand now joined on her stomach, you also see that she has stopped crying, but you take one, very, very small step toward her and slowly extend your hand, she freeze on the spot like a frightened animal.

Behind her, you spot Sylphis, much closer than Hadraniel is, but it seem the Mantis has her scythes retracted, that’s good indeed.

You put your palm toward, and with your finger, trace some letters, slowly, very careful and as slow as you need to, but her eyes go from your palm, to you, confused she simply stare while opening her mouth, the mandibles on her lower jaw move slightly, forcing some kind of liquid down her body, right on the ruined, dirty and muddy kimono.

Then one of her hand ball in a fist as she shake, but her other hand move to her mouth, then slowly fall to her stomach, but then she grimace slightly as tears fall out of her once more.

You feel some strange emotions from Hadraniel, while Sylphis is hostile, you’d say that the angel is… calm, perhaps even motherly? She’s making some small, very small, steps toward the monster completely unarmed.

>>19083207
"Hadraniel, what do you make of this?"

>>19083207

someone made her eat something bad i guess, and its driving her feral. Maybe she had a man she loved and it made her do something horrid to him?

>>19083207

So she can speak....

Maybe we're looking at the wrong thing, a young monstergirl perhaps?

Someone who has yet to learn how to communicate?

Their diet is meat. Do we have any preserved trail meat rations? If we can, slowly lead her back to our camp and give her some of it.

>>19083269

she has clothes though, so she can't be that young(herp derp ignoring the mantis) and her mother would have taught her how to speak most likely

One step again, the insect does not seem as afraid as she was a few seconds before, but her stare is confused, bewildered while her two hands ball in fist, before relaxing somewhat and placing them on her cheek, calming her sobs.

"Hadraniel, what do you make of this?"

The Oomukade once again think you’re talking to her and se squint, then look sideway but soon her stare fall on the floor while her long body advance toward you on her own.

The angel stay silent for a few seconds before stepping on some leaves, making enough sound for the poor creature to yelp in surprise and charge right behind you, navigating her long and multi legged body with an incredible dexterity, she wrap herself around your standing form like a lamia and place both her hands on your shoulders while looking toward the camp and the two individual string right back at her.

‘’Young, Siegfried, I would say this insect monster is young, perhaps a few months, a year at most’’

The angel is slowly making her way toward you, but once the monster start to cry, she stop.

>>19083338

lets walk back to camp, get some food for her if we have any. hopefully her mom comes to find us or something.

>>19083338

Hold her hand and try to gently lead her to our camp and get her to sit down and hopefully (not likely) relax abit.

"I see... She appears to be mimicking a need for food. Hadraniel, we must have some preserved meats. Can you bring them here? If you give her the food, she might trust you as well."

"I see... She appears to be mimicking a need for food. Hadraniel, we must have some preserved meats. Can you bring them here? If you give her the food, she might trust you as well."

You put your hand over one of hers, the skin is silky smooth, healthy, perfectly normal if you forget the lower half, her hairs, even dirty, seem to retain a pleasant aroma, this close and without any kind of conflict, you really can’t help but feel that she’s humans.

Curse this heart of yours!

It take a grand 10 minute for you to lead her to your camp, you had to untangle yourself, keep her hand in yours and walk toward Hadraniel who made sure to lift her helmet so her inviting, motherly expression would not be obstructed.

Sylphis kept a very close watch, but she nonetheless rummaged through your package, the unnamed insect didn’t step close enough to the light to be considered in the encampment, but once dried meat was handed to her, she started crying again, once YOU handed it to her she started to eat like a frightened animal would.

And she tore through quite a bit of your rations, it’s a good thing you have quite a bit of funds…

However she seems to be clinging to you, while being utterly afraid of both of your companions.

As the night continues, you find yourself wondering what to do, the more you think back on how you were ambushed it seem that you were the once intruding on her instead of the reverse.

>>19083552

(MC, THE KIND HEARTED MAN THE MG UNIVERSE NEEDS, BUT NOT THE ONE IT WANTS)

Sylphis is there any way you could talk to her, I know it sounds kinda racists but your both insect girls...

>>19083552

This... is gonna be abit troublesome.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and we now have to look after a child.

By the looks of things shes not going to take being passed to strangers well at all and Siggy is not going to be able to leave her alone.

>>19083577

Lets give this a short. The might be able to communicate through their antenna. We're gonna need to keep holding on to her hand though.

>>19083552
We need to consider how likely it is that a parent or caregiver will come looking for her, as well as what we're going to do with her if we let her stick around. This could massively complicate our mission in the capital.

‘’Sylphis, I apologize if I overstep some boundaries, but would it be possible for you to communicate with her?’’

‘’I’ve been trying’’

Her voice is hoarse, the night is nowhere near over after all and she barely had one hour of sleep, you slowly rub the hand of the centipede who look at you with a lost expression, but when you point at Sylphis her eyes widen slightly, but with a stern look she slowly obey and freeze once the Mantis move her antenna in a barely perceptible movement.

And somehow communication occurs, you and Hadraniel witching the exchange and two pairs of antennas twitch, moving slowly, sometime fast and a tired sigh escape the mantis as melancholy invade the soul link.

‘’Victim, she lived on the next domain and traveled all the way here’’

She closed her eyes for a moment, when she reopened them there was gentleness very different from pity in them.

‘’Her mother died recently, she’s been waiting her for two days…’’

And then she stop as the antennas move, her expression harden.

‘’Those that killed her mother were humans? The Oomukade are seen as monstrosity almost everywhere, but...’’

Sylphis stop as she looks again to the moving antennas of the creature.

‘’Two human female…’’

And then the centipede burst in to tears.

>>19083719

"...Slyphis, do you know if this domain views them the same way? If we bring her with us into the city, do you have any idea how the locals will react?

Also, question her abit further. Where did the attack take place, whether she knows why they did so and what her name is."

>>19083719

ahh, not sure what to say really. poor girl saw he mother killed by women and we are traveling to a city full of them.

as much as I'd like to help the poor girl shes going to get in our way, unless we can make her a veil or something she won't be able to help us. doesn't help that she looks full grown.

we hunt the fuckers that killed her mom or we go to the capital with her and kill the fuckers when we're done

Absent for the next 20 minutes (maybe less or more).

This aint over yet.

Perhaps if we could acquire a wagon of some sort we could conceal her completely. Otherwise, we're either going to have to leave her somewhere or just deal with whatever results from bringing an Oomukade into the capital.

Of course we're taking her with us. That's who we are now, do good our way, unless stopped by force because it'd be worse, or just keep doing it.

that wagon idea is pretty nifty, we have the cash, right?
also, why the hell haven''t we been traveling on horses?
are there even any in this setting?

>>19084154
>also, why the hell haven''t we been traveling on horses?
I...don't know. Maybe because we're in a land where civilization is mostly Monster, there isn't a pressing need for horses?

>>19084154

Because horses became Centaur, every single one of them, they're no longer beast of burdens or hell, cavalry. Zipangu also has a extreme lack of centaur population, they're mostly spread on the human mainland.

>>19083940
>>19084154

Not unless we backtrack all the way to the village, at which point we might as well ask the Tanuki to have a contact of hers bring the poor girl to the portal.

Looking at the situation, we're probably gonna have to bring her with us into the city. Leaving her out here is unacceptable since we don't know how long we'll take and in all likelyhood, she just trail after us. Perhaps we can use our cloak trick again.

Thankfully we're dealing with >>19082265

instead of >>19078829

>>19084269
>Its a good thing the Demon Lord want pretty girls everywhere!

"...Sylphis, do you know if this domain views them the same way? If we bring her with us into the city, do you have any idea how the locals will react?’’

As the sobbing centipede in your arms continue, you feel her grab your clothes as her hands ball into fist, her nails slightly digging into your flesh, but even so with all the emotions she’s letting out it’s so… quiet. Your tone is much more firm and resolute than you intended, a bluish movement catches your eyes and you spot Hadraniel hand, without gauntlet, gently stroking the Oomukade hair.

‘’They have a very… horrid reputation due to the events of 30 years ago, but if there is a place where they aren’t hunted on sight, its Ame-no-Uzume domain. By bringing her into the city…’’

She stop as she look at the young centipede, you clearly feel the empathy of the mantis.

‘’It’s going to be problematic and will, without a doubt, creature rumors. But you are a male, Siegfried, and a charismatic one at that. I have no doubt you’ll be able to intimidate your way into the city if need be, but it’s safe to assume that… our entry will be far from inconspicuous’’

The insect is still clinging to you but seem completely unable to cry anymore, her long, purplish hair fall on her face but conceal nothing, she start sniffing audibly.

‘’…It’s not often that female humans are in the wilderness, were not too far from the capitals as well, do you think she may have witnessed something –important-‘’

Hadraniel look at you with a grave expression, but it’s hard to take it seriously given her motherly attitude with the centipede.

>>19084342
"Perhaps, but I doubt we will get any important information out of her tonight. Her presence may well be helpful to our mission. We will see."

"For now, though, I have the watch. She has latched onto me for the time being, anyway."

Does Sylphis know if she has a name?

>>19084342
"It does not bode well, yes. However, I doubt we shall be getting any more out of her tonight.
"In any case, I shall take watch. She seems unwilling to part from me for now."

>>19084342

"Hadraniel, we need to know. Her attackers attacked her mother for a reason. If they were hunting her kind, they may come after her. We need to know how we can best protect this child."

At this rate, we're probably gonna have to abandon a stealthy entry unless we mange to dress her up enough. As part of a diplomatic party, she'll be free of any open attacks.

>>19084430
Perhaps a cart of some kind, as suggested before, if there's another town or village before the capital we could detour towards.

"Perhaps, but I doubt we will get any important information out of her tonight. Her presence may well be helpful to our mission.’’

How to describe this encounter? Coincidence? Fateful? Ah, actually it’s entirely irrelevant; you’re a meddler after all, you’ve extended your hand to this person and she took it, whatever consequence they bring will be dealt with.

The centipede entire length is around two meters, it’ll be entirely impossible to conceal her in anything other than a wagon, entering the capital with her is not something you can hide unless you find a smuggling route, which is probably hopeless given your entire lack of knowledge, the map Tanu gave you is to find your way in the city, not to go in undetected.

‘’Her attackers attacked her mother for a reason. If they were hunting her kind, they may come after her. We need to know how we can best protect this child."

The concern in your voice is unmasked and somehow, as you look Hadraniel with as much seriousness as you can, she reply with a soft giggle that sound nothing but divine coming from the angel, the Oomukade, however, seem to have fallen asleep, her arms pressed on her torso as her breathing is even, you sustain her human half with a simple arm around her shoulders, the insect body is more than… pressed enough on you to keep steady.
>cont

‘’It’s amazing Siegfried, really. She surprised and ambushed you, yet you care enough to make your, our, mission significantly harder, and I can’t feel angry, not even amazed, I’m simply… glad’’

Well now, after such a confession whatever opinion she has of you must be a good one.

‘’The best way to protect her….’’

Hadraniel stop as she get up and walk to her spear planted on the ground.

‘’…is to have her accompany us and skewer anybody that dare to harm her’’

You’ve never heard this tone, but it’s enough to send a shiver up your spine.

‘’I’ll take first watch’’

You say, changing the subject, but the angel put her helmet back on while Sylphis yawn and seem to wonder if she should return to sleep.

‘’You have already done so, rest now, Siegfried, for my sake’’

Bah she doesn’t have to say it like that…

sleep, let syl sleep to
wheres the centipede girl gonna sleep, the floor?
when we wake up have syl ask her for her name or we'll give her one

>>19084572

I think it was mentioned that the previous village we entered was the last one before we reach the capital.

>>19084615

"Well if you insist. Do wake me for my watch later, then.

Rest now Sylphis. You look so tired."

>>19084615
Admit defeat in this. If Hadraniel is on watch, then Sylphis and Siegfried should get some sleep.

>>19084668

>I think it was mentioned that the previous village we entered was the last one before we reach the capital.

Indeed it is, yo uare expected to arrive at the capital in the late morning if you wake early

Looking at Sylphis, you see her staring at the utterly defenseless centipede for a moment, before she move, grab your bedroll, then extend it right next to you, allowing you to move on it without much problem, but you’ll have to sleep right on it.

Well it could be worse, really.

Much, much worse, this Oomukade is pretty warm…

As you lie prone, the girl doesn’t wake one bit, she’s sleeping with a serene face, the exact opposite of her previous expressions, your clothes are a bit humid from her outburst earlier, but she needed to let it out, didn’t she?

Hadraniel give you a nod when you look at her and you finally close your eyes, somehow, it feels like… you can feel her emotions with better clarity.

>(SOUL LINKS STRENGHTENED)

Seem like you feel asleep right when you decided to relax, the early morning is a very comfortable one, some movement and clicking of armor tell you that Hadraniel took complete watch (at least that how it seem), but you feel something moving in your arms, following by a finger poking your cheek with enough force to elicit a grunt from you, the action stop the pesky touch entirely.

But too bad, you’re already awake and when you open your eyes, the sun is halfway up, the soft light of the morning invading through the trees as the fresh airs fill your lungs, but your eyes fall on the Oomukade nestling in your arms, her dark violets eyes and hairs giving the perfect image of a morose beauty, but you also see that her cloth is quite… tattered, allowing you free vision of her modest chest.

‘’Morning, Siegfried’’

Hadraniel greet you, but the centipede is entirely focused on you.

>>19084824

"Good Morning, Angels."

Gently get the Oomukade to get off us and salvage a cloak to cover her up.

"Do you all have a good rest?"

>>19084824
We should see if Sylphis can start teaching her to speak.

>>19084824
"Good morning." Smile at the centipede. "To both of you."

Can we tell if Sylphis is awake? If so, wish her good morning as well. Suggest that we get something to replace the centipede's damaged kimono.

"Good Morning, Angels."

A snort comes from Sylphis, and a remark.

‘’The way that girl is fawning in your arms, she’s like a newlywed’’

As you look down on the centipede, you must have made a strange face because a smile spread on her face as a precious laugh escape her.

‘’Well, everyone is awake.’’

You grunt, letting go of your charge that, thankfully, don’t cling to you but certainly doesn’t leave your side, hmm this might make things difficult later on…

‘’I’ve found another large cloak, I think that might have been stuffed in here to allow me to conceal my wings if I was being too stubborn, but it’ll be big enough for her’’

Hadraniel throw you the clothes square on the face, provoking another grunt, but you quickly fasten it on the centipede, now her entire human body is concealed with the usual opening at the front, she’s going to need proper clothing if she were to extend her arm out and avoid any glance to her modesty.

‘’I guess this’ll have to do’’

Sylphis already rummaged through her spare clothing but it was a bit too small for the Oomukade, it seem that they’re species hate feeling constricted so putting on something tight is a rather bad idea.

‘’Are we setting out right now?’’

Hadraniel ask, spear in her hands while she give a glance to your sword.

>>19085019
"I see no reason to delay. Let's see if our friend here can cope with city traffic."

>>19085032
Shouldn't we have breakfast first?
And we still need Sylphis to ask the centipede her name.

oh yeah
her name, her name!

>>19085019

Take some time for breakfast and see if we can find out her name.

Then set out. Looks like we're going in active.

‘’A bit fast aren’t you? I think we should have something to eat, all four of us’’

The new arrival tore through most of the food, but there is more than enough for a proper breakfast, even if it is dried meat and vegetable, it fill in everyone stomach, the Oomukade was especially voracious, she has a strong appetite, doesn’t she?

‘’Sylphis, I wonder, but could you ask our friend if she possess a name? Referring to her by impersonal titles doesn’t sit well with me’’

The Mantis nod and, with an antenna movement, the attention of the young centipede is completely caught and soon the two exchanges some kind of information in complete silence, enough time pass for the short breakfast to end, but a frustrated sigh from the stoic insect already tell you more than enough about results.

‘’Too busy changing places and moving, no name, she doesn’t even know what a name is. She is curious…’’

As the mantis start packing without resting, the long insect woman stare at you, her mandible move slightly and then she pinch your clothe whole looking around, the busy, small camp quickly being packed by experts hands is enough to fascinate her.

>>19085173
"I suppose it falls to us to name her, then. Suggestions?"

>>19085173

First sylabus was "A-ahh"

A-aah.. A-ahh.... Afuu?

Tittania?

"I suppose it falls to us to name her, then. Suggestions?"

As you step up, the centipede never letting go of you, your companions give you a blank stare, but then they, of course, start thinking.

‘’Um… Siella? Killy? No stop looking at me like that’’

Sylphis cross her arms, at least somewhat does it given the scythes, while Hadraniel wings flap gently but she stay completely silent and, when you look at her, she shrugs.

‘’The two of you aren’t very helpful…’’

‘’You are the one with talents in words, Siegfried’’

Hadraniel smile, clearly enjoying herself.

we don't have to pick one now though, take a bit of time choosing one

Fina, Fiona, Lyn?

>>19085278
This. We might as well think about it. Perhaps we should just try to teach her what a name is before assigning her one. She might want to pick one herself.

>>19085299

We're still gonna need something to call her for now.

Any temp name we give to her is going to stick.

>>19085311
We could use Oomu for now.

ooooh, i got it

cen
like, sen

>>19085337
It works for now, I suppose.

>>19085274

"Hmm..."

Pet her head abit.

"A blessed child, blessed in her mother's blood and love for her to escape... Blētsian...

Blētsian... Blētsian...

Bletsia?"

(It's old english. The protoform of Bless or Blessed, with the meaning of 'consecrated in blood')

I knew giving the option for a name would be interesting

>>19085362

Was about to drop some french name, but that sound quite alot better.

>>19084342
>>19085385

go with it

>>19085318

>Omu

>Omurice

"Hmm..."

As your two companions busy themselves with double checking all of the baggage’s, your hand float to the head of the centipede and out pat it lightly while staring into the violet eyes, there’s no doubt that she has shouldered an incredible amount of pain, one that someone so young shouldn’t.

"A blessed child, blessed in her mother's blood and love for her to escape... Blētsian...
Blētsian... Blētsian...’’

Muttering, your gaze isn’t entirely focused, but the girl is looking at you with incredible interest and, strangely, her human hand grab yours as she’s looking at you with concern and curiosity, her mandible clack themselves for a moment, somehow you think of her mother…

Someone that died trying to protect her child, someone that gave everything they ever could for… A pang of sadness find itself in your heart, a sad, sad nostalgia when you remember that your own mother is deceased, when you look at this girl, woman, monster, whatever you can’t exactly help it, those emotions sneak up on you, if you ever find the ones responsible, women or not, there will be retribution.

And you’re going to make DAMN sure the wish of a dying mother for the continued safety of her daughter will not go to waste.

>cont

You look to Hadraniel and Sylphis, both of them staring at you, both of them not understanding why you suddenly felt sad, but you simply give them a nod.

Your attention back on the centipede, you rub her head between the antenna and voice.

‘’Bletsia?"

The violet haired creature tilts her head while her long antenna poke your forehead, prompting a chuckle, but the name is good indeed.

‘’Siegfried, today is going to be busy, I hope you do not need to call on me, I’ve been thinking…’’

Hadraniel sit beside you, the newly named Bletsia eyes widen at the sudden proximity and she close in on you, but she’s not shaking.

‘’It would be best if we enter an inn and leave her there with me while you proceed on your business with the regent, I will make certain nothing is going to happen to her’’

A similar tone to yesterday, woe to anyone messing with the charge of the Hero of Old.

>>19085544

Sounds like a decent plan.

>>19085544

truly there in no man luckier than I have companions such as you.

lets try and make some haste towards the capital, Hopefully we'll have enough food till then ehh.

>>19085544

Smile abit at the Heroine

"You'll make a wonderful mother. I'll leave her in your care then."

Enjoy watching her squirm abit, then have Slyphis tell 'sia about this arrangement.

>>19085621
Second. We do need to make sure that Bletsia understands that our companions are people she can trust.

"You'll make a wonderful mother. I'll leave her in your care then."

The red coloring her face is very amusing to look at, as is the sudden embarrassment – and amusement from Sylphis-, the angel give you a grand ‘’hmph’’ while she bring herself up, the clicking of the armor cause Bletsia to look at her in confusion, but she doesn’t leave your side.

‘’I will have to confiscate your cloak then, for if I am to be forced out of my shrine, it will inevitably alerts the ones sensible to magic’’

As everything is ready, there is but one unanswered question.

How will you approach the capital, this new arrival in your party is bound to be problematic and from what Tanu said, there is a small guard outpost at the gate checking in all travelers.

>>19085704

I guess covert is out of the question at this point?

But I say go normally. Then we present our diplomatic credentials.

>>19085704
It couldn't be as easy as simply walking up to them and demanding entry as a diplomatic envoy, could it?
Like, wave around metaphorical diplomatic papers and credentials, and get the guards to realize that this is far above their pay-grade, and get someone who knows what they're doing to sort this out?

>>19085799

It might.

If we get to the checkpoint and inform them of our status. Or if we attract too much unwanted attention at the start.

>>19085704

INH, our cloak can block people from noticing Hadraniel's magic?

>>19085794

If you knew of any smuggling route, covert would be an option.
Sadly, you don't.

>>19085799

You have both a ring with the very heraldry of the queen and a letter, still closed of course, stating that you are the direct replacement on a serious diplomatic matter, more or less meant for the regent.

But the ring itself is more than enough credentials, people will go ''oh shit'' if they see it

>>19085825

Unfortunatly not, the Magic Hadraniel give is from her magical blue armor, its very noticeable, pic related.

Its nowhere near as noticeable as someone entering focus, but say if yo uwere sensible to magic and walking the same road, you'll feel it

>>19085834

>smuggling route

I guess we could enter the city first, us and Slyphis, leaving Hadraniel and 'sia outside. Letting us find some contact and a method of smuggling 'sia in.

But... it seems abit counter-productive without much advantage save not having people know about our newest addition.

>>19085859

Then, why did she want our cloak?

>>19085884

To conceal her wings, the halo isn't present because she isn't at full strength so, with the cloak, she simply look like a knight.

One in an odd armor, but knight nontheless

>>19085876

Doing so is bound to take some time since you have pretty much zero contact beside possibly Tanu, but she herself said that she won't be reaching the capital until later today.

>>19085918

>Won't be reaching the capital until later today

How much food do we have left? We could conceivably wait near the road, concealed, for Tanu to appear on her way in.

>>19085936
But Tanu might not use the road. And can we really delay that much?

>>19085936

She hasn't said when, of course such an action is possible, but from al lyou know she might arrive during the evening, and do remember that you are on a schedule, the Queen gave you around 5 days before someone will be sent through the teleportal to inquire on your progress.

You now have 4 days for a succesfull negotiation.

>>19085946

Otherwise we and Slyphis could follow the original plan and inflitrate the city first to search for intel. Then when we run into Tanu, we could ask her to send a contact to bring in Hadraniel and Bletsia.

>>19085990
If Hadraniel is willing, and Bletsia lets go of us, then I suppose we can do this.

>>19085990

This lets us go in incognito to search for some intel before we begin negotiations and hides the fact that 'sia is in the city and under our protection...

Could work, if the mantises don't notice the smuggling attempt.

As there is quite a bit of road left to do, the group is already marching and you found yourself fascinated by the way Bletsia move, she seem to be slithering on the ground while the numerous legs transport her long form, no wonder she was so fast and strong when she pounced on you, that girl must have a grip power rivaling a lamia.

As you look to Hadraniel, the cloak is very effective in hiding her wings, the visible armor make her look quite dignified while the spear would be more than enough to scare anyone trying to be smart, still it is a bit cold on this autumn morning… bah you’ll thought it out.

‘’I’ve been thinking’’

Bletsia maneuver expertly to keep out of your vision when you turn to the angel.

‘’What if you and Bletsia here were to wait outside the capital while me and Sylphis attend to our business, and you catch Tanu when she’s on the road to, hopefully, smuggle our new friend in?’’

She give you a rather blank stare, that soon turn into a frown as her free hand find itself on her chin, the centipede slither sideway, maybe she want to go faster?

‘’I have not encountered the Tanuki, Siegfried, and if both me and our Oomukade friend were to come out of the woodwork, even while being diplomatic, the chance of being treated as hostile is too great. Beside’’

She looks at you, then the Centipede, with one last stare at Sylphis at the front.

‘’You’re going to get yourself in trouble in there, who’s going to pull you out of it?’’

Bold words

‘’And what if there is no smuggling route or, what if the route will take a detour of several days?’’

A lot of what if, but she made her disposition clear on the matter.

>>19086121

She has a point.

Voting for going in overt.

>>19086121
"You make good points, Hadraniel.
"You are right. We have precious little time to conclude these negotiations."

Let's just go in.

>>19086121
"Fortune favours the bold."

Lets just walk through the front door as it were.

‘’…Yes your points are solid, Hadraniel, I suspect that the mere act of a male entering is going to be known in most part of the city, might as well make a grand entry’’

You look back to the centipede with a fond smile, the good humor of your party continue and the road to the capital is uneventful, but Bletsia slowly started to warm up to Sylphis and Hadraniel, doesn’t mean she wasn’t clingy.

--

The large city came into view long, long before you approached. Built near the highest mountain of the island, the grand wall of stones show the might of the people indeed, Crosswalk or even the capital of the Queen Ame-no-Uzume are literally dwarfed by this big city and even before reaching it, you saw several traveler and farmer who, every time, found themselves utterly bewildered by the centipede who was previously quit relaxed, now cling to the back of your clothes and was walking at your exact speed, looking from your shoulder.

But there was no holler, no hail, Sylphis exchanged place with Hadraniel at the helm of the group and you can easily imagine the grim face of the angel, but soon, very soon, you’re as the sun was to settle to midday in a few hours, the 4 of you walked to the least populated checkpoint.

And find yourselves greeted by a posse of guards, each catfolk in plate.

>cnt

‘’A male? Unusual, but are we really allowing… filth… to enter the city now?’’

The word was dripping with venom, thankfully the anger from your two friends is easy to manage, as is your own, the one uttering the insult is sitting at a table scribbling on paperwork while the cats, numbering to 5 in total, are simply minding their own business near the gate but watching the Oomukade while some hands fit themselves touching the handles of weapons.

Poor, Poor Bletsia is not even looking; Both Hadraniel and Sylphis close on you to form a small cage around the poor girl.

>>19086426
"You can, and you will. I am here on a diplomatic mission from Queen Ame-no-Uzume."

>>19086426

Show her the ring.

>>19086441
Leave out the Queen for time being see if we can just get in without giving out too much.

If they really make a big deal about it then drop the Queens name.

"You can, and you will.’’

You cross your arms as you look at this, probable lower middle rank of the guard, booming with as much authority as you can, reminding yourself of your childhood and your time in the North, where Warlord was your title.

She winces, you see her ears twitch as she shuffle uncomfortably on her chair, but she let out a small, low whistle akin to a growl and level your stare.

‘’My job is to keep trouble AND filth out of town, that damned insect is both, I don’t mind if you go fuck some poor cat in need of status but you think I can let a monstrosities slide?’’

Hmm, Sylphis and Hadraniel are quite protective of Bletsia, the anger is something alright.

>>19086569
"And your job is also to let diplomats through, or will I need to speak with your superior."

>>19086569

We have any way to show our authority without mentioning the queen?

>>19086606

Beside being seriously badass with your voice and expression, no.

>>19086639

Then I go with >>19086598

"And your job is also to let diplomats through, or will I need to speak with your superior."

You held the same tone when your army was demanding the surrender of outnumbered rebels, you tried to close in on her little comfortable spot but Bletsia distress rooted you where you were, but your expression, especially your eyes you know, are more than unsettling enough.

You just hope you didn’t scare the poor centipede, but she’s clinging to you.

‘’W-what the hell? Diplomat? Why is a god damn insect with you?’’

Gotcha just a little more pre-

‘’SILENCE KNAVE’’

You did not expect Hadraniel having a voice as booming as you, the guards were approaching after your little exchange but absolutely everyone in earshot is rooted on the spot, you included.

But that’s Bletsia fault.

‘’MY LORD AND HIS RETINUE ARE TO PASS, IF YOUR WORDS CONTINUE TO BRING DISHONOURS O NTHOSE HE DEEM WORTHY OF PROTECTION, THEN I WILL DUEL YOU FOR BLETSIA HONOR’’

With a face speaking naught but complete authority, Hadraniel closed in on the guard and slapped the ground, hard, with the blunt end of her spear. The cat ears of the woman fell flat on her head as she watched the angel, whose expression was now completely distant and cold.

‘’…go in I’m not paid enough, I never asked for this’’

And so the capital, finally!

What is the name of this city anyway?

>Gonna end it here folks.

>>19086758
>I never asked for this

That could very well be the quest's tagline.

Awesome as usual, INH.

>>19086758

Great display by Hadraniel.

And is the city known well for anything?
Maybe named after some landmark, like that mountain?

>>19086758
>I never asked for this
Oh that's good.

>What is the name of this city anyway?
Good question.

>>19086758
Good stuff INH.

>>19086801

True, scaring some poor folks with the voice of a warlord is almost overkill.

>>19086810

You didn't ask for the name of this big, big city and as far as product, aside from being the big place of history and civilisation in probably the whole island, there isn't much, meaning you can probably find anything if you look hard enough.

Next session is probably going to be at the usual days, friday or saturday. Gotta say I'm a bit impressed with how the centipede encounter turned out, you folks do good job.

Does this quest happen to be archived somewhere?

>>19086929
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Monster%20Girls%20Quest

>>19086929

There was a fuck up with the tags (by me) but here it is.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Monster%20Girls

>>19086937
>>19086948

Thanks. I've been wondering since I've never seen an archive link with the quest threads.

>>19087083
He also has a twitter for when the quest is up. But INH never seems to pimp the damn thing out.

>>19087187

I never think about posting the link to the archive or the twitter, it always elude my mind when I start up a thread.

https://twitter.com/#!/TaleOfMonsters

Here we go

>>19087209

Trip, where art thou?