NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Part 4: Mabeasts
FYI
Scene/ POV
: Speech
- Thoughts
[Flashback]
"Quoting"
(Author Note)—————————————————————————————————————
Mansion
Emilia: Kiyotaka. You're awake.
Koji: Yeah I am but I think I need some more rest.
Puck: That's right. Beatrice sucked out all your Mana. You need to rest to regenerate it.
Koji: Right.
Emilia: Yes I'm so sorry about her.
Koji: It's fine but it seems I'm able to recall some things. I've remembered how to read and write.
Emilia: That's great.
Puck: Steel Magic? I've never heard of some being able to use that. Could it be a Divine Protection?
Koji: I'm not sure. That part is unclear. I don't believe I was ever told which it was.
Puck: Hm alright.
After a while, Ram entered the room.
Ram: Lord Roswal has returned.
We all headed into the dining room where I once again came face to face with Roswal Mathers.
Roswal: Helloooo Ayanokoji-Kun was it?
Koji: That's right.
Roswal: I am Roswal Mathers. The master of this estate.
Koji: I see. It's good to meet you.
Roswal: I heard that you are the one who saved Emilia-Sama from an assassin.
Koji: Hm... it's no issue.
Roswal: As thanks you may ask a favour from me and I will do what I can within my power to help you.
Koji: I would like for you to hire me at this mansion.
Roswal: Oh? Sure. We are missing a butler.
Koji: I'll take that job then.
After a while everyone left and I was out in the garden as Emilia approached me.
Emilia: Why didn't you just ask to be a guest?
Koji: I shouldn't ask to be a freeloader like that. I should earn my keep.
Emilia: But that's not right. You saved me.
Koji: I was frankly expecting that perhaps I could be able to stabilize my life with your help so as long as you help me with that we're even.
Emilia smiled.
Emilia: Sure.
Koji sighed as Ram approached.
Ram: Ayanotaka. Come with me. I'll show you where to find some appropriate clothes.
Koji- She still managed to pick out that name for me despite the new loop. Could it be that she had already picked it out and was waiting for the moment she could use it? As a guest, it wasn't at first appropriate but as a fellow worker, she doesn't have to hold back.
I followed her as they dressed me.
Rem: The size is a bit small. You're more muscular than you look.
Emila turned away blushing.
Koji: Sorry for the inconvenience.
Ram: Not at all. it just means I can work you harder than I thought.
Koji- What a nice person.
I sighed.
Rem and Ram led me to the kitchen where we started work on potato peeling. I matched Rem's ability. While freeloading off of them would cause mistrust outperforming them also had a chance to cause issues.
Ram: Seems we've run out of some ingredients. Ayanotaka. You and Rem go get some supplies from the village.
Koji- Hm. Rem won't attack me yet. I can tell. Despite her hatred, she's containing it well.
I walked to the village with her.
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Irlam Village
We walked down to the village to find the children playing. with one of them holding a puppy in their arms.
???: Hey mister. What to pet my puppy?
Koji- That dog... strange. What is with that bald spot on the top of its head? Regardless it all seems suspicious.
Koji: No thank you.
???: Oh come on please mister?
Koji: Sorry but I still working so I need to go.
Rem: I'll pet it.
Rem pet the dog when it bit her.
???: Oh I'm sorry. He's not usually like this.
Rem: It's fine.
There wasn't even a bite mark.
Koji- I knew there was something wrong with that dog. It seems more intelligent than it lets on.
We walked back to the mansion and I grabbed Rem's hand.
Rem: Huh? What are you?
Koji: I have a bad feeling about that dog. let's go see Lady Beatrice.
Rem: That's not necessary. I still have work to do.
Koji: Just trust me.
Rem hesitated for a second but begrudgingly agreed.
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Mansion
We entered the library finding Beatrice who rushed over. She took Rem's hand.
Beatrice: It seems you've been cursed I suppose.
Rem glared at me for a second but then calmed herself. it seemed she at first thought I was responsible for it but quickly discarded the thought as insensible.
Beatrice: There I've removed it I suppose.
Koji: Where did the curse come from?
Beatrice pointed at Rem's hand.
Beatrice: I don't know what caused it but the curse started from here I suppose.
Koji: The puppy. Lady Beatrice, are there any creatures capable of placing curses? Any that are puppies or can look like puppies?
Beatrice: it was a Mabeast I suppose.
Koji: I see. I'll inform Lord Roswal and Lady Emilia.
Rem's hatred for me seemed to reduce significantly. She seemed to trust me slightly but was still wary.
I found Emilia.
Koji: There was a Mabeast in the village. Where is Lord Roswal?
Emilia: Roswal left on important business not that long ago. Did you say Mabeasts?
Koji: Yes I did.
Emilia: That's not possible. I made barriers to keep them out.
Koji: Then one of them has been broken which means it's likely someone is controlling the Mabeasts.
Emilia: I see. We need to get down there and help the people.
Koji- Normally I'd avoid things like this but...
Koji: You're right.
Emilia made an ice sword and handed it to me.
Emilia: Let's go.
As we exited I noticed Rem was gone.
Koji- Did she leave before us?
Ramn saw us leaving and joined us as we rushed to the village.
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Irlam Village
When we got there the village was a mess. I saw a Mabeast close by and slashed it killing it via decapitation as an icicle impaled one attacked from behind.
Koji: Thanks, Lady Emilia.
Ram used Wind magic to kill several other Mabeasts. I rushed in stopping on from killing a villager. Another attacked me but I extended my hand.
Koji: Dona!
The pillar of death landed like an uppercut launching the dog back.
Koji: Ram-Senpai cover Lady Emilia so she can fix the barrier. Then we kill all of the Mabeasts in the village.
Ram: Good thinking Ayanotaka.
The plan worked flawlessly as we were able to exterminate the Mabeasts.
Koji: Well that's done but where is Rem?
Ram: Rem? Why would she be out here?
A villager walked up.
Villager: That blue-haired maid went into the forest trying to save the kids that were kidnapped.
Ram: Sister.
Ram rushed into the forest.
Koji: Lady Emilia. Stay here in case someone destroys the barrier again. Keep everyone safe.
Emilia nodded. The villagers seemed dissatisfied with this but didn't argue.
I followed Ram into the forest as we found the children. luckily none of them were bitten.
Koji: Take them back to the village. I'll look for Rem. I'll give you a signal when I find her.
Ram: Got it.
Ram took the children carrying all of them and heading back to the village. I found Rem and created a massive earth pillar as a signal that Ram found me.
Ram: Where is she?
I pointed to Rem who was surrounded by Mabeasts. She was killing them with her horn out.
Koji: Ram-Senpai. Any chance we can get through to her while she's in that state?
Ram: I could but the Mabeasts wouldn't allow me the opportunity. The best thing would be to get a good hit on her horn to knock some sense into her.
Koji: I'm going to throw you at her.
Ram: You're going to what?
Koji: She'll catch you right?
Ram: Yes I think so.
I grabbed her arms and got into a hammer throw stance throwing her at Rem who caught her. I rushed in smashing my sword into her horn and breaking it as she collapsed on the ground.
Ram: You did it Ayanotaka.
Koji: just get out of here. They're swarming.
Ram: You'll die.
Koji: I'm buying you time so get out of here. Find a way to signal me when you're clear.
Ram: Got it.
Koji: Dona!
I repeated this spell over and over covering Ram and Rem's escape. I did this while dodging attacks from the Mabeasts. After a while, I was able to focus on my own survival as I fended off multiple attacks.
Koji- They're never-ending.
Koji: Dona!
This time I visualised it spiked causing the earth to pierce the Mabeasts killing them when I saw an ice crystal explode in the sky above me.
Koji- Emilia... She wouldn't do that normally. It's the signal.
What followed next was me running for my life and barely making it through the barrier. I found Emilia killing a Mabeast that was attacking a villager and Ram holding Rem in her arms trying to wake her. Her eyes opened.
Rem: Sister?
Ram hugged her tightly.
Ram: You're okay!
Emilia walked over to me.
Emilia: Are you alright Kiyotaka-Kun?
Koji: I'm fine.
Rem got up and bowed to me.
Rem: Thank you for taking me to see Lady Beatrice. Thank you for coming to rescue me in the forest. If not for you I would have died.
Koji: It's fine. We're both on the same side after all.
Rem: Yes we are.
She smiled.
Koji- She genuinely trusts me. Good. Now I don't have to worry about being killed out of the blue by her.
Koji: Let's get back to the mansion.
Roswal soon arrived.
Roswal: Oh myyyyy. What seems to have happened hereeee.
Koji- What a strange coincidence that you only show up after most of the fighting is over. he definitely is involved with this in some way but why would he be involved in something that could get the candidate he's sponsoring killed?
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To Be Continued
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