Volume 7 Chapter 12: It's Not Real, It's Just That Your Ears Are Burdened With Karma
The adventurers' drinking party continued, the festive atmosphere showing no signs of diminishing even as the night deepened.
However, to some, this liveliness felt like the calm before the storm.
Three people sat around a small table in a cabin.
"It's been a while since the three of us sat down and talked like this, hasn't it?" Krista said, puffing on a pipe and swirling her glass.
"It has been some time," Belle replied, her untouched glass of wine sitting in front of her.
"Let me think... about two years ago, maybe. Though it's not really important... to me, at least," Zakarina murmured as she lowered her lashes, stirring the tea in her delicately crafted cup.
These three were none other than Krista, Zakarina, and Belle, the Vassals of Flame, Earth, and Light, as well as members of the [Mutual Aid Society].
"Your way of speaking is as strange as ever, Zakarina," Krista remarked, exhaling a plume of gray smoke with amused eyes.
"Your singing is just as terrible as ever, Miss Krista," Zakarina retorted without moving. The smoke seemed to hit an invisible wall and dispersed.
"What are you talking about? That was a popular song from East Trigo! When I was singing earlier, the audience was moved to the point they couldn't speak. Hmph, I'm a part-time bard, after all."
"They were probably too horrified by your shrill voice to make a sound, you uncouth rabbit."
"And you're nothing but a flat-chested worm!"
With a sudden crack, Zakarina crushed the delicate tea cup in her hand. The two of them stood up at the same time, glaring at each other.
Krista's eyes sparkled with excitement, the pipe in her hand emitting wisps of heated smoke. Zakarina's pupils darkened, and the iron chains around her wrist clinked softly.
Belle sighed. These two had never gotten along, always bickering whenever they met.
"Enough, both of you," Belle said. "Stop with these childish quarrels. We have serious matters to discuss."
At Belle's scolding, Zakarina and Krista stared at each other for a few seconds before sitting back down.
"Has anything happened within the [Mutual Aid Society] recently?" Belle asked.
"Recently? Well, besides Alwin going berserk and Meine being severely injured and sent back to headquarters, that alone will cause all sorts of unknown problems," Krista squinted. "President is running around trying to stabilize the situation, but that's not the real issue."
"What do you mean?"
"I just saw the message from Meine. The West has fallen into chaos because the Archbishop of the Church was killed," Zakarina explained. "...along with the entire Holy Bell Tower, blown to smithereens."
"Belancaster City has also fallen under the snowstorm, slaughtered by an army of undead soldiers wearing ice armor," Krista added, a cold gleam in her eye.
The three of them fell silent.
"Has the [Dawn Hunters] made another move?" Belle finally asked after a long pause. "Explosions, snowstorms, and the Frost Corps... Kandilu and Kediss? And that crazy woman?"
"Yes, things have gotten really bad," Krista said. "And here we are, about to face a rampaging Alwin."
While internal strife plagued them, the world was also dealing with a terrifying crisis named Herobrine. Waves of chaos kept everyone on edge.
"Let's just hope that Master can hold on until we solve things here," Zakarina murmured.
"Indeed. I hope President doesn't overwork himself," Krista agreed. "Which is why we need to win this battle and get some kind of payoff."
"Payoff?" Belle raised an eyebrow, unclear about what Krista meant by "payoff."
"As long as we can get the Vassal of The Forest to join us, that will be enough of a return," Krista grinned, taking a puff of her pipe. "You've seen the things he holds and the people around him. At a time when we desperately need strength, having them on our side might just turn the tide in our favor."
"..." Both Zakarina and Belle fell into speechless disbelief.
"Isn't that a great plan? Why are you two making that face? You've spent more time around him, right? You should know what kind of person the Vassal of The Forest is. What's he like?"
"He's short," Zakarina said.
"He's a goblin," Belle corrected.
"He's lecherous," Zakarina added.
"He's despicable," Belle continued. "From any perspective, he's a horrible person. The worst part is..."
"The worst part is that such a guy has four beautiful and talented wives."
"Uh... sorry to interrupt, but I have a question," Krista suddenly raised her hand awkwardly.
"?" Both Zakarina and Belle turned to her, looking annoyed.
"Why... does this sound like you're complaining about your playboy boyfriend?"
"WHO WOULD EVER SEE A GOBLIN AS A LOVE INTEREST?!?!?!?!" they both shouted in unison.
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