(After a long walk, we finally emerged from the forest and found ourselves on a vast plain where we could make out a city in the distance, surrounded by a wall)
(We kept walking toward the city until, halfway there, Liz stopped)
We're close to the city...
(Liz gave me a quick glance.)
I wonder if they'll let you into the city.
That…
(I hadn't considered that, since I was somewhat distracted by the new registration system and hadn't thought it through carefully.)
(What if they decide to kill me for being a monster?)
I was planning to introduce you to Sister Marlene to see if she could help with your condition, but first we have to get into the city...
Sister Marlene?
Oh well, you don't know her, but she's an external priestess in charge of the city's church
She's someone very trustworthy who offers help to anyone in need. I'm sure she'll be able to help you with your condition.
But still, I think it'd be best if you wait here, since this is a city located on the kingdom's border. The people in charge of security are very strict about…
(Before Liz could finish, I felt that sensation again—as if something dangerous were approaching—and instinctively my body took a sharp step backward. Moments later, like a bluish flash, a woman appeared, driving a massive sword into the ground, creating a huge crater and sending everything around her flying.)
(What the hell?!)
(Despite the strong impact, I remained steady, but Yulian, who was on my back, wasn't so lucky.)
(The impact created a light cloud of dust, from which, after a couple of seconds, emerged a woman with a striking figure. She had short, bluish hair and wore full-body armor with a light helmet that revealed a beautiful face, which cast a cold gaze. In her hands, she could be seen wielding a massive sword.)
(The intimidating-looking woman raised her sword slightly and charged toward me.)
Wait, I'm not an enemy!
(The woman who was charging at me paused for a moment, but then resumed her charge toward me, and once she was close, she swung her enormous sword in a horizontal slash.)
Damn it!
(Before that knight woman could cut me down with that swing, I leaped backward and narrowly avoided the attack.)
Stop it already, you crazy woman!
(Ignoring my shouts, the woman charged at me, but thanks to my speed, I managed to keep a considerable distance from her. This cat-and-mouse situation continued until she stopped for a moment in her tracks)
(What the hell is that crazy woman doing now?)
(The woman took her sword and placed it against her chest while reciting a silent chant)
(This might be a good time to check her status)
(Checking...)
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Name: Jeanne
Race: Human
Class: Knight
Strength: 6/10
Stamina: 7/10
Dexterity: 5/10
Mana: 4900/5000
Magic: 5/10
Luck: 5/10
Holy Energy: 500/500
------------------------------------------------------- SKILLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Guillotine Lv5) (Sword Dance Lv7) (Blade of Light Lv5) (Heavy Slash Lv6)
(Magic Sword Lv6) (Super Senses Lv6) (Tenacity Lv9) (Mana Absorption Lv5)
(Magic Resistance lv8) (Hero Aspirant lv8) (Golden Aura lv5)
(Armor lv2) (Mana Burst lv5) (Sturdiness lv6) (Physical Reinforcement lv5)
(Heavy Knight Lv7) (Charge Lv3) (Heavy Blow Lv6)
--------------------------------------------------- -DESCRIPTION-----------------------------------------------------------------
An experienced female knight with the blood of a hero running through her veins; her focus on devastating attacks combined with incredible resilience makes her a formidable enemy
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Damn it, it seems this woman is also of the hero's lineage. She has very high stats and abilities that appear to be powerful, and above all, she wants to finish me off.
(This is bad…)
(The woman, who had been standing still, began to radiate a golden aura, and in an instant she vanished from her spot, leaving a trail of dust in her place.)
What?!
(The woman had charged toward me in a split second, unleashing a horizontal slash that I couldn't completely dodge.)
AhhhhHHh, shit!
(The sword had made a diagonal cut across my chest, and because of the force with which it was swung, my body was sent flying, spinning across the floor.)
Ughh, damn it....
(Lying on the floor with a wound that ran almost the entire length of my chest, no matter how much strength I put into my front legs, I couldn't move them at all.)
Ughh... I can't get up
(With all my strength, I try to get up using all my limbs, but every effort is in vain, and in that moment, the female knight stood in front of me, giving me a cold stare)
Who would have thought there was a beast that could talk? That really surprised me.
(The woman, with a cold stare, raises her sword above her head.)
I haven't the faintest idea why you can talk, but a monster is a monster.
(That woman is going to kill me.)
(Before the woman could swing her sword and split my head in two, a shield made of a kind of transparent purple crystal interposed itself between us.)
(The sword struck the shield with such force that it shattered it, generating a kind of shockwave that sent the female knight flying backward.)
Are you okay?
(The voice came from behind me, and when I turned around, I saw Liz holding her staff.)
Oh, you're hurt.
(Liz reaches into a small pouch at her waist and pulls out a brown powder, which she rubs onto my wound.)
What are you…?
(Before I could even finish speaking, the female knight interrupted my question.)
"What the hell are you doing!?"
(The woman, in a threatening voice, shot a cold glare at Liz.)
"Do you realize that thing over there is a monster!?"
(The woman speaks to Liz in a threatening tone while pointing her enormous sword at me.)
Wait, this is just a misunderstanding!
He's a human who, due to certain circumstances, finds himself in the body of this horse monster!
(The female knight begins to hesitate about whether to continue her attack until, after a few seconds, she lowers her sword and then stares at me intently)
You'd better make sure your story is convincing if you don't want to be cut in half!
(...)
(Heeding the female knight, I told her the same story I'd told Liz. Of course, she wasn't satisfied with that story since it had many holes in it, but the good thing was that she gave me the benefit of the doubt. Finally, the woman let us enter the city when Liz mentioned knowing the city's priestess, who was that supposed Sister Marlene Liz had spoken so much about. But even so, she chose to accompany us all the way to the church)
(Before entering the city, the female knight called over one of her subordinates guarding the entrance, and they took Julian away—he was still lying on the ground, unconscious.)
(...)
(Upon entering the city, I could see the looks of astonishment, fear, and bewilderment on some of the townspeople's faces; on the other hand, I also noticed the fixed stares of some adventurers who wouldn't take their eyes off me. We continued walking through the city, escorted by the female knight, until I finally caught sight of a church that stood apart from the city and looked almost like a church from the world I came from, but the only difference was the symbol on the back, which resembled an almost circular figure.
(We passed through a massive wooden gate and continued walking toward the church. Looking closely at the place, the church stood on a vast plot of land resembling a park, and there were other large buildings near it. As we got closer, we could see the silhouette of a woman sweeping the church entrance, and upon seeing us, She stood still for a few seconds, but then set her broom aside and approached us)
Priestess Marlene, I am the 12th Knight of the Silver Wings, Jeanne
(The female knight places her fist over her heart and then bows slightly)
There's no need for all these formalities, Miss Jeanne...
Oh, Liz, you're here too
(Liz approaches the priestess and hugs the woman)
It's good to see you're well, Sister Marlene. Well, the reason for our visit is that…
(Liz glances at me)
(The priestess who called herself Marlene follows Liz's gaze and stares at me)
(Should I say something?)
Pleased to meet you, Priestess. My name is Mark, and as you can see, I'm in the body of a horse. I came here on Liz's recommendation, since she mentioned that you could help me with my condition…
A talking monster…
(The priestess looked very surprised)
(After I introduced myself, Liz told her how she met me and the whole journey we went through to get here)
I see. So you're Mark, and you're under some kind of curse.
(The priestess looked at me with a compassionate expression on her face)
It must have been hard, right? Don't worry—I'll do everything I can to help you with your condition.
(The priestess said all that with a slight smile)
(Wow, she's beautiful… I hadn't mentioned it, but the woman in front of me had a figure and aura similar to that of a MILF. Plus, her face, paired with her reddish hair peeking out from under the veil, made her look stunning)
(Damn, I think I'm falling in love)
(...)
(In the end, the woman knight left without mentioning that she would be watching me closely; Liz did the same, going to see Julian once this matter had been settled.)
(At the church entrance, Sister Marlene and I were alone.)
(Then the woman looked at me intently and bowed slightly, placing her hand over her heart.)
I know it's a little late to introduce myself, but my name is Marlene, and as you can see, I'm in charge of this church.
From now on, you can count on me, young Mark. I'll do everything I can to help you with your condition.
(After that brief introduction from Sister Marlene, she urged me to go into a building near the church.)