Chapter 3

Unseen Encounter

Few months had passed since I first came to this world. So far as things have gone, it has always been peaceful and no strangers had actually successfully invaded our area as the surrounding is covered with a barrier that is made by Triela, preventing them from entering our place.

During these few months, Triela has been teaching me about magic and how to use them. Although nowhere near as perfect as her controls, I had an almost equivalent strength in term of magic power if compared to her. Even if it's just slightly, this made me feel proud as her companion.

Today yet again in my human child form, I relaxed under the same tree spot I had been since the first time I came here. Chewing on the Esrud's flesh, I enjoyed the view of the waterfall and the moisture in the air. Killing these has been pretty easy ever since I got to learn how to utilize my magic power.

Since I have been eating a lot of them, my mana capacity is beyond imaginable. Looking at the opportunity, Triela decided to use my mana as a source of power to continue supplying the barrier's defensive capability.

Well, if I am of any help to my own master, it would be my true pleasure. Sometimes when I'm bored, I often help her on killing some strong stray monsters that had wandered accidentally inside the barrier. Though truthfully speaking, they weren't of any challenge to me since they die pretty quickly.

"Shu, come and help me with this experiment!" (Triela)

Speaking of the devil, there she is waving her hands to me. While rarely, she also may ask of my assistance on helping her experiments be it weird or dangerous. All that mattered to her was gaining knowledge. Well, it can't be helped. She is as curious as a kid of her age, not that I'm in any position to speak ill of it anyway.

"Yes, Treila, nya! What are we doing today, nya?" (Shu)

As I approached her, she then pulled me in order to force me to follow her. Arriving at the front part of the cottage I was shocked with a sight of a stone golem being in front of it. Without a sound, I simply gazed at her newest creation.

"So, what am I supposed to do here, nya?" (Shu)

Looking at how the golem was complete, I was confused as to what I am truly supposed to be doing here. Often, I would help her experiments in order to allow it to advance faster with help, but right now, the experiment itself was completed. Then, Triela spoke of something I did not see coming.

"What are you supposed to do here? Easy! Destroy the golem to test your ability." (Triela)

"Whaaaaaaat, nya? I can't possibly destroy such a big golem, nya!" (Shu)

"Ohoho, of course you can. If you focus, that is." (Triela)

After saying that, she began activating the golem to move on its own. Jumping back, Triela then created a fortified defensive barrier enveloping the cottage, all while leaving me facing against the golem, alone.

"W-what, nya! Triela, don't leave me here, nya!" (Shu)

"Focus, Shu! This is for your own good!" (Triela)

"Even if you say that... I'll try, nya..." (Shu)

Facing the golem back, I can see that I'm really small if compared to the golem itself which is three times bigger and higher than the cottage. But it didn't matter; I need to prove myself worthy of staying by Triela's side. If I can't even destroy this, then I'll get destroyed in the future!

Soon enough, the golem made the first move. Raising its fist, I knew it was going to start with a punch. I decided not to evade and instead, opened one of my palm and began forming a defensive barrier. On my other hand started to gather mana, forming an orb.

"Hoo, not bad. Taking it head-on eh?" (Triela) She said as she sat on top of the cottage's roof.

Fast, heavy and big, the golem's fist soon enough arrived in front of my barrier and collided with it. Urgh! The pressures received are very high, but not enough to break through the barrier.

As it slowly retracted its fist, I took the opportunity to attack. Using magic to boost my leg, I jumped high in the sky just above the golem and shot the super charged orb. Stone Golems does not have any elemental weakness so I decided to go with raw force.

As soon as the orb touched the golem's head, it exploded leaving behind a massive shockwave. Close to nuclear like effect, one might say. Landing on the ground, I went to check the golem and to my surprise, nothing was left but dirt and stones. The ground barely sustained the impact as it was magically enchanted by Triela.

"Ummm... nya? I guess size doesn't mean anything here... nya." (Shu)

"Not bad! Not bad, Shu! It would take me a few shots to kill the golem and you did it in a single shot!" (Triela)

"Ehehe.... thanks, nya." (Shu)

After that, I simply jumped on her and then transformed back to my Efais form. Haaa, I sure miss myself being in this body. Holding me, Triela petted as she brought me back into the cottage to relax. If there was anything that hasn’t changed in the past few months, it would be this very cottage, really.

Wait, if I think about it. With the power she has now, why does Triela not decide to actually go to the outside world and destroy all the peoples who had killed us? I guess, she must have her own reason, but I can't help her but ask something that has been bugging me.

"Triela... may I ask you something, nya?" (Shu)

"Hm? Of course, my Shu, go on." (Triela)

Humming, she continued to pet me care freely as if enjoying the peaceful surrounding, while closing her eyes. If one was to watch this situation, they wouldn't even think that Triela is actually the strongest Witch of all that has ever existed. But, enough of that.

"With... this power... with both of us, do you not have any intentions to execute the peoples that eradicated our kinds, nya?" (Shu)

As that question reached her ears, she stopped humming, opened her eyes and looked at me. In it, I can see an unknown fury, but unsure if it’s targeted towards me or something else. It still got me scared, nonetheless. Soon enough, she looked to the front into nothingness and began speaking.

"Shu. Listen; do you only live for revenge? Do you think that by killing, you can bring back the dead? No, right?" (Triela)

My question was replied with questions that held the answer itself. Clueless on what to say, I simply stayed silent for a few minute, and then replied once more.

"Then... if the time comes, if we are forced to, can I...... kill them, nya?" (Shu)

"Well, I guess why not. Hehehehe...?" (Triela)

Bringing out a small piece of Esrud's flesh, she waved it in front of my mouth. Taking on the offer, I nibbled it slowly while trying to enjoy it. Triela, on the other hand just chuckled happily watching me eating the Esrud.

How I wish things would stay the way they are now. In any case, it was getting dark so Triela decided to go to bed, since she sleeps quite early. For me, however, I stood up beside the window in my Efais form and simply gazed up on the sky. It's faint, but I feel something's off with the surrounding. Probably just me.

In the end, I made the decision to go to sleep as well with Triela, in my Efais form again, of course. Before sleeping, I groomed myself for no reason, simply because I wanted to keep even a little bit of my old instincts, even if I can just use magic to clean myself.

Okay.. I'm done, time to sleep. Night, Triela...

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[The Next Morning]

Nyaaa... it's already morning? Rising up from the bed, I stretched myself while in Efais form while yawning. Where is Triela? She's not here when I woke up. Well, maybe she is doing some more weird experiments again. Wait, I don't feel good. Transforming into my human form, I ran out of the bedroom to search for her.

When I went to the front part of the cottage, I was shocked with one sight. My master, alone is going up against hundreds of armies of knights, archers and arch mages. There she is, standing alone and barely protecting the cottage while attacking at the same time.

"She's weakened. Charge!!" (Army Commander)

"UUUoooUUOOOO!!" (The Armies)

With that, the knights begun charging at her and successfully breaking the barrier with the help of the arch mages. She's going to be in danger if this goes on. I must help her!

"Triela, nya! Allow me to help, nya!" (Shu)

"Shu?!" (Triela)

As she turned to look at me, a knight got way too close to her and started to swing his sword to striker Triela down. I will not let it happen! Instantly, I casted a barrier enveloping Triela, causing the knight's sword to be repelled and making him stagger backward. Looking at the opportunity, I charged forward and stopped right in front of the knight.

Placing my hand on his chest while floating mid-air since I'm short, I spoke.

"The reward for trying to hurt my master is your life, nya." (Shu)

*BOOM*

Using bursting magic, I pierced through his armors and utterly destroyed his heart in the process. With that, he moved no longer, and instead simply fell on the ground, dead. Finished with that, I turned around to look at Triela and noticed that she is considerably exhausted. She must have been holding them back for some time while I simply slept. Tch, and here I call myself her pet. Hugging her, I said

"Rest assured, Triela. I will take it over now, so please, you may rest, nya..." (Shu)

"Ungghh... thank you... Shu." (Triela)

Soon enough, she lost consciousness. Placing her on the ground softly, I then made sure to envelop her with a fortified defensive barrier to ensure her safety. Now then, the enemies. Right now, they simply stood there, frozen in place after witnessing one of their own falls in the hand of a kid. Well, might as well seize the chance while I have it.

In my mind, I started a telekinetic connection within my surrounding in order to ask for assistance. It used to be real hard at first, but after some time, the nature, monsters and animals opened up to me as I often helped them with killing corrupted monsters and animals which was the one usually wandering within our area. That includes Esruds by the way. In the end, they called me 'Protector of Nature', not that I really prefer to be called one anyway.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"(Everyone, can you hear me, nya?)" (Shu)

"(Yes, Protector. We have seen the current situation. How may we help you?)" (Monsters/Animals/Nature)

"(The orders are easy, simply assist me to fight against these peoples and do not allow any harm to be done to my master, nya.)" (Shu)

"(Very well, we shall abide by your command, Protector.)" (Monsters/Animals/Nature)

"(Urghhh.. I told you not to call me that, nya. Whatever, nya.)" (Shu)

As soon as the connection ceased, the changes in the surrounding was noticeable.

"UWAAH! WHAT'S GOING O- GAH!!" (Random Knight)

The seemingly calm trees began moving and attacking the knights with their branches, causing them to be unable to move due to being tied upon the trees with the branches. The sky on the other hand, became dark and started pouring acid rain onto the ground. Naturally, its acid are neutral to their allies, so it doesn't affect the trees in the vicinity, but it did caused a heavy damage upon the enemy and caused them to break formations.

Adding to the chaos, animals and monsters alike joined the battle ground. Looking like wolves, giant scorpions, hogs, bats, poisonous spiders, goblins and even slimes, various of them joined the fray. Together, they formed a coalition force against the wretched humans. Killing every single people they see, the army became smaller and smaller as time passed by. There was a few soldiers that made it to the cottage, but was easily dealt by me.

"Just... who are you? There aren't supposed to be anyone here..." (Army Commander)

Crawling on the ground was a knight that looked slightly different from the rest of the knights. Based on how he acted, he is probably a commander. Seems like he made it here as well, not bad I guess. Crouching, I placed my palm on his head and spoke.

"That's correct, nya." (Shu)

"I-Impossible! YOU'RE AN EFA-" (Army Commander)

*BOOM*

"Shut it, nya." (Shu)

Grabbing a cloth from the now headless body, I wiped the man's blood off my hands. I felt no sympathy for such pathethic being that finds joy in others' suffering. I'd even kill their family if I have to, but since Triela won't allow me doing that, guess I won't anytime soon.

Wait, Triela loves performing experiments, doesn't she? Why don't I capture all of these humans? That might make her happy. Though for what purpose they will be used for, is unknown. Not that I want to find out about it myself anyway. In any case, I better hurry then. Their numbers have been reduced from hundreds to tens.

"(That's enough, nya. Monsters and animals, surround them, nya. The rest may relax now, thanks for the support, nya.)" (Shu)

"(It's our pleasure to be of your assistance, Protector. Now, please excuse us.) (Nature)

The sky started to become clear once again and the trees stopped moving as well. In the center of the large field in front of me used to be dense forests, but thanks to these guys, they were partially cleared. Imagine how much lives had been sacrificed for nothing for those who had lived in that part of the forests. Grrr....... no, I need to control my rage.

In any case, there they are, the surviving ones that is. Surrounded by various monsters and animals, they simply sat in the center, trembling and fearing for their lives. Some are holding their hands to pray, while the rest quietly sat while looking down. Slowly, I walked to them, in human form naturally.

Noticing that I wanted to enter, the monsters and animals gave way for me to the center. If there was a scene to describe this, it's like a demon lord walking, entering his chamber to sit on his throne while being greeted by his underlings. Nevertheless, as soon as I entered, one of the humans tried to attack me as he laid his eyes on me.

The speed of his blade was so slow, it made me laugh since even Triela's golem was much faster at attacking me. Well, I I have no need for aggressive ones in the captured packs since they might hurt Triela in the future. Without giving a second thought about it, I evaded his attack and decapitated his head. Urghh... now I'm stained with blood again.

Putting that aside, my last skirmish performance appeared to have instilled fear into the remaining ones. That makes work much easier. Well then, let's start with asking one question that have been bugging me for quite a while. With a simple command, I made it so that the land below me rise so that it forms something like a chair. Not so comfy, but it'll do.

"Now, if you value your life, answer my questions, nya." (Shu)

"PLEASE, PLEASE LET ME LIVE/ I HAVE A FAMILY!! / NO!!! / F*CK YOU!" (The captured ones)

"SILENCE, NYA." (Shu)

Exuding an oppressive force of mana, I forcibly made them to fall on their knees when they tried to stand up and at the same time, snatched away their voices. Actually, it's still there, but just that it can't get out due to the fear. Amidst the soldiers, some were women and the rest were men. Pointing my finger to one of the female holding her staff, I started speaking once more.

"You, nya. Answer my question, nya." (Shu)

"M-me?" (Female Mage)

"Yes and be honest, nya. Some of the animals here have keen sixth sense, so they can tell me if you are lying, nya. And, if that happens to come to my knowledge, your head won't be on your neck anymore, nya." (Shu)

"I-I'll try, please... please.. just let me live.." (Female Mage)

Now standing up, the girl is trembling even greater than before and looks as if about to soil her pants. Wanting to drag this no longer, I asked hastily.

"Now, how did all of you were able to find this place, nya?" (Shu)

"That is... a f-few days ago... we received n-news t-that a mysterious shockwave s-suddenly occured in this place." (Female Mage)

"And you came to investigate, with hundreds of knights, arch mages and archers, nya? Are you lying, nya?" (Shu)

"N-NO! I'm...not.... a-after that incident, a considerably b-big force could be felt oozing from it. The K-King decided to s-send us to c-check." (Female Mage)

Ahh... so all these happened thanks to my attack yesterday which probably broke the barrier that Triela had placed up, thus exposing our magic power to the detection of the outside world. I seriously need to apologize to her about this later. As I was about to ask my next question, a sudden familiar voice can be heard from my back.

"What's going on here?! Why are you all here? Where's my dear Shu?!" (Triela)

I knew that it was Triela and relieved that she was fine, but what came next had my sweat drip down. I can sense her accumulating mana to attack these monsters and animals! Making sure that she can hear me, I shouted.

"No Triela, nya! These guys are with me, nya!" (Shu)

"Shu? Where are you?" (Triela)

As she said that, she immediately jumped over to the center. Coming over, she was shocked with was in her view. Humans. And did I just see her grin slightly? The moment she landed, she walked over to me. Afraid that I was about to be punished, I just stood there and close my eyes. But, instead of a hard hit, I felt a soft pat.

"Good job, Shu. You didn't kill all of them! I needed them for something anyway." (Triela)

"Purrr.... thanks, nya. But weren't you having a slight problem with them just now to the point you fell unconscious, nya?" (Shu)

"Problem? Hehehe, I just felt sleepy since I woke up early, that's all. These guys came attacking suddenly, so I thought I'd play with them before capturing, but it got too boring, so I fell asleep." (Triela)

"Seriously... you almost died, nya." (Shu)

"You saved me didn't you?" (Triela)

Patting me once more, the humans only watched, with a greater fear dwelling in them of the fact that Triela had simply toyed with them. The female mage on the other hand just sat back since I directed her to. Then, Triela took a look at them, then returned her attention to me.

"Well Shu, do you need anything else with them?" (Triela) She said while pointing her thumb to the sideways while looking at me.

"Not really, nya. I allowed them to live for you anyway, nya." (Shu)

"Ohhhh, good boy! Well then." (Triela)

With a snap of her finger, the humans simultaneously fell asleep, every single of them. What powerful control she has, I really need to learn how to do that. Oh, well since they are asleep, guess I should tell the monsters and animals to go.

"(Your services are greatly appreciated, nya. You may go home now, nya)." (Shu)

"(Not at all, great Protector. Well then, please excuse us)." (Animals/Monsters)

Slowly, the crowd began dispersing into the forest and disappeared from the view. Triela on the other hand simply watched in awe as they walked away.

"Wow, that's cool Shu! I didn't know you can do that!" (Triela)

"It's nothing, nya. Putting that aside, what should we do with our cottage, nya? It's wrecked now since I forgot to place a barrier on it, nya..." (Shu) As I said that I pointed to the half destroyed cottage.

"It's okay, soon enough we can live in a city and among the humans! Tonight, we just sleep in the laboratory." (Triela)

Feeling that it has a relation to the captured humans, I didn't dare speak another word to ask. In the end, we brought them in the laboratory and thrown them in a dimensional space inventory created by Triela. That night, I ate a few Esruds before going to sleep since I pretty much didn't consume anything during the day. 

Right before sleeping, I can see Triela doing something but was too tired to keep focused and soon enough lost against my fatigue.

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Author's Note:

Decided to throw in some actions to show Shu's capabilities, hope you enjoyed.

In any case, thanks for reading this chapter.

And as usual, advices, comments, suggestions are always welcomed. I really mean it by the way. :)