Chapter 222

Parenting In Another Form

“So I take it you all heard that?” I ask, hoping that I am wrong, but really I already know the truth.

Silence.

Yep, I now look like either a moron who can’t mic check herself, or worse a power crazed lunatic. Honestly, I don’t know what I said or did during the past few moments. I know I had a few stern words for Lady Legrand, and the others, and I am wondering if anyone will be too frightened to come with me.

Then I realized that for my purposes I only need two of these 508 people to come with me.

I also note that this will make evacuation that much easier, as I won’t have to talk over all of these people as I try to get them to come with me.

“All right, so let me introduce myself. My name is Dr. Spiritlight, I am the one-person rescue team sent to evacuate two of you.” I say, and then have a giant Illusionary Pillar of Light shine down over top of the two parents that I am here to bring back.

“I was tasked by a girl named Izzy to find and rescue her parents, which ended up leading me here.” I state, and then create an Illusionary Image of Izzy.

This Illusionary Image is a larger than live visual of Izzy who now appears proportional in size, though the size I am using is over thirty feet tall to let the parents know that this is their daughter. Well, their daughter if drawn by someone who can only see the silhouettes of magic around. I have her face, her smile and the glow of her eyes, along with the faint but unmistakable signs of both a mana and Qi core available to her.

At the sight of the image, the mother instantly sees the resemblance and covers her mouth with her hands as tears begin to form in her eyes. The father on the other hand looks somewhat confused by the image, as again it is not what she actually looks like, but how I view her. I guess I could have read the mind of someone to show what she looks like and then used that, but I didn’t think that such a measure would be needed when I first began this operation. That’s on me and will likely be noted in my after-action report to Mallory.

“So you two need to come with me to my guild base, where you will be safe from the reach of the Legrand Empire.” I state.

Excited nodding.

“Thank you…” the mother begins, but then cuts herself off as she can’t hear herself speak and thus does the thing that everyone would do in that situation. Namely look around and wonder if anyone heard her. Of course no one can hear her. Well no one other than me. This is an interesting side effect of the spell that I am using to maintain control over this area.

Forced Selective Hearing

As the name suggests I force everyone that is in the area to listen only to me, well technically it is to whatever I want them to listen to, but in this case it is me. However, as was pointed out with my conversation with Lady Legrand this spell forces them to listen to me, but I can still hear them. Odd. So odd.

I guess I would need Forced Selective Speaking to have it so they only spoke in a permanent loop to themselves? Well no matter, that spell sounds terrible. Besides this spell is likely the best for this type of situation anyways.

As I am thinking this, the mother makes her way forward and then looking back to the husband who is just standing there with a bright pillar of light highlighting him. He is easy to notice for the wife, though he looks about as confused as I likely would had this all happened to me.

Seeing that the father has about the same exact expression as many of the others do, I decide to continue speaking.

“Okay, so I have been given a quest by the land to eliminate everyone associated with this mining operation. I have already taken care of the Legrand Mages, and am now looking at dealing with the remaining 508 miners, you all.” I begin.

Shock.

Now everyone cowers in fear.

“Yeah, so I’m going to give you all two options. Either leave here and go to my guild’s territory beyond where the world that you know ends, or go someplace random that I choose, the choice is yours.” I state as I first open up a Positional Teleportation to my Simulacrum that is still on Midnight Hunter lands. There on the other side of the portal you can see an exact copy of me there, standing and waving for everyone to join them.

Then to my right I create a Fixed Location Portal to the same exact camp where I originally found Izzy and the other SLWC members. I mean all of those other kids needing help and guidance.

“Grahhah.”

Silence, well almost, as there is the sound of people trying to talk for a second, but then quickly stopping their talking because they can’t hear themselves.

Finally the mother is the one who seems to take charge of the situation as she runs over to the husband and begins to sign to him.

“Did you see it, she is going to bring us to our daughter, our Izzy!” The mother signs excitedly.

And before anyone asks, yes I can read sign language, despite being blind, I’m just talented like that.

To which the dad replied in sign language, “yeah I know, I could hear her.”

There was a pause as the two paused at that.

For a moment, I am wondering what exactly happened, then I finally realize the truth as my mind places together all of the pieces. A mother who signs, the daughter can clearly talk, and that leaves the dad. Or maybe there are other children that might also be deaf. For a moment I think about grabbing a strand of hair from these two and creating a Branch to Leaf variant of my tracking spell, but then realize that I would want to not use that same stupid naming system, and likely switch mid stream with Ancestry: Progeny variant. But realizing that would likely lead to yet another stupid quest, and another set of crazy coincidences I decide against it.

Fwoom.

Before I can get too lost in my thoughts, I feel activity from the far side of the portal.

Flying high over head is Zero.

Just seeing him, I feel our spiritual connection strengthen and part of me instantly relaxes knowing that help is on the way.

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“Oh thank goodness, you are here Zero.” I say, seeing that Zero is out in his expanded war form.

“Wahhh!”

Everyone screams and cowers as not just Zero but a whole stream of personnel come from the other end of my Positional Teleportation.

Fortunately for me, Zero comes in embraces me with a giant hug, as if I didn’t randomly abandon him while he was trying to pick up a Pomeranian Princess, while I was trying to save a little girl’s parents from a war like environment. Then just as he hugs me, I feel him warmly glow for a second as he then quickly enters my right arm as a tattoo that provides both comfort and much needed shared sleeping.

Then with everyone’s attention on Zero, they seemed to miss the fact that no less than thirty elite warriors exited the portal and began forming two distinct regimented platoons on either side of the rip in space that I created.

At first, the only people that came through were a few highly trained and geared soldiers, along with a few of my Cultivation studies students. Seeing them, I am proud to see that they look somehow more refined and graceful than their contemporary members.

“Looking good there soldiers.” I say, smiling brightly as I head over towards my students.

I look around for Jhonny, for a moment, but then remember he might still be in the form of Princess Octavia, making a mental note, I remind myself to use my Energy Status Resonance ability to take away the Spiritual Doppelganger power that I provided to Jhonny.

“Good morning Doctor,” Melkin, the weaker of Mallory’s two personal bodyguards states, coming forward as he has clearly been tasked with this. “I take it the rescue mission was a success?”

At that I turn to the 508 now freed prisoners and then kind of nod to him. “You could say that. I have 508 newly freed prisoners of war that we need to either provide shelter to, or help leave this location before further Legrand forces arrive.” I state.

“Ohh!” At my words we can hear the crowd of all of the freed prisoners cry out as they hear my description of what is happening.

At that I realize, “Oh yeah, I am now going to free you all from my communication spell. Please keep your conversations to a minimum while we work out what will happen next.”

Then like that I dismiss my Forced Selective Hearing.

“Ahh, I can hear myself think again.” Is what a lot of the rescued miners begin talking about. What had been an eerie silence before suddenly comes to life as more and more people begin to realize that they might in fact be saved.

During this time a platoon of soldiers goes out to engage the first group of people, while yet a third platoon of soldiers comes through to take up their place on the right side of the formation.

For now everything is calm, but it is clear that both the miners and the Midnight Hunter’s elite guards are both weary of each other.

While this is happening a few other soldiers go back through the portal, no doubt to relay activities, while Melkin continues to talk to me as if he is taking control of the situation. Which given the circumstances seems about right.

“So you found the two parents I take it?” Melkin asks.

“Yes, they are the two with the giant magical pillars over top of them that clearly distinguishes them from the others.” I state.

“They didn’t come like that did they?”

“What? Isn’t that how all random quests should be solved. You go to a random location, and then see two highly visible people that are clearly distinguishable from the others?”

Melkin just stares at me for a moment, then asks. “So that is a new spell?”

I pause, trying to think back if it was a new spell. “No, not a new one. I just amplified the Illusionary Pillar of Light spell and there we go.”

“Just amplify the spell, as if that is no big deal,” Melkin says shrugging his shoulders as he just shakes his head a bit, and then just begins to walk away.

As we are talking I notice a few females approaching from Melkin’s back, this only makes sense as he is further out from me and thus putting his body in between myself and the rescued miners as a barrier. That is why he seems completely absorbed in our personal conversation about learning magic and not at all aware of the gaggle of people that are now streaming past us and into the two portals that I have set up.

Oddly enough more people are going through the portal leading to our guild territory, but there are still a few who are taking their chances with going to the quarantine area outside the bastion city.

“You know, I did offer you to be part of my classes.” I suggest. Figuring this would be a good time to bring up the subject as these people look like they are coming to our Guild’s portal and are therefore likely to eventually be interested in attending our college.

Always worth looking for new and promising students.

Also, I figure that offering an education would be a great way to inspire loyalty amongst the new refugees that we have been taking in recently.

“Yeah, I know. At the time I thought it was a waste.” Melkin admits with a bit of incredulity.

“You know, you likely could get an Outsourcer-5000 to help with your inadequacies.” I mention.

“What did she just say?” A few females that had clearly been trying to get closer to the two of us apparently got close enough to hear our conversation, then began talking to themselves.

“If he is inadequate for her, then you know it must be pequeño.” A second female says as she begins to giggle.

“Yeah, let’s just go.” The first female states, a bit flustered at what she overheard.

“Wait, what?” Melkin asks, turning around to see that two females had listened into the last part of our conversation.

“Oh, no nothing.” The first female said, as she grabbed the arm of her friend and began pulling her away quickly. Apparently the two saw Melkin and decided to what, ask him out right there?

At that, I realize what happened.

“Oh, man. That was totally your chance to get their names and make a good impression as their savior.” I pointed out.

Melkin for his part just turns from the two, then back to me with a look of complete confusion on his face. “What? Did I miss something?”

“Likely the chance to have a future ex-Ms. Melkin if what they are saying is any indication.” I respond.

Melkin for his part just looks at me, and then shakes his head.

Whoosh!

There is a quick drain on my energy, not much but enough to let me know that someone powerful has gone through the portal. With that I turn my head, but I already know who has come. I am just giving Melkin the heads up that our boss has come.

Our boss, who is carrying a cute little girl on her hip.

“Fairy! Fairy princess!” The adorable voice of Izzy calls out and then points to me as she somehow manages to see me through the throng of people who are all moving in long rows around us.

“Would you look at that, the troublemakers who started this whole endeavor finally appear.” I say out loud, pretending to talk to Melkin, but speaking loudly so that Mallory and Izzy both can hear my words. At the same time I begin floating back to reach out for the cute little girl who is reaching out for me and trying desperately to fly away from Mallory’s side.

“Hey there little one, be careful.” Mallory says, clearly holding back on her strength, so she doesn’t inadvertently crush the little girl who is now flailing about in her arms by accident.

“Oh, this is such good practice.” I say, going over and grabbing little Izzy from Mallory’s arms.

Mallory clearly looks hurt by the exchange, but ultimately she seems to relent. Then she realizes what I said, “what do you mean practice?”

“For your baby,” I say, being ambiguous.

Shiny gold thread.

At my joking words, I see a thread of golden energy, the same energy that can be linked to quests flow from me to Mallory.

“You know that baby will be my grandchild. Also, she will be fully grown when she emerges, right?” Mallory asks, though as she speaks I both hear the note of desperation in her voice and see glowing strands of golden thread coming from me and finally cutting themselves off of me and warping themselves around Mallory. At which point the threads seem to get absorbed into her body and then condense down to a shining glowing orb just below her belly button.

Oh shnikes. I think as I realize I might have somehow inadvertently cursed? Blessed? Mallory into having a child. At least that is what I think, but then realize that this game is still binary and only accepts males and females to reproduce unless other magical means are sought. From my understanding Mallory and Gwen are not there yet, but this means that when or if they do go to that level it will be accepted. Also, this means that if Mallory cheated, not saying she would, but if she did cheat on my daughter we would know instantly.

For a moment I think about talking about this change, but ultimately I decide not to mention it, as it should be a fun surprise.

Also, I’m not entirely certain that a child will come from this, that is just the initial image that came to my mind. As such, I don’t want to do or say anything without having some form of proof.

Then before I can really come to a conclusion, two people covered in a glowing pillar of energy come forward.

“Momma, momma!” Baby Izzy cries out excitedly from my arms as they finally make it through the queue to get to our territory.

“Izzy!” The mother cries out, as she charges forward straight to us.

And like that, the little ball of joy I held is quickly taken away as she found yet another set of arms to hold her.

What happens next is a whirlwind of activity. A crying mother, which then leads to a crying daughter. Then a stoic but silent father also breaks into tears. And next thing I know sparkling mana infused tears are falling to the parched ground and instantly being absorbed. That was clearly residual traces of my Cleansing Rain spell, and not related at all to the dust that got in my eyes.

With the mother, daughter, and father all reunited and clearly heading to the Midnight Hunter’s territory, the majority of people who had been on the fence about where to go, quickly chose to follow suit. At the very least, they all likely thought that we could reunite them with their lost loved ones. We probably could, but I did not want to make any more promises. I learned that lesson the first time.

With the parents going through I felt a fwoosh, as I received a quest notification as my second major quest in the past twelve hours had been completed. Though, I wanted to hold off on looking at the accomplishment until all three quests were complete.

As such, I watched and waited as the recently freed prisoners of war, or excavators as my quest called them, chose a direction to go and quickly made their way through each portal.

Mallory watched as the happy family went through the portal, a brilliant smile on her face as she watched them go. Seeing that look, that sheer look of joy and happiness on her face by doing nothing more than offering hope to others, that was the look that made me realize why I would follow Mallory anywhere. She was truly a great person. Don’t get me wrong, she had her flaws, just like everyone else, but her flaws were far overshadowed by the way she tried to make the world a better place.

Nodding excitedly to herself, she turned and then looked at me.

As she turned her face went from a jovial smile, to a slightly more focused look. “So, do you want to tell me what exactly happened here? And why you chose to go to war with a highly garrisoned Legrand mining facility?”

“Highly garrisoned, this was practically nothing…” I state.

With that Mallory just crossed her arms against her chest, leaned back and glared at me while licking the inside of her lips. It was clear that this was going to require a bit of an explanation.

“Okay, so you might not believe this, but the land spoke to me.”

“The land, the dirt under our feet right now spoke to you?” Mallory asks.

And hearing it myself I too realize how strange it sounds.

With that I pause then ask, “can’t you see my active quest Purging the Desecrators (Ongoing)?”

“Yeah, that’s why I had the elite members on standby ready to go.” Mallory explained.

With that I nod, “okay so let me ask a question, how do you think I got this quest to begin with?”

With that Mallory paused and then first looked confused, before really looking at me. “Wait, you mean it? The land can speak to you?”