Melody watched through Duke Caldwell’s office window as the evolved Poe worked her magic with a pen and paper. It took about a week for Poe to finish her evolution.

Raven of Shadows: Name: Poe. Level: 1. Danger Level: Low. Ravens of Shadows are a unique evolution of Seeker Ravens. They are stealthy and highly intelligent. They are excellent for spying and learning quickly. In a contract with the giant Melody. Health: 100. Stamina: 180. Magic: 320. Strength: 40. Endurance: 160. Dexterity: 300. Intelligence: 500. Wisdom: 210. Charisma: 100.

It did not take long for Poe to learn how to use the pen, and she was on her fifth drawing of things she had seen at her previous master’s estate. The one she was making was an overhead view of where she came from.

Duke Caldwell, Marquis Gale, and Countess Cambel stood around the raven, trying to determine the location.

“Well, it is a large estate.” The duke commented.

“Hmm. Poe.” Lady Cambel called the raven’s attention. “Could you draw some surrounding buildings or details, please?”

Poe nodded and began adding the details.

Ten minutes later, the marquis cried out victoriously. “I got it!”

They looked at him. Poe squawked in annoyance before continuing her drawing. She was having fun.

“That has to be Duke Talane’s estate! I recognize that large building there.” He stated.

“What is it? It looks quite big.” Lady Cambel looked over the drawing once more.

“It’s…!” The marquis’ mirth evaporated, and the blood drained from his face. “Oh no…”

“What is it?” Melody asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

The duke sighed. “Damn.”

Melody and Lady Cambel looked at one another.

The marquis noticed the two ladies wanting an answer. “Duke Talane… he researches golems…”

“Oh…” Lady Cambel was shocked.

“Giant killers…” Melody muttered, remembering what her grandfather had told her. “I thought the imperial family would be in command of them, though.” She brought up.

“They are.” Duke Caldwell answered. “But every country performs research into golems in a controlled manner. Even I am tasked with performing research into them. I leave that to my brother, who stays in the capital. He serves as an advisor to his majesty.”

“The golems that are researched are broken, not operational ones.” Marquis Gale added.

“Then why is this a problem?” Melody asked.

The duke and marquis glanced at one another. Then the marquis spoke. “There is no proof, but it is suspected that Duke Talane was trying to build them. The imperial family had investigated him several times but found nothing.”

“I see…” Melody felt nervous. Okan may have told her that she should be able to take them on, but it didn’t make her any less scared.

Poe finished her drawing and squawked at Melody.

“Huh? Oh… Beautiful!” She commented on the excellent drawing.

“Poe, could you draw the face of your master? Maybe others that you might have seen at this place?” Lady Cambel asked.

Poe squawked happily and hopped over to a new sheet of paper to begin.

Melody giggled. “Poe, just fly back to my home when you are done.”

“Are you going somewhere, Melody?” The duke asked.

Smiling, she nodded. “I have a new mission with Violet and Annabelle.”

“Oh, what is it?” He asked.

Lady Cambel cut in. “A large delivery order from our business. The capital requested a large delivery of foodstuff. Supposedly there is to be a banquet at the palace and a festival in the city. I sent word to my cousin there to prepare them for Melody.”

“Ah!” He turned to the giantess. “You may want to brush up on your etiquette then. The imperial couple is a curious sort and would likely want to meet you if you show up there.”

“Just… a question though…” Melody started. “Do you think they would accept me there?” She asked.

The three nobles laughed.

“Melody! You have no idea how famous you have become!” The marquis continued laughing.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“What?” She blinked.

“There might not be a single person in the empire that has not heard of the… ‘Crimson Goddess.’” The duke joked.

“Argh! Not that name again!” Melody ruffled her hair in frustration. People who didn’t know what happened at the guild that day associated the name, ‘Crimson’ with her hair color. But those who knew the truth often teased her of being too seductive.

Lady Cambel dabbed a tear from her eye. “Oh, dear… I don’t think I have laughed that much in a while. Melody, I am sure most people are more curious to meet you than to fear you. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

Melody grumbled but headed off to join her friends at the west gate. From there, they would head north toward the capital city.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Melody walked along the caravan as they continued their trek north. They had been on the road for about a week and a half now, with about the same time left.

Annabelle was in full armor except for her helmet, and Violet was in her travel gear. Both were riding in Melody’s travel pack. Melody had her usual black liger hood up.

“So, what does the forest feel like here, Melody?” Annabelle asked.

“It’s not bad here. Just… quiet.”

“Quiet?” Violet asked.

“I think it is because there are no Groves near here. I spoke with Mother about it before we left. Sadly, there are no Groves on our path to the capital. This is not to say that nature here is not beautiful. It is just quiet.” Melody clarified.

“I see the city!” The leader of the caravan called out.

The three friends looked ahead and saw the walls of the city of Oletta, the midway point between Hallfen and the capital of Firietena.

As they got closer, a group of knights on horseback rode out to them.

“Halt!” The one in command called out.

Their caravan had already come to a stop when they saw them riding out, so Melody and her friends thought it was silly, quietly giggling to themselves.

The commander looked up to Melody. “What is your name?”

Melody carefully bowed, not wanting to cause her friends to fall. “I am Melody of the Gaian Forest. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“See! I told you it was the Crimson Goddess!” One of the knights happily exclaimed.

“Quiet!” The commander yelled. “Then, Miss Melody, do you have documents?”

Melody nodded and pulled out the token from Duke Caldwell and her guild tag, holding them out for him to see.

The commander sighed in relief. “Thank you. I apologize for the trouble, but we had to make sure. Please. We will escort you into the city.”

“Thank you,” Melody replied.

As they entered the city, a noble with several dignified individuals awaited them. There were also a good number of regular people curiously watching.

“Welcome! Princess Melody!” The noble exclaimed.

“That’s Baron Bautista. He is a decent ruler but a bit of a letch.” Violet whispered to Melody.

Melody put on a Gaia-level performance for all the people present. “I thank you for welcoming me so warmly, Baron Bautista. It is a pleasure to see more of the world beyond my home in the forest.”

Several people blushed as they listened to Melody.

“Crimson Goddess.” Violet snickered, noticing Melody purposedly lift her charm suppression a little.

Melody shushed her while Annabelle quietly giggled.

“Oh! Well! Allow me to hold a small banquet for you!” He cried out. “Please! Come to my home!”

Melody noticed the man’s eyes and could feel his emotions were… lustful. Continuing her Gaia performance, she spoke. “I thank you for such a kind invitation, but I am sure many here are curious about me. During our trip here, I successfully hunted a few beasts on our way. Perhaps a small festival in your central square?” She counteroffered.

“Oh, uh, yes! Absolutely! We will make it happen!” The Baron exclaimed.

The people of the city cheered at the news of the celebration.

The city celebrated a large grilling festival in the central square early into the evening. Though it may have been called a city, it was roughly a quarter of the size of Hallfen. Hallfen was more significant due to the number of ports that flowed goods from all over the south.

Some musicians were playing music, and people were dancing. Some of the city’s women could teach Melody one of their dances. She was a bit awkward at first, but her natural grace and agility made her shine once she got it figured out.

By the night’s end, all seven beasts worth of meat were gone. When everyone turned in for the night, Melody slept on the ground with Violet and Annabelle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Baron Bautista and a few of his men snuck close to Melody as she slept.

“A-Are you sure about this… sir?” One of them asked.

“I don’t mean her any harm!” He stated. “I just want to see her face. She didn’t remove that blasted hood of hers the whole time.”

The two men grumbled as they followed the noble, mainly ready to stop him if he tried to take things too far.

The noble stepped forward and… “Bufah!” He bounced off a barrier. “What?” He placed his hand on the barrier around the giantess. Looking toward the two inside with her, he noticed a marking on the ground near Violet. “Oh…”

It was a barrier spell that kept bugs or anything in general from getting to those within. If it was broken, it would sound a loud alarm.

“Sir, let’s head back. Perhaps you could ask her tomorrow?” One of the men offered.

The Baron pouted. “Fine. Let’s return….”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Melody cracked open her eyes, watching the Baron walk away with his shoulders slouched.

“It’s okay, Lin, Lou. You can stand down.” She called out to her wolf rat familiars.

The two went back into hiding nearby her magic pack.

She would have shown him if he had just asked nicely.

The following morning, their caravan was ready to head out. The city’s people were sad to see Melody go but sent her off with appreciation.

The Baron approached them with his wife and daughter. “Princess Melody, it was a pleasure having you in my city. Thank you so much for the meat. Here, this is some coin to compensate you for the profits you could have gotten from the meat.”

Violet stepped up to them. “We accept.” She took the bag and stored it away for Melody. She and Annabelle were quite cross with the man when they learned what he tried to do last night.

“Um, Princess. My daughter is quite a fan of your stories. She was curious to see the face of her hero.” The Baron requested.

Melody knelt before them. “I’m sorry. I have a powerful charm that can affect others in a bad way. I must keep my hood on. I hope you can understand.”

The Baron looked like he just got grounded and looked down at the road. “I… understand.”

While he was looking at the ground, Melody stealthily raised her hood for the mother and daughter while putting a finger over her lips.

The daughter grinned widely while the mother giggled, amused.

“Huh?” The Baron looked up too late as Melody put her hood back in place.

Melody helped Annabelle and Violet in the carrier pack, and their caravan was back on the road.