CHAPTER 4 – QUAGGY SETUP

“We're here.” Mama Orana, the self-proclaimed witch, and I are in front of her hut. She smiles mischievously, most likely because her hut is well hidden in a branching, one tree which basically split itself into four different stems about a meter and a half from the ground. It looks at first like just a behemoth of branches, but I lived in a village of alfar for about a month, so it doesn't faze me.

I smile back at her. “And where is that house supposed to be?”

“...you just took the whole fun out of it.” As she can read me to some degree, she also knows that I've figured it out and just played along. “Hut, let us in.” The tree starts opening a bit, this is just like in Aroahenn, so maybe the witch made her hut herself? She said that she could use [Spirit Magic], after all.

We enter it and several rats are in there, in addition to a raven, though the raven looks a lot like a vulture. The floor is cluttered with trash, but the tables and chairs are clean, so she still beats Arako in terms of tidiness. Though there is a stench of decay here that makes my stomach turn. “What a trash bin.”

“Little Kyou, if you keep pets, then some things can't be helped.” I can't help but think about Ken, Rine-chan, and Arako for a second here. They're also always making a mess out of things.

Mama Orana takes off her coat and puts it on a branch, which acts as a hook. I also take off my raincoat and hang it right next to hers. “Let's talk about curses.”

“Let me first drink some brew.” The witch goes to a stone fireplace. While being in a tree does make it questionable, having a fire is a must in this world. Over the fire hangs a cauldron, the witch takes a wooden dipper and puts it into an also wooden bowl. “Do you want one?”

“No thanks.” I don't trust her in the least. Instead, I take a waterskin from my backpack and drink from it.

“Suit yourself. We can talk there.” The granny points at a corner, where a couch is. It looks like it’s almost falling apart. Still, I sit down there, as I want to get her on my better side. “Then tell me about your problem.” She sits down next to me. I don't like it.

Still, I have to bear it. “This.” I show her the ring on my left ring finger. “This ring is marrying me to someone else.”

“A legitimate marriage? Strange... don't talk anymore, let me first take a look...” She takes my hand and starts staring at the ring: “... … … … how... this... ah, there... and why... ...” Strange noises and muttering escapes her mouth. “Yes, I'm certain.”

“What is it?”

“Something I've never seen before.”

My hope got pegged down a bit, but just because she hasn't seen something like that doesn't mean she can't handle it. “It is a curse, right?”

“At first glance at least. Now tell me, how were you affected and what does the curse do exactly.”

How I got infected? I helped Ken with his stupid pilgrimage, as he was the first one who suffered from the curse. Then we were thrown into the chasm and almost died... I was about to fall, clinging on Ken's hand, then we exchanged 'pledges' by accident, which caused Ken's ring to take all the energy of the pilgrimage to infect me with the ring.

What does the curse do? It married me to Ken, make it hard for me to stay away from him for some time, it keeps messaging me, it gives us the option to earn WP by performing acts of closeness, like holding hands, sitting on his lap, etc. Those WP can be spent on special bonuses, like our [Shared Inventory] or [Increased Experience-gain]. The curse also gives everyone a small boost to their [Attributes] by being close to each other, while we have spent WP to increase the range and the bonus.

I explain everything, leaving out most details, and Mama Orana keeps looking at my ring. In the end, she thinks for some moments while gibbering, then she tells me her conclusion: “Girl, this is a potent bit of magic in here. To be straight, I can't do much for you.” … … … … This feels bad, my hopes are stepped on and crushed, this feels like a heartache, I... no, I need to stay strong, I've braced myself for that possibility, but the disappointment sure hurts. “However, I can tell you where you find an expert in the field of curses.”

A small flicker of hope rises from the ashes: “Where!”

“In Feuerberg there is an expert about curses, Pontiff Rüdiger Glanznacht. People from all over the world visit him, he-” Here dies hope once again. “Ah, the pilgrimage was the idea of said priest, right? Why don't you retry?”

Because we've 'kidnapped' Feuerberg's crown-princess and we have no way to make her return home. We can't force her. Like literally, we have no way to make her go back by force, and she's so stubborn, that we can't convince her either. In addition to that, I kinda sympathize with her after all that time. That must be because of my friendship with her. “It's complicated.”

“Then try Zethtrin, Little Kyou. I wouldn't expect much from the black magic-users there though.”

“Why? Aren't they expert cursers?”

“I'm also an expert curser, my curse of twenty years of bad sex is well-feared.”

“Wouldn't twenty years of no sex be worse?”

“Not if the sex you can get makes you lose interest in it entirely, because of all the shame, the accidents, the deep feelings of dissatisfaction.” ...can it be so bad? “Ah, you're a virgin, so you won't understand. ...are you looking down on me?”

“I'm a virgin by choice. It's not like I didn't have plenty of opportunities.” If I want to, I can have ten boyfriends. And not only back in Japan. I'm beautiful, after all, and there are plenty of guys who don't even try to see past that. Still, I'm worth much more than that. I'm the one who decides who I let close to me.

“Ah, that cockiness... if I were so many years younger... I miss my soft skin.”

“Too bad for you. Still, tell me about the curse. What you learned.”

“Little Kyou, you demand and demand, so tell me what I get in return.”

I force some fluid into my eyes while making my best begging expression: “Please, Mama.”

“You know how to push my buttons... This will take some time. Sure you don't want my brew?”

“No thank you.”

“It's delicious.”

“I’d rather drink some water.” I lift my waterskin.

“You don't need to be that alarmed... Well, technically, this isn't exactly a curse.” I can do nothing but look at her in wonder and confusion. “This is a power boost on curse basis. Curses usually don't have beneficial effects, they're there to make the life of the cursed one worse, but whoever designed that curse had something different in mind. Also, you're not directly cursed, you just shoulder some of the burdens that strange design puts on the cursed one. You're like a safety line, and while I can't tell much of the curse without seeing the original ring, I can tell you that your ring is changing you to be a better security.”

“What do you mean?”

“Did you notice any changes how you feel about the cursed one since having this ring?”

Any changes I feel towards Ken? Yes, I do feel closer to him, I do think I like him a bit on a certain level, I do have these dreams. Why? Why do I feel this way?

Mama Orana continues: “You desire him, your body aches for him, you can't even imagine a life without him, right?”

A life without Ken... well, if I hadn't met him I would be working in a tavern in Esse... but yes, it's just a fleeting thought, like predicting how a story ends without reading the whole thing... just a theoretical thought with nothing to back it up.

My eyes slowly wander to my ring... this is poison! This is poisoning me! It's so clear! Why haven't I realized it sooner!? It's... step by step I inched closer to Ken. Like I said before, my perception about him has changed, but what if the only reason is because this... this thing is controlling my feelings, just like I controlled Rine-chan with my-

Rine-chan! She's also... I mean, when did she 'developed' feelings for Ken? I wasn't there when she got her ring, but before we were separated, she wasn't infatuated in this way.

This was so obvious! If the ring can cause Arako, who is an alfr and only has interest in sex during her mating season, to desire Ken's body around the clock, what exactly keeps it from making us feel the same way?

Yes, I know that I had some attraction to Ken, but I always blamed the situations, especially when he looked kinda cool. What if this coolness is only me slipping my guard? What if my only protection is my hostile attitude towards Ken? What if it keeps me from falling in love with him against my will? Rine-chan didn't have that kind of protection, therefore...

Does Ken know? He has to, right? No, if he knew, he would be... considerate. I mean, he keeps his distance from Rine-chan, he makes no advances though he has plenty of chances, he... no, he can't know, right? What if he- No, is it me thinking these thoughts or is it the curse that makes me want to see everything about Ken in a positive light?

I drink from the waterskin and empty it in one gulp. I rub my temples. I need to calm down. My fingers want to wander to my ring instead, but I don't want to touch it... though it's always touching my skin. I have the desire to cut off my finger. I don't need it, not if- No, not my finger, that'd be scary... is it me or the ring again!?

The last three months of my life may have been a lie. Am I still Momokawa Kyou or did something else gouged my personality out and replaced it with something that wants to stick close to Ken? What do I feel when I think about Ken?

No more hiding, my truest feelings...

…

… … …

… … … … …

How do I name it? Attraction? Yes, that's a good word.

Am I in love with him? Is it the interest of a teenage girl towards a boy her age? Or is it the ring, which changes my emotions?

Drink, I need to drink something.

Mama Orana asks me: “Do you want some brew after all?”

“No thanks.” I grab another waterskin from my backpack and drink until my stomach is full. I want to vomit, still, I embrace this feeling as if it's a life belt. Now that I'm sufficiently unwell, I can clear my mind. I'm just overwhelmed about the possibility that my whole inner life may be wrong.

Yes, I’ve regained control of my feelings. I'm just tired, just moody. I'm on my period after all, so I'm easily flustered. My breathing returns to normal. I didn't realize before that it got ragged. I feel how my heart returns to its usual beat rate. Yes, that's good.

Mama Orana gives me a few seconds before she continues: “Do you remember how I said that I couldn't do 'much' for you? I may try to disrupt the curse on you.”

“How?”

“By putting another potent curse on you, which is designed to interfere with yours.” So fight fire with fire... This may work, yet is it worth to deal with another curse? Or is it the ring that causes me to be more skeptical, trying to prevent any interference.

Another question pops up: “What do you want in exchange?” So far, the witch has helped me without any fees, but I know she wants something.

“What I want? Become my apprentice.”

“...why?”

“I need one; I'm getting older, things are harder to come by. When I disrupt the curse, you can stay away from your husband without any demerits.”

So she wants to make me a [Witch]? No, she wants a caretaker... Still, maybe I'll be free from the curse. I look at my ring, the poisonous thing.

Then she drops a bomb: “The only thing you need to do is to lose your virginity.”

“...what?”

“A witch is an entire woman. The child, the teen, the adult, the mother, the tyrant, the bitch, the lover. A witch is everything that encompasses a woman. You need to experience the joys of a woman to learn how to harness the power of it. Even a hero like you needs to complete that task.”

Is she serious!? “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“No, I'm not. You may ask your husband for help in this matter, you yearn for him after all, so why don't you use it to your advantage?”

Me with Ken!? My crotch begins to burn, despite having my monthlies. I remember my dreams and I feel a certain level of lust.

...wait, why does she knows that I'm a hero? Thinking about it, she also knew my name. So she has spied on us, hearing my name from Rine-chan or Ken. So let's assume she was hiding or used her raven or something... that would mean that she has only approached me when I was alone and desperate.

She can read my emotions. Therefore she knows that I'm questioning her, so there’s no need to play along and try to spring the trap on purpose to see where things are going. If I ask her directly what she’s up to, she will most likely lie to me.

“How about some brew? You can't think sufficiently without some nutrients in your brain.” She smiles at me, but I have the feeling that she's scheming something. She wants to distract me! What's with the brew anyways!?

I concentrate on it and find my [Poisonous]- and [Edible]-skills are ringing. There is a sleeping agent in it! Mama Orana drinks it though... maybe she's resistant or took an antidote beforehand. Thinking about it, she saved me in battle before, so she must need me alive...

I put everything I know about witches together, which leads me to the following conclusion: “You're trying to steal my youth!” Mama Orana's eyes widen for a moment, then they narrow and the witch starts to cackle.

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―○●○―

Jarlhu, Rassha, and Zhesha invited me to dinner. Now all of us four, a human and three ss'rak, are eating from the same small table. It's cooked meat, maybe from a rodent, together with a ragout made out of branches, roots, and mushrooms. It's not that bad, though my teeth feel too blunt to chew it properly.

As another side dish, I contributed some of our bread. The ss'rak don't like it, but I think it tastes great. It also has to be eaten soon, as it'll dry soon.

Jarlhu knows most about me right now, she was shocked when she learned I'm a princess of Feuerberg, so I'm a guest until she decides whether she’ll let me stay here or send me away. This is only natural, though I think it's a bit sad that this is standing between us right now.

“Kati,” Jarlhu suddenly speaks up. “To be shure, you're Feuerberg's princess?”

“Yes, I'm even the crown-princess.” When father resigns his throne, I'm the next in line. Though I need to finish my studies before I can rule, that's why he won't quit for a while.

Rassha hisses something I can't understand, while Zhesha looks at her father strangely. Is this really that much of a deal? Jarlhu gives her husband a warning look.

“Is something wrong?” There is something strange here.

“...” Jarlhu looks at me, weighing something in her mind. Then she speaks up: “Outside the village ish a camp of other ss'raks. They menshioned Feuerberg.”

“Oh? In what way?”

“They live there.”

“They do!?” I'm baffled, as I’ve never heard of ss'rak living in Feuerberg... Ah, I must have slept through that lesson, showing me how long it'll take until I'm ready to take over the throne.

“I think they're enemies of Feuerberg.”

“I'm sure that I know most of our enemies, especially those that are close to us.” If I’ve never heard about them, then they can't be as important as Paarlar or Arrivinia. “Ah, maybe they're at the borders, living in the mountains... there are some savages there after all...” A sharp hiss comes from Zhesha: “Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't want to say that your kin are savages in general, it's just that several tribes have hostility for us there, so maybe there is also a ss'rak village or so that hates us.” Being hated is totally normal for any nation, as some people think that everything we got was gifted to us, while they don't understand how much work it is to create and maintain a country. Every single one of our citizens contributes, of course we have it better in several ways.

“Zhesha!” Jarlhu snarls at her daughter: “Quiet.”

“Yess, zhosh.”

Jarlhu calmly takes up the thread: “We're close to savages, we're simple folk after all,” she explains.

“You're one with nature after all. I lived a while with alfar, so I know how it is.”

“My condolences.”

“Ah, it wasn't that bad, they were only strange at times. There was a woman who tried to splash me with tree sap for good luck, she said, and I accidentally kicked the bucket out of her hand, which caused the fluid inside to rain all over her. Another one tried to sneak up on me one time. I accidentally punched him out of reflex, then he talked about something... maso?

“Seldom we get visitsh from an alfr, though the other ss'rak have one.”

“Oh! I want to meet him.” He may belong to an enemy camp, but it's not like you can't speak with your enemies, I mean, negotiations would be impossible without talking after all.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. Where is their camp?”

Jarlhu and Rassha exchange a look before they give me directions. I quickly finish up my meal, slip over my raincoat, and follow their instructions to a small array of tents and fires. Oh, there are ss'rak, but they look different, their scales are duller than the ones I saw before. Maybe because they're usually living in the mountains?

“Waiz, who arr yuu?” One speaks to me while four others look ready to attack me, I can feel their killing intent, but it's just natural, they're guards after all.

“I'm Katarine von Stolzherz and I’d like to speak with your alfr.”

The guard looks confused to her peers, then she turns back to me: “Yuu wannt to zpeak wizz alfh?”

“Yes, I- ah, wait. I have to speak with your leader first, right?” As I'm the guest and an enemy of theirs nonetheless, I need to follow the correct procedure and first talk to the one in charge.

The tongue of the guard slips in and out of her mouth several times, then she nods to one of her fellow ss'rak and the person nods and goes into the biggest of the tents. After a minute or two, the guard returns: “Voizz will zpeak wizz yuu.”

“Thank you.” I follow the ss'rak and find myself in a large, lantern-lighted tent, but it looks like it has a low ceiling as the one living in it is really tall. Much taller than I, he also looks strong, so maybe some sort of warrior chieftain? “Nice to meet you, I'm Katarine von Stolzherz.”

“Zo it'z true. Show me yuur eyez.” Ah, I still have my raincoat on, so I pull back the hood to show my face. “Ember eyez... Yuu prinzess of Feuerberg?”

“Yes, I'm the crown-princess.”

“Zhe lost prinzess! Kuehehehe.”

“I don't think I'm lost anymore. It's just that I have to be found right now.”

“Whazz arr yuu taalking about?”

I cock my head: “Didn't you mean that I'm lost in the swamps?”

The big ss'rak looks at me flabbergasted: “Yuu losst to contry.”

“Ah, that makes more sense. Though I just ran away, so I'm not really lost, more like, unavailable. It's not like they need me right now though, so we can first do whatever Kenta wants to-”

Suddenly, he interrupts me with a growl: “KENTA!”

“Ah, you know him?”

“Zhat...” Some snarls and hisses I can't understand follow, then the leader stands straight: “Me be voice of Muaotef. The Great One will now talk to you.” The eyes of the ss'rak begin to flicker in short bursts in orange light, then it's like they're on fire, it becomes hotter around us, while another, burning voice fills the room: «We're Muaotef, the Great One, the Flame of the Earth and Bringer of Decay.»

Something about this voice makes me nervous, I feel like running away, sweat is coming from my body, there is something like a threat there. Is this ss'rak a prophet and is now a medium for a deity to speak? “My name is Katarine von Stolzherz and I'm the crown-princess of Feuerberg, your divinity.”

«We know. We are also curious about the reason you came to the Spirit Swamps.»

“Erm... … I think it's just to pass through.”

«We hear no lie in your words. Though the goal of your journey remains a mystery.»

“It's Zethtrin.”

«We see, Zethtrin. Then you and Our forces here don't need to clash.»

“May I ask you a question, your divinity?”

«You may speak.»

“Do I know you? Your name sounds familiar.”

«We have not met personally, though We are an enemy of your country.»

“...ah! The god Kenta and Kyou mentioned!” Yes, back when we were in the Mauerfelsen-mountains, Kenta and Kyou tried to convince me to go back by mentioning the thread of a dragon god, though I'm positive that since father knows, he's more than capable to fight it in addition to the demons, especially with the heroes at his side. So there is only one question remaining: “Are you a real dragon!” That would be awesome!

«We are a deity, the form We use is only an embodiment to contain Our divine selves.»

“Is that a yes or a no?”

«We are as real as you think We are.»

“So the more I believe that you're a dragon, the more you will be like one?”

«We will not waste time on your meager mind.»

Did he just call me stupid? “Sorry, I know I'm not smart. Still, it hurts me you saying that.”

«We are not granting you an audience to adulate you.»

“Why are you granting me an audience then?”

«...» Ah, have I offended him? «We are granting you an audience to give you a chance to save your country from my wrath.»

The moment he mentions this, my speaking manners snap back to court-mode, courage fills my body, banishing the fear: “My apologies to you, your divinity, but I have to speak out. The moment you try to mess with Feuerberg, you'll get burned.”

«You are threatening Us?»

“I'm just stating the facts. We have uncle and father, and the rest of the vast royal family, we have Thorsten and Frieda and many other capable mages, we have Matthias, Gilbert, Susanne, Antonia, and the other leaders of the army. Even Instructor Gottfried may return from retirement to kick your armies' butts, we also have heroes and the Four of Feuerberg, while you're a deity from I don't know where. Since Founder Hagen von Stolzherz we stood tall and didn't falter against any threat, so if you try to attack us, you're just asking us to add your name to the long list of people we defeated!”

«Watch your tone.» The voice is calm, but my knees start to shake and panic wells up, my desire to run away has returned stronger than before. I didn't know that speaking to a deity can be that grating!

Still, I stand tall. I won't falter here! I have to be the princess of Feuerberg. This god has no power over me! I must remember that Hagen slew a few of them on his own. His blood runs through my veins, I refuse, like my ancestor did, to be slaved to a god's greed, like my ancestor! “I apologize for my tone, your divinity, I was upset.” I won't apologize for my words though.

«We know your country well. We also know that it is indeed a strong nation, though you underestimate Us. Even if you can stop Us and Our armies, how many of your people will have to pay the price?» Ah, I didn't think about it! «Feuerberg is occupied invading the demon realm, a war on two fronts would be difficult. Wouldn’t also Arrivinia then declare war, trying to settle the century-long feud?» Arrivinia isn't the strong nation it used to be, mostly because it lost several wars against Feuerberg, so maybe they will at least reclaim their honor by using an opportunity to crush us.

On the other hand, we have our allies as well, like Dejúma, so... it becomes complicated. That's why I dislike politics and would be glad to have Kenta at my side when I ascend to the throne.

«There is still an option. Just tell Us where the tablet is.»

“The what?”

«The tablet Hagen found.»

“What kind of tablet is it?”

«...» A moment of pause. «We hear no lie. We also do not believe that you don't know about it. You are just ignorant of that knowledge. We will give you time to ponder about it, then you may speak with Us again.» Without even saying goodbye, the presence of the deity vanishes, while the ss'rak-prophet falls on his knees and breathes heavily. Looks like being the host of a deity puts a lot of stress on the body.

“Are you alright? Let me help you, [Heal]!” I think Kyou's [Stamina]-spell would be a better choice here, but I don't know it yet. Maybe I should ask her to teach me just like how Ara is teaching me [Elemental Magic].

“The Great One ashked me to welkomm yuu. Yuu may shtay at zhe camp.” The prophet then sticks his head out of the hut and open his mouth. It looks like he's screaming, though no tone is coming from his throat. Strange. “Alsho, zhink aboot zhe tablet.”

Just what is that tablet? May I really have forgotten about it? Since it's something Hagen was supposed to have found, it may be something related to the royal family. As Muaotef-kamisama stated himself, he's an enemy of Feuerberg, so even if I knew I shouldn't tell them. “Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you.”

“I waon yuu, nobody defyes the Great One.”

“I warn you! If you try hurting me, I may hurt you back, even if I don't mean to.”

“...whaz kaind of zreat ish zhat!?”

“It's my warning to you.”

“Zoft-skin, doan't try mai pashience.”

“Don't try mine!”

Both, I and the prophet clash our heads while staring into each other's eyes, even our teeth are bared. I don't like this guy! “Yuu will comfly!”

“I won't!”

“Yuu will!”

“I won't!”

Danger from the front, the prophet wants to grapple me, but my left hand darts at his wrist, my body turns, and my hip pushes under his center of gravity while my arm stretches his. I'm about to do a shoulder-throw, but he's too big, so I sweep his feet from the ground as well. The moment he's in the air, I can see his slimy face and my right fist takes a quick shot at it, causing the prophet to get a spin and to land very roughly. My fist hurts though, as his scales are quite hard.

I kick my foot in his armpit and take his arm to force him into a hold, but then I make a quick step back, as his tail is coming for me. “Just lay down and I won't need to hurt you anymore!”

“Yuuuuuu......” The prophet snarls at me while standing up. “ALFR! WUERE ARR YUU!!!” His jaws are still open after his outcry, like a soundless scream. “WHAT!?” Then another pause with an open mouth.

Just what is he doing? Well, time to attack, right? As we're not at lethal force right now, I kick the chair into the prophet's direction, while he merely hits it aside with his claws. I use the opening to kick him right at where his solar plexus is most likely to be... This feels strange. He grunts, but there should be that soft feeling in my heel which tells me that I hit a vital right now... Ah, he's covered with hard scales, after all, they're like a suit of armor.

Suddenly, a high pitch noise erupts and my head feels like splitting. This prophet can use his voice to hurt me, that's unexpected. My sense of balance also suffers. Still, I cover my ears and kick him in the stomach again.

The prophet's sound-attack is halted. I quickly draw my blade, as I hear more noise outside of the tent. Guards are finally entering, the exchange between the prophet and me was too fast for them to react before this point in time. Of course, they attack me, but I won't bow down.

The first one is on the ground before it could realize what's happening. I pierce through its leg and use it as a lever for a throw. The second one tries to claw at me, but it's not fast enough, I dance between its attacks, pick up a lantern and throw it into its face. The flames will hurt, but I have no time to think about it, as a third one tries its best.

The prophet lets his guards do the fighting, maybe waiting for an opportunity to strike from a safe position, but that's only more reason to stick close to the others and try my best to whittle them down simultaneously.

After a few minutes of me dancing between the guards and watching the prophet, someone else enters the tent. “Erm, do I disturb?” It's an alfr, his blue hair, expressionless face, and the continually moving, pointed ears are a clear indicator.

“Ffinally!” The prophet exclaims.

I'm still busy though: “Sorry, if you want to fight, do you mind waiting a bit?”

“Nah, not much interested in fighting you though it looks funny what you do. Do you mind me joining your team?”

“Of course not.”

Without a break, the alfr steps in between the ss'rak and begins beating them with his bare hands. He takes them out much faster than me, though. “By the way, I'm Lvo'tjos.”

“I'm Katarine von Stolzherz. Lvo, I try not to hit them too hard.”

“Why not?”

“Because if I do, they'll fall down and the prophet might use a sound-attack again.”

“Oh, I see. How about this, we take them out quickly, then I shut him up before he can do anything?”

“Can you do it?”

“Sure.”

For some reason, the guards are moving towards the prophet as if they're trying to protect him. Lvo's ears are slightly uplifted, just like Ara's when she's wondering about something, then he asks the guards: “I can see why you don't like to fight me, but why are you standing between him and me?”

“Rememmba, alf!”

“It's alfr. There is an r-sound.”

“Yuu arr paat off uz,” one of the guards says sternly.

“What, we all are part of the same organism? Where are my scales then? I want scales. Also, give me one of your knives, as I have that sealed jar and opening it with brute force might break it. By the way, what can we do if we retire? Because I'm the part which has no idea what the retirement-plan is and I might have my own ideas, you know?”

“Paat off seim gruup.”

“Ah, that's what you meant. Well, technically we are, but you never invited me to your birthday party, so I feel left out.”

“Whazz borthday?”

“You don't know the joy of having a birthday? The one day, most alfar run away as fast as they can, as it's a race between them and you? If they catch you, they have the right to do any prank they like with you, if you manage to escape them, then they must play along to any prank you like.”

This sounds strange. “When it's my birthday, we have a real celebration, with ballroom dancing at the end. I also get a lot of presents.”

“So they're trying to buy you with presents and a party?”

“No. My family gives me presents because they're happy I was born.”

“Why only on your birthday though, I mean, if they like you that much, then they may hold a party for you like once a month or so.”

“...I've never thought about that. Why do you alfar only make the race once a year?”

“Other than you humans, we alfar have a mating season, so our birthdays are all really close to each other, so it's like a huge festival for about a month with each day having a lot of chasers and chased.”

“Ah, that makes sense.”

“I know, right? For a human, you're alright!”

“Thanks.”

While I ascertain my friendship with Lvo, the ss'rak are staring at us with wide-opened eyes. Only the prophet barks: “Rememmba zhe Great One!”

“Ah, Big M. Of course I remember him, he and I, we're like best buddies.”

“Yuu're serrvant of Great One!”

“Big M and I aren't in that kind of relationship. It's rather like... like... you know.”

“Ai donnt.”

“Me neither,” I add my own thought. The way Lvo phrases it, makes it really hard to guess.

“I owe him, but he's acting like he's my boss, though my actual boss was a much more mellow person. She always made sure to make me tea, especially the kind that makes your throat burn the whole day. Ah, good times.”

I think I can relate to this. No, actually I can't, but I try nonetheless. Let's say my boss would be mother, but she gives me something that makes my throat burn the whole day... then I would be angry at her. So why is Lvo wallowing in memories right now?

The ss'raks are equally confused, but the prophet yells: “Zhe ish zhe enemy! Fait her! In zhe neim of Great One!”

“Ah, so the fish she eats? Ate? Sorry, I'm really having problems understanding you, but I guess I'm supposed to treat her for dinner.”

This is odd. “I think he said that I'm the enemy and you should fight me in the name of the Great One.”

“My dear Katarine-san, I lived with the ss'rak for a while. What you do is trying to decipher their noises as words, but most of what they say is just a bunch of strange sounds mixed with some words in-between.”

“Ah! I didn't know!” Did I misunderstand half of what they were saying because I interpreted some of their guttural sounds as actual words?

“Let's eat a bit, then we can resume with all the talk.”

“But I've already eaten.”

“Ah, shucks.”

“Doant ignosh miii!” Woah, that sounds much more like a beast than before!

“Mushed ants for dinner? No thanks.” Lvo really understood it fast!

“Yuuuuuuuuuuuuu!”

“How about this then, Katarine-san? We both ditch these losers and go hunting so that I have a good meal for a change.”

I point with my blade at the ss'rak: “What about them?”

“Wow, you're bold. I've never considered eating people before!”

“No! That's not what I meant!”

“Too bad, because they really look delicious to me now.”

“I mean, what do we do about them. I mean, I was just hurting them and all, so I'm a bit concerned whether it was all a misunderstanding.”

“Ah, that. [Sleep]!” Lvo points at the prophet, who instantly falls asleep. “See, he was just tired.”

“Didn't you just used a spell?”

“This spell only works on tired people.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Hey guys,” Lvo speaks to the guards. “Everything is just a big, fat misunderstanding. If you don't mind, take care of Voicy and tell him later that Kruan is on a revenge-date, so he may come late. Or never at all. Most likely the latter, even if he wins, he'll be lost in the swamps without my help, but Voicy called for me after all, and as he's my second least favorite ss'rak, I couldn't ignore it.” The alfr offers me his arm: “Shall we go?”

I don't take it, however. “Rather than hunting, I'd like to find my husband and my friends.”

“Ah, we can look for them while hunting, right?”

“That makes sense.” So I join Lvo on his hunting trip. As he's an alfr and therefore capable of navigating through the swamps, there is nothing that can go wrong, right?

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