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I Ran Away To Evil: Book 3 - A Cozy LitRPG RomCom
Book 3 Ch 74: Julian - Every Reason He Adored Her

Book 3 Ch 74: Julian - Every Reason He Adored Her

Julian didn't like the look of the mysterious ball of fire three times as large as any star that shone in the sky above. However, seeing Gerda nonplussed alleviated some of his worries.

The crystal in Gerda’s hand lit up with a sharp white light that warred with the soft yellow magic lights they were using to see by.

The troll bit her lip while she thought.

“I can’t believe we actually get to watch Madame Potts’ make a cast.” Sir Tully exclaimed.

Visha shushed the human.

“Alright,” Gerda said, opening her eyes. The light from the crystal lit up her smiling face. Then she pitched her voice just so.

“Hello everyone, this is your friendly neighborhood Madame Potts.

My apologies for the late night Cast, but as you all can see we have an impending magical disaster approaching from the eastern sky. Luckily, it is being handled with care by a professional. You can go about your nights simply appreciating the cosmic phenomenon.

Peldeep is looking for a new Assistant Guild Master for their Adventuring Guild. Congratulations Gemma on your promotion. And I wish you and your new house husband a fine Happily Ever After.

In exciting news, the identity of the mysterious and enigmatic Madame Potts has finally been discovered. That’s right folks, my secret identity has been revealed to the public. If your assassins could schedule attacks between four and seven pm on Monday evenings and Thursdays at eleven am, it would be much appreciated, thank you.

The Continental Council has ruled I may only cast portents in realms that give me leave, which is Nilheim, Peldeep and North Sumbria. So please tell your family and friends who live abroad that Servalt is going to have a drought next year and they should start preparing now. There's going to be a rockslide where the Baldorin Mountain Range meets in the Galer Plain. And later this week, Drendil will have the chance to see a pod of rainbow whales off the western coast.

Should anything happen to the whales, it will go very very poorly. I’m talking to you Pirate Abra. Don’t do it.

Have a good rest of your evening all,

Madame Potts.”

The entire time Gerda spoke into the crystal, she had this sassy smile that melted Julian’s heart. She was funny, and brilliant, and beautiful. Her voice carried her personality through the cast, but watching her tease the entire continent with a straightforward ruthlessness brought back every reason he adored her.

“So, who is dealing with the star?” Sir Tully thrust a thumb over his shoulder at the comet.

“A very powerful, if irksome, mage.” Gerda told the human, putting away her crystal. “He’s been preparing all year, and I think he’s pretty much ready to go. Give or take a few things. Honestly, the comet was a side quest that I rushed through to unlock other routes. It committed the greatest fantasy sin.”

“What?” Julian asked. From her hints, he'd already figured out who the mage was.

“Math.”

There was a pause.

“Math?” It was Jeffry that cut into the quiet. “But math is the foundation for our magical system. The basic underlying principle of our reality and our place within it. It cannot be a sin. Math is life itself.”

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“So says the party strategist. Of course you like math.” Gerda shook her head. “I respect the art. I am even good at it. I love baking and I understand the importance of managing mana costs and I have gamed the tax system to a tee... but when a handsome mage is trying to tell me about the ratio of an angle of a line for a world saving arcane magical weapon it is going in one ear and out the other.”

“You think Thomas is handsome?” Julian raised an eyebrow at that.

“Skinny nerds aren’t my type.” Gerda replied. She looked Julian up and down, stopping when she met his eyes. “I prefer someone with more muscle. And trauma.”

Visha, his prim and proper second-in-command, snorted loudly. She covered her mouth with the back of her hand and coughed to hide her laughter.

Jeffry still looked taken aback that the troll didn’t like math, Sir Tully was enjoying the back and forth between them. Pram frowned.

John was an unmoving shadow, since his actual body was scouting ahead and preparing for their arrival at the Fortress. Speaking of which.

“Laugh all you like.” Julian told Visha, flicking his reins and leading his horse back onto the path. “But do so in your own time. Let’s continue home.”

“Only you would call a cold stone guard house home.” Sir Tully told the duke, joining the line as everyone followed after Julian.

He smiled. “Home is where you hang your hat.”

“You don’t wear a hat.” Sir Tully pointed out.

“Miss Gerda, a question if you will?” Pram pulled up beside the troll and spoke softly. Julian still turned his ear to listen.

“Go ahead.” Gerda replied.

“What will happen if a rainbow whale is hurt?” Pram asked. The selkie had lived most of his life in North Sumbria, but still had many relatives living under the sea.

“Rainbow whales maintain the balance of the oceans natural mana reserves by filtering it from the water they consume and releasing it from their spout. They can grow as large as a dragon, and will release giant mana lazer beams if threatened.” The troll explained. She shook her head slowly. “They are the reason we don’t see many undersea dungeons.”

“How often do they migrate close to Valaria?” Sir Pram asked, intrigued.

“Every three years or so.” She told the selkie.

He nodded, “Perhaps we will have found the dungeon break by then, and I can travel to see it.”

Gerda stared at Pram for a long moment. “Why wait?”

“I am loyal to my lord.” The selkie sat straighter on his horse. “And I am dedicated to this quest. No matter how long it takes.”

Julian stiffened in his seat. He knew that every member of his party were here willingly… but they had sacrificed much to follow him into the North. John had less time with his family, and Jeffry was leaving his work as viscount to his sister, and Sir Pram rarely saw his cousins anymore.

Granted, John made enough money to buy a palace. And Jeffry outright told Julian he wanted an adventure before settling down…

And Pram, well, Pram’s family was exiled from the underdark. He wanted purpose, and had sworn to follow Julian for life.

Everyone was here for a different reason.

In a side note, Sir Tully was here on forced community service after insulting a foreign dignitary, and Visha was a spy sent by his mother.

Gerda cut into Julian’s thought with a simple, “No need to wait, Sir Pram. I can take us all to see the whales this weekend.”

Sir Pram waved a hand in rejection, “I couldn’t, not while on duty.”

“It’ll be fine.” Gerda leaned in closer, speaking quietly but still in clear hearing of everyone present due to their advanced perception. “I was going to take Julian there on a date anyway.”

“Were you now?” Julian asked, butting into their conversation.

“I was.” Gerda told him. “I’ve been thinking about visiting to see how Drendil is adapting to a less xenophobic leadership.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” Julian told her.

“Is that--?” Gerda asked, peering into the darkness ahead.

“Yes.” Julian nodded. A group on horseback were headed their way.

John had come out to greet them.