XXII
Second Movements
『S-Day +150』
『Vaticano Exterior』
We rode passed the walls of Vaticano. If it were not for our need to rejoin the caravan, I would have gone with my earlier plan of burning this city to the ground. But Minervina is currently there so I cannot do that. Although I doubt it will ever happen, if I ever return to this city, I will burn it down. Just purge it in the cleansing fires.
『S-Day +152』
『Northwest – Vaticano Outskirts』
“Okay, just hold your breath as you're about to pull the trigger. But be careful not to keep your eye too close-”
*pew*
“Ow! Fucking hell!”
“because scope-bite is a thing.”
“God dammit onii-chan, warn me sooner.”
Alicia and I were set up atop the carriage with my rifle. She had been interested in shooting for some time, but not had an opportunity to do so. Inside the dungeon, we were usually on guard to take time out for practice shooting. Now, as I had attempted to warn Alicia, the rifle had kicked and caused the scope to hit her eye. A small cut was formed and blood dripped down. She jumped down the carriage and sought out Claritia for healing.
I, meanwhile, remained on the carriage and looked through my bags. Since it will be a few days before we reach Umbria and/or the caravan, I would take the time to figure out how to put the magic stones on the quad-copter. A simple array of 1 「Silent Stone」, 1 「Amplifier Stone」, and enough 「Mana Stones」 to keep it running. If I did not use enchantments then it would be a simple 'plug and play', but there would be no on/off switch and mana regulation.
Well, with the quad-copter only lasting about an hour, it should not be a problem. Thanks to the Grimoire and a few thousand stored mana, a roll of gaffers tape solved my need to attach the magic stones.
As the propellers spun, the sounds it emitted were only slightly louder than my laptop fan. Though my laptop was already pretty loud, this was still a good step toward a stealth drone. I controlled it with the remote control and sent it up into the air. In front of us was the road with no travelers. Behind us I could just barely see the walls surrounding Vaticano and the centuria of virago that marched in a column formation. Around us was pastures, empty roads and plantations.
The camera was pretty great, though it did not have a telescopic lens attached, it still had a digital zoom that allowed me to see the great stretches of land. There were no way stations and tabernae in our path that I could see. It was possible that there were few travelers in this area. I think most travel from the north/south of Vaticano. I continued my scouting and searched in front of us, not seeing much but forests of pine and cypress trees further out. Small villages could be seen that were probably loggers, farmers and animal herders.
☘ ☘ ☘
『S-Day +154』
『Southeast – Umbrian Farming Region』
I was able to find the main north/south road that lead to Umbria from Tiberalis with my drone. I also found the caravan almost halfway between the 2nd tier wall and the city. It was at least 3 weeks from reaching Umbria. That was not the only thing I found. Multiple camps could be seen hidden in the trees. If it were not for the drone, I would never have known they were there.
As I moved the drone closer, fortifications made of wooden palisades could be seen. It did not appear that they could see the drone so I continued scanning the camps. Dozens of horses were tied up in multiple stables. Spears, swords and shields were lined up in neat rows in what I assumed was for an easy deployment. All I could see were 2 campsites that were nearly adjacent to each other and had a similar layout. I was unsure of exactly how many camps there were and who they are, but I did not feel comfortable with their presence.
The people inside the camp did not look like soldiers or even auxiliaries, but they were not doing anything suspicious that I could see. I returned the drone before it was bingo charge and, once it was secured, I ordered the driver to speed up. I also turned to our rear and signaled the other drivers to speed up. Carefully, I made my way back inside the carriage and explained what I saw.
“Okay, so Alicia, I need you to make a sword or something and attach a note to it.” the note I passed her was written as I was explaining the situation. Note reads:
Friendly caravan sighted.
Suspicious outposts found.
Possible bandits.
Double time.
While the drone still had charge, I sent it out to give Alicia a good panned view of our transports. Her eyes were glued to the screen as her magic-flying-bullshit daggers were sent through the air and stuck in the wood of the carriage. Lastly, I wrote another note and attached it to a spear which I then threw into the ground. The last note was for the centuria that was following us, but did not give an order to increase their speed. If they were to do so, they would be exhausted and would have unnecessary casualties. They would probably reach the caravan in about a week even if they increased their pace.
☘ ☘ ☘
『Lavernaii Camp』
“Just 2 more days and they will be arriving at our traps and everything in that caravan will be ours. If it were not for their delay at the Vallum Secundus, we would not have been able to make such elaborate traps.” the lavernaii leader explained to his men all the preparations that had been made to overwhelm Naoki's caravan, but the men were anxious at having been delayed for so long.
“Whatever has happened in Umbria has been working in our favor,” a lavernaii started, “the 19th legion no longer sends patrols south now that they have been deployed to the gallian mountains.”
“Along with most of the garrison auxillia.” added another lavernaii.
Every lavernaii spoke excitedly. Every lavernaii ate their fill of raided meats and grain. Every lavernaii drank their fill of expertly vinted wine. The leader confirmed roles and tactics to ensure an easy victory. In just 2 days, their plans would be executed.
“Scout reporting!” a horse-mounted scout entered the camp with great haste and made his way straight to the camp leader. “An armed caravan was sighted leaving Vaticano. 6 enslaved tauross were sighted and were followed by a soldier centuria. At their current speed, they will reach us be morning!”
The leader was now faced with a dilemma; do nothing and hope they are simply passing by, risk an early attack disregarding the traps laid out, split forces and mislead the soldiers or cut their losses. Though he did not know that the scout had made a slight error regarding the pace of the centuria. His men would not allow abandoning what had been planned for 2 months. The numerous scouts who had kept close watch on the caravan had noted dozens of attractive young women. Even an exotic black haired girl was already being claimed by the leader.
If they were to wait it out and allow the caravan to fall into the prepared traps, there was the risk that the soldiers would cross paths or be close enough to notice the commotion. A choice was made; a detachment of 32 riders from the 2nd camp will ride out to meet and distract the travelers and soldiers, attempting to lead them away from the main group.
“Send the signal. We must conduct the prayer.” messengers departed and all the men in the camp stood in a circle around a large fire. The lavernaii leader held a cup in his left hand and waited for the others to follow suit. “We honor mother Laverna, goddess of thieves, shadows of alleys and gossips of tabernae. We offer the blood of our wine, spilled onto the earth to be pilfered and plundered. We sacrifice the burden of coin, weighed heavy in purses. And we cheat the games, to be won and prospered.”
The others around the fire repeated the prayers and spilled their cups. The fire was doused. The weapons were equipped. And the horses, mounted.
A total of 56 riders from 3 camps will join in attacking the main caravan while 32 riders of the 2nd camp will delay the new travelers. Near the cover of darkness, the camps were emptied.
☘ ☘ ☘
『S-Day +155』
We were forced to let the horses rest for the night. If we drove them any further then they might die of exhaustion. But now they were rested and we were on the move once more. I took up my position on the roof with my rifle and freshly charged drone. Alicia would be sitting next to the driver to offer protection since we were lead in the convoy. From my drones eye, I could see cavalry detachments heading south and another heading north in a possible flanking maneuver while the virago centuria were at least a day or 2 behind until they receive my message; Lavinia was also on the roof of her carriage and armed with a bow.
It would be at least an hour before the riders would be in rifle range so I made sure to prepare as much bullets and magazines as I could. They will not stop me nor will they slow me down. If they truly are bandits, then the larger groups are targeting the main caravan.
No one touches my Veronica.
☘ ☘ ☘
『Vaticano』
“Princess, a messenger from Aventine has arrived.” Salina brought an exhaustion-riddled man before the princess.
Minervina received the letter the man carried and allowed him rest. She was surprised at how quickly the letter for instructions arrived. As the letter was read, she became nervous at its contents; the arrest order was given. Though it may be her first act as a commander, she was unperturbed at what would be needed of her. She put her trust into her virago and evocati.
The order was sent to rally her troops.
The fact that the 13th legion, whose home base was Vaticano, was currently deployed to the south as part of their rotational defense allowed her army to move without threat. The streets leading to the Vaticanii estate quickly cleared away to allow the army to march unhindered. Now, standing in front of the gates, Minervina stood with great confidence.
“Paullus Naevius Vaticanius, under orders of the emperor, you are to be placed under arrest. Open the gates and surrender yourself peacefully.”
Only a few moments passed before the gates were opened. And from those gates, an elderly slave appeared with both hands before him carefully carrying a cloth-covered object. An evocatus and virago centurion quickly moved beside the princess in order to protect her.
As the slave stepped closer to Minervina, it became apparent that the white cloth the slave carried was stained with blood. What was revealed was a simple bloodstained dagger. With a few words exchanged, Minervina and her army followed the slave inside the estate. The slave lead her and her bodyguards down through the secret passageway to the hidden chambers. There, on his chair, lay the fresh corpse of Propraetor Vaticanius.
Minervina stared at the corpse with a single stab wound in his belly, “And his family?”
“Master's wife and eldest daughter are in Healingspring, the eldest son is an aquilifer in the 13th legion, the 2nd son is a merchant in the southern cities, the 3rd son and youngest daughter were killed recently.” the slave answered.
“I must send word to father. You said they were killed. How?” Minervina asked.
“Murdered by the Kuroba family.” the slave reclaimed the dagger and knelt by his master. With a prayer whispered, the dagger was plunged into his belly as he followed his master in death.
☘ ☘ ☘
『Naoki's Caravan』
“Riders approaching!”
“Fucking finally,” Veronica looked up with a relieved face, “they're back.”
Veronica peered out of the window, but what she saw was not Naoki's carriages. Instead, she saw a dozen armed horsemen charging in their direction; more riders could be seen riding southward. She turned around and looked through the other window and saw more riders moving to surround them.
“Horse riders are bandits, to arms!” the adventurer captain ordered once he realized the identity of the riders, “Vehicles to defensive formation.”
The highway the caravan was on was a main, though underused, road. It was wide enough to allow an entire legion to travel via column formation while still allowing space for others to move. The vehicles were moved into 3 columns with the center carriages holding the most important occupants. Escort archers climbed atop the tallest carriages to gain a height advantage against the horsemen, but this would expose them to enemy missiles.
Other adventurer escorts moved into a defensible position around the caravan. Melee and magic users prepared their weapons.
☘ ☘ ☘
『Southeast – Umbrian Farming Region』
*pew* *pew* *pew*
It was just like shooting the centaurs; the riders simply rode in a predictable path. Having Illusionary Repetition making my shots doubled caused any hits to be near fatal. One by one the riders fell. It was not until half of their forces were dead that they realized the need to scatter. If it were not for the trees obscuring my line of sight, I would have already taken all of them out. The fact that they were able to move swiftly through the forest on horseback was pretty impressive.
Once they got into range, Alicia, Lavinia and I cleaned them up. They stood no chance; not even a single arrow left their quiver. And I only spent 2 magazines.
“Good,” I leaned over the edge to the driver, “now make haste. Time to save my girlfriend.”
☘ ☘ ☘
By the time we got into visual range of the caravan, the battle was already won. I saw, through my scope, 5 riders attempting to flee. They were not exactly heading toward us, but in our general direction. I had to be careful with my shots. If I missed, I might end up hitting the grouped up caravan. Despite my high precision, a miss was still a miss.
Just like the bandits in the forest, they were quite easy to predict. Because the people of this world had discovered stirrups, the riders were much more stable. Leaning forward with only minor bumps from the gallop, the rider was shot. And the other. And another. All 5 were dead and I scanned the caravan.
1 rider was riding close to the caravan and had managed to run down an adventurer. He rode southward in an attempt to avoid the archers that were near the forefront of the caravan. I was waiting patiently for an opening once he had cleared the last wagon, but before he could reach it an amphora came out of nowhere. It was tossed out from the rear wagon that, if I remember correctly, held the niter bed and urine pots. He fell off his horse sideways with his head hitting the stone surface of the road.
The battle of the caravan was now over; victor: us.
We rushed over with potions and Claritia to heal the wounded. The adventurer escorts nearly shit themselves when they saw 6 minotaurs seemingly chasing us as we moved toward them. Thankfully, Alicia was able to explain it to them to allay their fear. Claritia rushed out of the carriage with my scepter of quickening to heal the most critically injured; the rest of us rushed out with potions.
Defenders:
Attackers:
Adventurers (K.I.A):
8
Killed:
27
Adventurers (Injured):
17
Injured:
11
Servants (K.I.A.):
2
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Surrendered:
10
Servants (Injured):
4
Escaped:
8
Animals (K.I.A.):
3
Animals (Killed):
19
Animals (Injured):
0
Animals (Captured):
12
Burroto was alive. He kept making his donkey noises when he saw me. Not that I was specifically looking for him; he was the one that was pulling Veronica's carriage. The sound of her carriage door caused me to turn around. There she stood, beautiful as I remembered, standing before me. Her long hair was set down and reached her waist, her favorite shorts revealed a little too much if one were to look the right way, her short legs bare and pale after having lost its tan, her ankle socks that accentuated how cute she was and the look on her face as she stepped closer to me made my heart skip a beat.
《!》
*punch*
I had thought she was holding back tears as she rushed toward me, but when I had my arms open, she snuck in a right hook.
“1 month, you said you would be back after 1 month. Motherfucker took 2 months and we were attacked by assholes!” her anger frightened me more than the giant, “and you took the fucking imperial pass. We had to spend 3 weeks at the goddamn 2nd wall getting all our shit searched!”
After releasing all her frustrations by venting them at me, she finally relaxed enough to allow me to hold her in my arms. I leaned down to kiss her. Her hands held my shoulders as she reached up to meet my lips. My hands groped, fondled and squeezed her amazingly cute butt. A few minutes passed before she pulled away from me.
“Just because we kissed doesn't mean I forgive you. You're still an asshole.” she said as she rested her head on my chest.
“I'm sorry,” my arms went around her and held her tightly, “things happened. I need to tell you about it.”
Just as we were enjoying our reunion, Alicia decided to pop in, “Aww, how cute. My best friend and my husband fooling around. There's important shit that needs to be sorted, like, cremating our dead.”
We made camp to lick our wounds.
☘ ☘ ☘
『Fortress Driftingscale』
1 of 6 of the great fortresses of the Epistylian empire, Driftingscale was once a major port city. At its peak, the city's harbors were able to dock as many as 10,000 corbita, the primary merchant ship. The docks and piers were constructed of solid stone blocks which even covered the sea floor as a foundation. The walls that surrounded the city stretched as far east toward a small range mountains. The mountains, which provided most of the granite needed for construction of the city, held the Magna Cellarium, or the Great Storehouse.
Salt pans dotted the western shore outside of the city walls. This fortress city and the town of Ostia were once the major salt producers of the empire; that was centuries ago. An unknown event caused all trade from the easterners to cease. After their disappearance, the waters became toxic. The wood of ships would break down over time and the salt produced was contaminated.
The city could no longer function.
After having become abandoned, the Oakoo trees that had its growth kept in check were now free to grow wildly. The walls of the city, over time, became caked with salt. The trees nearest the shore acted as a wall of its own to hold back the salt spray. And now, after many centuries, a yellow-brown tinged wall of salt became a monument of the city. The layers of salt even went so far as to preserve what was within the city.
From the western treeline on the outskirts of the city stood a young girl. Her slitted pupils expanding and contracting as it scanned the outer walls of the city. The felinic ears atop her head twitched as she filtered out the sounds of ambiance. The sound of footsteps behind her interrupted her concentration.
“Nothing alive then?” asked the older man.
“None. We should explore deeper while the goblins open a road.” the girl replied.
The older man agreed, “Split into small teams of 3 and take 2 teams to explore the northern and eastern area. We'll secure the western and southern areas.”
As the tracking corps gathered then broke into groups, the young girl took along with her her trusted companions. As silently as the wind, the 2 groups crept along the treeline to the northern wall of the fortress.
With less contamination of salt, the northern walls were covered with thick vegetation. The creeping vines made for perfect material to scale. Now atop the walls of the fortress, the tracking corps were able to grasp a clearer image of the interior. Over the centuries, mounds of tarnished salt piled at the southern corners; the odorous stench was carried be the sea breeze. Once the rusted gates were opened, the 2nd team continued their mission and explored the northern portion of the fortress while the 1st team made their way east.
Another fortress was claimed by the ossians.
☘ ☘ ☘
『Aventine』
In a villa, 3 men are gathered. Opiter Bellus, head of the Bellii family; Decimus Celer, head of the Celerii family; and Appius Carus, head of the Caruii family. These men were the same ones that Naoki and Alicia had met and formed a loose alliance with. Each one was sold a particular technology for a nominal fee. For a simple and instant exchange of liquid funds, the monetary value of each technology could be considered monumental in comparison.
The Bellii family was given the secrets of soap making and would compete directly with the 「Alchemist's Guild」. The Celerii family was given the secrets of paper making and would compete directly with the papyrus makers. The Caruii family was given the secrets of the printing press and would directly compete with the 「Scribe's Guild」.
“Following the instructions that were given to us, we have finally replicated the quality of soap to be sold.” Bellus handed the 2 other men a sample of soap bars, “Our first batch will be soon. How goes it on your end?”
Celer placed the given soap back onto the table, “The trip-hammers that are used for grain have been re-purposed to be used in water. Thanks to the lye given by Bellus, the pulping has been a simple procedure. However, our weavers have had difficulties in making a tight enough screen to process the pulp. It will still be some time before we have a sellable batch.”
“Then that will give us time to work out the problems with the printing press. The intricate nature of carving lead into the letters as well as making each spacing identical has been time consuming. Not to mention the problems that the ink has given us. Boiling linseed oil has proven hazardous, but luckily only 20 or so slaves were killed; a small amount.” Carus announced as he scrutinized the color of the thin bar of soap.
Bellus looked at both men and, after considering the weight of their words, came to a conclusion.
“It seems Aventine might be a bit too crowded for our work.”
Both men agreed.
Carrus spoke up, “Where do you propose we continue this venture? Follow the child to Umbria?”
“Well,” Celer thought for a moment, “we primarily need wood. Why not Liguria?”
The 3rd wall city of Liguria was, along with Campania, the major supplier of cheap timber for the empire. With the looming threat of an ossian incursion further into the imperial lands, production of timber had been increasing over the years. Liguria would be a relatively safe area to build their factories. The number of attacks in Ligurian lands over the years was insignificant.
All 3 men shook hands and adjorned their meeting.
☘ ☘ ☘
『Fortress Stonequiet』
A military unit was seen emerging from the southern jungle. The orkoss sentries atop the fortress walls kept a vigilant eye on the soldiers to determine their identity. The garrison was put on alert in the event the unknown group were enemies. As the military unit cleared the rocky outcroppings, it was clear that they were escorting a very large contingent of wheeled transports.
From one such transport, a carriage with a banner was seen. The banner showed the emblem of a wolf-like face; it was that of the Caniformic tribe. The main gates of the fortress was opened and the caravan entered.
From the carriage emerged a man. A man with lupine ears and a tail. The man looked around the interior of the fortress and saw the filthiness that the goblins and orkoss would leave. Those same goblins and orkoss stood by awaiting for instructions.
“5 years our people have controlled this land and all I can see is that there has been no advancement.” the wolf-like man scornfully said as he peered at each goblin and orkoss, “I will put all of you to work. Start cleaning the streets and buildings from your piss and shit and mix it with whatever soil is outside the walls. My life will not be wasted in such a shit-stenched city.”
Workers from the caravan distributed tools and food to the goblins and orkoss. They then went about their newly assigned tasks; aside from those who were guarding the walls. Others from the caravan split off and explored the city while others more began occupying buildings and transporting supplies into warehouses. The wolf-like man, on the other hand, took multiple carriages and a detachment of guards to the main castle.
☘ ☘ ☘
『Northlands』
A city was in ruin.
Houses, workshops and many other buildings were reduced to smoldering rubble. The walls that were meant to protect it from invaders were now crumbled piles of rock. The sunlight shimmered off the bloodstained metal of fallen soldiers. All the defenders were dead and all the other inhabitants were captured.
Thousands of the elderly, the women and the children were taken, wrists clad in shackles or rope. Those that were desirable, regardless of being young or old, were divided amongst the soldiers. Throughout the city, screams could be heard of bodily violations committed. Other soldiers were pulling riches from undamaged homes and storehouses.
The leader of this army stood by and watched as his men ransacked the city. He had already claimed the most attractive and fertile women as his own and allowed his men to do as they please. Other spoils that lay by his feet, which had also drawn him to this city, was numerous casks of ale and wine; figs were a staple of this desert region and made the most flavorful drinks. Satisfied that his men had boosted their spirits, he retreated to his tent with his new slaves carrying multiple casks.
The following morning, the soldiers lined up in formation after having had their fill of their spoils. Their armors and weapons had not had the chance to be cleaned and the torn banners were yet to be stitched. The men, exhausted as they appeared, had their morale sharply raised by this conquest and were now excitedly awaiting word for the next one.
They watched as their leader emerge from his tent.
Standing before his well trained and well disciplined soldiers, the leader Basileios spoke with great vigor, “In these drying lands, we receive little respite. These conquests give us little reprieve from the punishments of the deserts; our prison. The trees and grain wither away as the sand spreads. The lakes have dried and the rains have been forgotten.
“But what has not been forgotten was the suffering our ancestors bore witness. The great fertile lands of the south gave life to all. Water was plentiful as if the mountains themselves wept. But the savages forced our forefather's forefathers to these northern wastes! We must reclaim what was once ours, for the sake of our peoples!”
Cheers erupted and weapons raised. The thumping of shields echoed into the openness of the field.
“We must grow our army. We must gather the great beasts. With these new weapons which shatter walls, we will shatter the mountains that bar us passage!”
☘ ☘ ☘
『S-Day +158』
『Southern Umbria – Naoki's Caravan』
The pyres was set for our fallen. It was unfortunate that they were lost, but it was unavoidable. There was never any mentions of bandits or thieves in the area so I could only assume they appeared after Umbrius had died. The bodies of the bandits were collected and stored in the rear wagon with the niter bed while the dead horses and asses were butchered; I was sure to collect as much blood as I could. Animal, not human.
All those that had been injured had made a full recovery; the injured bandits were given minimal healing, just enough to stabilize them. They would ride in the rear as well. Each one was bound by rope and tied to each other. Once we reached Umbria, we would see them off. Because we have rejoined the caravan, we can allocate our escorts to the rear.
In order to make up for lost time, we put the captured horses and minotaurs to good use. The minotaurs were strong enough to single-handedly pull a heavy wagon. The horses would be grouped and pull the next heaviest wagons and carriages while the asses would be grouped and pull the lightest wagons and carriages. To better protect them from any future threats, the caravan would move in a double column formation.
Anytime I approached certain carriages, Alicia would divert me away. I kept finding it suspicious, but she always gave some reason to distract me. Much of my time was spent inside my own carriage with Saya, Illyria, Claritia, Delia or Sidony. But now that we were about to depart, I was inside Veronica's carriage with the Giant's Drink retort; it was being set up for her to use.
“Blood? Really?” Veronica asked me with mild disgust.
“It's fine, like, you don't even taste it after it's brewed. Kinda tastes like celery juice.” I tried to assuage her appetite.
“Fuck's sake, dude.”
“Don't worry, I’m not using human blood or anything. Here, I have some horse and donkey blood from the other day.” I handed her a magic bag with amphorae of blood.
As she took it in her hands, she gave a very scrutinized look, “...Fuck's sake, dude.”
☘ ☘ ☘
『S-Day +162』
『Veronica's Carriage』
“Are you really sleeping with all those girls, even the animal girl?” Veronica asked me probably having seen all the girls that came in and out of my carriage.
“The fox girl's name is Sidony and she's super cute. Her tail is super fluffy and as long as you don't look inside her ears, it's also super cute. Oh, and get this, when you rub her ears… she purrs.” I excited spoke about Sidony, “Want me to bring her over? She really is super fluffy.”
Veronica raised an eyebrow at me, “With the way you're gushing over her, you must really be in love with her, huh?”
“Hm? I dunno. She's more like a pet to me. Which is a weird thing to say since I have sex with her.” I said, sitting next to Veronica.
“Ew. Okay, but what about Ali or the princess or the others even?”
“I never really thought about it. I have no idea how I really feel about them. I mean, the thought of some asshole stealing away any of my girls would obviously infuriate me, but I have no idea if it's love or not.” we did not make eye contact. Instead, we kept staring straight ahead of us.
“Well, maybe you should say it to them. It would make them happy to hear it.”
“I guess.” I thought about it for a moment. Not sure if I really felt that way, but I might as well use it. I looked over at Veronica sitting next to me. Her hair wrapped in a messy bun, her eyes wide and black and her lips so soft. I took her hand in mine and looked her in the eye, “Veronica, I-”
“No.”
“But-”
“Nope.”
“Just-”
“Dude, we're not dating. I’m not your girlfriend. I like kissing you, but that's all. Don't pout. Because I like kissing. I also like holding hands. We're, at best, friends with kinda benefits.” she looked down at our hands with an annoyed look on her face. “Jesus, the fuck is up with your nails? Do you cut it with a rusted hammer?”
She called out for Cassia to bring her her kit. While waiting, Veronica swung her legs over my lap and moved her body to a more relaxing position. When the kit that Cassia brought in was opened, I saw bottles of nail polish. Veronica rooted around the small bag until she brought out a small nail clipper. She carefully held my fingers while sitting in such an awkward position and clipped away.
“You're really going to do that now? While the carriage is bumping and shit?” I asked while listening to the snapping of the metal clips.
“Invent a leaf-spring so we can have a smoother ride.” she answered.
“Already installed, natives discovered it already.”
“Then stop talking so I can focus.”
I remained quiet while she continued working. With nothing else to do, my eyes moved downward at her legs. Smooth and pale brown. Her thighs were thicker than Alicia's. My fingers caressed her skin lightly as I sought out the feel of her body. Once down to her feet, I noticed that her toenails were shiny.
Manicure? Or was it pedicure?
Whichever it was, it was nice to look at.
“Other hand.” she dropped my right hand and took my left, “That kept tickling me.” she smiled then returned to work.
My right hand, now free to move, sat on Veronica's thigh. She did not protest as I began stroking slightly. Her thigh was soft and enjoyable to touch. My gaze turned downward to her shorts. I tried to slyly nudge her legs apart so I could sneak a peek at her crotch. Though I had thought I was being subtle, I was not. Veronica immediately shut her thighs together, but not before I was able to see an interestingly dark spot on her shorts.
“Nice try, perv.” she swung her legs off of my lap and sat down on the floor of the carriage. She then took my right foot and continued her work.
“What's with you and nails?” I asked.
“I'm Vietnamese. My family owns, like, a hundred nail salons. I used to work at the one near school.”
I will never, ever, ever tell her that all this time, I thought she was Chinese.
Her attention once again became focused and my own started to wander. Though I truly enjoyed staring at her, my eyes glanced over to Cassia who was sitting diagonally across from me. She was glaring at me. Once she realized I had caught her, she relaxed her face. When I moved my eyes away from her, I could see her glare return from the corner of my eyes.
When did she start hating me?
It was uncomfortable to see her in such a state so I simply returned to gawking at Veronica. She eventually finished and put away her tools; the bag was handed off to Cassia. But curiously, she remained on the floor. She looked up at me, her beautiful black eyes gazing into my soul. She hesitated a bit before she spoke.
“I'm only going to do this once and only once… Don't tell Ali.” she said as her hands reached up and tugged at the elastic band of my shorts.
I took the hint and lifted my hips up while balancing myself on my hands. She removed my shorts and I was fully exposed to her. A wave of embarrassment washed over me as she stared at my nakedness. My heart was beating in my throat. My stomach was in a whirl. When her hand reached up and her delicate fingers wrapped around me, I felt as if I were in heaven.
I was finally going to have Veronica.
Happiness flowed through me as her hand stroked me carefully, experimentally. I watched as she explored the tip of my penis with her lips and tongue. The feeling of it was electric; I nearly fell over from the pleasure. Then she took me further into her mouth. Sucking me in little by little, it was then that I realized how terrible she was.
Veronica had managed to take me all the way before gagging herself. She slobbered constantly as she had trouble swallowing her saliva. And the worst was having her teeth scrape against me. It took awhile, with me guiding her, before it returned to being very pleasurable. I leaned my head back and relaxed while also ignoring the hateful glare of Cassia.
Just as I was enjoying myself fully, the warmth of her mouth disappeared. When I opened my eyes I saw her standing before me; she slowly removed her adorable shorts. My eyes were drawn to her smooth mound. I could also just barely see her labia peeking out. We locked eyes and lust glittered in her gaze. She held my shoulder firmly as she climbed onto the bench I sat on. Her feet were planted on either side of me as she rested on my lap. I moved my hands to rest on her hips and held her steady.
Veronica hooked her left hand behind my neck as her right hand snaked between us. Her fingers grasped me and pointed me toward her. As she moved and adjusted herself, I felt her heat kissing my tip. Before she moved again, she whispered to me.
“This doesn't count.” with that, she slowly moved forward. Her pussy swallowing me whole as her warmth enveloped me. Her right hand joined her left, lacing her fingers together. She began bouncing on me using the bench as leverage. We were both looking down watching the penetration take place.
It felt as if hours had flown by and before I knew it, I began filling her. The orgasm hit me hard as I came. She continued her long bounces a few more times until she realized what was happening. Suddenly, her weight was thrown off of me and coldness of the air replaced the warmth of her pussy.
As I opened my eyes and looked down, I saw Veronica returned to her previous position taking me back into her mouth; I noticed a streak of my cum on her face. She worked her mouth until I was empty; depleted. She sucked me dry. There was nothing left. Though I was still hard and I had wanted more, I could not say anything or even do anything; I was in a daze. She then leaned back and stared at me with flush cheeks.
“I love you too.” she said before she shakily stood up and walked to her bed. I was able to get a good long look at her ass before she closed the curtain separating the bed and the cabin with Cassia following behind her.
☘ ☘ ☘
『S-Day +165』
『Lavernaii Abandoned Ambush Site』
Not counting the few days we had spent cleaning up after the bandit attack, the additions of the horses made our travel time much faster. We encountered the virago on the main road, having caught up with us. They had managed to locate all the nearby camps and found the plans for the traps hidden near the road.
I suppose it was a silver blessing that the caravan got delayed.
The virago also managed to capture 6 horses, but had to put down 12 injured horses. 2 contubernia was tasked with butchering and transporting the meat. The meat was then transferred to my magic chest and rations were given out to the virago.
A contubernium was tasked to take the 6 horses and ride ahead of us to ensure there were no more traps. And, just as before, we will travel ahead of the virago to Umbria.
☘ ☘ ☘
『Elysium』
Amber fields of grain was being harvested by thousands of workers. This year's harvest was just as poor as the harvests before. Lands out in the distance were slowly becoming barren as the dust clouds could attest. For generations diviners had struggled to keep the lands fertile, but with the thinning of mana in the atmosphere, it became a losing battle.
This world was dying.
Prophets, oracles and seers had foreseen this disaster and had warned of the impending doom. But the curse of these mystics was that they were never wrong. The peoples of this world only had 2 choices: die or find a new home.
On a barren patch of packed earth lay tens of thousands of tents. Armies from a thousand kingdoms gathered by the will of the gods, the Theoi. Many species from man to ossian joined together in the singular goal of surviving their dying world. Observing the armies was a young woman.
The woman had a pale copper green skin. The scale-like appearance on her skin were nothing more than a falsity as they were quite soft to the touch. Upon her head, her hair slithered and hissed. Below her waist, a pair of slender human legs covered in the same false scales. The goddess of protectrices, the guardian Medusa. As she stood vigilant, a many-armed man-creature approached from behind her.
“So you've finally arrived, Briareos?” she asked, her body remaining still.
“To see from be...hind you. The per...fect guardian as al...ways, Medusa,” the hecatoncheir Briareos quietly bellowed, “I have brought my bro...thers as well as the Mak...hai. How have you fared?”
“Euryale is excited to leave, but Stheno has refused. She wishes to pass on on this world. Lamia has joined us and brought with her her serpents.” Medusa turned around and, for the first time since their meeting, looked Briareos in his eyes, “You were able to gather the daemons under your control?”
Briareos nodded, “Made to see rea...son.”
“Good, now let's go meet with the others. There may be more that will eventually join, but for now we must organize who is already here.” Medusa led Briareos toward the large tent used as the central command post.
As they approached the tent, Briareos noticed 2 human forms near the entrance, “Olympians?”
“Demeter and Phobos,” Medusa answered upon seeing the 2 Theoi, “There are many others as well.”
“And what of… no ne...ver mind, it is rude of me to ask.” he began to ask, but realized his indiscretion.
“Athena is dead. Her descendants are dead. Her bloodline is dead. Poseidon is in hiding, but his last known descendant is… imprisoned.” Medusa's voice tensed as she confirmed the statuses of the 2 Olympians that had wronged her many years ago.
“Too long the bit...ter grudge you hold poi...sons your soul.”
“The poison has been washed away.”
Medusa and Briareos joined Demeter and Phobos and entered the tent. Nearly a hundred Theoi filled the interior. Once the 4 were acknowledge, a large man stood up and spoke.
“Good, we can begin the meeting now. Only a few dozen more are expected to join us, so we will continue to hold meetings until the time is upon us.” Heracles lifted a cup of wine and looked around the tent,” Less than a year left until the alignment. When the time comes, we will leave this dying world for good.”