Chapter 6: Confession!

After some time of Elhaym tending to Minx, Fenix rejoined the group,

“We should probably find a spot to make camp. That wound is going to need to heal overnight and its going to be dark soon. With the horses we can catch the bandits tomorrow.” He looked over to Elhaym, “We'll get those bastards early.”

“They won't know what hit them nfufu~” Elhaym nodded back. She stooped down over Minx, “I'm going to pick you up now, this might hurt a bit, just tell me if its too painful,” Elhaym lifted Minx with all the tenderness of a newborn kitten.

“Mnnh! I'm alright!” Minx tried to cling to Elhaym's breastplate, but the petite goblin couldn't get her arms around Elhaym's torso.

This is oddly very wholesome, like one of those slice of life anime! Tomoko mused to herself, seeing the obviously smitten goblin smush her face against Elhaym's chest. Is Elly really that clueless to someone liking her?

Elhaym carried Minx to another clearing away form the battle site. After setting her down, Elhaym and Fenix got to work setting up a camp site. Tomoko had only gone camping a couple times with friends but this was much different. Using long sticks and branches that were laying around, the duo made two tent frames. Out of the saddlebags on the horses they pulled out a few long lengths of canvas and leather. They draped them over the tent frames, and using wooden stakes they secured them into the ground. They set down a couple more lengths inside to make a floor.

Elhaym then set up a ring of stones about two feet across a short distance in front of the tents. After arranging some tinder and sticks Elhaym started a fire. Fenix brought over a bucket of water and a cooking pot.

“I'll make the dinner Brother Fenix~” Elhaym whistled as she grabbed from rations from her pack.

“Alright, I'll make sure the perimeter is secure!” Fenix marched off while Elhaym worked.

She took out strips of dried meat and added them to the water. She also cut off a cube of what looked like a block of stock to Tomoko. Elhaym cut up some potatoes and added some herbs and salt from another pouch in her bag, and soon there was a wonderful smell of stew in the air.

Once the food was just right Elhaym called Fenix over. She ladled a bowl of stew for everyone before serving herself. Soon the party was sat around the fire, eating delicious stew.

“So Minx, tell me about yourself~” Elhaym broke the silence after helping herself to a couple bowls of stew.

“Oh! M-me?” Minx squeaked, nearly dropping her bowl, “Oh, uh I'm justa girl on my way to the city trynna make a life for myself haha~” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, “Since us Goblins leave home when hit of age, I tagged along with dat wagon from da last town over, I'm pretty handy with a crossbow! Speaking of, I think I lost it back there...”

“I got it on our way over here,” Fenix pointed to his horse, “You can have it back tomorrow, I'll make sure its in good order beforehand.”

“Aw thank ya, mista, Fenix? Is it?” The goblin girl flashed a happy-fanged smile at the Elf, “Maybe my ears were buggin but is there someone else with ya? Tomoko?”

“Ah!” Elhaym covered her mouth in surprise, “Well, in a sense yes~” She chuckled, “I woke up this morning with another person in my body~ she's from a different world and her name is Tomoko, we're going to get her own body nfufu~”

Elhaym do you not realize how insane you sound? Tomoko was aghast how matter-of-factly Elhaym explained the situation.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“Oh! Well nice ta meetcha Tomoko!” Minx waved at Elhaym as if Tomoko was sitting on the Knight's shoulders.

“Does no one consider our situation incredibly insane” Tomoko lamented at Elhaym, but also kind of relieved at the same time.

“Oh well in my world magic exists so it stands to be believed our situation is possible really...” Elhaym nodded sagely.

“Oh are ya talking to Tomoko now?” Minx blinked curiously at her.

“Yes, she talks in my head a lot, and her world doesn't have magic, so she's learning that things works much differently here nfufu~.” Elhaym chuckled softly.

“I'll take second watch Brother Elhaym,” Fenix stood up and stretched. “You should rest up Minx, let the herbs heal that leg of yours. What are your plans for tomorrow?”

“Oh, uh I dunno...” Minx's ears drooped in thought, “I guess I'll figure dat out in the mornin'”

“Oh you don't want to come with us?” Elhaym rinsed out her bowl.

“Oh! Uh, I don't want ta be a burden...” Minx twiddled her fingers.

“Nonsense! We could use a good marksman, plus you'll be safer with us than on your own anyway! You know what they say, 'Bonds forged in battle are stronger than bonds of blood!' nfufu~” Elhaym nodded sagely.

“Well if you'll have me then I'd love ta travel with ya!” Minx tried to conceal her excitement. Tomoko smiled at how happy the Goblin looked, she couldn't how imagine how heartbroken Minx would be if they had to part. A part of Tomoko cheered her on.

“Well you gotta rest!” Elhaym picked up Minx gingerly and set her down in the tent. Fenix crawled into the other one. “I'll be in after first watch Minx~” Elhaym gave the goblin girl a gentle pat on her thigh before taking her leave.

Elhaym walked around the perimeter of the camp a few times before resting against a log by camp.

“So what do you think of our world so far Tomoko?” Elhaym broke the silence first.

“I don't know honestly. Everything is just so overwhelming at the moment. Sprink, goblins, bandits, magic, not having a body. I mean just a day ago I was preparing to start a new job, now I'm watching bandits being cut in half spraying sparkly goo everywhere.” Tomoko just realized in just one day how much she'd been exposed to. She was surprised her brain hadn't exploded at the overload of new stuff just flooding her.

“I understand wholly Brother Tomoko~” Elhaym's voice had a touch of understanding softness behind them this time, her eyes misted for a second, “We'll get you your own body soon enough~ and if you want I'll train you to be a knight just like me!”

Tomoko again felt like Elhaym was hiding deeper information but didn't press the matter and instead opted to change the subject.

“So you know Minx really likes you, right?” Tomoko had to know if Elhaym was just that dense.

“I don't follow, what do you mean?” Elhaym shrugged.

“You're kidding me! She kisses you, tries to cling onto you, looks at you like you're the most beautiful person she's ever seen! Have you not seen the way she looks at you?” Tomoko was about to lose it.

“Oh! You think so? Astra and Ulric always tell me I never notice these things...” Elhaym turned her head in thought.

“Ulric, who is that?” This was the first time Tomoko heard the name.

“My twin,” Elhaym's voice trailed off.

“Where is he?” Tomoko never heard Elhaym's voice go so quiet before.

“Ah, he passed away a couple years ago, about the same time I met Astra...” Elhaym's voice was steely, “But legally can't speak of what happened. Sorry.”

Maybe something bad happens if they talk about Astra? Tomoko figured something really crazy was at work with this supposed goddess of the Afterlife, but after hearing Elhaym struggling with the subject she didn't press things further.

After a few hours Elhaym woke up Fenix to take the next watch. Elhaym took off her armor and set it by the tent opening. She took off her tunic and covered her breastplate with it. She adjusted her undertop. Tomoko once again marveled at the -ahem- curviness of Elhaym. Remembering that she used to be nicknamed cutting board in school. She hoped her new body would have a bit of curviness too.

Elhaym then crawled into the tent with Minx, who squeaked still awake.

“Oh you're still awake Minx? You should be resting!” Elhaym grabbed her big cloak from the side of the tent. “Oh my you're shivering! You must be cold! Is it the wound?”

Minx tried to speak words but only sputtering noises and squawks came out. Her eyes were as wide as dinner plates seeing Elhaym leaned over her.

“You poor thing!” Elhaym laid next to the goblin girl and draped the cloak over the both of them, “Ara~ I'll keep you warm Minx nfufu~” She pulled the petite Goblin into her in a snuggly hug, her face being buried in Elhaym's bosom. “There there~” She stroked the fluffy red head of Minx.

Tomoko wish she could roll over laughing, seeing the state of things. She was sure Minx was about to have a meltdown, but also couldn't help but cheer the goblin on.

Minx squirmed a bit until her head popped up from between Elhaym's chest.

“Do ya like me?” Minx sheepishly asked Elhaym, whose eyes were drooping sleepily.

“Mmnh? Yeah~ I like you Minx nfufu~” Elhaym yawned, snuggling Minx a little tighter.

Oh my a confession?! This is better than any anime I've ever watched! Tomoko wish she had fingernails to nibble on.

“I really like ya too,” Minx blushed, “I can't explain why, but I instantly liked ya when I saw ya. You were my first kiss ya know?” Minx's face looked like it was ready to burst with embarrassment.

Elhaym you're home free! She just confessed! Tomoko was punching the air for Minx.

“How about a second nfufu~” Elhaym sleepily pulled Minx up and gave her a big smooch on her forehead before squishing the goblin girl's face down into her chest, and began...snoring? Tomoko couldn't believe it! Elhaym fell asleep in the middle of Minx's confession!

Then again, by the look on Minx's face. Tomoko could tell she was in absolute heaven. The most blissful of looks on her face. Tomoko always knew of goblins as these ugly green-skinned creatures with long noses, warty skin, and murderous intent. But Minx changed all of that in just an afternoon. She was adorable, with a soft round face, a cute button nose, and the floppy ears just enhanced the cuteness. Tomoko suddenly was overcome with a wave of sleepiness? Did that mean when Elhaym slept she does too? Tomoko couldn't ponder anymore on the subject as she drifted off into a dreamless sleep.