As you moved, on your way there, he pestered you about your relationship with the Nettle Harpy, yet your answers left him dissatisfied. You’d already fibbed to him that you were a half-prisoner, half-accomplice, but it wasn’t enough; you thought you were a good liar, given you deceived the Demon King! You didn’t know what you could say in fear or revealing too much, and—of course—you would keep the prophecy to yourself, so, you held your tongue for the most part. Without Miranna’s warming presence, the cold felt bitter; every said breath let out what little warmth you had.

It was a blessing that the village laid a scant hour away.

The damp chill seeped into the warped pine shingles and straw thatch roofs first visible, sagging under the dismal weather—not unlike yours. Smoke curled from the worn chimneys, mingling with the overcast sky they strained but couldn’t rip open.

It was midday, but only a few villagers, clad in multiple layers of rags, moved about, their heads bowed, pale hands clutching their hoods against the wind; most likely the majority of others were still tending to the fields. Chickens and pigs huddled against one another for warmth their keepers could not provide, their oinks and clucks punctuating the silence.

“Here.” Yuriy said, stepping into churned soil around one of the houses, touching the timber wall before reaching for the door with his hand, a large fracture on it filled with caked mud and straw. “The adults can barely work, so the youth have to do it instead.”

He pushed the door open, the hearth’s warmth rushing at you like an escaping phantom. You sealed it quick, even without Yuriy’s ask. The room was lit solely by the fireplace’s glow, the rest shrouded in typical darkness. There was a loud noise: a man, his beard framing his brownish hair, lounged in a chair, snoring aloud. He sleep with calm and sound. Effortless.

“That doesn’t look like someone plagued by nightmares—“

Your words were broken by another snore.

“F-father?” Yuriy said, lifting the helm and gawking at the sleeping man. The boy’s hair was mostly brown, but had orange-feathered fringes and highlights. Still very young—not a true man-at-arms, but only wearing the borrowed plate and mail of one. His beard was patchy and uneven, hair sparsely sprouting in uneven tufts across his cheeks.

He snapped his fingers and waved his hand in front of his father’s face, but that didn’t wake him. He took a step back.

“I-I don’t understand?” he half-asked, placing the clawed helm on top of the hearth. “How, when he couldn’t even close his eyes in the morning?”

Running to the door, pushing you aside to view the streets, Yuriy seemed less concerned about keeping in the warmth than you were. Shuddering at the chill, you leaned beside him to look outside. A few doors down, a couple of peasants and a young woman gabbled; she stood unbothered by the winds that tangled her braids into pale gold ribbons. Thought you couldn’t make out her words, her vibrant, high-pitched tone was clear and sharp. Like in your past, and like in the mirror, it was Lucia.

> Continue watching Lucia and the neighbour peasants from shadows to see what they are up to.
> Ask Yuriy if he knows anything about the woman outside. Tell him not to let her know you’re here if she decides to. Should you warn him that Lucia is also a Demon King’s General?
> Tell Yuriy to approach her and ask about his father’s sudden deep sleep. Watch from a distance to see how Lucia responds.
> Urgently ask Yuriy to find you some clothes that will help disguise your identity, especially if Lucia decides to approach.
> Step outside and approach Lucia, pretending to be a resident of the village from the one you lived in when you met her.
> [Write In]

File: Demon King's General 63-.jpg (688 KB, 1792x1024)

688 KB JPG

> UPDATES?
Between daily and once per two days.
> PREVIOUS THREADS?
https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=TPNMSTDGBHK
> MUSICAL SUMMARY OF THE FIRST THREAD?
https://files.catbox.moe/71bjdm.MP3
> OTHER QUESTS?
https://pastebin.com/raw/YJ2k1TuN
> A SECRET TO WEALTH AND HAPPINESS?
https://pastebin.com/raw/XNLGaAgv

File: Demon King's General 71-.png (2.73 MB, 1792x1024)

2.73 MB PNG

"suptg" seems to be offline so I can't archive the #3 thread yet. Please remind me when it's up.

I didn't stop adding background music because I'm lazy but because I'm doing an autistic thing, and that thing is "using computer without any sounds for 30 days challenge".

>>6120775
> Continue watching Lucia and the neighbour peasants from shadows to see what they are up to.
Mmmm spying

>>6120781
>I didn't stop adding background music because I'm lazy but because I'm doing an autistic thing, and that thing is "using computer without any sounds for 30 days challenge".
Indeed extremely autistic

>>6120775
> Continue watching Lucia and the neighbour peasants from shadows to see what they are up to.

>>6120775
>Continue watching Lucia and the neighbour peasants from shadows to see what they are up to.
watchoo doin ere?
I kinda half-forgot who Lucia is again, if only suptg wasn't fried right now

>>6121946
Lucia is the childhood friend who gave us a gift of a log of wood, from which me made our prized clogs RIP, and then later we saw her in the Deon King's mirror when we were masquerading as him in his chambers with that imp.

>>6120835
>>6121064
>>6121946
>>6121978

You chose to watch, and not do anything else yet. Lucia, as youthful as you remembered, nodded to the couple before accompanying them into their home. Yuriy shifted his gaze from them to you, as if asking if you understood something he did not.

“I don’t think I’ve seen someone like her around?” he said, a scarlet blush tinting his pale ears. “No one with a hair like that, that’s for sure. So she came here while I was away?” He glanced over his shoulder. “Into our house?” He shifted the ill-fit gauntlet and brushed a fringe of his hair off his eyes. “Nothing to do but ask.”

“Wait,” you said, pushing the door into his path.

His hefty sabaton didn’t yield against your efforts to close it.

“What?” Yuriy scrunched. “Do you know her?”

You couldn’t warn him she was a Demon General—he clearly despised their sort. Yuriy waited through your silence, then elbowed your sensitive, unprotected side. You doubled over in pain as he walked outside. Grunting, you watched him reached the neighbour's dwelling just at the moment Lucia stepped outside it; she stood barely taller than the boy.

They started talking, Yuriy looking bashful yet insistent and firm. You hid behind the door once he pointed at the house—the moron—pulling away for a moment before looking through the narrower hinge gap: just a sliver of their figures visible. Lucia pressed a finger to his lips, gifting him a smile after, her ringing voice beckoning him to follow her to a house across the street.

> You’re not her enemy, you were childhood friends—even if not for long. If this really is Lucia from your past, perhaps a direct approach would work best. Step out and walk to greet and confront her.
> Approach Yuriy’s father and try to wake him up. It’s callous to do that to someone who finally got some sleep, but you could ask him what she’s done, to see if they had just changed one ill for another.
> Wait until they disappear and then sneak out of the house. You’re not sure why Lucia is fixing another Demon King’s mistake, but if she is that’s less weight off your shoulder. But are you suppose to play hide antnwynd seek with her until Miranna arrives?
> [Write In]

>>6121946
>>6121978

That is more or less correct! She was older than Niklos where they spent time at his village, but for reasons unknown she didn't age a year since they separated.

>>6122125
> Wait until they disappear and then sneak out of the house. You’re not sure why Lucia is fixing another Demon King’s mistake, but if she is that’s less weight off your shoulder. But are you suppose to play hide antnwynd seek with her until Miranna arrives?
Os "hide antnwynd seek" a typo, or the local version of hie-and-seek in the setting? Anyway, I say we seek, then!
>Continue to spy upon Lucia surreptitiously

>>6122181
You waited impatiently until they were out of sight, then slipped out of the dwelling, skirting behind the wind-battered, rain-worn house. What could you do next? … What -was- Lucia, anyways? Certainly not just a childhood friend, if she -ever- thought of herself as such. Was she already a Demon General back then, seemingly an ageless demon? You could not recall her ever harming anyone in the village, so was she here just to amend another General actions? If so, that was a weight off your shoulders, and an eye on your hilt you didn’t need to get rid of. But were you meant to skulk from her until she left, or until Miranna’s return?

You rested your clothless back against the brittle wood, frosted splinters sinking into your flesh. You weren’t ready to met her yet, knowing what you knew: that she wasn’t who you believed her to be, and that the Grub Hag’s prophecy involved her as well. The cold was numbing; to stand outside in the sopping child maybe been unwise.

You leaned in and peeked through the half-shuttered window, the fireplace’s glow taunting at you like a gilded outstretched hand. Lucia had been here already, so the thought of going back grew more tempting with every shiver. As you pondered on it, you saw the door open, hiding down. You could hear them from under the chipped windowsill: Yuriy’s fervency, the soldier’s steady snores, and Lucia’s briskness.

“So those petals you rubbed before his nose will give him a pleasant dream?” Yuriy said, his voice laced with lifting hope.
“You’ve got it right,” Lucia affirmed, her footsteps creaking across the room. “He’ll see a specific dream: a verdant isle on a tranquil lake, surrounded by bowed trees and slumbering blooms, with a languid breeze and birds who’re there but silent, not to disturb him. Just what he needs!”

“He did, he can finally rest. I don’t know what you used, but it worked, miss. Let me thank you in some way, please. We have um … “

“You needn’t thank me. I’m simply glad to be of help!”

Yuriy stood, picking up a kettle that rang as the water inside sloshed against the iron walls. “At least let me brew you some herbal tea.” She must’ve nodded, as you heard him set it on the hearth, the water beginning to hiss faintly. “When will he wake up?”

“Wake up?”

“He was very tired, so it might not be until tomorrow noon?”

“They asked me for sleep,” Lucia said; then you heard her rise and stride towards the wall nearer to you. “Did you know that the forest trees speak, and that the cut and wrought trees speak the loudest?” The coals crackled in the stilted silence. “Wait,” she added, “That’s not a normal thing to say. Forget all that please—“

She glanced out the window and caught the sight of you sitting …

> Turn your back before she can discern your features and rush away from her sight. Find another building to hide behind, then keep moving to avoid being seen again.
> Slowly rise up and creepily and pretend to be a ghost, a lapse of her memory. Stare silently through window to see how she reacts.
> Quickly close the exterior shutters in front of her face.
> Stand up and greet her with an awkward smile and a friendly wave. Act surprised that she’s here; you’re kind of are.
> [Write In]

File: Demon General 71-.png (3.84 MB, 1792x1024)

3.84 MB PNG

>>6122181
Of course hide antnwynd seek is a thing, I'd never make a typo!

>surreptitiously
Well that’s a word I just learned!

>>6123554
> Turn your back before she can discern your features and rush away from her sight. Find another building to hide behind, then keep moving to avoid being seen again.
AAAH

>>6123554
>Turn your back before she can discern your features and rush away from her sight. Find another building to hide behind, then keep moving to avoid being seen again.
You're just seeing faces where they aren't, m'lady

>>6123570
>>6124367

You locked eyes with her for a trice, then rushed along the muddy paths and through the thorny hedges. Had she recognised you? Unlikely; how would she? You were much older now. Back then you were naught but another faceless peasant to her, an acquaintance from—what must’ve been to her—a brief moment in her timeless existence.

Leaping over the softened ditch and, planting your boot into the wattle fence with enough force to bend it, you climbed over it, landing in the thick mud. Taking a single deep breath, you slid on the slippery muck to hide behind the hovel’s shadowed wall, hoping to evade from Lucia whether she chose to pursue or not.

“Baaaa!”

You turned sharply: a goat’s white face, wedged between the tightly woven branches of the fence, was looking at you with expressionless eyes. The rough bark pressed around its neck, holding the livestock beast in place. You whistled in the air, waving your hands at it not to—

“Baaaa!” it bleated at you again, its eyes rolling like a toy’s.

> Rush to the goat and try and break the wattle fence to free it from concealment and let it leave, so it can stop loudly bleating.
> It’s a goat, one of the animals you have the eye of on your knife. Approach it quickly and then, apologetically, shove the blade through its head, then ask a question for the prophecy [What is the exact question?]
> Freeing the goat will take far too long. Step closer and hold its jaws shut with your hands to quiet it.
> If Lucia was outside, she heard it. Climb and bury yourself in the mud; even if she comes to check, you’ll be concealed.
> [Write In]

>>6124637
>If Lucia was outside, she heard it. Climb and bury yourself in the mud; even if she comes to check, you’ll be concealed.
I'm a peasant, luv me mud

>>6124637
>Run from the noisy goat

>>6124637
> Rush to the goat and try and break the wattle fence to free it from concealment and let it leave, so it can stop loudly bleating.
We are kind to animals, and while I could see killing it for an answer... The goat has an owner who might love it, or at the very least plan to slaughter it themselves.

Did anyone archive the previous thread?

Update tomorrow. I'll roll between the three if there's no forth vote. You guys are g-g-great!

>>6124845
Yes, everyone can now vote to put it to the very top.

Rolled 2 (1d3)

>>6124789

>>6124791

>>6124815

>>6124789
>>6124791
>>6124815

The goat threatened to give away your whereabouts, screeching the way it were. You glanced at the hilt of your knife, a goat’s—a buckling’s—small eye near its pommel; it was one of the animals meant to be slain with the Grub Hag’s knife to get a foretelling; as if by luck, one stood before you now. But you didn’t quite had a question that wouldn’t waste the response, and Lucia, if she caught the first ‘Baaaa’s, would get here to find you lingering in oracular haze. And you dislikes killing animals, whether meant for it or not. Yet, how long would it take to free the creature? You didn’t have the time.

Deciding against it, you averted your gaze away from the goat, slipping in the mire and straining muscles in your hip. A groan left your lips as you wobbled to the next dwelling, the frigid sludge gripping at your ankles like hardening clay. You pushed against the cold timber wall and, from behind it, sought out for another house to escape towards.

Strands of damp straw fell upon your head. You lifted your head to the rustle, a silhouette outlined atop the thatched rooftop: Lucia stood above, her arms folded. How did she even get there?

“I’ve found you, the eavesdropper!” she called out, her voice as biting as the thatch. She stepped, her leather-bound foot sinking into the hay as came closer. “If its the nightmares that trouble you like the others’, and all you seek is sleep, then there’s no reason to—“

She stumbled, rolled forwards, and then slipped over the eaves.

> Rush towards Lucia and capture her into your arms as she falls.
> The mud should soften the fall, and you doubt a Demon General will end up breaking her neck in a situation like so. Use this perfect opportunity to find a better place to hide, then wait …
> Trying to capture her will do more harm than good. Wait until she falls but don’t run away—she already saw you. Approach her once she’s in the mud and offer to help, but don’t reveal your identity first.
> [Write In]

File: Dead Rat.png (1.89 MB, 1792x1024)

1.89 MB PNG

>>6124815
>We are kind to animals
Look into his eyes and say that again!

>>6126233
We're from a farming village and keep a cat. Rats don't count.

>>6126232
> Rush towards Lucia and capture her into your arms as she falls.
She may be dangerous, but I'd like to think we, as THE HERO, wouldn't let our childhood friend crack her head

>>6126232
> The mud should soften the fall, and you doubt a Demon General will end up breaking her neck in a situation like so. Use this perfect opportunity to find a better place to hide, then wait …

>>6126232
>Rush towards Lucia and capture her into your arms as she falls.
Look, she might be sus but we shouldn't let her faceplant into the muck like that

>>6126330
>>6126697
>>6126807

It took a moment for you to grasp what had happened. Huh?!

You were fully intent on fleeing, but you couldn’t let a childhood friend crack her head like that. Shoving yourself off the wall’s corner, you rushed forth to the falling so-proclaimed witch, arms outstretched to catch her in fall.

Her painted nails shimmered as she swept her hand beneath her the air just above you; a cloud of luminous pollen appearing out of thin air, swirling around you and the sodden soil below. Dense, verdant foliage blossomed into existence out of those sparks, each leaf surrounded by an ethereal shine. By the time Lucia landed in your grasp, the newly appeared verdure had flourished into a lush hedge, her descent yanking you into the soft bed of leaves, cushioning any damage there could be. You nestled amid the leafage, with their tender rustling brushing against your stomach and chest. You didn’t need to play hero at all: she had her under control.

You looked up, meeting her sky-blue eyes for the first in decades, your skin beginning to itch as if in envy at the silkiness of hers. Her rosy lips curled without revealing her teeth.

“Let’s count that as as rescue,” she said.

Lucia gracefully lifted herself from the leaf cushion and your arms, allowing you to stand up right before the leaves dissolved and faded into flurry of whisps and dust. She glanced at you, fluttering her eyelashes.

“I feel like I felt those hands before …“

She remembered, though you couldn't help but feel slightly slighted at how little. Lucia joined her hands, and placed the two fingers closest to the edge of her lips, thinking on her words.

You took a cautious step back, the knife’s hilt warm in your hand. Yet as her eyes shut and then flew open in tandem with her mouth, as in a realisation, the cloth wrapped around your hips came loose, the knots coming undone. You grasped at it with one had to prevent it, but that only made it look as if you were took off your self-fashioned loincloth on purpose.

Lucia covered her face and eyes, a flush searing through her fingers. “What-what are you doing? Put-put that thing back!”

The crossbow limbs creaked under the tensions, and as you turned to see, Yuriy stood on the opposite side of the ditch, the stirrup mechanism thrumming into place, a metal bolt resting in its centre.

“What are you doing there with her?!” he pressed.

> Stumble with the loincloth until you can secure it back in place. Tell Yuriy that you weren’t doing anything, and say no more, allowing Lucia to do the talking.
> Frantically grab at your cloth and apologise to both Lucia and Yuriy, blaming the wind while fumbling to re-tie it.
> Draw your knife and point it at Lucia. Now is not the time to worry about decency. Tell him that she’s the Demon King’s General, and he should be careful around her. Question Lucia about the magic she cast on the cursed soldiers, and whether it was truly benign?
> [Write In]

>>6127334
>> Stumble with the loincloth until you can secure it back in place. Tell Yuriy that you weren’t doing anything, and say no more, allowing Lucia to do the talking.

>>6127334
> Frantically grab at your cloth and apologise to both Lucia and Yuriy, blaming the hedges and the effor tto spring forth and catch her.
It must have fallen loose. If anyone has proper pants, we'd love a pair, actually...
Lucia, WTF??

>>6127334
>Ask if he can give the two of you some privacy

>>6127373
>Lucia, WTF??
Do you mean her casting magic or ...?

>>6127334
>Stumble with the loincloth until you can secure it back in place. Tell Yuriy that you weren’t doing anything, and say no more, allowing Lucia to do the talking.

>>6127455
Her pantsing us and making us look like some sort of sex pest for trying to save her. She doesn't even know we're destined to (s)lay her yet!

>>6127353
>>6127373
>>6127394
>>6127481
>>6127490

“I did nothing to her,” you insisted, wresting with the mud-soiled shirt, wresting to secure it around your waist. Your eyes flicked from the bolt’s pointed edge to Lucia’s flustered face, then back again. Successfully tying the knot, you added, “Tell him the same, Lucia!”

Gripping her cheeks without withdrawing her palms, your childhood friend turned—pushed—her head towards Yuriy, her fingers slipping slightly now that you were no longer in view. “That is right, young boy. Don’t-don’t worry.”

Yuriy huffed, his breath ruffling his forelocks. He lifted one hand from the crossbow’s stock to scratch his fledgling beard; then returned it. “That’s so?”

Your chin dropped, and you gave a brief nod. “I could use some trousers—“

Yuryi’s shifted the crossbow’s aim from you and onto Lucia, the steel bolt reflecting the dull blue of his eyes. “Answers before attires,” he said. “You hastened away before you answered me, wayfarer. When will my father wake up?”

Lucia lowered one hand from her face, but creaked the other half-open like a window pane, a wall between you——despite your modesty being fully preserved.

“They sought sleep, and sleep is what I gave them,” Lucia said, her strident words tumbling out in a hesitating, confused timbre. “It’s … It’s a gift?”

“I dislike the way you said it,” Yuriy’s trembling hand clutched the weapon tighter. “There’s something off about you, woman, besides those golden locks.”

Lucia bit her lip. “I-It is fine if they don’t appreciate the gift; it’s fine. I just wanted to help. I thought I could be of help.” Her fingers brushed away a nascent tear at the corner of her eye. “They -will- wake up—.”

“When?”

Her shoulders sagged. “Had it been mere weariness, they would be sleeping until their minds could rejuvenate no more—there is such a thing as too much of a good thing! A few days, give or take. But this is different, and their nightmares are unnatural and will strive to return. I can’t remove the cause, but I hope they appreciate the lesser remedy,” she said. ”I think they will!”

“And what do you know the nightmare’s cause? You know more than you’re telling.”

Lucia fiddled with her flounces. “I can’t tell you.”

“You’ll have to.” Yuriy’s finger neared the trigger mechanism. “And you” —he turned to you and spat, — “you are suspicious as well! Don’t try anything—I’m warning you.”

> Turn to Lucia and tell her that she might need to use her magic to pacify Yuriy before this turns into a bigger problem; act before he has the time to.
> Lift your knife and reveal it to Yuriy. Tell him a white lie that you stole it from the demons, and that if he can find and bring you a vermin, you’ll use its powers to ask how to break the nightmare curse on the villagers.
> Ask Yuriy if he prefers his father tired and nightmare-ridden, or the way he is now; if it’s the second, he should lower the weapon and stop threatening Lucia. Promise him that you’ll help him further if he lets you talk to her.
> [Write In]

File: Demon King's General 75-.png (3.65 MB, 1792x1024)

3.65 MB PNG

Apologies for late update. No excuse besides procrastination.

>>6127490
It's just a jumble of misunderstandings.

>>6129147
> Ask Yuriy if he prefers his father tired and nightmare-ridden, or the way he is now; if it’s the second, he should lower the weapon and stop threatening Lucia. Promise him that you’ll help him further if he lets you talk to her.

I don't really want this shady (ex?) friend to know we have that knife.

>>6129147
>Further clarify that she pantsed us and we were unwillingly unclothed. Salvage our virtuous image

>>6129147
>>6129721
Supporting because this sounds funny.

>>6129337
>>6129721
>>6130098

You tucked the knife within your makeshift cloth and raised your hands up.

“I won’t,” you said. “But I must emphasise that she” —you nodded towards Lucia— “was the one who unintentionally unclothed me. I’m innocent here, I did -nothing- to her!”

Lucia spoke without as much as a glance. “I had no such intentions, either!”

“I don’t really care about that anymore,” Yuriy said.

“It’s -really- important that you don’t take me for a harasser.”

“What are you even wearing? That’s not how one wears a tunic,” Lucia said.

The boy squinted. “Sound note. I already asked you this, Niklos, but what in Old King’s name are you wearing, and why?” He paused, then shook his head, again bringing Lucia into his aim. “Stop! That all can be answered later. What I want to know -now- is what you -really- did to my father.”

Lucia swallowed, looking back at Yuriy with a silent look, her fingers brushing against one another and flecks beginning to take form within. You didn’t want her to conjure up her demonic magic—that would undoubtedly expose her.

You cut it on them. “Yuriy,” you said. “Would you rather your father remain troubled by nightmares, as he was when you left, or how he is now—finally at rest? If it’s the latter, then I implore you to lower that thing and stop threatening her.” You turned to Lucia, who finally looked back at you. “I promise you, Yuriy, we’ll uncover a way to ensure your father wakes up and is no longer cursed by his nightmares. Just let me speak with her.”

Yuriy gestured with the crossbow, the string pulled so tight you feared it could snap loose with every motion. “And why should I leave you two alone—,you who were with a Demon General!” Yuriy announced to Lucia, revealing a truth he didn’t even know he did; Lucia looked at you, her sapphire eyes widening like a tear in the clouds. “And some stranger, who withholds answers from me?”

Clearing her throat, Lucia stepped forward, her leather boots squelching in the the mud as she kept her arms close to her chest. Yuriy stepped back, pointing and aiming with the bow—but he never fired. Placing herself before him, Lucia lowered the crossbow with her hand, then reached to tenderly touch his cheek.

“Yuriy, you said your name was? Young Yuriy, please believe that my sole wish is for your father's well-being. But you must trust that I have reasons for keeping some things unsaid." She tapped his nose, at which the brown-haired soldier jerked away his head, his cheeks reddening. “Me and him, let us have a moment of privacy. It could help.”

Yuriy harrumphed, lifting the weapon again and looking up at her—even thought she wasn’t much taller. “I’ll step back far enough for you to talk privately,” he said, “but you’ll still be in view. I won’t let you run away.”

“Trust, yet verify,” Lucia said with a smile. “We’re alike, young Yuriy!”

The soldier’s boy glared at you and nodded. He retreated, his gaze kept on your and Lucia without facing away for a moment. Step by step, he moved until he reached the opposite house, where he finally stopped.

“Can you hear me?” Lucia called out, cupping a hand around her lips; Yuriy didn’t answer. "It seems we're sufficiently alone," she said, turning to you. You weren’t so sure he wasn’t lying. “Now that we are alone … I did not pull down your trousers, and those weren’t even trousers!” She brought her hand up, then clenched it into a fist. “Once we’re -really- alone, I’ll give you proper -trousers-, young Niklos!” she nearly growled out the last part of it.

“You could’ve defended me more,” you said with a sigh. “You remember me?”

“I do now,” she replied, approaching closer. “You’ve changed, Niklos, and not entirely for the better. You were much cuter when you were younger,” she said. “That’s right, I bestowed upon you with the last healthy part of the millennium tree! You made them into footwear, didn’t you?” Her eye glints turned into sparks as she bent down to look at your boots, only for her eyes to pale. “Oh … You-you’re not wearing them,” she said, her voice breaking. “That-that is alright too.”

“I still have them.” That wasn’t a lie; that log had been ample enough to fashion several pair of clogs: as you grew so did your foot. The stone stalwarts did end up breaking your latest, most cherished ones. “They’re at my home … ”

Her smile widened, then trembled as she realised how close her face was to your chest. Pulling at her auburn forelocks to veil her eyes, covered them with her fists instead. “If this place isn’t your home, what are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing, Lucia. Why did you just disappear without a word, and what are you doing here, in this village?”

“Well, you knew I dislike farewells,” she said—and you didn’t. “I wander from village to village, living there for a spell, seeing if there’s anything I can do to help, if there’s anyone I can gift a gift.”

“It doesn’t look like your ‘gift’ was appreciated here.”

Lucia looked over her shoulder at Yuriy, her expression tinged with unease. “They -said- that they want rest and sleep” —she slapped her forehead— “of course, it’d makes sense that they would want to wake up as well; stupid old me.”

You looked up at the roof, where marks of her tumbled remained.

“That was magic you used—“

“Magic?” Lucia asked. “What-what are you talking about, young Niklos? You know only -demons- use magic, right? I’m not a demon, so, I’m not sure what you’re talking about.” She gestured to where she fell, clearly aware of your implication. “There’s no magic anywhere. It was just you saving me from fall.”

“You know you look exactly the same? And it has been how many years now?”

“You see … there’s some sap you can use, and herbal teas help a lot too …”

So, she would not confess to you, despite how apparent her spellcasting was.

You wished to press further, but a loud, growling sound had silenced you. Yuriy’s attention was drawn by the growl as well. Throwing you a glance, he pointed at the crossbow before shuffling to check the origin of the noise, one which continued to blare in some sort of stirring announcement.

“A message from the king! A message from the king!” boomed out a thunderous baritone voice in-between the horn’s calls. “Come out, the king’s loyal men!”

From afar, you could make out a rider’s outline mounted upon his horse, a long, serpentine instrument in his hands. He had a gilded banner, the same at the one you found laying broken in the battlefield: a weaved golden throne.

Yuriy had turned his back on you then, and came out to the sudden arrival

“I have an urgent missive from Cuthbert the Zeroth! Where is everyone?!”

> Use the distraction to pull Lucia aside to somewhere hidden, but not far. If you want to reveal to her that you know she’s a demon, it’s best it’s away from Yuriy’s ears. You can’t discuss the proper means to lift the curse without first confronting this matter.
> If it’s okay with Lucia, come closer to check on the messenger from behind. Blend in with the villages, even if half of them are not present.
> You don’t know what Yuriy will do, he might accuse Lucia being the reason no soldier is there to hear the Old King’s messenger’s speech—which she kind of is. Urge her to escape from the village into the forest, at least for now.
> [Write In]

>>6130865
> You don’t know what Yuriy will do, he might accuse Lucia being the reason no soldier is there to hear the Old King’s messenger’s speech—which she kind of is. Urge her to escape from the village into the forest, at least for now.

>>6130865
> Use the distraction to pull Lucia aside to somewhere hidden, but not far. If you want to reveal to her that you know she’s a demon, it’s best it’s away from Yuriy’s ears. You can’t discuss the proper means to lift the curse without first confronting this matter.

>>6130865
> Use the distraction to pull Lucia aside to somewhere hidden, but not far. If you want to reveal to her that you know she’s a demon, it’s best it’s away from Yuriy’s ears. You can’t discuss the proper means to lift the curse without first confronting this matter.

>>6129337
Hiding that knife was probably a good idea if she'd seen it before, smart!

I tried generating the banner with the throne but for some reasons it keeps giving me the GoT throne.

File: Barn Of Hay.png (4.39 MB, 1792x1024)

4.39 MB PNG

>>6130985
>>6131015
>>6131023

With Yuriy’s attention elsewhere, you seized the moment to pull Lucia by her sleeve. You lead her around the dwelling and sneaked together through an open entrance into a … barn. Dense bales of hay surrounded you like walls, the stacked fodder offering little space to squeeze between them.

Lucia gazed about, then pressed her hand through the straw; subtle and faint wisps of her magic trickled forth—elusive enough were she to deny them. She laid herself upon the hay, arms lifted and face nestled against it. She began to scale the cured ramparts, but truly, it was the enchanted straw that lifted her as if she laid upon a furled carpet, though she pretended to struggle to make it seem it was her own effort. Once atop, she pulled herself up and took a seat on the edge, her head inches away from hitting the trusses.

“Young Niklos, are you joining me?” she asked, her body concealed in the shadows.

“I don’t think I’m as ‘agile’ as you,” you said, looking up at her before resting your back against the dry, sharp bundle of hay, uncomfortable though it was. “Cuthbert … is that not the Old King name? Had the demons not rid of him?”
Lucia swung her legs over the edge, her skirt hiking up to her ankles. “No; the man fled, and the Demon King made no effort to pursue or to search for him,” she pondered. “That’s-that’s what I heard, at least, rumours from the villagers.”

“So he still hides somewhere, and it doesn’t seem he thinks the war’s over yet.”

“Yes, isn’t that interesting?”

She smiled, glancing aside as if to ponder.

You sighed; in truth, you cared little. From what you’ve seen of the Demon Generals and the King himself, no human army could hope to defeat them. What you -were- bothered with was how to broach the matter of Lucia being a demon. How were you to begin? And you should, before you could address the plight of the ones she’d put to sleep.

> Push on the fact that she looks as youthful as she was in your childhood, and no sap or salve can do that. Insist that her departure, and her absence, was because she wasn’t expecting to meet you again, as farmers seldom venture beyound their villages in their lifetimes. That explains it all, she’s a demon, but unlike others, she’s acting strange.
> Tell her that, again, you have just seen her using her magic. She should’ve been careful, but since she was not, you know that she’s a demon. She shouldn’t underestimate you!
> Tell her the whole truth, of today’s prophecy, of Demon General Miranna, and that you’re fully aware she’s the Arboreal Witch. Tell her that in the prophecy, you are foretold to kill her, but make it clear you do not wish to.
> [Write In]

>>6132093
>Tell her that, again, you have just seen her using her magic. She should’ve been careful, but since she was not, you know that she’s a demon.
>Tell her that you treasured the shoes, and have thought of her often, and ask why a demon would give such gifts as millennium wood and restful sleep to humans.

>>6132093
>>6132133

Sure, she seems pretty chill.

>>6132093
>Ask what rumors she’s heard about the Arboreal Witch and her goals in traveling from village to village pretending to be human

>>6132734
I can back that, too.

>>6132133
>>6132134
>>6132734
>>6133449

“Those shoes, Lucia, I cherished them lots … but what is a millennium tree?”

“The only healthy part of it,” Lucia corrected, almost interrupting you yet not. “It is what you think it is, young Niklos: a tree that had stood for—at least—a thousand years. There are not that many.”

“And you reckoned I deserved it … why?”

“I could only save a part of it,” she said. “And it was your birthday, was it not? You deserved a gift that would bring you joy and serve you well, and the tree deserves to be useful.”

Old King be damned, a pang of guilt doubled. You whistled in the air.

“I know you’re a demon, Lucia,” you said, your accusation steady and unadorned. “And what you just did was cast a spell, again, ” you added, glancing at the hay. “You should be more careful about it.”

“I did -no- such a thing, young Niklos” —Lucia placed her hand upon her knee, rubbing it— “your words would only make sense if you thought my intent was to harm them! It wasn’t.” Her voice stilled as she gazed down at you. “Just a tick … that boy mentioned that you had cajoled with a Demon General—”

She lifted her hand; soft, bright emerald dust drifted off her palm as she then snapped her fingers, and the exact same dust began floating around your ankles. You stepped back, but slender and unfettered branches sprouted from from the malefic sediment, one after another coiling around you like ropes, binding your hands against your stomach and throat.

“Who was she?” Lucia demanded, standing up to the haystack’s edge. “The demon that told you about me? Is it not enough I don’t interfere in their feuds and affairs? I’m here on my own, doing my own thing, yet they still have to get me involved?” Her voice rang like a nightingale desperate for help. She pointed fiercely at you, stamping her foot and sending bits of broken hay tumbling.

“No one sent me for -you-,” you said, struggling against the entwining branches—at least they had no thorns. “I didn’t know you were here, Lucia. Honest.”

“You didn’t answer, Niklos,” she echoed Yuriy. “Who was she?”

You closed your eyes and sighed. “It was the Nettle Harpy,” you confessed. “It’s too long of a story, and I’d rather we focus on aiding the villagers.”

Lucia blinked. “The Harpy? Last I heard, she was in the Banefroth … So in that scant spell of time she made her way here, and left you with the boy? That doesn’t make sense! Maybe she didn’t tell you, yet she somehow figured that I was here, and that you knew me? No, she’s not that -smart-, which means … what? I cannot make sense of it. Tell me.”

“Please, Lucia, focus,” you said—trying to divert her attention from Miranna. “The villagers need help, remember? Do you not care about them?”

Lucia leaned dangerously forward. “Of course I care!” she said. “It’s just that, I’m limited in my options here, because of the Twister!”

The Twister of Wishes? The other Demon General Miranna had mentioned before?

You squirmed against the branches binding you, feeling as if ensnared by iron chains. “Maybe we can think on it together, but you must free me first.”

“I don’t think so, young Niklos. You know more than a human suppose to. It’ll be dangerous for you to tell others about me. I can’t let you live!”

> If prophecy is correct, then you are unlikely to die her … is it a good moment to test it out? Do you -want- to test out it, die or not? If yes, watch and wait … no, wait, is it? If Miranna is wrong, then you’ll end up dead!?
> Tell her that killing you would make the Nettle Harpy very upset, so for that reason alone she should avoid doing it. Tell her that you still of her as childhood friend, and her being a demon doesn’t change that, thought it leaves you with questions.
> Use the knife to cut the branches before she does something that kills you, as she threatened. Tell Lucia not to do anything foolish; you'll keep her secret. Can't she trust you, her childhood friend?
> [Write In]

File: Halloween.png (3.36 MB, 1792x1024)

3.36 MB PNG

Sorry if I couldn't implement some of the write-ins as they didn't flow with the series of events and dialogue between the two.

>>6134050
> Use the knife to cut the branches before she does something that kills you, as she threatened. Tell Lucia not to do anything foolish; you'll keep her secret. Can't she trust you, her childhood friend?
>Tackle-hug her, hold her, and hope she can feel the force of FRIENDSHIP

>>6134050
>> Use the knife to cut the branches before she does something that kills you, as she threatened. Tell Lucia not to do anything foolish; you'll keep her secret. Can't she trust you, her childhood friend?

>>6134051
Also, no worries. It happens.

>>6134050
> Tell her that killing you would make the Nettle Harpy very upset, so for that reason alone she should avoid doing it. Tell her that you still of her as childhood friend, and her being a demon doesn’t change that, thought it leaves you with questions.

>>6134051
:(

>>6135418
>>6134149
>>6134147
>>6134063

Was she serious? You didn’t wait to find out. Your fingers sought the knife’s hilt, and with a swift pull, you yanked it free against the slender branches, the rusted blade needing a firm thrust to cleave the heartwood. The branches snapped and split, sap bleeding out from both ends. You stepped in, breaking the last of your bonds, then hiding the knife once again.

“Lucia,” you said, “don’t act rashly. Come now, are we not friend? -You- are my friend, and I vow to keep your secret as such.”

“How—“ she began, but then her foot slipped.

Gravity pitched her down, toppling over the ledge amidst the patches of hay. You stood right below her; all you needed was to spread your arms. This time, her fall was so short, and her mind so preoccupied, that you weren’t competing with her spell. You caught her by the waist, your fingers pressing through her thin, earth-toned kirtle, feeling her skin, pulling her in closer. Your knees buckled under her weight as your arms lowered to the earthen floor, your muscles aching. Your eyes met, your browns melding within her blues.

“I had forgotten how clumsy you are,” you said with a faint smile.

She puffed her cheeks, her lips rounding. “I just said I would kill you! Are you not taking me seriously?”

She laid in your arms, not making an effort to stand; her hand hovered below your neck.

“I hoped to persuade you otherwise, Lucia.”

She hesitated, faint verdant sparks rising off her fingertips, but no magic formed—as if contemplating whether to plunge a wooden stake into your throat or not. You swallowed, almost feeling the invisible edge.

“Why do you pretend to be a human, Lucia? Travelling from village to village— for what?”

“Friend … “ she whispered. “I like to live among the humans, young Niklos. I may be a demon, but I am unlike the others, and I don’t have their desire for power or malice. I’m the demon of the woodlands—I aid them and they aid me. I keep an eye on the humans I visit, and ensure that they do not harm the forestscape. All benefit that way … almost everyone.” She looked away. “But I do not age as humans, so I can only linger for a few years—else it gets suspicious.”

“That’s all?”

“That’s all -you- need to know,” she said, poking at your throat with her nail instead of the stake she was this close to magically conjure. “Even if we were not friends, you saved me from the fall twice now … I owe you gratitude, so I cannot end your life before I think of an worthy gift.”

“If you trust me, and don’t kill me, that will be more than enough.”

She chewed her bottom lip, then waved her hand, summoning two branches from the emerald dust: one to snake around her waist and lift her up, and another yanking you away from her side—both crumbling once their task was done. She gently set her boots on the ground. “That may suffice, but aren’t gifts suppose to be infused with an aura of surprising and unexpected?”

“Oftentimes, people simply ask for things they want or cannot afford, and are happy to get them—as you gave the villagers the sleep they wanted.”

“I did, but such gifts are not those I favour giving.” She sighed. “I did it in a way I could. I will tell you: the bear an affliction wrought upon them by a Demon General. The sole way I know to undone this curse is through her own powers, or if she forfeits her life. I wish to be of help to the villagers, honest, but I can do neither.”

“So you just put them to eternal sleep like that?”

She sniffled, wrinkling her nose, teetering on the edge of tears. “I know, I know—I only wanted to help!”

“But why can’t you just revoke your spell? They may be tired and miserable again, but at least half the problem would be solved."

Lucia shook her head. “Such is the nature of those herbs; they draw you into a deep slumber until one is entirely, and I mean entirely, rested. Humans are unaware of how much rest their bodies truly need—but that’s besides the point. They will not see the nightmares, but the Twister’s sorcery won’t let them reach that zenith that they need to rejuvenate and awaken.”

You grasped your forelocks and ran your fingers throughout your hair. Did she not foresee this before acting?

“You’re saying your magic is weaker than hers?”

“Well-well of course! I’m just a devil and she’s a Demon General,” she said. Then she lowered her palms, her eyes widening. “Young king?” she muttered, not to you but herself. She lifted her hand above her heart, two fingers curling inward. Verdant pollen blossomed and exploded, two sprigs growing upwards and entwining, shaping into a shape of a large hand-held mirror, wrapping at the top; dew flowed inward from the branches, shaping into a glassy membrane where the mirror was suppose to be.

“I have spoken with him already and enough, what more does he want?” Lucia asked, turning to you. “Turn away, close your eyes and ears, alright?”

> If she gets to talk to the Demon King, she will understand that the person she spoke with earlier wasn’t him. Grab the mirror off her hands and throw it somewhere far and away, deep into the haystack bales where she’ll struggle to find it.
> Turn around and do as she asks so as not to ask suspicion. However, keep your hands just above completely closing your ears, so that you can hear her and the Demon King.
> Let her to her privacy, even if she’s going to talk to the Demon King, and step aside from her and the mirror’s view. Check on what is going outside instead.
> [Write In]

>>6135503
> Turn around and do as she asks so as not to ask suspicion. However, keep your hands just above completely closing your ears, so that you can hear her and the Demon King.

>>6135418
Don't be sad!

>>6135503
> Turn around and do as she asks so as not to ask suspicion. However, keep your hands just above completely closing your ears, so that you can hear her and the Demon King.

>>6135503
> Turn around and do as she asks so as not to ask suspicion. However, keep your hands just above completely closing your ears, so that you can hear her and the Demon King.

>>6135522
I thought it was a really good write in

>>6135578
Well, I tried incorporating it now. I'll sometimes do that, keep it on the backburner so to speak :D

>>6135602
I did notice that and thank you

I'm not dead, but I've been busy with personal matters. I will try my best to post an update tomorrow. I appreciate you sticking with me and the Quest until now.

File: GJyl6-MbEAI3rdm.jpg (56 KB, 687x687)

56 KB JPG

>>6137238
Take your time. I completely understand, and I swear the curse is real now...

Sorry if I have been kind of absent but even if I don't vote, still following.

>>6135503
> Turn around and do as she asks so as not to ask suspicion. However, keep your hands just above completely closing your ears, so that you can hear her and the Demon King.

>>6137238
I get it. Glad we're still going!

>>6135513
>>6135562
>>6135578
>>6135647
>>6137377
>>6137491

You nodded and stepped away, turning your back to her. Thought she couldn’t see it, you closed your eyes and cupped your ears as asked, leaving an inch free to eavesdrop. You didn’t mind asking for forgiveness later, but at the moment, you were desperate to know what would be said.

Lucia watched you in silence—her stare feeling like a soothing balm on your skin—but after a moment, she returned her attention to the wattle mirror in her hands. You stood close enough for her muffled voice to be recognised.

“Young king,” Lucia addressed, her boots crunching the fallen hay as she shifted her weight from one leg to the other. “I am glad to see your chamber alight this time, so that I can see you! Like I said: I’m on my way. I’m not the Harpy, you know—I wager it’ll take me a week to get to the Banefroth Citadel from here.”

A second voice, deep and deliberate, echoed from the mirror. “General, it has been weeks since I last spoke with you!” You were blind to their expressions—only able to hear their voices alone. “What do you mean -I- summoned you back to Banefroth? I did no such thing. I reach out to you now for the first time.”

“No, I’m beyound sure that I’ve spoke to you today. Besides calling me back to citadel, you told me of the prophecy—”

“The prophecy?”

“Yeah. From the Hag. Something about a farmer destined to defeat us?” Lucia mused, waiting for the Demon King to respond. “What is happening, young King? That was an absurd thing to believe, and that you would ask me to come to Banefroth just for that is doubly so. You -barely- convinced me.”

A whistling draft crept through the barn.

“That wasn’t me, General.”

Lucia wheezed, her high voice crackling in her throat.

“I -should’ve- trusted my guts!” she said, “But he wore armour not unlike yours, young King. And -sure-, it was dark, but he was in your chamber; it’s impossible to enter without your permission—I should know.”

“ … You know, you say? Why? Have you attempted to do so?”

“I-I didn’t say -that-.”

The Demon King’s harsh sigh rippled through the mirror’s dewy surface.

“We have been fooled, both you and I, General. A human had breached this very citadel, and it seems he is now keenly aware of the prophecy—which is indeed no lie. That is what the Grub Hag had divined, only today … not even a day had passed.”

“A human? In Banefroth? It lies leagues within the mountains and their tops.”

“This is precisely the reason I sought to speak with you about. That human had the aid of a Demon General: the Nettle Harpy. For reasons I’m still unsure about, she brought him right here, and then they both fled once the General Mountain Eater found them and their capturing the intruder.”

“The Harpy did what?” Lucia echoed his words. “Young King, I believe you but … I don’t like her, but if there’s anything of virtue about her, it is her fierce loyalty to you.” You could hear Lucia fiddle with her locks, her hairs rustling like leaves. “Wait-a-moment, I recall now: indeed, she was close-by when I spoke to the armoured man who was inside your room.”

“I don’t know why such a sudden betrayal either, but the fact is so,” he said. “General Arboreal Witch, if you encounter the Nettle Harpy, you are to inform me of this before all else, and then give chase. You must apprehend the human she is with, and if you feel confident and capable of doing so, deal with the General as well.”

“You want me to qckh her?”

“I wish for no demon’s death, but do what you must, General. I ordain no restrictions upon you.”

“You know she’s the type I hate dealing with the most,” Lucia said, groaning aloud. “There was something else she said there … Nice claws? New claws? Neat claws” —her voice dropped to an almost silent whisper— “Nik … los.”

> Continue to stay completely still, pretending to be oblivious of their entire conversation. Trust Lucia not to reveal you right there and now.
> Turn to look at Lucia and push a wave hand near your neck, gesturing and pleading for her not to say anything.
> Rush towards the barn’s exit before Lucia and the Demon King can finish talking. Now you must hide for real!
> [Write In]

File: Demon King's General 64-.jpg (757 KB, 1792x1024)

757 KB JPG

>>6137377
No worries and thank you for participating.
>>6137491
Yes we are.

>>6137762
> Rush towards the barn’s exit before Lucia and the Demon King can finish talking. Now you must hide for real!
Oh shit oh shit oh shiiii

>>6137762
> Rush towards the barn’s exit before Lucia and the Demon King can finish talking. Now you must hide for real!

>>6137762
> Continue to stay completely still, pretending to be oblivious of their entire conversation. Trust Lucia not to reveal you right there and now.

She a homie

>>6137762
>Turn around, point at yourself, and then give her a double thumbs up
Make sure to look smug too

>>6137939
>>6137954
>>6138102
>>6138918

You didn’t wait for them to finish; you bolted for escape, and you didn’t look back. Lucia had remembered your name—the one she’d overheard Miranna carelessly calling out for you at the citadel; it wouldn’t be hard for her to piece it all together. It seemed, thought, the Demon General was caught off-guard, giving you enough time to reach the barn’s wide, unbarred entrance—framed by a hewn arch of timber—and flee onto the slough thoroughfare.

The damp air clung to your skin like wet wax, the hanging mist edging swollen clouds that never gave rain; even in its absence, you felt drenched. You halted in the middle of the trail as a horse’s shrill pierced the air, calling for your attention.

“Who goes there?” demanded the man upon his armoured steed—the Old King’s messenger and soldier. He wore the armour not unlike the one you’d seen abandoned on the battlefield, or worn by Yuriy: a tall regal helm with a hinged faceplate, threaded with lines of gilt like filigree; a segmented steel suit adorned with gold leaf trims between its layers and plates; grand pauldrons engraved with shining throne sigils; and an unsullied banner of the Old King.

“At last, a man of proper age I find— but what are you wearing?”

> Continue running, ignoring the Old King’s messenger. If you rush and jump over the trenches and fences, it’s unlikely he’ll be able to follow after you. Right now your main concern is to hide from Lucia.
> Approach the horserider and pretend you are indeed there to hear him out and answer his call. There’s a chance Lucia won’t go and reveal her powers so as to avoid exposing herself to the villagers.
> Tell the Old King’s messenger that you are working for the Demon King, and that he’ll be now well aware of the Old King’s movements and plans—whatever they were. Warn him not to do anything reckless and to give the same message to the Old King.
> [Write In]

>>6138918
That would've been funny, but majority vote, sorry! And can we -really- trust her?

>>6139499
While sheltering as a possible recruit could be useful, it'll bite us bad when Miranna gets back..
Wait, that's sounds hialrious!

> Approach the horserider and pretend you are indeed there to hear him out and answer his call. There’s a chance Lucia won’t go and reveal her powers so as to avoid exposing herself to the villagers.

>>6139499
> Approach the horserider and pretend you are indeed there to hear him out and answer his call. There’s a chance Lucia won’t go and reveal her powers so as to avoid exposing herself to the villagers.

Sounds amusing.

>>6139499
> Approach the horserider and pretend you are indeed there to hear him out and answer his call. There’s a chance Lucia won’t go and reveal her powers so as to avoid exposing herself to the villagers.

>>6139499
> Tell the Old King’s messenger that you are working for the Demon King, and that he’ll be now well aware of the Old King’s movements and plans—whatever they were. Warn him not to do anything reckless and to give the same message to the Old King.
What could possibly go wrong

>>6139623
>>6139752
>>6140069
>>6140192

You looked at yourself: at the clothes you weren’t wearing.

“I, um” —you staggered forwards to approach the messenger— “heard your horn. It roused me from sleep. I leapt from my bed before you could leave.”

The King’s messenger pulled on the reins, his armoured palfrey pacing in a slow gait.

“It seems others of this villager are lamer than you. I’ve heard it’s some kind of a curse put by the demons?”

You nodded, peering left and right to check whether Lucia had followed. You couldn’t see her. You felt that she might come for you as soon as you were alone, away from others’ eyes.

“His majesty’s important message, what was it?”

He cleared his throat, wrestling to hold both the reins and the bulky snake-shaped horn in his gauntleted hands.

“I shall repeat it for you,” he called down from his saddle. “The Archfiend and his demons would have you believe that they have triumphed, and that they will rule for all eternity. But that is not true! Cuthbert the Zeroth, our beloved monarch, yet still lives and fights for our kingdom and lands. In every town, every village, every hamlet, he calls upon men willing to fight to the very end!”

A powerful message it was, but that was the extent of the Old King’s powers: Cuthbert the Zeroth’s rule was no better than the Demon King’s, and he wasn’t any more virtuous than the Archfiend. After so many lost battles, who even had any hope left?

“But what if a demons hear of this?”

One already had, thought not the fine details.

“We make sure that does not happen,” the rider said. “There are seldom any demons in hamlets such as yours. If there’s one, I will and do deal with them.” He looked to the embroidered scabbard at his belt. “Why, do you know of a demon’s presence?”

“No. No.” You said, shaking your head. “I’m asking what ifs.”

“It’s a worthwhile question. Some demons hide themselves among common folk, but in where everyone knows each other, they don’t have much of a success.”

He released his grip on the horn to flick his hand at you.

“I’ll be taking you with me, but first, attire yourself.”

That would mean stepping out of his view, and being left exposed.

“I’ll be fine as I am, we shouldn’t waste ti—“

“I said, attire yourself,” he said, raising his voice. “I will not allow you to stand before the King in such a dishevelled state.”

Biting down on your lip, you nodded and turned away. This village had many houses, but if you were to try to enter most of them, you would likely be accused of trespass, leading to needless quarrels.

Your only option was Yuriy’s home. You crossed the street and grasped the metal latch; you skin glued to the chilled iron, peeling slightly as you released the latch when the door opened. The draft slammed the door shut behind you, and as you cursed and looked back at it, you noticed something. Faint green flecks fell down the sawn wood like raindrops, the whole door shimmering in a single emerald flare. You yanked at it, but it wouldn’t budge.

“You’re here again?”

Yuriy stepped out of the corner of the room, the dented helm set back in place on his head. Besides wearing the full suit of armour, he also had a sheathed blade hanging at his side and, of course, his crossbow.

“I thought I had lost you. I told you not to try and escape,” he said. “You’re alone? Where is the golden haired woman?”

“If my luck would have it, she’ll be here soon,” the said. “Were you about to leave? Don’t tell me you’re—“

“I’m answering King’s summons,” Yuriy muttered, his gaze shifting to his elderly father, sound asleep in the chair close by. “I’m going to make those demons break their curse.”

> Warn Yuriy that Lucia is now what she seems, and that she had magically locked the door, that she’s after you, and she’s going to enter the house but you don’t know yet how. Ask him to help.
> Tell Yuriy that Lucia is a Demon General, that she’s going to break into the house, and that the two of you must work together.
> Don’t tell Yuriy anything, and prepare on your own.
> [Write In]

> You don’t have much time, so urge Yuriy to begin chopping at the door to break through and escape before Lucia gets inside.
> Ask Yuriy for a good place to hide, and then to talk with Lucia to divert her attention long enough you can jump at her.
> Plead Yuriy to give you a weapon, whether it be the sword or something else. Grub Hag’s knife will not be enough for Lucia.
> [Write In]

Apologies for the long break.
I really appreciate you still following this quest.
Where do you think Lucia'll appear from? The windows, the door, the fireplace?!

>>6141803
> Tell Yuriy that Lucia is mad at you over an innocent misunderstanding, and you need him to cover for you so she doesn't delay you in ALSO joining the king's army
I don't want our friend to kill us, but I also don't want to get our friend killed. She got us millenium wood for clogs!

> Ask Yuriy for a good place to hide, and then to talk with Lucia to divert her attention long enough that she (hopefully) moves on to look for you elsewhere
Come on, do it for a fellow human loyalist? :)

>>6141803
> Warn Yuriy that Lucia is now what she seems, and that she had magically locked the door, that she’s after you, and she’s going to enter the house but you don’t know yet how. Ask him to help.
> You don’t have much time, so urge Yuriy to begin chopping at the door to break through and escape before Lucia gets inside.

>>6141803
> Warn Yuriy that Lucia is now what she seems, and that she had magically locked the door, that she’s after you, and she’s going to enter the house but you don’t know yet how. Ask him to help.

> Ask Yuriy for a good place to hide, and then to talk with Lucia to divert her attention long enough you can jump at her.

>>6141805
>Where do you think Lucia'll appear from? The windows, the door, the fireplace?!

She has magic forest powers, so any place with wood?

>>6141803
>Ask Yuriy for some clothes so you can handle this properly clad

>>6141843
>>6142160
>>6142600
>>6142604
>>6143658

“She locked the door,” you said. “Lucia is not what she seems.”

You backed away from the entrance, searching for any signs of her verdant magic within the dimly lit recesses of the house. Thought it dark, it would make her radiant sorcery all the more apparent; so at least you had that.

“And what’s that suppose to mean?” Yuriy asked, shoving past you like a metal-clad battering ram. He tugged at the latch, but it made no exceptions; he persisted, yanking at it repeatedly. “It’s not blocked from outside, is it?”

“I don’t think it’s a plank of wood that’s locking it,” you said. “It’s magic. Lucia is going to enter the house because she’s after me, Yuriy.”

“After you? What did you do -again-?” Yuriy asked, turning his head to look over his shoulder. Not at you, but at his father. “And what do you mean -magic-? Are you saying she’s, in truth, a demon? And if so … that you knew?!”

Crack! Snapped the dry wood, yet you couldn’t see where.

“Yuriy, we’ll speak of it later, but right now, I need your help.” Your eyes flitted about, searching the shadows for any hint of verdant light.

“You two promised enough!” he said, growling, seizing the hilt and drawing out his polished and sharpened sword from its sheath with a metallic shing. “I knew there was foul strangeness in her herbs. So it was yet another curse? If the help you need is me ending her life, then I’ll ponder on it … alright!”

“Let’s handle this cleverly,” you urged, your words clashing together. “Is there any place I can hide?”

“You want to hide?”

“Just long enough for you to distract her with a talk, and pretend I’m not here, so I can catch her off guard.”

“It will be difficult to pretend,” he said, almost hissing. He pointed his sword at a large wooden container, undecorated, and reinforced with iron. “There’s the trunk, it should fit you, but it’ll take time to empty up.” That would take time you couldn’t spare. “Besides it, there’s the bed.”

Your rushed towards it, lifting the blanket off the floor and crawling beneath the frame, tugging the cloth behind you, leaving just the sliver of space to peak through. As soon as you hid, there was a knock on the door. Yuriy stared at it, tightened his grip on the sword, and tried the door again. This time, the door parted easily, the one standing on the threshold was Lucia.

“I gave you my word I wouldn’t run away, young Yuriy,” she said, nudging her head inside the house. “Sorry if I made you doubt. But I can’t say the same for Niklos, one moment he was here, then just poof.”

She looked down at the drawn sword as Yuriy lowered it, letting the tip touch the floor before lifting it to her chin.

“My father won’t wake anymore. Is it not your fault?”

Lucia’s face softened, her lips melting into an apologetic smile. “I suppose my gift wasn’t as thoughtful as I had hoped. Let me see if I can remedy that.”

The sharp edge on her skin trembled before Yuriy withdrew it, and dropped his arm, letting the sword swing loosely behind. Lucia stepped inside, sitting onto her knees besides the weary elderly man. She reached out to caress his face.

Your hand brushed against something coarse under the bed, then wrapped further around the worn handle of a splitting axe, seemingly stashed away there by either Yuriy or his father. You wished not to kill or harm your friend, but it came to that … an axe was superior to a bent knife. How ironic would it be for an “Arboreal Witch” to fall to an axe … an ironic death?

“You’re saying there’s a chance you won’t?” Yuriy asked.

Lucia cast down her eyes solemnly. She reached into the pouch sewn into her white dress, pulling out a bundle of essence.

“That’s the remedy you used,” Yuriy noted, approaching his father and nearing his face. “He wanted to be asleep, but not be in coma.”

Lucia nodded, spreading the herbs on her palm and then shuffling them between her short nails. “I understand, but I can’t seem to find anything amiss with them, and why they’d be this potent,” she lied. “Would you take a look yourself?” She suddenly rose, shoving the herbs at his face, cupping her hand over his lips and nose.

> Grab the axe and use the moment she’s preoccupied with Yuriy to incapacitate her, aiming to hit her with the blunt side of it.
> Bang the axe against the floor to divert Lucia’s attention and give Yuriy a chance to break free. Hopefully, Yuriy will stay awake and then it’ll be two against one and not a fair battle Lucia wants.
> Take hold of the cotton blanket, stand up from under the bed, then toss it over Lucia and wrap it snugly around her like a chain.
> Step out from under the bed and hold the axe threateningly, demanding she doesn’t approach you and that she releases Yuriy. Warn Lucia of what Grub Hag told you, that the Demon Generals and the Demon King are prophesied to fall by an ironic weapon, just like you are holding right now.
> Leave the axe behind and stand up, raising your hand and surrendering before the battle even starts. Show her that your intent is not to do what the prophecy foretells, and you wish her no harm, if only she listens.
> [Write In]

File: Niklos.jpg (95 KB, 500x737)

95 KB JPG

>>6141843
Fellow human loyalist indeed :^)

>>6142604
Technically, the door is wooden.

>>6143691
> Take hold of the cotton blanket, stand up from under the bed, then toss it over Lucia and wrap it snugly around her like a chain.
it works on my cat. IT shoudl work on a demon.

>>6143693
Kek.

>>6143715
+1

>>6143691
> Bang the axe against the floor to divert Lucia’s attention and give Yuriy a chance to break free. Hopefully, Yuriy will stay awake and then it’ll be two against one and not a fair battle Lucia wants.
What the hell, so much for that eternal sleep being unintentional

>>6143715
>>6144045
>>6144186

You left the axe unbothered and grasped the blanket’s crimped corners instead. Lucia eased her hand, Yuriy’s knees teetering before his legs slackened and his soles slipped off the ground. She caught the boy by his back, preventing him from crashing to the floor and whacking his head. Seizing the unwittingly gifted moment, you slipped from under the bed and sprinted forth to fling the cotton coverlet over the her head.

“What-what? What are you do—“

You didn’t end there, clutching the cloth’s edges and yanking it—along with Lucia—for a spin. Your childhood friend yelped, bewildered and disoriented, as you then pulled the bedcloth tight, trapping her arms in place, and tying the corners into the firmest knot you knew.

Lucia struggled, her wrapped head looking like a wriggling egg preventing a chick’s hatching.

You knew she used the gestures of her hands to weave her spells, but was she truly limited so?

> Spring to take Yuriy’s sword where he had dropped it and keep it for defence. If Lucia decides to attack you, you’ll be ready to incapacitate her further, but maybe you can just talk it out.
> Pick up the sword and use its blunt end to try and knock Lucia out by striking the vulnerable back of her head.
> Rush out of the door and back into the streets, where the Old King’s messenger is waiting for you to be armoured and prepared … he’ll be disappointed.
> [Write In]

>>6144770
> Pick up the sword and use its blunt end to try and knock Lucia out by striking the vulnerable back of her head.
Please don't suffer permanent brain damage please don't suffer permanent brain damage...

>>6144800
Quest teeters between serious and comedic but that'll be too much I think!

>>6144770
>Trust that she is limited so and start getting changed
Call her a pervert if she gets the blanket off while we’re changing

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>6144800

>>6145215

>>6144800
>>6145215

Keeping a wary eye on Lucia, you tiptoed towards Yuriy’s unconscious body to lift up and flourish his sword. Uncertain whether she could free herself, and having little time, you flipped the blade to its blunt side and lifted it near her neck.

A hard strike on the back of her head would knock her out, but … where exactly was that? Her head, hidden inside the cotton cloth, showed no clear signs of where was front or back. Making a quick judgement with how her legs were positioned, you swung the flat spine of the sword to where you believed head head to be at.

She kicked out her leg and threw herself backward, toppling onto her rear as the steel whistled above her. Her leather slipper slipped off her foot and struck straight at your face. Your shook your head to rid of it, and in that brief moment, Lucia lifted up her slender leg and wiggled her toes.

A cloud of green pollen thickened at your feet, taking the shape of withered ant husks lifting up from the dust. It stirred, and from within, a twisting, winding branch sprouted forth, coiling around your legs before creeping up to entangle your chest.

Gripping a knife in one hand and a sword in the other, you raised them both, only for the verdant limb to sprout further and entwine your arms.

“I’ve heard -everything-,” Lucia spoke, her melodic voice muffled by the blanket. “The floorboards told me, young Niklos. Why did you tell the boy I was a demon?! Just moments ago, you promised me you wouldn’t!”

Wrestling against the ensnaring branches, you replied, “That was before you were commanded by the King to hunt me down, Lucia!”

“So you admit you’re the one the young King had spoke of,” she said, stretched out on the floor and twisting about, her foot, trimmed of nails, lifted high. “I had my suspicions. Did you recognise it was me in the mirror?”

“Not at first, but you hardly look any different, Lucia.”

“Yet you didn’t say anything, you deceiver,” she accused. “How did you convince that loyalty-for-brains Harpy to turn against him? How did you break into the citadel, was it with her help? How did you even learn of the prophesy? Were you already planning out ruin regardless of it? You lied about not knowing I was here, did you—“

> Tell Lucia that the Nettle Harpy was the one who found you, who came to the conclusion that you were the described chosen one, and that you’re just stuck trying to go against it all and convince Miranna otherwise, with no luck so far.
> Be firm, and instead ask her your own questions. Why is she serving the Demon King, and in such a weird way, mingling with the human villagers even before he conquered the lands and defeated the Old King. She doesn’t visit Banefroth, what kind of General is she?
> Drop your weapons on the ground in sign of friendship, and then remind her of a fond memory of your childhood together. Tell her that even if she’s a Demon General, and you are the hero of the prophecy, you have no intent of harming her.
> [Write In]

File: Bump!.png (3.44 MB, 1792x1024)

3.44 MB PNG

Bump!

>>6146659
Oop, thanks! Missed the update,

>>6146106
> Be firm, and instead ask her your own questions. Why is she serving the Demon King, and in such a weird way, mingling with the human villagers even before he conquered the lands and defeated the Old King. She doesn’t visit Banefroth, what kind of General is she?
I don't want to hurt our friend, but her psychology is alien, and we don't know her as well as we thought we did. I don't trust her.
I wish Miranna was here to save us...

>>6146106
>Be firm, and instead ask her your own questions. Why is she serving the Demon King, and in such a weird way, mingling with the human villagers even before he conquered the lands and defeated the Old King. She doesn’t visit Banefroth, what kind of General is she?
Deflect and take the initiative some. Don't let her in on it all yet.

Six months into the quest and we've only progressed a few hours(?). Honestly, I'm really feeling the lack of passage of time.

>>6146106
>Be firm, and instead ask her your own questions. Why is she serving the Demon King, and in such a weird way, mingling with the human villagers even before he conquered the lands and defeated the Old King. She doesn’t visit Banefroth, what kind of General is she?

>>6146672
Thanks, and I can understand how the pacing can feel rather slow. However, I don't think it's an issue of it only being several hours in quest time, as I've seen books and read stories where the entire narrative consist of a few days at most, but just my infrequent update schedule. So far, there's been no reason for a time skip, as we have been moving from one event to the next. However, I admit and repent that we've been going a bit around in circles with Lucia, due to how the votes progress. If you feel pacing is affecting your enjoyment, I'd love to hear more. Would you prefer streamlined sequences to move things along faster?

>>6146751
I think that quests with infrequent update schedules do sometimes benefit from faster in-universe pacing and larger gaps between decisions.

>>6146751
It's not so much that it's been only hours or that I want timeskips (I agree that there are good stories and quests that take place over short timescales - I loved Slice Quest that took place over a single night, for example), but that an update every day or two that might only cover a couple of minutes with a single brief action can seem rather superfluous at times and the story doesn't feel like it's materially advancing very much. There's also some blame that with me as well, since I may have made some wrong assumptions about the quest at the start.
While I'm not going anywhere regardless and won't complain further, I think the quest could benefit from less granular actions and the pacing is, if slow, at least consistent instead of giving me whiplash as some others have.

>>6146106
> Tell Lucia that the Nettle Harpy was the one who found you, who came to the conclusion that you were the described chosen one, and that you’re just stuck trying to go against it all and convince Miranna otherwise, with no luck so far.

>>6146041
How do I lose every tiebreaker roll :(

>>6146664
>>6146672
>>6146676
>>6146752
>>6146778
>>6147242

“What about you?” you cut in, gesturing to where Yuriy laid. “In what way does his slumber differ from his father’s?”

“There’s no Twister’s curse to mingle with his sleep, as I have told you already, if you had listened, young Niklos.” Lucia made no effort to stand, as thought setting her foot down would shatter her magic. “He’ll reawaken within six to twelve hours. No need to worry.”

“Just so he wouldn’t catch you casting your demon magics?”

“Correct! Yet, you chose to reveal it to him! I hope he’ll dismiss your words, and will forget about it once we’re gone!”

You two stood within an unsettled stand-off: you, strangled and forced upright by the spell-infused branch like a scarecrow, and Lucia, prone still on the floor, her body swathed by the binding blanket from head to her knees; both Yuriy and his father snoring at each side.

“He was about to leave with the messenger we heard. That man awaiting him outside, Lucia. Now that you’ve done that, what do you suppose will happen now?”

Lucia stiffened, the cloth creasing as she turned her head.

“Was-was that so? Isn’t he too young for that?”

“Don’t pretend now,” you said, rolling your eyes. The spongy twig halted at your collar. “You confessed yourself that you are aware of everything that happens from the planks and lumbers around you.”

“Only if I ask them!” Lucia retorted, her huff melting into the fabric. “And they have told me that you, too, agreed to follow the messenger. It makes sense you’ll align with the Old King, Niklos.”

You sighed. “That is -not- my intention.”

“What is, then?”

“I don’t know, Lucia; I don’t!” you said. “Do you believe in prophecies? When I told you about it before, through the mirror in the Demon King’s citadel, you didn’t. You dismissed it.”

“I am neither a believer nor a sceptic, young Niklos. What the Hag foresees in Banefroth concerns me not. Even if involves me in any way, she says, I care not. It seems the young King thought—“

“Why do you serve him, Lucia? You’re not by his side as others are; you’re mingling with the farmers and villagers for what—for his sake? Were you already a Demon General when we first met?”

She wiggled her toes, the one branch suddenly twisting your back and pulling you to the floor to bring you to her height. “I’ll tell you; I’m a demon spirit, not a demon being. I’m born from the forest shadows, to have the reach beyound of ordinary shadow. And I do the same for the young King, his vigilant eyes in every village, sharing anything of note to him.”

“That doesn’t explain why.”

“He lets me do my own thing,” Lucia said with a shrug. “It’s rare for the young King to order me in such a direct way, he knows I detest such orders. That means he’s concerned a lot about it.”

“Well tell him he shouldn’t,” you said. “You’re an immortal being, Lucia. Right? You’re older than the Demon King’s entire host. Why bind yourself as a Demon General?”

“To have his ear, young Niklos. To protect the wilderness, the woodlands; it’s far simpler to bid him to rule his fiends and command them to cease their ruin of the forests in their wicked vanity. Fire and decay is something a tree cannot survive from.”

Lucia’s lilting voice grew louder, turning to an almost-shout, “But there is one Demon General he seem unable of keeping in restrain, and that is the Harpy. Arrogant, reckless, impatient, ruthless, stubborn, capricious—she’ll use her talons to scorch the grass, the leaves, the trees that stand, and the timbered homes.”

She kicked her foot, and the branch spiralled around your chest, flinging you across the room, your hands no longer bound by it. With a flick, the branch snapped back, severing the knot, unraveling and lifting the blanket off her.
Her azure eyes pierced you.

“Nothing against you, young Niklos, but I cannot squander an opportunity to rid of the plague, the archenemy of the sylvan lands. Tell me where she is, and when she will return for you.”

> Argue that it is Miranna’s nature, and all that damage stems from the Demon King’s inability to control his own generals, despite the promise he made to Lucia. Tell her that Miranna will listen to you if you’ll ask, and there’s no need for bloodshed.
> Lie to Lucia that Miranna left you here without any directions, and without a warning when she’ll be back. It might take a few days, is she willing to wait that long? Her current concern should be the Old King gathering forces, she should report that first.
> If she wants a battle with the Nettle Harpy, you’ll let her have it. Miranna always itches for a fight, so you doubt she’ll hold it against her. Let Lucia know that Miranna vowed to come back shortly, and afterwards, they can fight it out.
> [Write In]

>>6146752
And larger updates, too, but it's a struggle for me to write them. Either because I focus too much on editing as I write, and unable to just allow myself to write a lot, or because I feel like I'm forcing myself to write, or because I procreate, or all things combined, but it ends up with updates not worth the schedule. I'll try and improve without sacrificing the story.

>>6146778
The interactions between the characters and their relationships is important to me, but sometimes I get carried away with it and put every sentence and the thing Niklos says to a vote, and I can see how that can end up being slow or superfluous. I'll work on it and look back on the choices you and others have already made to guide Niklos' actions without stopping for every decision of his. If this Quest doesn't feel either comedic or adventurous-serious, then I'm doing something wrong and it's not the fault of your assumptions. Do give further feedback (complain) if you think the quest could be improved, I'd rather you don't stay silent.

>>6147242
It's not you or me, but the dice! At least you can be smug when the situation turns out badly.

>>6147281
> Argue that it is Miranna’s nature, and all that damage stems from the Demon King’s inability to control his own generals, despite the promise he made to Lucia. Tell her that Miranna will listen to you if you’ll ask, and there’s no need for bloodshed.
>... But if she wants a battle with the Nettle Harpy, you’ll let her have it. She'll be back, soon.

>>6147286
> or because I procreate
My man! I take it you meant "procrastinate"?

>>6147281
> Argue that it is Miranna’s nature, and all that damage stems from the Demon King’s inability to control his own generals, despite the promise he made to Lucia. Tell her that Miranna will listen to you if you’ll ask, and there’s no need for bloodshed.

>>6147286
>or because I procreate
Sex confirmed?

>>6147281
>Argue that it is Miranna’s nature, and all that damage stems from the Demon King’s inability to control his own generals, despite the promise he made to Lucia. Tell her that Miranna will listen to you if you’ll ask, and there’s no need for bloodshed.
Damn she’s one bird how much could she possibly burn
She’s not even trying

Apologies, no update today.

>>6148462
No prob, QM. Thanks for looping us in!

>>6147303
>>6147447
>>6147802
>>6148700

Your stumbled against the wall, the flimsy shelves rattling from the impact, jars and pots clinking atop them. Shaking off the blow, you looked to see if Lucia had any intent to carry on with her assail. For that moment, she seemed to abstain.

“She’s just one demon, Lucia. How much could she possibly burn?”

“More than enough. You hadn’t seen her true nature, young Niklos—where she turns into a fiend of flame, a fire maelstrom devouring everything around her. She’s gone long before I can prevent it.”

You pointed at crackling hearth, the wood burning within it.

“And this wood? We burn it as well. Does that not trouble you?”

Lucia’s flawless face scrunched as she followed your gaze to the fireplace. She looked elsewhere, as if there were infants instead inside of it. “You humans use it purposefully; the forest grants it to you, while the Harpy destroys it without cause, a careless damage.”

Lucia pushed herself up, approaching Yuriy. She knelt, lifting the armoured boy with trembling hands, struggling as she got to her feet, and struggling her way to the ill-balanced bed; any sort of physical strength seemed absent in her. Still, she carried Yuriy the short distance and tenderly set him upon the feathered layer.

“Have you tried speaking with her?”

“Once. She cared not. Whether she grasped or not that there’s life within the forest, she didn’t take it seriously. Like jest.”

Lucia traced the iron contours of Yuriy’s helmet and the deep gashes Miranna carved into it before she shimmied it off and placed it beside the pillow. “It is -strength- she understands, young Niklos. The only language she knows. No matter what you tell her, unless you can -beat- it into her, she will not understand it.”

You neared the trunk and heaved up its hinged lid—a mass of bunched and creased peasant clothes crammed tightly inside it.

“How is it not the Demon King’s fault, then? He’s -the- King, is he not? Above her in rank, and stronger as well. All that damage stems from the Demon King’s failure to control his own general.”

Without much thought, you took some patch-worked leggings and a knee-length tunic, slipping one below and one on top of yourself.

“She restrains herself in his presence, or even in mine. Alone, she does as she pleases, acts as she wishes.”

"You’re certain it’s Miranna causing the damage?"

Thought your makeshift briefs were battered, you’d feel weird using Yuriy’s, or removing it in front of Lucia. Even this pair of meagre garments seemed like fine silk on your worn chilled skin.

“It’s her,” Lucia asserted, her petite white teeth clenching. “Unless she razes -everything- to the ground, witnesses remain.”

“Then—“

“That’s enough, young Niklos,” Lucia cut in. “I’ve answered enough, accept it as a token.” Her hand snapped at the door, the door itself trembling as if in understanding. “Now it’s your turn. When will she return, and why is she with you?”

You closed the trunk and turned towards Yuriy, offering an unspoken apology and a thanks for the clothing. “She’ll be back, soon. That was what we agreed on. As for why, she believes in the prophecy, more fervently, I think, than even the Demon King. Everything else steams from that; she believes me to be the foretold hero, and she would rather that I don’t kill her.”

Lucia blinked, letting out a shaky, disbelieving scoff.

“The Harpy thinks -you’ll- slay her?”

“Because that’s what is says in the prophecy, yes.”

“She really got no brains,” Lucia said. “Well, that does not matter to me. She won’t see us from here, so let’s step outside.”

You lagged behind her, your fingers gripping and releasing the sword’s hilt. To take it with you would be theft, for it’s worth was a hundredfold more than clothes you were -also- taking with you. If the sword would be useful against the Twister of Wishes, however, and you bring it back after, there would be no reason for Yuriy to hold a grudge. That’s why you decided to keep it.

“Miranna will listen to me if I ask her,” you said.

“I doubt it. The prophecy makes no mention of it, so she won’t. She’s that simple. No, once she appears, I’m going to use you as a prisoner. How you’ll go along with it, will result on what I’ll tell or whether I’ll chose to deliver you to the young King.”

She pushed the door open with a firm shove, doing so without the aid of magic. You glanced outside, searching for the Old King’s messenger, as he would doubtlessly act in displeasure at your and Yuriy’s failure to return—you wondered how Lucia would handle it.

You caught him few houses further, huddling against a wall as thought trying to blend into it. The man-at-arms trembled, his proud suit of armour rattling like a shaky breath. Carrying him, trembling in like manner, his steed cowered, its tail clamped between its legs, and the ears pressed flat—both them and the barding piece failing to cover its terrified eyes. Both rider and the steed peeked around the corner at something.

You turned to what they were hiding from: a black-winged silhouette, barely a dot, flying distinct in the cloud-strewn sky.

> Wave towards Miranna to fly down. Feign agreement with Lucia and wait for a moment to slip out of her grasp when she arrives.
> Plead with Lucia to give you five minutes to talk with Miranna in front of her, to try and convince the Harpy about the forestry.
> Tell Lucia you didn’t think she was the cowardly and dishonourable type. Does she not believe that as the Sylvan chosen, she should have all the strength needed to best Miranna fairly?
> [Write In]

>>6147303
Procrastinate, yes. English is hard.

>>6147447
Sex is canon!

>>6149038
>=> Plead with Lucia to give you five minutes to talk with Miranna in front of her, to try and convince the Harpy about the forestry.

>>6149039
>English is hard

I am a native speaker, I have noticed little fuck-ups of my own constantly. ADHD and being tired all the time really doesn't help, lol. I can get what you try to convey, even if they are little mistakes. I also use a 3rd party spell and grammar checker, which helps some.

>>6149038
> Plead with Lucia to give you five minutes to talk with Miranna in front of her, to try and convince the Harpy about the forestry.

>>6149038
> Plead with Lucia to give you five minutes to talk with Miranna in front of her, to try and convince the Harpy about the forestry.
She knows Miranna is a birdbrain , why is she so sure Miranna didn’t just forget their single conversation

>>6149058
>>6149061
>>6149226
>>6149495

The distant speck faded, turning into Miranna as she swept down from the skies.

“Lucia,” you pleaded, facing her as she too caught sight of the winged Harpy. “Grant me but five minutes to talk with her first—in front of you. Let me try to persuade her.”

“I won’t let you out of my sight,” she said.

“I’m not asking you to.”

Lucia’s gaze fell to the sodden ground before returning to you, uncertainty wavering in her eyes over granting Miranna even that brief moment of time. After a pause, she lifted her hand above her hip, fingers twitching in the air. A large tendril sprouted from the glowing soil, its surface flickering with greenish sparks. It wound itself around your feet, coiling tightly around your ankles.

“You’ll speak here, and you best not move, young Niklos. There’s a venom within that I would -loath- to use on you.”

The wind shattered like glass at Miranna’s descent, her wings—rolling plumes of charred smoke—opening at the latest of seconds. The fierce gale tore straw from the thatched roofs, sundered the wooden frames and woven walls, rattled the windows in their mounts, and sent a cloud of dust, soil, and stones swirling around her.

Lucia glared at Miranna, her blue eyes looking almost frozen.

“I am back!” Miranna announced with a self-satisfied smirk, her wings stretching and lifting even wider before furling neatly behind her back. “Your pet is with them, Niklos, but they wouldn’t give it to me,” she said with a snort, waving her arm. “I could easily -destroy- them, but then I couldn’t promise its safety.”

“Miranna—“

“Look at this, young Niklos,” Lucia hissed softly, lingering close behind you. “Look at all this havoc; she only just arrived!”

Miranna’s eyes grew sharp as she looked from you to Lucia.

“Oh, it’s -you-. You were here, hah? Well, I found him -first-.”

> Share with Miranna and Lucia that, instead of defeating the Demon Generals, you want to convince them to join your side. If they are no longer the Demon King’s Generals, their deaths foretold in the prophecy can be avoided. And for Lucia to join your side, Miranna will need to promise to be less damaging to the woodlands.
> Explain to Miranna the real damage her recklessness has been causing to the trees and ask if, for your sake, she can exercise greater caution. When near a tree, or inside a forest, you want her to refrain from using her fire magic.
> Lie to Miranna by claiming that you saw another prophecy, foretelling her demise in a forest fire. Caution her that if she persists with her recklessness against the forest trees, she will perish long before witnessing the original prophecy.
> [Write In]

Perfect moment for a Write In if you have any other arguments, or to do something else.

>>6149061
I self-edit as a I write, which is why I write very slowly and it's a very bad habit, but I also edit once the update is done. But once its posted, I still see mistakes and errors--it could do with one more revision, but at that point I'm too tired haha. I do use the 3rd party assistance.

>>6149495
She is hundreds (thousands?) years old, and she doesn't have that problem, so what's Miranna's excuse(?!) she probably thinks.

>>6149932
> Share with Miranna and Lucia that, instead of defeating the Demon Generals, you want to convince them to join your side. If they are no longer the Demon King’s Generals, their deaths foretold in the prophecy can be avoided. And for Lucia to join your side, Miranna will need to promise to be less damaging to the woodlands.
I'm open to changing my vote to support any arguments.

>>6149932
>Share with Miranna and Lucia that you think the Demon Generals can be neutralized by a variety of means, including winning them over to your side...Maybe not all of them, but Lucia in particular is very strong AND could be very useful! All you need if for Miranna to be more careful with her flames.
"Trust me, Miranna! I see it now, this is where I make my move! This is how we win!"
>Oh, also, look out -- there's human soldiers around.

>>6149932
>Tell her that Lucia is willing to be cool as long as she stops hurting trees, so if she could be more careful and maybe not land in forests at all anymore it would be a big step of progress
Do we really want to get the generals all on our side? I don’t think the Mountain will betray the king, and the Twister of Wishes seems like pure dag nasty evil and needs to die.

Update will be soon, I just need to prepare a new thread, starting with a new image. Apologies, I was a bit sick and every time I took medicine it just made me tired and lulled me to sleep.

>>6152350

New thread. Of course, I forgot how to count, and it's #4 again. That's why I hate making new threads. I just need to remember, when I'll be archiving it, to put it down as #5.