They walked side by side on the road leading to the western part of the town of Triplance. The ground that serves as the main road was pounded flat and hard to smoothen the passage of carriage wheels, as well as carts that carry the goods that will be sold to the nearby market at the town plaza.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa8zkslh5A
It was a busy day, as peddlers and local merchants started to head towards the market to open their shops to anxious buyers.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ44v3WejyO
It was already near midday when Tara and Silma arrived in town. The girls decided to have breakfast first at a local bakery that was managed by a middle aged woman.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXvmrEfNo4
"What would it be? The freshest bread we have is our famous star bread, it's still hot and very delicious, even the smell would say so." Said the manager as she led the two girls to a vacant table just near the door of the bakery.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGfu66WoZk
"Hmmm… It smells good!" Tara agreed, "But of course, you smell a whole lot better Silma!" Tara teased the elf as she poked her side playfully.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3stBKnKKl
"Kyaa! Tara, stop doing that!" Protested a startled Silma, who also started to poke back.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bMfMo9Eqf
"Ohoo... it seems that you have the guts to fight back now huh?" Tara was very happy that Silma had started to warm up to her, she tried to push her luck by 'accidentally' grabbing the elf's boobs.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAieCDxxqrW
The manager looked at the two girls with a dumbfounded expression as she set the tray filled with the freshly baked bread.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSKfuss0JQ
"Ehem… Is there anything you ladies want? Like a mug of hot cocoa perhaps? We do serve the best cocoa here in town after all…"
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcq8Dehis9
"Yes, I would love a hot cocoa!" Silma exclaimed with a very cute smile.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPS9yZjBj4
Seeing the elf smiled like that caused Tara a severe nosebleed, she thanked her luck silently for such a wonderful sight, as she discreetly wiped the blood from her nose.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtwEzZQENb
"Are you okay Tara?" The elf asked as she noticed the angel wiping something.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuk9o7hjlcm
Tara just gave her a thumbs up to assure her that everything is fine.
After they finished their bread and cocoa, the pair then paid the manager and thanked her for a wonderful meal. They once again started to head west.
The pair were taking things easy for now, after all it's not always this safe and peaceful. Even the elf feels at ease in this laidback town.
Silma was happily chatting to Tara about her past experience when visiting towns with her sister, Tara then noticed a look of grief flashed Silma's face, it was a split second, but the angel noticed it nonetheless, Tara took a mental note of this revelation, but she kept it to herself.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVatmlLwsDp
They passed by an Orange farm. The sweet scent of citrus that greeted them as they walked through was too much for both girls. It was a good thing that there were people harvesting the fruits today, and as they walked nearer, Tara gave them a smile, drawing cheers of approval from the men.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnrWn2VUpz
"A gift for the beautiful ladies!" Said the supervisor of the harvesting party, as he handed the girls a small bag filled with fresh oranges.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldKd37nSzX
They happily accepted the gift and thanked the supervisor for his kindness.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAkEk5x70h
The girls then found a bench near the orange grove, took a seat and started to peel the oranges. Tara took a segment of the orange she peeled and hand-fed it to Silma, making the elf more anxious. When they finally had their fill of oranges, they once more proceeded west.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkxhuesK8k
"I wish everyday would be like this, no hassle, no danger." Said the elf feeling very lively and high spirited.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWIX3NazQB
Tara just stayed silent giving the elf a sideway glance. She then once again looked down on her finger where the cursed ring is stuck. Tara already inquired the guild about how to remove it, she used one of her privilege credits she earned for clearing the cavern quest in asking information on how to remove curses from items, which Carlos was very happy to explain in full and expanded detail.
She was already defeated by Sinante when cursed rings became a thing. The mages, having seen how primordials caused havoc during the Godsbane war have been creating cursed rings to somehow repel them, especially now that the Bluewing has passed away and their High Balekon won't be around anymore to protect humankind.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwHUzT61EX
"How ingeniously simple…" Tara thought, marveling at the wisdom of the mages of old.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAcFxixsle
"Only way to remove a curse ring is to have it removed by a primordial of the same species… Knowing that as the class of primordial is higher, the less we are inclined to cooperate, due to our inherent nature of not wanting any rivals to be the strongest…" A sigh escaped the angel's lips, she thinks that it's an annoying affair to have to find another angel and force them to remove the ring at this age and place.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb6xxa82zU
"I may not be able to use my mana, but I still have my strength and speed, and that is more than enough to make any other angel submit to my will."
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeswRfATDcq
"Is something bothering you Tara? You kinda seem off…"
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d35sYQwN5
"I'm okay baby girl, I just have a lot on my mind lately… nothing to worry about." Tara assures her elven companion.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIk3t9Ygfrq
They continued on towards their destination, when all of a sudden, Silma noticed that the people started to run towards the school at the town's center.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAx2SBnQMD
"Hey! What's going on? What's with all the commotion?" Tara asked a girl that she was able to stop from running.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDr8LDgzFg
"There has been an attack at the school, big sis. They said that a winged man attacked the new governor." The girl explained.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8sYJffPq9
Tara pressed the girl for more information.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2eyHazXg7
"A winged man you say? Like bird wings, feathered?"
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX9RJnl7Fa
"Nay big sis, they said it was bat-wings" the girl said as she raised her arm to imitate what she thinks a bat wing looks like.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDQh0CPPLp
Suddenly, Silma became livid, her body was shaking, she knew only one man with bat-wings, Lord Randal's familiar.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH9sSGtdag
Her eyes suddenly has a blank horrified stare, as memories of her friend's bloody death and her cousin Allana's rape came rushing back to her memories like a tidal wave.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhrAAACwvc
Tara observed the elf carefully, she has a suspicion that Silma knows this winged man, and they must have shared a very dreadful past. She decided not to press her friend about it, in time Silma will tell her everything, when she is ready to open up.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMameU3JgpM
Right now, all she can do is to give her friend all the support that she needs.
Tara, gently hugged the elf in a very caring embrace as an angel only could give. She then gently patted the elf's head.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8k6VTPLapA
"There, there baby girl… you do not need to be afraid, I am with you. You can use me as your support." Tara reassuringly told her friend.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSKsALhCOX
Finally, after holding it for so long, since that tragic night, Silma cried at Tara's bossom, she let it all out under the warm loving embrace of an angel.
…………………………………
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0vnvO1Cya
"Father! Are you okay?!" Tusk cried as he ran towards his Lord father Arsenon Regnum.
"I'm okay my son, there is no need to worry." Ars told his boy as he wiped the dirt and dust that Declan threw at his eye.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdbnTGicuI
The Balekon would have destroyed the angel then and there if he wasn't distracted by his son. He doesn't have any regrets though, since his main priority is to protect everyone in the school, and it seems that he has accomplished just that.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiHFKUmv51
"Tusk, is everyone in the building safe?" Lord Regnum, now finally composed, asked his son.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRAYBpvNfu
"Yes, as far as I know, I think everyone made it… The girl's, my classmates were able to get everyone out of the building safely. I myself have led the lower years out of the building into the school grounds at the back." Tusk reported earnestly.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsjTJvMRLt
"Very good then!" The Red Lightning said with relief "Let's check the teachers too, if any was hurt." Lord Regnum added as he started to walk towards the building to see if the teachers and the Headmaster are safe and sound.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrePNQ3kBGZ
Miss Anne was the first person that the father and son duo met when they entered the school building. Tusk was very relieved to see that his homeroom adviser was unscathed.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1GkeMST5c
"Let me help you in assisting the students and other faculty members that might be hurt by this attack. Miss Anne offered to Lord Regnum.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiykyxIXcI
"Yes, that would be very wonderful Miss Anne." Lord Regnum politely thanked the teacher's offer to help with a slight bow.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRj7MugRTI
The teacher couldn't help but admire this strong handsome man. He was a noble but he doesn't act like a snub like most noblemen. Miss Anne felt her cheeks heating up as her gaze were locked at the great Lords piercing dark eyes.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebB9EKEDpd
Tusk just shook his head in disbelief, it looks like his teacher has just become one of the many fans of his dad.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDH92Dkt7LK
"Oh brother…" he silently sighed, rolling his eyes.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OcURuCphY
…………………………
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlKIRQDV6e
On the second floor, the three girls were also sorting everything that transpired. Lyn's eyes were glistening with admiration from what she saw Chitose did in defeating the green slime.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OY9pRi7Xd
Claire was still supporting Chitose with her shoulders since the latter seems to have injured her ankle earlier.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67JWqpdtfb
"Chitose, are you hurt anywhere else?" Claire inquired.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPtr9Vlk8O
"No, I don't think so, it's just my ankle...aahh…" Chi cried as she felt a sudden stabbing pain at her injured ankle. "I hope I am not burdening you Claire…"
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Wd4AS2Cwm
"Hah! Don't be silly, compared to how you weigh before, you practically feel like a feather to me." Claire told her friend with a smile.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwFNqU3ZS3
"Bong… he…" Lyn started to cry for the loss of their classmate and friend Bong, who was a casualty of the green slime attack.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXKENFHY85
Claire and Chitose also started to tear up too. Everyone liked Bong, he was quiet but hilariously funny when he was fired up.
"How are we going to tell the others about this?" Asked Lyn.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxafX3zHcHG
"No, before all of that… the two of you owe me an explanation… about Chitose's powers, and… that kiss..." Claire stated matter of factly.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX9Etx6TGo
Lyn and Chitose looked at each other, completely taken unawares. Both don't even know how to begin the long explanation to Claire.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxcuvOOCwt
*POP*
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAC1DvCOF1
"Allow me to explain, regarding Chitose's abilities!" Hunai made herself visible, this time to Claire and Lyn.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRWeeoAqlr
"Ww-what is THAT THING?!" A shocked Claire yelled, she then let go of Chitose, and picked up a piece of broken wood and started to whack the sprite mid air.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gjLZCo5MY
"YAAAAH! DIE FIEND!" Claire shouted as she chased Hunai around the corridor.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbitrN2lhGA
"Claire wait!!!" Lyn was running after Claire, trying to stop her girlfriend from smashing Hunai with the broken wood.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kWFKoL7eP
Lyn hugged Claire from behind, stopping her from chasing the sprite. She then buries her face at Claire's soft back. She can smell Claire's fragrant hair, the scent of her body, she can feel Claire's heartbeat beating fast.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8E3JkyxfNu
Lyn felt terrible for what she did to both Chitose and Claire. She was selfish, she was the worst. She cried as she hugged Claire all the more tightly from behind.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAU1KY02nP
"I'm so sorry… I am such a terrible person… I am so sorry Claire…"
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9amWz3j58j
Claire just stood still, allowing Lyn to cry behind her back, she felt her warm tears as it seeped through the school uniform into her skin.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FPunFS0NK
She tried to stop her tears from falling, in the end she collected herself and told Lyn what she felt at that very moment.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kvve7I7Yg
"Lyn… I love you-- but... you broke my heart… you broke my heart!"
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZqy4GuKwx
Claire then tried to pry herself out of Lyn's tight embrace, but Lyn hugged her all the more tightly.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDOgKXloH8
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" Lyn was weeping as she repeatedly asked Claire's forgiveness for the betrayal that she did behind her back.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdYjLZdDPj
Claire struggled harder against Lyn's embrace, when she finally pried herself free, she then turned around and faced her girlfriend, and with tears finally flowing from her eyes, she slapped Lyn across the face.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0H8VvyGJk
Claire then once again turned her back to her friends and ran away.
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY4ooEWTbu
Lyn holding her cheek silently watched Claire run away from her, she felt a deep pain and sadness… and dread…
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mlUS8XhFz
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdflejUPO0c
