Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

Chapter 932: The Voice Of Eclanor - Part 1

Flitza’s genetic afflictions had always held back the paladin. She struggled where others passed with ease, and despite her best efforts, she could never overshadow a warrior or even an adventurer from another kingdom. Her burning horns and hair were fine for intimidation, and her wings gave the impression that she could fly, but in the end, all of it was no more than a mirage. A vestige of what could’ve been had she not been both a harpy, a copper dragon, and somewhere along the line, a touch of human.

Her dragon-embossed shield, her flaming sword, all worked well to enchant her intimidation factor, but in a fight against a real threat, she would surely lose unless help was willing and waiting right beside her.

"Hmm, give me a few more days, and I’ll figure out how to bring out more positives and get rid of your recessive genes," drawing another vial of Flitza’s blood, Ditsy bagged it in her waist bag and turned her gaze to Melenai. "She has great potential, but her genes are a bit misguided."

Awkwardly waving her hand, the head of the Eclanor council shrugged.

"I have no clue what you mean, but if you can help her, then all the better." Looking to Meimei instead, Melenai stretched a hand to the woman sitting in the palm of her floating gauntlets. "Can you do something about her limbs? Or is that too much to ask for?"

"Her limbs?" Staring at the blacksmith, Ditsy’s lips twisted to the side. "Does she want me to? I think those magic arms and legs suit her."

"Do you want them back, Mei?" Melenai asked.

Shaking her head, Mei jumped up and stood on the palm.

"I’m okay. Having limbs seems like a pain, I’ve heard how much they hurt!" Making a striking motion with her hand, she added. "I don’t want the pain to disturb me from striking a hammer on metal. "

"Fair point," Garcia whispered beside Disty, reminded of her own back pain.

"Alright then," placing a hand on Ditsy’s shoulder, Melenai smiled at the vampire. "Thanks for coming by. I will be looking forward to that cure for Flitza."

"Gods, I can’t wait to get rid of these burdens of my flesh!" The half dragon exclaimed, visibly frustrated with her own body and its downfalls.

The sudden chime of a small bell drew everyone’s attention to the steps leading into the giant’s mansion. Peeking out from the seeing window in the door, a small raven had emerged and quickly flew over to Melenai’s shoulders.

"Kumi, what’s the matter?" She asked, scratching the monster girl’s head as if truly giving pets to a bird and not a grown woman.

Relishing the feeling for but a moment, the woman spoke through her beak of news most bleak.

"An army! An army is standing on our doorsteps!"

"What?!" The bard’s eyes widened with shock. At the same time, Kumi dismounted Melenai’s shoulders and turned back to her regular form.

Standing up from a crouched position, she grunted and groaned from the numerous hours of shapeshifting strain. But as soon as her bones were done cracking, she heaved a sigh and relayed the rest of the known information to the council head.

"Yes, and the worst part? That ship we got from Elenaris with a thousand soldiers? It went to answer a distress call from some islands that are also under the hero’s protection. And that was an hour ago, and no news has come since then!"

Melenai’s mind instantly raced, trying to find an answer to their troubles. With the soldiers gone, the amateur army of Ecalnor–with no prior war experience at all–couldn’t hold a candle against whoever had come knocking on their doors.

"What else can you tell me about this army?" Melenai asked, a finger pressed to her chin, her look sharp and scrutinizing.

Nodding her head, Kumi explained further. The enemy forces consisted of only around four hundred soldiers, split into four parts. Each battalion was led by a chosen of enemy gods trying to take advantage of the situation while Raven and his army were still fighting Oruon and Kleismeth.

"I will try to contact the hero," as soon as Melenai lifted her hand to speak into the ring, however, a crackling energy shattered its gem. "What the–great timing..."

Clenching her record book close to her pounding chest, the horned bard clicked her tongue and tried to find some way to delay this enemy attack.

"Why haven’t they attacked already?"

"I have no idea, they’re just standing half a mile from the front gates."

"Then maybe they can be talked to. There must be a reason they haven’t attacked yet." Melenai tried taking a step towards the stairs, but was grabbed from behind by a scaly hand. As she turned her head, Flitza was staring at her intently.

"Are you sure this is the right move? What if they attack you? Who’s gonna take charge of the kingdom in that case?"

Gently removing Flitza’s hand, Melenai forced a smile on her face and stood confident and without fear.

"I’d be a poor bard of words if I can’t even negotiate with a waiting army."

"You’d be a dead bard if this goes wrong!" Flitza grabbed her again, her grip tighter than before.

Narrowing her gaze, Melenai removed her hand again. But this time, her answer wasn’t as mild nor compassionate, but drawn out of frustration and fear of losing her kingdom to some imbeciles once more, like the giants and their dreams of grandeur.

"I will find a way to stop them! Wouldn’t be the first time I had to get my hands dirty, so just! Do as I say, for now..." Although her words turned mellow by the end, and some secrets were almost spilled, nobody questioned the bard anymore, for they knew that if there was anyone who cared for Elcanor the most, it was her and her alone.

’Chosen this chosen that, let’s see how you hold up against ink and paper!’ With that said, the bard set off to meet the chosen of enemy gods. Determined to either strike a deal or get rid of them one way or the other.