—–
Is Emeraldine okay in the head? Why is she asking to join my party? She’s a cute and weak elf… She’ll die!
“Emeraldine, I would suggest you go back to Affnaria instead… Our journey is dangerous, and what we are planning to do… is not something that is necessarily correct,” I explained.
“But… I agree with some of your thoughts… I also think that this Kingdom is rotten… How can it be so terribly guarded that they let citizens be kidnapped as if it was nothing? I… I want to help you make a change!” She said.
“That is… not really what I am going for. I am not trying to make a change for the Kingdom. What I want is purely selfish revenge… I want to slaughter those that planned the horrible death of my parents and made my life a living hell,”
“I-I see…”
“As you can see… I am not a normal person. I am not a human anymore either… I am a monster—a Ghost—an undead, and so are my three allies. We live in this mortal world attached to our negative desires and emotions. Our drive to kill and avenge those we lost… We are not normal people. And to be honest, we are all insane… You’re still sane, dear… you have much to live for. But, I can give you the money so you can have a comfortable life for a couple of years in Affnaria. You don’t need to come with us and risk your life,” I said.
“…”
Emeraldine looked down rather thoughtfully. Her eyes seemed to be bubbling with emotions.
“Well, we guessed as much,” Said the goblin chief.
“Yeah, it was quite obvious she was like a ghost or something,”
“Indeed,”
Most of the goblins around us already kind of suspected me of being a ghost of sorts.
“You’re weak, elf. You will die if you go at our pace. Accept her offer and be done with this,” Lucifer bluntly suggested.
“Master doesn’t need you,” Said Partner as she was a bit jealous again.
“You don’t have to be so rude, you know?” I said.
“No…”
Emeraldine suddenly said something.
“Eh?”
“I… I want to go anyways… I want to accompany you, and I want to repay you for everything you’ve done for me… for everyone… I have my own abilities too… I can be useful… I even know healing magic and spirit magic, and archery! I… I can show you that I can grow stronger in these days before you leave….” She muttered.
Ah, she really wants to come with me… But why? This is a bit nonsensical, but she’s so dead set on it that it is a bit intimidating.
“Show me? Do you want to train? …Fine, we’ll stay for one week here. Show me how strong you can grow in that time, and then I will decide if it is enough to come with us or not… But… you’re just recovering, I don’t know if it’s okay to-”
“It’s okay! I will do it!” She said as she tightly grasped my hands, approaching her face to mine.
“I promise you I will do it… I want to become someone worthy to be at your side, Maria….”
Wow, such conviction! Is she an anime main character?!
“F-Fine, I get it!” I gave in and even blushed a bit as she was way too close.
She slowly moved away, and I saw Partner gritting her teeth in anger.
“Thank you… My mother once told me that… When I found someone truly admirable and worthy of being followed, I should never let them go… No matter what,” She said.
“Your mother… Oh, she was the royal guard of your elven kingdom, right?”
“Indeed. It is something I’ve held in my heart ever since then. She’s an honorable woman… And she died honorably too…”
Wow, I never thought Elves held so much warrior’s honor. I guess these guys go completely against the trope, huh. And despite being so cute, Emeraldine is shifting more onto the tomboyish side.
“I see… I guess you can do whatever you want. I cannot stop you… Go ahead and show me your resolve in this single week, Emeraldine. You’re so set on it that I am actually looking forward to it!” I said.
“T-Thank you… I will do my best,” She responded.
I moved near her and hugged her.
“But don’t push yourself too hard though, okay?”
“Uwaahhh… O-Okay…”
She got incredibly red as I hugged her.
“Fufu, what’s wrong? You don’t like hugs?”
“I-Its not that… Y-Your… chest is rubbing on my face….”
“Oh,”
I quickly pulled her off as my breasts were pressing on her face.
My bad. I should have visualized them smaller… But I was always so flat in my previous life that I created a complex and wanted them as big as a mommy… I guess fulfilling my wish comes with disadvantages…
“Y-You should be more mindful… Maria… B-But it is not as if I mind being hugged by you,” She said.
“Oh, sorry about that… Anyways! Let’s forget about the gloomy atmosphere, and let’s celebrate! Everyone, let’s drink booze until we drop dead!”
“Aye, aye!”
“That’s the stuff!”
“Maria, you’re way too good!”
“Drink! Drink! Drink!”
The Goblins cheered for me as I began to drink a wine glass in a single shot. Lucifer was facepalming, while Partner and Emeraldine were looking at me with fascinated eyes.
“Phew… Uegh, this one felt a bit stronger….”
I didn’t get drunk, but I was able to feel a bit of the toxicity that it had… And it had way too much alcohol. Quite the cheap booze, but it still does an excellent job at making me feel a bit good. And that’s what matters! We celebrated until very late at night, and I eventually decided to go take a nap in my own tent that I was given. When I realized Partner and Emeraldine had sneaked to each side of my bed, they were sleeping soundly.
Uwah, two cute girls are sandwiching me…
—–