[Role Playing] The Gray Knights [PICTURE HEAVY] [Completed]

[dean_k]

This is my 1st role playing in Kenshi.

The game was started in [Retired captain] scenario where you are an enemy of Holy nation but an ally of United cities.

The Gray Knights is located right below Brink.

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[dean_k]

Ch 1 - The nectar of gods

On a random day.

Hanbu and Inu had been assigned to work on to produce steel bars. The Gray Knights was in need of better equipments and steel was lacking.



Hanbu: "God damn it. It's hot and it has rained for ... Nevermind."
Hanbu: "Only if we have something other than wather to drink...."



Hanbu: "Boss, I have a humble suggestion."

Hanbu called Ssizz up by the only well in the temple.

Ssizz: "Yes?"

Hanbu: "I want to drink."

They were by a well and Ssizz remained silent.

Hanbu: "I mean the nectar of gods."

Ssizz: "I beg your pardon?"



Burn and Hotlongs who were guarding the temple outpost entrance overheard the conversation and were definitely interested.

Hanbu: "Rum! I am talking about rum! It's hot out here everyday and it's - boring -. I know you guys and girls go on a dark crusade once in a while, but what do we do? Work, work, and oh! work."

Ssizz: "......"

Hanbu: "We can sell excessive rum to Brink. I mean I've seen traders walking right by the temple quite often. You don't want to keep relying on looted weapons and armors for the main soruce of income, do you?"

The Gray Knights has been earning their main income through selling looted weapons and armors from bandits and rarely from holy servants.



Hotlongs: "Boss, I don't mind carrying the weapons, but they are heavy. Just sayin'."

Ssizz: "......"



Marisa: "I could use a drink. I mean something other than water."

Burn: "Boss, it ain't a bad idea. I mean they have to work to produce rum, no? What do we have got to lose?"

Therefore, the rum factory has been built.



Terran: "Boss, I am sure Hanbu won't complain for a while but I do think we are gonna need one more worker dedicated to here. Inu is busy mining and Hanbu was our steel guy, no?"

Ssizz: "......"

[dean_k]

Ch 2 - Field battle

Ssizz: "We are to move out and do a routiee patrol around the area. We will move toward Clownsteady and come back."



Kevin: "About time!"

Burn: "Why today? I've had a bit too much of that rum Hanbu has been brewing..."

Hotlongs: "Shut it, Burn."

Kari: "Let us go."



Burn: "Pant..., pant..., damn that rum...."

Hotblongs: "Get moving, Burn!"



Kari: "What is this dork doing here?"

Hotlongs: "Hey, he's got a bounty on him! 2500 cat!"

Kevin: "Lolz, free cats!"

Ssizz: "Burns, you are not in the best condition. Carry him to the police station for his bounty. We shall move on."

Burn: "Pant, pant, fine, boss."



Burn: "I am gonna quit drinking..."



Ssizz: "Seen anything unusual?"

Merc: "You mean the cannibals? They have been really active lately. I've seen a bunch of them near Clownsteady."

Ssizz: "We shall head that way."

Merc: "Good luck. My platoon has been reduced to one third. We are out."


Ssizz and the others were moving toward Clownsteady and...



Kari: "Incoming Cannibals!"

Ssizz: "Charge!"

Kevin & Hotlongs: "Charge!!!"



Hotlongs: "God damnnit! Those clubs hurt!"

Kari: "I am hurt! I can't breathe... I am hurt!"

Ssizz: "Hang in there!"



Hotlongs: "Finally, one f**ker down! I am coming, Kari!"

Kari: "I am having a really hard time breathing..."





Ssizz: "Situation report!"

Hotlongs: "Kari is badly hurt. She can't fight."

Kevin: "I am hanging on there but not for long."



Merc 2: "Boss told me to shadow you. Allow me to assist."



Hotlongs: "These motherf**kers are going down!"

Kari: "Pant, pant."

Merc 2: "The cannibals have been really restless lately. I've heard that Mr. Floppy from Clownsteady was abducted some moons ago."

Kevin: "No, shit, for real?"

Merc 2: "Yes."

Hotlongs: "How the f*** did that happen? He has bodyguards."

Merc 2: "Clownsteady was assulted by four cannibal platoons when it happened. A lot died. A lot were abducted."

Kevin: "Holy Macro."



Ssizz: "Why help us?"

Merc 2: "Our platoon was there when it happened. We lost five or some good men to those blood suckers. Boss was just concerned that more might fall to them."

Hotlongs: "And send just one?"

Merc 2: "We have 5 guys left. You should understand. He couldn't spare more."

Ssizz: "I thank you. How is Kari?"

Hotlongs: "Barely having on. We need to take her back to the temple."

Merc 2: "Looks like the situation is under control. I shall take my leave. Fare thee well."

Ssizz: "Thank you. Men, loot the cannibals for anything valuable and we head back."

Kari, Kevin, and Hotlongs: "Roger."


Meanwhile...



Burn: "The f*** ... Where is the police dude?"



Burn: "What the f*** are you doing out here? Why are you not at your post?"

Police chief: "I am close enough. Bounty for that half-naked guy?"

Burn: "Sure, I looted his armor and weapon."

Police chief: "Doesn't concern me. Here, your reward."



While returning, the Gray Knights ran into yet another battle with cannibal. This time, the United cities samurais were fighting a small group of cannibals. At the same time, Burn finally joined up.



Burn: "Heya, I am back."

Hotlongs: "Took you long enough, jackass."

Kevin: "Sober now?"

Burn: "Oh, definitely, 100%."

Hotlongs: "How much did you get from the dude?"

Burn: "2500 cat."

Kevin: "That's not bad. We found him on sand after all, heh."



Ssizz: "Kari, how are you holding up? It looks like we have a fight ahead of us."

As an ally of United cities, the Gray Knights couldn't turn a blind eye on this.

Kari: "I am fine, somewhat. I can fight."

Kevin: "It shouldn't be hard. The battle looks like it almost over. Those samurai dudes are tough."

Ssizz: "... Charge!"





A cannibal was abducting a sand ninja. When the cannibal was taken down, the sand ninja woke up and turned against the knights. Being alone and injured, he went down easily.



Hotlongs: "For God's sake! We just saved him! He didn't have to attack us!"

Kevin: "Those sand buggers are like that."

Burn: "So..., what now?"

Ssizz: "We go back to the temple. We are done for the day."

Samurai 1: "Thank you for the assistant."

Kevin: "No problem. It's rare to see cannibals coming this far. Normally they bother Clownsteady."

Samurai 1: "Clownsteady was overrun few moons ago according to a report we have. Cannibals came this far looking for more food probably."

Hotlongs: "That ought to suck for the folks at Clownsteady."

Ssizz: "Loot up and we go home."

Kark, Kevin, Hotlongs, and Burn: "Roger."



Ssizz: "Overall, it has been acceptable performance for only five people."

Hotlongs: "Well, four people. Burn hardly contributed today and the dude is on bed already."

Kevin: "We probably need few more. I mean it was quite close today."

Hotlongs: "Their clubs did hurt."

Ssizz: "The holy servants are stronger."

Hanbu: "Looks like nobody died. I'd call it a successful mission."

Everyone agreed.

Ssizz: "How much did we make today by the way?"

Kevin: "2500 cat from the bounty. Few looted weapons and an armor... I think we made about 4500 cat."

[dean_k]

Note: I am changing how the pictures are displayed a little so that it's easier to view without additional clicks.

Ch 3 - Dust bandits and holy servants



Hotlongs: "The hell?"

Burn: "Sounds like dust bandits to me."

Ssizz: "Prepare for a fight. We are not going to pay."

Hotlongs: "Of course, not. Why should we pay them? F*** them."

Kari: "What should I tell the workers?"

Ssizz: "Leave them be. We should be able to take them on."

Dust bandit boss: "We've warned ya'all before. Pay up now or die!"

Even befoer Ssizz could talk, Hotlongs charged in.

Hotlongs: "F*** ya all! Die!"



Kevin: "Is it just me? They seem easier than the cannibals!"

Kari: "Agreed. We seem outnumbered but we are taking them on."

Burn: "This is sad. They've got better equipments than cannibals too."

Hotlongs: "Maybe, human fresh gives them super powers."

Kari: "That's gross. I don't even wanna think about that."

Hotlongs: "I do have a point, tho."

Burn: "Maybe.

Ssizz: "Focus!"





Ssizz approached the bandit leader.

Ssizz: "He is not dead, just passed out. I will take him to the police. Loot the bodies and bring them to Brink to sell."

The Gray Knights looted them and were on their way to Brink to sell. All was well until they saw a bunch of people fighting at the gate of Brink.



Kevin: "Holy servants are here?! At Brink?!"

Ssizz: "I cannot fight properly with the bounty on my shoulder. I will move on."

Hotlongs: "No problemo, boss. The holy bastards are losing the battle anyway."

Kevin: "Cannibals from North and Holy servants from South. This does not look good for United cities."

There were only few holy servants and they went down quickly. While Ssizz was turning in the bounty, Terran who tagged along since they had too much loot to carry asked a shop keeper about the attack.



Terran: "Know anything about the attack today?"

Shop keeper: "Nothing much. All I know is I heard loud shouting and there they were. I did hear there were only few of them. Most likely a scouting party that got lost and ran into Brink thinking it was one of their cities."

Terran: "They can't be that stupiud, can they?"

Shop keeper: "Hey, when you are wearing those tincans for so long, you are bound to lose your sense of direction under this sort of heat."

Terran: "Ya got a point there, mister."



Ssizz: "How much did we make from the loot?"

Kari: "A ton. We made like 15000 cat. Those holy servants equipments are good quality."

Ssizz: "We will not wear their equipments. You did sell those, didn't you?"

Kari: "Of course, I did, boss."

Hotlongs: "God, my head. I got whacked on my head by one of those servant."

Ssizz: "Anything to report?"

Terran: "Nothing much on the holy nation attack, boss. They are as clueless as we are."

Kevin: "We kinda avoided the worst case scenario. If they attacked our temple instead of Brink, it could have been ugly. We were dealing with the badits after all."

Ssizz: "True. Maybe, it's time to recruit."

Hotlongs: "Terran, got any rum in yer bag?"

Terran: "Nope, sorry."

[dean_k]

Ch 4 - Hard times



Peace didn't last long as the Gray Knights heard bandits shouting outside of the temple.

Ssizz: "Prepare for a fight."

Kevin: "Jeez, it hasn't even been two days since the last attack."

Hotlongs: "They want it. They got it."





However, the fight didn't start in favor of the Gray Knights. Soon, Kevin and Hotlongs were knocked down.

Kevin: "Crap... I got me..."

Hotlongs: "M**ther F**kers..."

Kari: "We are being overwhelmed!"

Burn: "Boss! What now?!"

Ssizz: "Retreat!"

Kari: "To the temple?"

Ssizz: "No! To Brink!"

Kari: "What about Kevin and Hotlongs?! We can't leave them here, can we?!"

Ssizz: "Someone from the temple should patch them up once we lure them away!"

Burn: "Got it, boss. Let's run!"



Ssizz: "What in the blazes?!"

When Ssizz, Kari, and Burn arrived at Brink, there were holy servant bodies around the gate.

Kari: "Brink got attacked again?!"

Meanwhile...



Hanbu: "Crap, one of them woke up..."

Hanbu: "... Uh... help? This is actually my first time holding the blade..."



Kevin pushed himself to stand.

Kevin: "Argh... I will help..."

Hotlongs also woke up soon after.

Hotlongs: "God... My whole body aches... Yer got rum left, right?"

Hanbu: "Sure, sure, help me out and you get all rum you want!"



Hanbu: "Phew, that was a close call."

Kevin: "Where are the others?"

Hanbu: "They fled toward Brink, luring the bandits away from you guys."

Hotlongs: "What now?"

Hanbu: "You two are in no condition to fight. Let's go back to the temple."

Kevin: "I guess that is all we can do for now."



Kari: "That's all of them. Should we loot?"

Ssizz: "No, that is not our priority at the moment. Let us make a haste and return."

Kari: "Agreed."

Burn: "Do you think it was just a coincidence that the bandits and holy servants attacked our temple and Brink respectively?"

Ssizz: "I don't know. I can't be sure."

Kari: "It is odd that Brink got attack twice so fast and we also got attacked at a similar time."

Ssizz: ".... Let us go back first."

Kari & Burn: "Roger."

When they were about to leave, Terran arrived.



Terran: "I am glad you guys are safe."

Ssizz: "How is the situation at the temple?"

Terran: "Some of the bandits woke up and gave Hanbu a hard time but Kevin and Hotlongs helped him out. They are on bed right now."

Kari: "I am sorry, Terran. We didn't have time to finish them off."

Terran: "Not your fault, miss. Anyway, it's all fine at the temple."



Ssizz: "Looks like all of you are alright."

Kevin: "That was close, boss.

Hanbu: "No one died, so, it's all good."

Kari: "I think we do need few more people."

Ssizz: "Agreed. ... Wait. Someone's not here. Where is Marisa?"



Marisa: "Oh, wow, I haven't seen you in ... I totally forgot. What brings you here?"

Ssizz: "Are you okay?"

Marisa: "Yeah, I am fine. Did something happen?"

Ssizz: "... Nevermind."

Ssizz was about to leave, but



Marisa: "Wait."

Ssizz: "Yes?"

Marisa: "You got your wakizashi from a sand ninja right?"

Ssizz: "Yes, I looted it actually."

Marisa: "I've done some research on weapon smithing and I think Hanbu is able to make a better blade than your current one."

Ssizz: "That's good news."

Marisa: "So, go visit him and ask him to smith you one."

Ssizz was about to return to the temple and inquire Hanbu about a new blade. However...



Kari: "You've got to be kidding me..."

Kevin: "It hasn't even been half a day since the last attack..."

Ssizz: "We fight."

Hotlongs: "Are you sure, boss? We are pretty beaten up."

Ssizz: "I don't see many. They don't have many men left probably, either. They are trying to finish us."

Burn: "She's right. I don't see many. Let's finish them."





Ssizz: "Were you hired by the holy nation?!"

Bandit boss: "Who hired who? We don't follow orders from no one!"



Ssizz: "He wouldn't talk. I guess I will just turn him over for his bounty."

Kevin: "He had only 3 men with him."

Hotlongs: "He probably thought he could finish us off."

Burn: "A big mistake on his part."

Ssizz: "I will go to Brink and turn him in. I will also see if I can find few suitable men to join us."



Man 1: "Who? The Gay Knights? I ain't going to join a bunch of gays."

Ssizz: "... No, we are the Gray Knights. G-R-A-Y."

Man 2: "You know, missy, you could have named it The Dark knights orrrr somethin'. Sounds much cooler."

Ssizz: "......"

In the end, she could find no one willing to join from Brink.

Ssizz returned from Brink and approached Hanbu about her new blade.



Hanbu: "Wakizashi, right? Marisa told me about it. Let me take a look at your current blade.

......

Hanbu: "Yer, I can make a better one. It won't be a big improvement but it will be better and it will have our emblem on it."

Ssizz: "Sounds good to me."



Hanbu: "There ya go. I will let you know when I can smith something even better."

[dean_k]

Ch 5 - New recruits part 1 of 2



Ssizz: "I've gathered all of you today to announce that I will be recruiting few members today."

Kevin: "About time."

Kari: "Finally."

Hotlongs: "Hope it's women."

Ssizz: "Attention, please. Not everyone can go this time. I will bring Kevin with me as a bodyguard. The rest of you stay here at the temple."

Kevin: "Got it, boss."

Burn: "Damn, why him. I wanna travel around, too."



Kari: "Don't worry, boss. We will look after the temple while you are away."


Ssizz and Kevin headed to Trade's edge for possible recruits. However...



Kevin: "Are my eyes decieving me? I see not a soul here."

Samurai 1: "What are you doing here?"

Ssizz: "What happened to this bar?"

Samurai 2: "We don't know. But considering how often we've been attacked by the holy nation, I assume they got killed."

Kevin: "All of them? You can't be serious?"

Samurai 1: "Either they got killed or got kidnapped by cannibals."

Ssizz inquired about the bar from a nearby shop.



Shop keeper: "The bar owner got killed when a horde of holy servants invaded. We did manage to repel them but the owner was killed and no one goes there now."

Ssizz: "I see. Thank you."

Shop keeper: "Watch out there. Lots of holy servant patrols."

Ssizz and Kevin were on their way to Bark and ran into a lone mercenary.



Ssizz: "Hail, what happened to your platoon?"

Merc: "All dead. All dead."

Ssizz: "Bandits?"

Merc: "Nah, the holy bastards. They attacked us suddenly. We stood no chance."

Kevin: "Why would they attack you guys? Mercs are neutral."

Merc: "Ask them. I have no f**king idea. I am done with this. I am going to retire once I get to a friendly base."

Not long after the encounter with the merc, Ssizz and Kevin ran into a fight where holy servants were mercilessly putting down a group of bandits.



Knowing that she had no chance with only Kevin, she ran past them.

Holy servant 1: "Hey! Halt! Halt!"

Ignoring his shouting, they kept on running.

Holy servant 2: "Hey, stop! Damn it! Finish these bandits ASAP!"



Ssizz: "Here we are."

Kevin: "Bark, isn't it?"

Ssizz: "Yes."

Kevin: "I feel a lot safer already."

Ssizz and Kevin proceeded to bars for potential recruit.







Kevin: "An engineer, two bums. They were no good."

Ssizz sighed.

Kevin: "I guess we are moving onto the next town."

Ssizz: "Heft, it is."



Ssizz: "There is Heft."

Kevin: "We've traveled very far. Let's hope we find what we are looking for."





Ssizz: "Greetings, may I ask your name?"

Dirt: "Dirt."

Kevin: "Sorry, we are just asking your name. You don't have to send us off like that."

Dirt: ".... No, my name is Dirt."

Kevin: "Oh..., haha..., sorry."

Ssizz: "... You look capable. Are you good with a sword?"

Dirt: "... Ex mercenary. My platoon got killed. Few survivors retired, me along them. Spent all my money on gambling and booze.I need a job."

Ssizz: "You can join us."

Dirt: "... Will I be paid well?"

Ssizz: "Well, no, but we will feed you, arm you."

Dirt: "... I am not so sure."

Kevin: "We are the Gray Knights. We fight against the holy nation."

Dirt: "... You feed me and I get to revenge. I guess it's a deal."



Dirt: "... Where to?"

Ssizz: "Our base is by Brink."

Dirt: "... That's some walk to walk."


Meanwhile...



Hanbu: "Hmm..., I've just improved my skills. I think I can do higher grade weapons.

Terran: "Here is rum you asked."

Hanbu: "Thank ye."

And back to Ssizz and the others.



Kevin: "Nice view."

Dirt" "... Maybe."



Ssizz: "We've arrived at Telbooze. We are halfway there."

Dirt: "... Time for booze?"

Ssizz: "..."



Kevin: "Another empty bar. Don't tell me..."

Ssizz: "I guess we know the story."

Dirt: "... No booze?"

Ssizz and the others were on their way to the Gray temple and ran into a group of samurais who trapped a bandit leader.



Ssizz: "Doesn't look like you guys need help."

Samurai : "No, ma'am. You are free to take his bounty. We aren't allowed to get the bounty."

Kevin: "Nice."


Meanwhile...



Kari: "Crap..."

Hotlongs: "M**ther F**kers... They just had to come today."

Burn: "This is b***sh**."

[dean_k]

Ch 5 - New recruits part 2 of 2



Kari: "What do we do? Flee to Brink?"

Hotlongs: "We fight!"

Kari: "They outnumber us, a lot. We don't think we can make it."

Hotlongs: "So we are going to just let them sack our temple?!"

Kari: "......"

Burn: "What are those dudes doing over there by the rum factory?"

Kari: "Huh?"



Kari: "Excuse me! Excuse me!"

Trader: "Yeah?"



Kari: "I am wondering if you could help us out."

Trader: "I am just a trader. I am here to buy your rum. It's quite popular at Brink."

Kari: "Help us out. Bandits are out there and they want to sack. You want us to keep producing rum, don't you?"

Trader: "Well..."

Bodyguard: "Boss, let's help them. We haven't seen any action for weeks. My blade is getting rusty."

Kari: "Rum on sale will be all yours if you do help us out."

Trader: "Well, I suppose we could lend a hand. Boys?"

Bodyguard: "The lads are ready, boss."

Trader: "Send'em back to where sun doesn't shine."

Bodyguard: "Aye, boss!"





Marisa: "Damn, so loud out there. I can't concentrate. Damn, kids..."



Kari: "Watch the field. Don't ruin it! Hanbu will kill us all!"

Hotlongs & Burn: "For once, I agree with ya. Rum is important!"

Kari: "That's not the point!"



Kari: "Phew... We survived somehow... How is Burn?"

Hotlongs: "Nothing too serious. I will put him on a bed."

Kari: "We rode our luck today."

Hotlongs: "Yeah, it was way too close for comfort."



Terran: "Thanks, Trader."

Trader: "Don't have to thank me. She offered me rum. There was profit in this."

Terran: "Still, thanks."

Trader: "One of our guy is hurt a little. Let us use the bed over there to treat him and we will be on our way shortly."

Terran: "No problem. Make yourself home."

Terran was on his way to Brink to sell the loots.



Terran: "Kevin?!"

Kevin: "Yo."

Terran: "Who is that guy with you? And where is the boss?"

Kevin: "This is our new guy, the name's Dirt. Boss headed to Clownsteady."

Terran: "You left her alone?"

Kevin: "I had no other choice. We found a bounty and Dirt doesn't know where the temple is. I turned in the bounty in Brink just now."

Terran: "We got attacked."

Kevin: "Holy shit. Is everyone okay?"

Terran: "Yes, by a miracle, yes. Burn got knocked out but nothing serious.

Kevin: "I will head to the temple right now."


Meanwhile, Ssizz arrived at Clownsteady and went to a pub.





Ssizz: "Excuse me."

Fish: "......"

Ssizz: "Hello?"

Fish: ".....>.>"

Ssizz: "Hello???"

Fish: "Ach, I didn't do it! I swear! It wasn't me!"

Ssizz: "I beg your pardon?"

Fish: "You are not...? Oh, hehe. Nothing. Nevermind. What can I do for you?"

Ssizz: "Are you for hire? You look capable."

Fish: "I am an engineer actually but I've seen so many battles that I've grown muscles."

Ssizz: "I'd like to hire you."

Fish: "Where do you live?"

Ssizz: "I have my own settlement. It's called the Gray temple. It's by Brink."

Fish: "A chance to get out of this hellhole? No more cannibals every night? Deal! Mega-deal! GET ME OUTTA HERE!"

Ssizz: "......"



Kari: "Where is the boss?"

Kevin: "In Clownsteady probably."

Kari: "You left her?"

Kevin: "We found a bounty to bring and this is our new guy."

Kari: "Oh! Welcome to the Gray Knights."

Dirt: "...Hello."



Hanbu: "This is our new guy?"

Dirt: "...New guy."

Hotlongs: "Welcome to the family!"

Burn: "Finally, we have a new member."

Kevin: "Boss went to Clownsteady to find another hopefully."

Hanbu: "Alright, time for me dress you up."





Kari: "Much better. You look like one of us now."

Kevin: ":l Well, he is one of us."



Ssizz: "Dirt and Fish, welcome to the Gray Knights."

Fish: "Why gray, if you don't mind me asking. Dark knights would have been so much cooler, you know."

Ssizz: "Dark implies that we would be evils. We are not the bad guys. Our goal is to fight the Holy nation."

DIrt: "... Holy my butt. They are the evils."

Terran: "Agree on that."

Inu: "Wow, two new members."


A day later...







Kevin: "That was nasty, Kari. You didn't even let the dude speak and stabbed him right in the eye."

Kari: "I was angry because of what happened last time. Besides, we outnumbered them actually."

Hotlongs: "LOL, for once, dare I say."

Dirt: "... That waz fun."

Fish: "Hm, we are running low on bandages."

Everyone looked at Fish for a sec. Nobody gave a thought about bandages so far.

Fish: "Did I say something wrong?"

Kevin: "No..., it's just that we've never thought about bandages."

Fish: "You guys don't have a medic?"

Kari: "No, we look after ourselves."

Fish: "That's fine, but we should find a dedicated medic for better quality bandages. The bandages you guys are carrying smell and dirty as hell. Aren't you guys worried about infection?"



Kevin: "Fish has a point."

Kari: "I will bring the issue to the boss."



Burn: "How do you like it here so far, Fish?"

Fish: "Not bad. Better than being in Clownsteady. That's for damn sure."

Hotlongs: "I bet."

Fish: "You can't sleep well at night. Cannibals strike at evening and night."

Burn: "That has got to suck."

Fish: "When you fight holy servants or bandits, you know you might get killed. When you fight cannibals, you have to worry about being eaten. That's a whole different kettle of fear, I tell you."



Dirt: "... Nice. Rum."

Terran: "Gawd, we need more workers."



Hanbu: "Rare to see you work here, Inu."

Inu: "I am making a chainmail for Fish."

Hanbu: "Chainmails are pain in butt to produce."



Hanbu: "Boss, I've reached a new level of greatness."

Ssizz: "Which means...?"

Hanbu: "Allow me to introduce your new improved blade."



Ssizz: "Impressive although I would prefer not having a penalty to defense."

Hanbu: "That's the best I can do for the time being and I've also come up with standard issue saber for the Gray knights."



Ssizz: "Good. We are going to need about five of those."

Hanbu: "On it, boss."

[dean_k]

Ch 6 - Mr Doc or Miss Doc?



Hotlongs: "Woohoo!"

Kevin: "We are winning this time!"

Fish: "This is definitely better than fighting cannibals."

Burn: "F**kers! Time for payback!"



Ssizz: "Good job. We handled them easily this time."

Kari: "It looks like having two more members helped a lot. They outnumbered us a little but it was no problem for us in the end."

Dirt: "... Whacking their heads is better than my head being whacked by inn keepers."


After some hours, Kari called Ssizz for a private meeting.



Ssizz: "Yes?"

Kari: "You know, our supply of medical supplies is not stable."

Ssizz: "I don't understand."

Kari: "Hanbu has been improving our weapons and Inu has been working on better quality armors for us, but I do feel we are lacking in a critical department: Medical supplies."

Ssizz: "......"

Kari: "I know you are strong and don't get hurt a lot, but some of us do get hurt quite often. Off top of my head, I see Burn and Hotlongs go down pretty often."

Ssizz: "They are good fighters. It's just that they are reckless."

Kari: "Maybe. Still it does not change the fact that we may need better medical supplies and perhaps a dedicated doctor in the future."

Ssizz: "You have a point there."

And Ssizz summoned the Gray Knights by a well for a meeting.



Fish: "This is an automated well. Interesting..."

Ssizz: "I've gathered you guys here for a meeting."

Kevin: "Go on, boss."

Ssizz: "Perhaps, we should find a doctor for us."

Fish: "Fascinating... This well is completely automated..."

Hotlongs: "Not a bad idea. My bandage smells pretty bad."

Burn: "You have bandages? I've been using rags I ripped off from bandit pants."

Hotlongs: "You what? Come on, dude. That's a bad joke."

FIsh: "Hmmm, let me taste the water. I need to check its quality..."

Burn: "Ya think I am joking?"

Ssizz: "......"

Dirt: "... Sorry, Burn. I stole the last bandage you had."

Burn: "You what?! No wonder I couldn't find it anywhere! W-wait, I hid my last bandage in my panties."

Dirt: ".... Yeah, it smelled bad and I threw it away into the well."

Fish split out water he had just drank.

Fish: "You what?! You dork!"

Dirt: "... What did I do wrong?"



Kevin: "I think their conversation was all we needed to hear."

Kari: "Agreed. It does look like we do need a doctor."

Hotlongs: "Okay, can we get a girl doctor?"

Ssizz: "Pardon?"

Hotlongs: "I don't mind a guy looking at my crotch but I would prefer a girl over a guy for that."

Kari: "Why would a doctor need to look at your crotch?"

Hotlongs: "Groin strain, girls wouldn't understand."

Kari: "???"

Ssizz: "......."

Burn: "Ahem, I say we vote for it."

Kari: "Vote for what exactly?"

Burn: "Vote 1: We hire a guy doctor. Vote 2: We hire a girl doctor."

Kari: "I can see where most of votes will go to!"

Burn: "Hey, girl. I am just trying to be fair."

Ssizz: "Enough. I will go alone this time in search for a medic."

Burn: "Are you sure? You took Keivn last time you went out. Let me tag along."

Ssizz: "I will go alone this time. Remember what happened last time."

Burn: "Sigh, fine, fine, boss."


Ssizz's first destination is obviously Brink which was only half an hour away from the temple.



Doc 1: "Hire me. I am a good doctor, I think."

Ssizz: "Can you fight also?"

Doc 1: "Why would I need to fight?"

Ssizz: "You will have to relocate to the Gray temple. It's just right outside of..."

Doc 1: "No thanks, miss. I ain't risking my life for silly things. I make enough money to get by healing idiots from bar fights."



Doc 2: "Good looking lady, are you in need of medical assistance?"

Ssizz: "Yes, the gra-"

Doc 2: "If you come by my hou..., no, my office, I will treat you - properly -."

Ssizz: "... Farewell."

She headed to Catan but she ran into two runaway sand ninjas.



Sand Ninja 1: "You saw us! You die!"

Sand Ninja 2: "I am sorry but you have to die."

Ssizz: "I have no intention to kill you. You can just go."

Sand Ninja 1: "You should have cut your own eyes. Then we might have just passed by."

Ssizz: "......."



Samurai 1: "We meet again, Miss. Allow us to meddle in... We've been after them."

Sand Ninja 1: "Crap!"

Sand Ninja 2: "I am done..."



Samurai 1: "You look hurt, miss."

Ssizz: "I will get by. Do you happen to know a good local doctor by any chance?"

Samurai 1: "We need our doctors but I can recommend you one that does not work for us officially."

Ssizz: "Meaning?"

Samurai 1: "Her name is Rin. She hangs out by the pub in Catan. We call her whenever we need extra hands in medical. I do feel she is too good to be wasted there."

Ssizz: "Thanks for the info."

Samurai 1: "Fare thee well, Ssizz of the Gray Knights."

Ssizz: "......"

As soon as she entered Catan and approached the pub, a blond petit woman was standing outside.



Rin: "I've been waiting for you."

Ssizz: "You were expecting me?"

Rin: "A samurai I know well sent me a message. You fit his description, so I assume you are Ssizz."

Ssizz: "That is correct."

Rin: "I am sure you know my name but allow me to introduce myself. I am Rin. I am a medic by trade. I've been looking for a decent career."

Ssizz: "That I can offer."

Rin: "Then I am yours to command."

Ssizz: "Welcome to the Gray Knights, Dr Rin."

[dean_k]

Ch 7 - Gray Clinic

It wasn't long after Ssizz and Rin arrived at the temple. There were some loud shouting from below.



Ssizz: "Cannibals? Here?"

She carried the body guard to a bed.



Guard: "How long have I been passed out?"

Ssizz: "You woke up pretty much at the moment I laid you down there."

Guard: "Damn cannibals... We were on our trade route and was bypassing Brink when they ambushed us."

Ssizz: "How many were there?"

Guard: "We had eight people... including our boss... Our boss... Have you seen the boss?"

Ssizz: "I found only you among three cannibals."

Guard: "Damn... He should be bearby... "

Ssizz: "I will look for him right away."

Indeed, he was nearby.



Meatheed: "I can't feel my leg... My left leg..."

Ssizz: "You must be the one he was talking about."

Meatheed: "I can't feel my leg! My left leg!"

Ssizz: "Calm down please. Let me take a look..."

His left leg was in a dire condition. Simply bandaging the leg wasn't going to make it heal.

Meatheed: "My leg... Those f**king cannibals...."

Ssizz: "I know it's going to be hard but come with me. We have a doctor at our base."

Meatheed: "My leg..."



Rin: "His leg bone isn't broken; his muscles have been severed but his artery is intact."

Meatheed: "Please explain what's happening to my leg. If I can't walk, my career is over..."

Rin: "Hang in there. You will be able to walk. But I am afraid you won't be able to exercise your left leg."

Meatheed: "I will be able to walk but won't be able to run?"

Rin: "In simple terms, yes."

Meatheed: "That's fine as long as I am not losing my leg."

Rin: "I've done what I can. Give your leg a long rest when you can."





Terran: "Good job, lass. You've saved a man's life."

Rin: "His life wasn't in danger."

Terran: "A man losing his leg in this era is as good as being dead."

Rin: "I see your point."





Hanbu: "Ta-da!"

Ssizz: "?"

Hanbu: "See anything different?"

Ssizz: "?"

Hanbu: "......"

Ssizz: "......"

Hanbu: "The mine! It's semi-automated now!"

Ssizz: "Oh."



Rin: "I need to talk to you."

Ssizz: "Go on."

Rin: "I would like to build my own lab to work on producing med-kits and so on."

Ssizz: "Alright. We have plenty of lands around here."

Rin: "Kind of rocky though, but I did find a spot I liked."

Ssizz: "Lead the way."





Meanwhile...







Hanbu: "It's done, the blade you asked for."



Hanbu: "Why a ninja blade? Not many use it. Even sand ninjas don't use it often. It's too small."

Rin: "Yes, but I find this blade ideal for surgery."





Rin: "......"

Rin: "Long at last... How many years has it taken for me to get my own lab..."

Rin: "All those years I spent as a rogue doctor looking after wounded from bar fights and so on..."

Rin: "At last..."



Terran: "What the?!"

Sand ninja: "Die!"

Terran: "What did I do?! Is it rum?!"

Sand ninja: "Die!"

Terran: "Help!"



Hotlongs: "Die, you m***therf**ker!"

Kevin: "Are you alright, Terran?"



Terran: "I was ambushed. I mean the guy showed up out of nowhere and attacked me."

Rin: "Hang on. Let me see..."

Terran: "Wow, pain's gone already. You are good, lass."

Hotlongs: "This ass has a bounty on him even. I am turning him in at Brink."



Rin: "This is my lab."

Ssizz: "Congratulations. It looks professional."

Kari: "I do have a question about this setup."

Rin: "Yes?"



Kari: "Why do you need cages here?"


P.S.

The Gray Temple has developed!

It looks awesome now. I had on idea the temple would develop like this. I simply had no idea. Click the pictures for the full view.

[dean_k]

Ch 8 - Strike



Rin: "I suppose I should train a bit... After all, I will have to protect myself on field..."



Hanbu: "There. I've been producing leather shirts and turtleneck."

Inu: "It feels somewehat uncomfortable."

Hanbu: "You will get used to it soon. You've been half naked for too long."



Ssizz: "I've gathered you here today to discuss our upcoming plan."

Hotlongs: "Ohhh, what is it gonna be?"

Ssizz: "Bandits attacks have been reduced lately."

Kevin: "Probably because we've been beating the heck out of them. They don't have unlimited menpower."

Ssizz: "Likely so. Since it's bee peaceful lately, I plan to scout around Eyesocket."

Kai: "A holy nation controlled town? Aren't we going too far too soon?"

Ssizz: "We won't be rading the town. We will just hang around there and hopefully fight a group of holy servants."

Burn: "I've been itching to fight them."

Kevin: "We've never taken them on on a fair ground so far. They are on a different level. They are well equipped and well trained."

Fish: "I've ran into holy servants few times around Clownsteady. They usually watched cannibals attack the town and few of us got pissed and attacked time. Long story short, we got our ass kicked."



Ssizz: "We will see how it goes. We will be too far from the temple, so Rin will tag along."

Rin: "Understood."

Kevin: "Are we all going?"

Ssizz: "Yes."

Kevin: "What if bandits attack here?"

Ssizz: "It's been weeks since their last attack. Let's hope that they won't attack, at least not until we get back."



Rin: "Pant/pant/pant"

Burn: "You are too slow, missy."

Rin: "I never had to run for long in my life!"

Hotlongs: "Better get used to this fast then."





Ssizz: "We've arrived at Trader's edge."

Rin: "Pant/pant/pant"

Kari: "Half way to Eyesocket."

Kevin: "You hanging in there, Rin?"

Rin: "Barely, just barely, and this chest armor you gave me is too heavy."

Burn: "Missy, it's less than a kg."

Fish: "it's actually slightly more than a kilogram."

Ssizz: "Let's move on."

Rin: "Already? I mean we just got here."

Kari: "We are moving on."

When the group was within visual range of Eyesocket, they ran into a group of holy servants.



Ssizz: "Charge!"

Hotlongs: "M*therf*****s!!!"

Burn: "Weeeee!"

Dirt: "...Yerrrrrr?"



Kevin: "They are pretty rough but we got them!"

Holy paladin: "You've got some guts for coming this close!"

Burn: "And you've got some guts for coming out to greet us!"

Dirt: "... These kids smell like BBQ."

Fish: "I can tell they are well fed. They were probably having a feast!"



Kari was the only serious casualty.

Hotlongs: "We beat those suckers!"

Burn: "That felt good!"

Dirt: "...On par with masterbation."

Burn: "Don't steal my bandage this time, jackass."

Ssizz: "How is everyone?"

Keivn: "Everyone's hurt pretty bad. Kari was knocked out, too."

Fish: "That was a close fight. Only one of us got knocked out but if there were two or even one more of them, it could have been really close."

Rin: "Kari will be fine. She fainted from a heavy blow to chest. I will check on everyone else soon."



Kevin: "Rin, what are you doing?"

Rin: "I am going to take him to my lab."

Dirt: "... Rin's got a new masterbation toy."

Hotlongs: "Hahahaha!"

Burn: "Good one, dirt."

Rin: "The correct spelling is masturbation, Dirt. I am bringing him for interrogation."

Ssizz: "I don't like the idea of torture."

Rin: "I won't torture him. We will just ask him few questions when he wakes up."

Rin: "And maybe do few tests on him."

Fish: "Oh, a different level of torture."

Dirt: "...masterbation, masterbation."

Rin: "......"



Rin: "He is entering limb trauma. Should I treat him?"

Ssizz: "You are not going to treat him if I say no?"

Rin: "That's correct. He can die in the cage for all I care. You are the boss."

Ssizz: "Treat him."



Rin: "He's stable. It's only a matter of time before he wakes up."

Ssizz: "Alright, let us know when he wakes up."

Rin: "He's mine, right?"

Ssizz: "Meaning?"

Rin: "I'd like to perform some tests on him if you don't mind."

Ssizz: "Are you going to kill him eventually?"

Rin: "That would be up to you. Give me a word and I can kill him with a dose although I would like to fiddle around a little before doing that."



Terran: "Hello, wanderer."

Wanderer: "Hello, this is the rum temple, right?"

Terran: "Rum temple? This is the Gray temple."

Wanderer: "I was told that this is the Rum temple where I can drink fine rum."

Terran: "......"

[dean_k]

The story is slowly heading toward climax and its conclusion.

Ch 9 - Struck back part 1 of 2



RIn: "Ready to talk?"

Holy Paladin: "Talk what?"

Rin: "What do you know about the Gray Knights?"

Holy Paladin: "The Gray Knights? I don't know anything about some rouge groups."

Rin: "What do you know about our boss then?"

Holy Paladin: "Boss? I don't even know who your boss is."

Rin: "I see."



Inu: "We are being attacked"

Hotlongs: "What the!"

Kevin: "Preemptive attack!"

Burn: "I guess they don't feel like giving us warnings anymore!"

Hotlongs: "Fine by me, bring it on!"



Rin: "Nice. Good timing. Very good."

Holy Paladin: "Hey, why are you closing the door?!"

Rin: "I don't want the screaming to get out."

Holy Paladin: "What? Who's screaming?"

Rin: "You will be soon."

Holy Paladin: "What the?! What's that ridiculously long needle for?! Why are you holding a knife?! No! No! NOOOOO!"



Inu: "I am hurt... badly... My right leg and left arm feel numb..."

Ssizz: "Hang in there."



Kari: "Most bandits have been put down."

Ssizz: "Where is Rin?"

Kari: "I guess her lab?"

Ssizz: "Anyone else hurt?"

Dirt: "... I am hurt."

Kevin: "Dirt is hurt pretty badly."

Hotlongs: "Well, that was a nice f**king surprise attack. They appeared out of nowhere!"

Inu: "I saw them silently climbing toward the temple. So, yeah, they were going to launch a surprise attack on us."

Kevin: "Bandits using tactics? That's new."



Hotlongs: "How is Dirt?"

Rin: "He's in a pretty bad condition. Actually, I am quite surprised that he is even standing."

Dirt: "... I am hurt."

Rin: "... A fool you may be, but you've got a hardened body, I have to admit."

Dirt: "...Hehe, masterbation, masterbation"

Rin: "......"



Hanbu: "How is she?"

Rin: "Compared to Dirt, she isn't really hurt, but I guess she isn't used to getting hurt."

Hanbu: "Of course not! We are non-comabt personnel."



Kevin: "I find it hard to believe that they tried to use tactics."

Kari: "It was the most basic tactics though."

Kevin: "I've never seen any ordinary bandits trying to sneak attack their opponent. They either just attack or demand a payment."

Ssizz: "Have you found anything unusual from their bodies?"

Hotlongs: "Nothing, just ordinary bandit mumbo jumbo stuff which by the way Terran has loaded up to sell at Brink."

Fish: "I believe I counted about twenty of them."

Burn: "Pretty big for a bandit party."

Kevin: "I have a bad feeling about this."

Ssizz: "Meanwhile, I have a personal business to attend to. Kevin, you are in charge while I am gone."

Kevin: "Where are you going?"

Ssizz: "I am meeting up with a free trader for a blueprint of an armor piece."

Kevin: "At this moment? Can't you wait?"

Ssizz: "The appointment was set a long time ago and I am afraid I cannot postpone."



Rin: "Ready to talk?"

Holy Paladin: "You f***king bitch. You are insane... Doing such ... ridiculous experiments to me..."

Rin: "I ask again - kindly -. Ready to talk?"

Holy Paladin: "You are a witch!"

Rin: "I guess that wasn't enough. Time for more."

Holy Paladin: "They aren't fighting! I will scream!"

Rin: "Not if I do something to your tongue first."

Holy Paladin: "How will you get info from me then?"

Rin: "You can still write, can't you?"

Holy Paladin: "##@$%%%#@, fine, fine! You win, witch."

Rin: "Talk then."



Kevin: "We are being attacked!!!"

Hotlongs: "This is bu**s**t!"

Kari: "It hasn't even been an hour!"

Fish: "There aren't many. This should be easier."



Kevin: "That was fairly easy."

Hotlongs: "They snuck on us again."

Kari: "We may need lookouts."

Kevin: "We are going to need more members for that. For now, we just have enough to deal with them. Spreading us out will do no good."

Burn: "Nothing unusual from their bodies. They are all ordinary bandits to me."



Terran: "Welcome to the Rum temple"



Free Trader: "There you are."



Holy Paladin: "... That's all I know, witch."

Rin: "......"

[dean_k]

News :I've redone the images for the first chapter: the nectar of gods.

Ch 10 - Struck back part 2 of 2



Hanbu: "There you go. I made it from the blueprint you brought me."

Ssizz: "Good. It conceals identity well."

Hanbu: "It's never good to wrap your head like that. It may give you protection but you get reduced field vision."

Ssizz: "I understand. It will have its uses."



Kari: "You changed your outfit."

Ssizz: "Yes."

Kari: "Why?"

Ssizz: "Why not?"

Kari: "If you dress too different from the rest of us, you will be easily spotted."

Ssizz: "I will be fine."

Kari: "Are you sure? Well, I guess you know what you are doing."


Few days later...



Kari: "We are under attack!"

Kevin: "It's the holy servants!"

Hotlongs: "The ##$%@ing @#$#@%kers! These are the worst kind!"

Burn: "Bring it on!"



Ssizz: "They are attempting to enter Marisa's lab! Get them!"

Kevin: "They are tough. Those armors..."

Ssizz: "Aim for their arms and legs!"

Kari: "I am hurt. Badly."

Hotlongs: "My blade bounced off their armor and it broke!"



Ssizz: "Do not aim for their chest! Aim for limbs! These are different holy servants!"

Kari: "What do you mean?!"

Ssizz: "They are royal guards!"

Kevin: "How can you tell?!"

Ssizz: "I just know!"

Ssizz: "Marisa, barricade the door! Hanbu, shut the temple door!"





Rin: "It looks like your friends have arrived. Time for you to go."

Holy Paladin: "Witch, if I ever catch you, I swear I will rape you to death."

Rin: "Hah, you won't catch me."

Holy Paladin: "Don't be so sure, witch. You never know."

Rin: "I will never be caught. I can bet my life on that."

Holy Paladin: "......"



Kevin: "Kevin's down!"

Ssizz: "We almost got them!"

Burn: "Argh... I am down..."

Hotlongs: "Badly hurt here, damn f$%#kers..."

Ssizz: "Dirt! Go to Rin's lab and escort her here!"

Dirt: "... Okay."



Rin: "Kevin will be fine."

Ssizz: "Good. Look after others."

Rin: "Kevin's right leg is in a pretty bad condition... Burn's suffering from deep bruises all over his body and Hotlongs... Everyone's hurt very badly ... except you."

Kari: "She's the strongest of us after all."



Rin: "Speaking of which, I need to talk to you."

Ssizz: "Go on."

Rin: "In private."

Ssizz: "......"



Ssizz: "What is it that you wish to speak of?"

Rin: "I know who you are."

Ssizz: "I beg your pardon?"

Rin: "Don't play dumb, Holy Knight-Commander Emilia."

Ssizz: "So, you know. I assume the prisoner you've brought in spilled his beans."

Rin: "That's right."

Ssizz: "I didn't think he would spill his beans that easily and quickly."

Rin: "I scared him a little. He even wet his panties."

Ssizz: "So, how much do you know?"

Rin: "They want Marisa back, Princess Marisa, and you were her personal bodyguard at the palace. A certain faction in the Holy nation wanted her dead and you escaped with her."

Ssizz: "And what do you intent to do now?"

Rin: "Nothing. I have no reason to tell anyone else about this."

Ssizz: "If so, you should have kept the secret to yourself."

Rin: "I just had to tell you. I found it pretty strange that you kept calling this group the Gray knights and I found it even stranger than you hardly ever get hurt. Even if you do get hurt, you heal way too quickly as if you are used to being hurt even more than Dirt. You even distinguished that today's attackers were royal guards. I could never tell the difference between holy servants and royal guards. I bet not many can."

Ssizz: "Do I have your word that you will not tell anyone?"

Rin: "You have my word. Or I am pretty sure you will kill me right here right now."

Ssizz: "Correct. It's good to know that you are quick."

Rin: "What do you intend to do with Marisa?"

Ssizz: "I am waiting to see how it goes in the Holy nation. If overall situation looks grim for her, I will send her to United cities. If I think she can go back to the Holy nation, I will send her back eventually. For the time being, she is staying with me."

[dean_k]

Note: Images of Ch 2 have been reworked.

Ch 11 - Chit Chat



Rin: "How are you feeling now, Kevin?"

Kevin: "Much better."

Rin: "And you, Kari?"

Kari: "Better. I guess simply bandaging wounds doesn't cut for long term."



Rin: "Wounds, unless properly treated, will be accumulated. It won't kill you but it will make you more vulnerable to further wounds of the same kind."

Kevin: "I see."

Rin: "I've seen some warriors cherish scars, calling them "medals". Some even refuse to be treated so that it will leave scars. That is a huge mistake. But idiots hardly ever listen. It's like those losers who try to buy their hope with money by buying lottery."

Kevin: "What does lottery have anything to do with this?"

Rin: "You don't buy hope with money. You work for it. Just saying."

Kevin: "Whatever you say. You are the doc."




Terran: "Thanks, dude, for helping me out. I've been short on hands for a while."

Hotlongs: "Got nothing to do at the moment, so why not."

Terran: "By the way, did you know that people call this place the Rum temple?"

Hotlongs: "The what?"

Terran: "The Rum temple."

Hotlongs: "But this is the Gray temple."

Terran: "Precisely. Apparently though, people refer this place the Rum temple."

Hotlongs: "Bullshit."

Terran: "Someone must have started it. I wonder who..."



Fish: "Hi, guys. Welcome to the Rum temple!"



Hanbu: "Here is your improved wakizashi."

Ssizz: "Thanks. Can't you do something about the defense penalty?"

Hanbu: "Not sure. As I improved its sharpness further and further, I can't seem to ditch that penalty. You could go back to the version without the penalty."

Ssizz: "I will think about it."

Hanbu: "Why are you bothered by it? The penalty isn't even that big."

Ssizz: "True. I guess I am just a defensive fighter."



Fish: "So, Hotlongs and Burn."

Hotlongs & Burn: "Yeah?"

Fish: "Where are you guys from and what are your stories?"

Burn: "What's yours, Fish?"

Fish: "I though you guys already knew."

Hotlongs: "Nope. Where are you even from?"

Fish: "I hail from Clownsteady. God, I was so sick of that town. To be precise, I was sick of the cannibals."

Hotlongs: "I come from Trader's edge."

Burn: "The same here. Hotlongs and I are buddies. We go way back."

Fish: "And friends with Kari and Kevin?"

Hotlongs: "Well, not really. They were with the boss already when she hired us both at Trader's edge."



Dirt: "...Hemp Hemp Hemppide-do Hemp Hemp..."

Dirt: "... Help? Hemp Hemp Hemppide-do."

Marisa: "Will you shut your mouth! You can't sing! I can't concentrate!"

Dirt: "...Masterbation, masterbation"

Marisa: "Shut it!"



Hanbu: "That Dirt guy is a nutcase."

Inu: "I kinda like him."

Hanbu: "For real?"

Inu: "The guy's innocent for sure. I would question his ability to be a decent father though."

Hanbu: "Indeed. I could say the same to Mari-"

Marisa: "I can hear you guys from here, you know."

Hanbu & Inu: "......"

[dean_k]

Ch 12 - Clownsteady crisis part 1 of 4.



Ssizz: "United Cities has given us a mission."

Hotlongs: "That's new. Since when do we take orders form them?"

Ssizz: "They've let us build a temple so close to Brink. They want us to do a favor."

Rin: "I guess we cannot refuse then."

Ssizz: "Correct."

Kevin: "What is the mission?"

Ssizz: "Clownsteady has been suffering from cannibal attacks for quite some time now. They tell me that the town is now in very bad situation. They've lost more than half of town population to cannibals."

Fish: "......"

Ssizz: "United Cities want us to assist Clownsteady and rescue some of mercenaries and possibly city residents from a cannibal camp east of the town."

Fish: "That's fucked up."

Ssizz: "I beg your pardon?"

Fish: "That is mission impossible. You don't know what it's like out there."

Ssizz: "We cannot refuse. Fail or not, we have to go. Everyone, we are moving out in an hour."

Everyone except Fish: "Roger."




Rin: "This is not the first time you've left the Princess with non-combat personnel. I thought your mission was to protect her."

Ssizz: "Marisa has an uncanny ability to be able to hide in plain sight."

Rin: "What does that mean?"

Ssizz: "Even at the palace, her maids often had a hard time finding her even when she was right by them."

Rin: "... You are trying to make it sound cool but what you are basically saying is that she has a very forgetable aura."

Ssizz: "And she is a nerd. The best combination ever to be able to hide in plain sight."

Rin: "......"

Ssizz: "As long as she is not aware of what is happening around her, no one can find her easily even when she is right next to them."

Rin: "I see. And she's always in her lab, researching."

Ssizz: "You got it."




Burn: "Incoming holy f**kers!"

Ssizz: "Charge!"





Ssizz: "Report."

Kari: "Light wounds. We are all fine."

Ssizz: "We do not loot them. We don't have time and money is not our priority this time."

Kevin: "Understood, boss."

Ssizz: "Let's continue onto Clownsteady."




While on their way to Clownsteady, the group spotted a mercnary platoon battling few groups of cannibals.

Fish: "The nightmare begins..."

Kevin: "They are dead cat faction."

Ssizz: "Charge! We must assist them!"



Hotlongs: "F**king hell! There are lot of them!"

Burn: "I am starting to pity you, Fish."

Fish: "......"



Kari: "Two small groups of cannibals are moving toward Ssizz!"

Dirt: "...These cannibals... I dislike their eyes... It's so... hungry."

Fish: "......"

Ssizz: "I will be fine! Focus on your current targets! And Rin!"

Rin: "Yes?"

Ssizz: "Get ready to heal others! This is going to be messy!"

Rin: "O, okay!"

Hotlongs: "Holy ##%$^&, here they come!"

Burn: "Brace for impact!"

Hotlongs: "Holy FU*******!!!!"





Hotlongs: "These f**king animals! They are taking some of the mercs!"

Kevin: "Fish is down! Rin!"

Rin: "On it!"



Rin: "He will be alright!"



Burn: "Treat me, too. I don't feel too good."

Rin: "Of course, not. Those clubs do more damage than I thought. They don't kill you but they whack you bad."



Merc 1: "Thank you... whoever you are."

Merc 2: "We were sure we were goner."

Merc 3: "They've taken our boss."

Merc 1: "F**king cannibals."

Ssizz: "Are you from Clownsteady?"

Merc 1: "Yes, Dead cat has organized numerous platoons to attack and reduce the cannibals but we haven't been having much luck."



Ssizz: "How is everyone?"

Rin: "Kari and Fish are in no condition to run. Others can run but in no condition to fight."

Ssizz: "Alright, we have no choice but to head into Clownsteady and spend a night there. It's getting dark and darkness gives cannibals an advantage."

Ssizz: "I will carry Kari."

Kari: "I am sorry, boss..."

Ssizz: "Don't mind it. Burn, you carry Fish."

Burn: "Okay."

Ssizz: "Men, move out!"





Dirt: "... So glad to see a town."

Kevin: "That's Clownsteady."



Ssizz: "As if cannibals aren't enough, even bandits..."

Kevin: "The town is in a very bad shape."

Rin: "And I feel that's an understatement. This town is whacked."

Hotlongs: "I see some dude sitting there. He looks like in charge."



Shop guard: "Who are you?"

Ssizz: "We've been sent by United cities to help Clownsteady."

The shop guard laughed hysterically for a moment.

Shop guard: "Help us only now? Too late. Too late."

Ssizz: "Are you the guard chief?"

Shop guard: "Me? I am just a shop guard. Look at the gate of the town."



Shop guard: "No city guards. They've been killed and probably been eaten many moons ago. We have no official protectors, so shop guards including myself had to step up."

Kevin: "That's... messed up."

Shop guard: "Whoever you are, you all look beaten up. Take a rest at the Floppy's. Mr Floppy was kidnapped a long time ago and never returned, so the beds are free to use."

Ssizz: "... I see. Thank you."

Shop guard: "That's all I can for you. That's all I can do..."



Rin: "Never have I ever seen a town in such a dire condition."

Ssizz: "It does look very bad. The town is mostly deserted. Let's take a look around the town."

Rin: "You should take a rest as well. You were beaten up, too. You took eight of them on your own for a long time out there while others were trying to put the cannibals down."

Ssizz: "I will be fine. Let's take a look around the town."

Rin: "......"



Rin: "This pub is empty."

Ssizz: "Owner was probably killed and so were the others."

Rin: "This is bad."



Shop keeper: "I want to say welcome, ladies, but I have nothing to sell. In fact, I am not sure why I am even standing here."

Ssizz: "......"

Rin: "......"



Ssizz: "How are you feeling, everyone?"

Kevin: "A little itchy here and there but mostly fine."

Hotlongs: "Yeah, I feel mostly fine."

Burn: "That was a rough day."

Fish: "......"

Dirt: "... Rough."

Rin: "Everyone seems fine physically."



Ssizz: "It will be tougher today. We will move toward the cannibal camp."

Fish: "Do we have to do this?"

Ssizz: "We must do this."

Fish: "You don't know what it is like out there..."

[dean_k]

Ch 12 - Clownsteady crisis part 2 of 4.



Ssizz: "There it is."

Kevin: "Seems peaceful from here."

Fish: "That will change. I can bet my balls on it."

Ssizz: "We will avoid direct contacts and climb up on a hill nearby."



Everyone: "......"

Kari: "That is ..."

Kevin: "A lot..."

Fish: "... Told you."

Burn: "Holy f**k."

Hotlongs: "Clownsteady folks might as well abandon the town."

Ssizz: "Let's approach slowly and take down few loose ones."





Ssizz: "......"

Rin: "May I speak?"

Ssizz: "Go on."

Rin: "We are not going to make it."

Burn: "Uh-oh, a small group noticed us!"

Ssizz: "Fight back!"



Kevin: "Gough, those clubs... They really hurt."

Hotbutns: "Phew, we are done with them."

Suddenly, Ssizz charged forward.



Kair: "Whoa?! What are you -, wait, why are you running toward their camp?!"

Ssizz: "Follow me!"

Kevin; "This is suicide!"

Ssizz: "Just follow me and ignore everything else!"



Hotlongs: "A crapload is after us!"

Ssizz: "Just run!"



Everyone was speechless for a second.

Kari: "Look at all those caged people..."

Kevin: "And we can't rescue them. They are right there but we can't rescue them."

Ssizz: "We saw what we needed to see. Run! Run out of the camp and keep running!"



Hotburn: "Their cages were full but they still chase us like we are the last source of food!"

Burn: "I bet they can just keep knocking people off outside of cage!"

Fish: "......"

From this point, the Gray knights initiated hit & run tactics. They attacked for a moment, withdraw for a while, and attacked back. They repeated this process for hours.







At one point, they ran into a group of cannibals carrying a bunch of mercenaries.



Ssizz: "Put them out! Rescue the mercenaries!"

Kevin: "On it!"

Hotlongs: "These bastards... They really see humans as food."

Kari: "Disgusting."



Ssizz: "Rin! Heal those mercs on the sand!"

Rin: "On it!"





Rin: "None of them are dead. They've been just beaten a lot."

Hotlongs: "These cannibals never kill humans! Dead humans rot quickly and that's the last thing they want!"



Ssizz: "Report."

Rin: "The mercs have been patched up. As for our own members, deep bruises on them. None of us is crippled yet."

Dirt: "... It really hurts."

Kevin: "There is no way we can take over their camp."

Kari: "I hate to admit, but he's right. Fish said it was mission impossible. I am inclined to agree."

Fish: "......"



Merc leader: "Thank you for saving us. May I ask who you are?"

Ssizz: "We are the Gray knights. We've been employed by United cities to assist Clownsteady crisis."

Merc leader: "Thank you for your assistant although I fear the situation is completely out of control."



Merc leader: "We've repeatedly requested United cities to aid us. I am afraid Dead cat is no longer able to handle this issue alone."

Rin: "We could see that. We weren't really any help."

Merc leader: "At least, Gray knights fought. Samurais have not."

Ssizz: "......"

Merc leader: "In light of the situation, even the Holy nation sent us two platoons to aid us. However, they were... defeated. Let's just put it that way."

Ssizz: "I am afraid armored units are not very effective against the cannibals. Their clubs are extremely effective against heavy armors. It's not surprising that two platoons of holy servants were defeated."

Merc leader: "Very observant, miss."

Ssizz: "Our units are armored with leather and chainmail which offer much more protection than plates against their clubs. Which is why we've survived for this long."

Merc leader: "I am sending an emergency letter to Brink. We've been asking for help. In this letter though, I am demanding them to send us help."

Ssizz: "The Gray knights will stay hereabout and keep disturbing the cannibals."

Merc leader: "Thank you. I am afraid my platoon is in no condition to put up a fight. I must withdraw. May the lucky cat smile on you."



Kevin: "What now?"

Ssizz: "We wait."

Kari: "For what?"

Ssizz: "The samurais."

Burn: "The merc said they never sent any help. What makes you think they will send any help now?"

Ssizz: "I have a hunch that we've been sent as a recon group. The merc's letter will surely mention us. Our survival means United cites will be more willing to take risks."

Hotlongs: "Bastards. They seem no better than the Holy nation."

Fish: "It's politics after all."


Two hours later as sun was going down, a group of samurais arrived.



Samurai: "The Gray knights?"

Ssizz: "Correct."

Samurai: "Assist us."



Hotlongs: "And they are ordering us around."

Burn: "Pch!"



Kevin: "Boss! More and more cannibals are taking notice of this fight!"

Kari: "I see two huge stacks of them coming this way!"

Hotlongs: "You've got to be kidding me! There are only ten or so samurais! They should have sent forty at least!"

Burn: "Crap, here they come!"

[monkeyishi]

not going to lie i hope this gets continued

[dean_k]

Ch 12 - Clownsteady crisis part 3 of 4.



Fish: "God damn... There is no end to these suckers..."

Hotlongs: "We beat a wave, a new wave comes!"

Burn: "How are they procreating so fast?!"



Everyone was exhausted.

Kevin: "Mother God... Did we get them all?"

Hotlongs: "We've got them... that bothered to come here. I see shitload of them by their camp still."

Burn: "F**king shit. This is ridiculous."

Samurai: "We move forward. Now."

Kari: "Are you serious?! We need to rest a little."

Samurai: "This is a window of opportunity."



Hotlongs: "#$%^$$@$#@%#$^@#$@%#$^&%*%^&*^%^#$%^%&^%"

Burn: "That was a lengthy swearing."

Kevin: "I don't blame him."

Rin: "This samurai is not going to get up for a while."

Kari: "Their camp is right ahead of us."



Ssizz: "Rin! Dirt is down!"

Rin: "On it!"



Rin: "Dirt can't fight and I've looked at other members and..."

Kari: "......"

Rin: "Kari's leg is in a bad shape. She can't run and can barely work even. Others are heavily wounded but may continue on."

Ssizz: "Kari, I know you can hardly walk but carry Dirt with you to Clownsteady."

Kari: "I, I am really sorry. I just can't continue."

Ssizz: "Don't blame yourself. No one can blame you."

Hotlongs: "The boss is right. Leave the battle field now. Nobody wants you to be their food."



Kari: "I am sorry... I am sorry..."



Kevin: "There is no end to them."

Rin: "I know logically there must be an end to them. But in the current situation, I am inclined to agree."

Hotlongs: "Where are the samurais?"

Burn: "Half of them are facing the sand."

Hotlongs: "F**king ridiculous."

Hotlongs: "Watch out! More incoming!"



Kevin: "Boss..., sun is coming up."

Burn: "Haha, we've been fighting the whole god damn night. This is f**ked beyond common sense."

Hotlongs: "God, I am tired. So tired."



Kevin: "Here comes more..."

Rin: "Their numbers have dramatically been reduced but I don't think any of us can fight for much longer."

Hotlongs: "I miss rum."

Burn: "Yeah, I miss the god damn f**king rum!"



Rin: "I apologize but ... I can't ... conti..."

Burn: "Gah..."

Kevin: "Rin's down! And so is Burn!"

Fish: "This is worse than nightmare."

Ssizz: "We withdraw! I will carry Rin. Someone carry Burn. We withdraw to Clownsteady!"

Hotlongs: "Normally, I would hate to withdraw but not today."

Kevin: "We've done enough."



Kevin: "The samurais are all done. None of them is standing."

Hotlongs: "Let's just go."



Kevin: "Kari is not here yet."

Ssizz: "Her leg was injured badly. We must go look for..."



Kevin: "Dirt? Wasn't Kari carrying you?"

Dirt: "... She passed out on the way, me thinks. I woke up to find her under me."

Kevin: "It must have been really hard for her."

Ssizz: "How is everyone?"

Kevin: "I am not Rin, so I can't give you proper diagnosis but I can tell everyone is going to need a long rest."

Dirt: "... This reminds me of my last platoon. I was lucky to survive."

Ssizz: "We rest here until everyone is recovered."

Kevin: "And then?"

Ssizz: "We will see."

Kevin: "I hope you are not planning to go back there."

Dirt: "... I hope not."

Ssizz: "We will see."

[dean_k]

Ch 12 - Clownsteady crisis part 4 of 4.



Ssizz: "I've received an update from United cities."

Kevin: "I really wish we didn't take orders from them, boss."

Ssizz: "Hopefully, this will be the last time."

Kevin: "I hope so."

Ssizz: "United cities now consider Clownsteady lost."

Rin: "Lost, huh."

Ssizz: "Dead cat has not given up on this town but United cities have. United cities has given me a final order. In addition, Dead cat has requested me to aid in their attempt to take over the cannibal camp."

Kevin: "Now you are taking orders from Dead cat as well?"

Ssizz: "They've requested and I am willing to listen to them."

Kevin: "... Fine."

Ssizz: "If all goes well, we will be going home by end of the day."



Ssizz: "How is everyone feeling?"

Hotlongs: "I wish we could just go home. Haven't we done enough?"

Burn: "We've done more than platoons of Samurais could do."

Rin: "They are all okay but they are going to need a long rest after this."

Ssizz: "We are on our final missions."

Fish: "Mission...s?"

Ssizz: "Today's task is made up with 2 parts. We will head to a second cannibal camp to Northwest and see if anyone's captured there."

Hotlongs: "Crappy hell."

Ssizz: "United cities want to know whether the second cannibal camp is as strong as the first one."

Kari: "And what's the 2nd part?"

Ssizz: "Dead cat will be launching an assault on the first cannibal camp. We are to assist them."

Dirt: "... I wanna go home."

Ssizz: "Once we help them, we are free to go home."

Hotlongs: "Sigh."

Ssizz: "Move out. We are almost done."



Samurai leader: "We meet again, Ssizz of the Gray knights."

Ssizz: "Why are you here?"

Samurai leader: "I guess you are enroute to the second cannibal camp?"

Ssizz: "I asked you a question."

Samurai leader: "... Fine. We will be assisting Dead cat's effort on the assault today."

Ssizz: "I was not told that."

Samurai leader: "The UC council didn't bother telling you. However, I am sure Dead cat contacted you. They were very impressed of your efforts."

Ssizz: "......"

The samurai leader approached her and whispered: "United cities is very impressed of you as well. I personally feel you are worth more than your nerdy princess."



Samurai leader: "See you again, Gray knights!"

Ssizz: "......"





Hotlongs: "Looks a lot easier than the first camp."

Burn: "That's for sure."

Kevin: "They are bullying a captive."

Ssizz: "Charge! Let's go!"

Ssizz: "Our objective is not eliminating the cannibals. Check the cages and, if they are all empty, we leave!"



Ssizz: "Check the cages when able!"



Hotlongs: "The cages are empty!"

Burn: "He's right! I don't see anyone!"

Ssizz: "Alright, I will run there to make sure and we leave!"





Ssizz: "Men, head out!"

Hotlongs: "This camp is a lot weaker than the first one!"

Burn: "Let me guess; less food, less procreation?"

Kari: "Disgusting..."





Holy servant: "W, why did you save me?!"

Kevin: "What's the matter with you?! A simple thank-you would work!"

Ssizz: "Leave quietly, holy servant, if you value your life. You've been given a second chance to live."

Holy servant: "...... Fine!"

Dirt: "... Jackass."

Hotlongs: "Hah, good one, Dirt. You make really good comments quite often."

Dirt: "...Hehe, materbation, masterbation."

Kari: "Dirt, I wish you could cut that out."

Dirt: "... How about hempidde-do?"

Kari: "What does that even mean?"

Dirt: "... Me thinks.. it means masterbation."

Rin: "......."



Hotlongs: "So far so good! I am starting to think that we will like today a lot more than yesterday."

Fish: "Don't remind me, Hotlongs."

Hotlongs: "Sorry, dude. I really pity your life. You should thank our boss for getting you out of that hellhole."

Fish: "You've got a point there. If I stayed, I would have probably been eaten by now."



Merc leader: "The Gray knights?"

Ssizz: "Yes."

Merc leader: "We are going in right now. Sad to inform you that the samurais are already attacking the camp."

Rin: "Idiots... They should cooperate instead of acting on their own."

Kevin: "Their ego is bigger than their balls apparently."

Merc leader: "... We can hear you although ... I cannot deny what you've said."



Rin: "Their numbers have dramatically been reduced because of the massive battle yesterday, but they are still a lot of them left and half of the samurai platoon has fallen."

Hotlongs: "And here I thought that today was going to be better than yesterday. I think it may turn out to be as bad."



Burn: "Hey, Mr. Samurai. Couldn't you wait for Dead cat?"

Samurai 1: "Dead cat? We weren't told that they'd be here."

Rin: "Great... What a bunch of idiots."

Kari: "Agreed..."



Ssizz: "Leave the rest to Dead cat and United cities! Move in. Get to the cages and pick the locks!"



Kevin: "I can't... get the lock to open!"

Ssizz: "Explain!"

Kevin: "The locks... the key hole is stuffed with... solidified blood and rotten fresh!"

Kevin: "The lock itself has rusted very badly! There is no way I can get this open!"

Hotlongs: "The hell?! How did the cannibals use it then? There must be a way!"

Kevin: "I.. I don't know! This may not be an ordinary lock! Or they may be using locks that we don't know of!"



Rin: "I am afraid I have bad news. Cannibals on hunt are returning. I see one big group and one small group coming from West and East respectively!"



Ssizz: "That is it, everyone! Retreat. We go home!"

Everyone was surprised to hear her words.

Ssizz: "No one is badly hurt! Make a run to the Gray temple! I repeat! Run to the Gray temple!"

Ssizz: "Spread out! And return to the base! We are done with this mission!"

Hotlongs: "Boy, am I glad to hear that! Got it boss! I am gonna run like my ass is on fire!"

Dirt: "... I am gonna run... like wind."

Burn: "Fine by me! Rum here I come!"

Dirt: "... Ohhh, yeah, Terran's rum... the best... better than pussies..."

Fish: "The nightmare is finally over. Thank God, I am gonna run like a pussy."

Kari: "I am taking a long rest after this. I want a bath."

Kevin: "These samurais and mercenaries are idiots. They could have done this if they worked together."

Rin: "I miss my lab to be honest."

[dean_k]

Ch 13 - Fish's Ex



Ssizz: "How is everyone?"

RIn: "They are sleeping like babies. They were really exhausted."

Ssizz: "There should not be any troubles for a while. I will let them have some holidays."

Rin: "You as well. I don't care how strong you are. You can't possibly be in good condition after all that."


The members of the Gray knights had quiet days for a while.



FIsh: "Heya, welcome to the Rum temple!"

Terran: "!!! Is it you?! No, I mean, was it you?"

Fish: "What?"

Terran: "Were you the one who started calling this place the Rum temple?"

Fish seemed confused for a second.

Fish: "I guess so?"

Terran: "This place is the Gray temple, you know?"

Trader: "The Gray temple? Lads, did you check the map correctly? We came to a wrong place. Let's leave."

Terran: "Whoa? W, wait! You've come to the correct place!"

Trader: "We meant to go to the Rum temple, not the Gray temple."

Terran: "... This... this is the Rum temple."

Trader: "Oh, what's this chitchat about the gray temple?"

Terran: "... Nevermind."

Fish: "... >.>"


One day, Hotlongs, Burn, Dirt, and Fish went to Brink for a drink.



Hotlongs: "It's good to drink rum for free at the temple, but it's sometimes too lonely out there."

Burn: "Agreed. It's good to drink in a crowd."

Hotlongs: "Hell, the visit to Clownsteady was hell."

Dirt: "... I don't wanna go back there."

Burn: "I don't know how you survived for that long, Fish."

Fish: "We usually shut ourselves in homes and hoped for the best. Cannibals didn't usually break into houses, so Clownsteady folks were generally safe."

Hotlongs: "They didn't bother breaking it?"

Fish: "I am thinking probably because they had enough targets already. I am not sure now though since Clownsteady is mostly deserted..."

Fish: "Uh..., Crap."

Burn: "What's wrong?"

Fish: "Crap! Damn it! Damn it!"

Hotlongs: "Hey, dude, calm down. What's wrong?"

Fish: "I ... forgot someone back there. My ex lives in Clownsteady."

Burn: "Your ex wife?"

Fish: "Nah, just ex girlfriend. I wonder if she's still there... or been eaten already."

Hotlongs & Burn: "......"



Ssizz: "Fish has informed me that he wants to visit Clownsteady."

Kevin: "And? Why did you call me?"

Ssizz: "I want you to go with him."

Kevin: "Oh, I see. Not a problem."


When Fish and Kevin made to Clownsteady, the town was being sacked by bandits.



Fish: "F**king hell! Give me a break! I mean this damn town needs a break!"

Kevin: "Agree with you there. As if Cannibal isn't enough..."

Fish: "Come with me. She owns a house here. I hope she still lives there."



Fish: "Sandie! Thank God, you are still alive!"

Sandie: "Fish? I thought you left."

Fish: "Sure did. Come with me, Sandie. Let's get the hell out of here."

Sandie: "Funny, Fish. We are nothing."

Fish: "I am not asking you to get back together, girl. I am trying to save you from this hellhole."

Sandie: "This is my house. This estate is the only thing I have left. I inherited from my dad. I am not abandoning this house."

Fish: "Are you f**king serious, girl? What good is this house if it ends up being your coffin?!"

Kevin: "Miss, he is right. You shouldn't stay here."

Sandie: "......"

Fish: "I've joined a group called the Gray knights. Let's get to their temple. You will be far safer."

Sandie: "But this house is all I have left..."

Fish: "Listen, girl! Nobody cares whether this house is owned by you or not. There are god damn bandits out there sacking the whole town! They don't care whether this house is owned by you or not! You may survive today but then what?! The cannibals will eat everyone in this town alive eventually!"

Kevin: "Miss, he is completely right. What awaits you in this house is death."

Sandie: "...... Where is this temple?"

Kevin: "The Gray temple is located right by Brink. We are an enemy of the holy nation however and we fight against them, but the temple is generally safe. In the worst case, you can flee or even choose to relocate to Brink."

Sandie remained quiet for a minute.

Sandie: "...Alright. I guess I really have no future here."




Ssizz: "Welcome to the Gray knights, Miss."

Sandie: "H, hello."

Ssizz: "Kevin told me what was happening in Clownsteady. You've made a wise choice."

Sandie: "I... I have a request."

Ssizz: "Go on."

Sandie: "I... I'd like a house."

Fish: "Are you out of your mind?! You can't demand an estate like this?!"

Ssizz: "Fish, that's fine. She gave up on her estate to come here. I am willing to compensate her loss."

Fish: "Are you sure, boss? I mean it can't be easy building a house and just give to her?"

Ssizz: "I am not giving it to her for free. She is joining the Gray knights, no?"

Kevin: "Good point."

Ssizz: "Some of us are just happy to be here, either working or fighting. If she wants a house, so be it."

Sandie: "Thank you, m'lady."

Fish: "m'l-what? She is not a noble."

Sandie: "Really? She looks like a noble to me."

Kevin: "......"



Ssizz: "Here it is, your very own house."

Sandie: "Wow! Thank you!"

Ssizz: "It's not furnitured."

Sandie: "That's fine. I will make something."

Fish: "I will help."



Ssizz: "Do you wish to labor or fight?"

Sandie: "Pardon?"

Ssizz: "The Gray knights have two kind of members. One is fighter. The other is laborer."

Sandie: "I know how to fight a little. I mean I had to learn how to fight to survive in Clownsteady. I used to assist city guards but after the guards were all gone, I kept myself safe in my house."

Fish: "She is a farmer by trade though."

Sandie: "Yes."

Ssizz: "Alright, for now, give Terran a hand in brewing rum."

Sandie: "Okay."



Sandie's home.

[dean_k]

Ch 14 - Emilia



Kevin: "We are under attack!"

Ssizz: "Cannibals!"

Fish : "What the hell?!"

Kari: "I don't see Hotlongs, Burn, and Dirt anywhere in the temple!"

Fish: "I think they went to Brink for drinks!"

Ssizz: "Focus! We will have to do without them!"

Sandie: "Allow me to help!"

Ssizz: "As you wish."



Fish: "Sandie!"

Kari: "Ugh..."

Ssizz: "Fish, bring Rin here!"



Rin: "She's in a serious condition. I have to bring her to my lab."



Fish: "F**k. I brought her here to be safer. Boss, you shouldn't have let her fight! She went down in, what, two or three hits?!"

Ssiz: "It was her choice."

Fish: "But!"

Ssizz: "Calm down. She is not dead."

Rin: "She will make it. Her leg, however, will take a long time to heal."

Fish: "But it will heal fully, right?"

Rin: "Yes."



Ssizz: "Has the trio returned?"

Kari: "Not yet."

Ssizz: "Kevin, I have to leave to meet tree traders. I will leave you in charge while I am away."

Kevin: "Should I punish Hotlongs, Burn, and Dirt?"

Ssizz: "No."

Kevin: "Fish will be angry if nothing is done to the trio."

Ssizz: "It was me who gave them holidays. They bear no faults in this. It was just an unfortunate incident. Let us just put it that way."

Ssizz: "And Rin."

Rin: "Yes?"

Ssizz: "I want you to come with me on this trip."

Rin: "Me? Are you sure?"

Ssizz: "Yes, Sandie will recover without your further aid, correct?"

Rin: "Yes, her wounds require time to heal. I've done all I can."

Ssizz: "Alright, Kevin. I will leave cooling Fish to you."

Kevin: "Got it."





Ssizz: "Allow us to join in."

Samurai: "Be our guest."

Rin: "I do have pretty a lot of questions for you, Ssizz."



Ssizz: "I figured as much. That's why I let you accompany me on this trip."

Rin: "Clever, you are."

Ssizz: "You will have plenty of time to ask and some of your questions will be answered without you asking."

RIn: "We will see."



Ssizz: "There it is. A free trader outpost."

Rin: "Who do you even work for?"

Ssizz: "I thought you knew that."

RIn: "I thought I did. But I am not so sure anymore."

Ssizz: "Meaning?"

Rin: "Something just doesn't add up. To be honest, I don't feel Marisa deserves someone like yourself."

Ssizz: "Hah, she is my liege."

Rin: "I've spent years treating wounded from bar fights to field battles. I've seen plenty of commanders. None of them was as good as you were and a female one at that."

Rin: "Mind you; I've seen plenty of female commanders. They are usually very naive and accompanied by male advisers who basically command platoons on their behalf."

RIn: "But you proved to be different, very different."

Ssizz: "The most important aspect of battles is knowing when to withdraw. I happened to learn that early in my career."

Rin: "Your career?"

Ssizz: "You will see."

Rin: "?"



Free trader: "Hello, Emilia. What you requested have arrived."

Rin: "They know your name."

Ssizz: "I was originally a merc. I mean I started out as a merc."

Free trader: "Sure, she did. In fact, she volunteered to be a merc right here a long time ago."

Rin: "But you were Holy knight-commander."

Free trader: "Heh, yeah, the mighty Holy Knight-commander. Lucky bitch, you are, Emilia."

Ssizz: "Heh."

Rin: "What happened?"

Free trader: "Can I tell her?"

Ssizz: "Feel free. It's not like it's a secret."

Free trader: "A certain Holy nation high ranking noble fell in love with Emila on the first sight. The guy had several wives at that time and took Emila as one of his mistresses but ended up being more of his personal bodyguard."

Rin: "!......"

Ssizz: "He gave me an honorary rank which was Holy Knight-commander. On his deathbed, he assigned me to become Marisa's bodyguard."

Free trader: "It may have been just an honorary title but you probably deserved it."

Ssizz: "The bottom line is that I am not as clean as you think I am, Rin."



Ssizz: "So it begins."

Free trader: "I am not surprised. The holy nation attacked several of our platoons before."



Free trader: "Emilia, since you are here, mind giving us a hand?"

Ssizz: "Certainly. Let's go, Rin."





Ssizz: "So? What do you think?"

Rin: "About your life?"

Ssizz: "Yes."

Rin: "Why did you even choose to be his mistress?"

Ssizz: "A window of opportunity."

Rin: "Did you love him?"

Ssizz: "Love? Not a chance. He did care for me however. Otherwise, I wouldn't be looking after his daughter now. I am just paying back the favor I owe him."

Rin: "Favor? What favor? The guy took you as his mistress against your will!"

Ssizz: "It wasn't entirely against my will. A window of opportunity, I said. I took it and climbed the social ranks."

Rin: "And here I thought I've had a tough life."

Ssizz: "He educated me in nobility, etiquette, noble manner of speech, and other various stuff required to be able to live among nobles. He basically reshaped me. That is the favor I owe him."



Outpost leader: "Thanks, Emilia. Good to see you."

Ssizz: "Yeah. I have to leave though."

Outpost leader: "Of course. You are not one of us anymore although you are welcome here any time."

Ssizz: "So, it's official that Free traders are in war with the Holy nation, huh."

Outpost leader: "100% official. They whacked several of our platoons for no reason. It's about time we pay back."

Ssizz: "Good luck."