Chapter 14: Aftermath & Apology
A/N: So I noted the comments about the MC crying last chapter and all I was trying to do was convey his feelings toward the situatuon. Killing a person for the first time and then coming out of an attack. I wanted to convey emotional turmoil.
But it looks like I took it too far.
I'll get better that as the story goes on.
So bear with me.
Hey, bear pun.
Moving, here is the chapter.
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I just let Athena and Millhiore hug me until I got done crying.
Enjoying their affection as I did so.
Five minutes passed before I got myself back under control.
Once I did I wiped the tears away from my eyes and broke out of their embrace.
"Thanks Milli and goddess Athena. But I am ok now." I said.
Well I am not ok, not by a long shot.
However I am well enough to make it back home at the very least.
Millhiore and Athena nodded at my words.
Once they did so Shakti spoke up.
"Give me a moment to get the situation under control and then I'll escort you home." She said.
When she did so I shot her a curious look.
"Sorry, Ms. Shakti did you just say you are going to escort us home, like personally?"
Shakti gave me a curt nod in response to my question.
Which is leaving me a bit dumbfounded.
"Ok. Thank you." I said.
Still a bit shaken by Shakti's answer to my question.
I mean I get that we need an escort home. Given the attack and what Shakti just told us about Evilus targeting the gods of smaller familia. But what I don't get is why Shakti herself is going to be the one escorting us.
She is the captain of one of the largest and most well-resepcted familia currently in Orario.
Currently she's a level 4 adventurer, of which there aren't many right now.
Basically what I am saying is she's an extremely important person, yet she wants to escort me and my companions who are basically no-names right now home personally.
I just can't wrap my head around it.
Even so I won't look a gift horse in the mouth.
Shakti wants to escort us home, so who am I to stop her?
Once I gave Shakti my answer she walked over to a grouping of her familia members.
After she did so Athena, Millhiore, and I just sat and waited for her return.
While doing so I observed everything happening around me.
Children crying, adults bleeding from various wounds across their bodies, corpses lying on the ground covered by sheets.
Those Evilus fuckers really did a number today, and things are only going to get worse.
Seeing all this just strengthens my resolve to get stronger.
As well as makes me grateful I survived today's attack.
Doing my best to remain calm I suddenly heard a familiar voice call out to me.
"Morax."
Turning my head in its direction I saw Ryuu standing a few feet away from me.
When I did so I put a faint smile on my face.
Since ever since that day we literally ran into each other I have not seen her.
Orario is fucking huge after all, and I myself have been busy becoming an adventurer and going into the dungeon.
Basically I've had my hands full.
Though I have been meaning to look for her.
But not to do anything weird, just to make sure she is safe.
Since even now at only eleven years old she has a really pretty face, and with all the scum currently running lose in Orario I didn't want a tragic fate to befall her.
I mean I know according to my foreknowledge Ryuu should be just fine until she meets Astrea and joins her familia, but this is not a story anymore but real life.
Anything can happen.
That's why I was planning look for her in the future.
But it looks like now I don't have to.
Raising my hand I motioned for Ryuu to come over to where me and the others are sitting.
She did so.
As she arrived at our position I noticed she is wearing clothing that is concealing most of her body.
Meaning she's reached that point of self-loathing about being an elf already.
Damn.
Well, this isn't going to last for long. Not on my watch.
"Ryuu, how have you been?" I asked her.
"Good." She said. Ryuu then directed her gaze to Millhiore and Athena. "Morax, who are the two ladies with you?"
"My fellow familia member, Millhiore Biscotti and my patron goddess Athena." I explained to Ryuu.
"Greeting young elf." Athena said to Ryuu.
Who simply nodded.
Failing to keep the look of disgust off her face.
Looks like she's already run into that pervert Loki and developed a low opinion of the gods as well.
Again, hoping to change that.
"Hello Ryuu, I am Millhiore." Millhiore greeted Ryuu. "You are really pretty." She said.
When Ryuu heard this she got light blush on her cheeks.
Since her face is one of the only parts of her body she hasn't covered up yet.
"Thank you." Ryuu softly said. She then looked at me. "So anyway Morax, there is something I wish to say."
"Sure, go right ahead." I said.
"Thank you." Ryuu said. "So, I am sorry." She spoke. "About when we first met and you offered me your hand to help me up. I want to apologize for my actions towards you at the time."
"Apology accepted." I said. Seeing relief on Ryuu's face when I said those words. "But like I said before I made a mistake as well. Forgetting how sensitive elves are about allowing those not of their own race to touch them so casually. As such, let's just call it even and put things to bed."
"Ok." Ryuu said.
Right after she did so Shakti walked up with three more Ganesha members behind her.
"Ok you three everything is secure. Now we can go." Shakti said. Glancing at Ryuu right after she did so. "Sorry, is this another member of your famiia?"
"No, she is not." I instantly answered.
But now that Shakti just said it having Ryuu in our familia doesn't sound like a bad idea at all.
Her talent is no joke. Since in just give years after arriving in Orario she was able to reach level four during canon. A feat most adventurers never achieve in their lifetime.
And I am sure if Ryuu's friends didn't die from the Juggernaut attack causing her to go on her vengeance-filled rampage against Evilus she would've reached level five or maybe even level six in the original story if she had the chance.
Ok, I've decided that Ryuu is going to join the Athena Familia instead of the Justice waifu Astrea family.
Will this change the timeline?
Yes.
Do I care?
Nope.
Since this is no longer a story but a real world. A world which I will make my own way in.
Plus, having Ryuu join the Athena Familia will make it much easier for me to make her my lover.
So it's a win-win situation all around.
"Yes. What Morax said is true. I am not a member of the Athena Familia, nor any familia." Ryuu explained. "Well then, please excuse me." She said.
"Wait young lady." Shakti spoke to Ryuu. "Its dangerous to be alone right now, especially after the Evilus attack."
"Thank you for your concern mam, but I will be fine." Ryuu said.
"I would still feel better if you had an escort home." Shakti said.
"Excuse me, but I think I have a solution to the problem." I spoke up. "Ryuu can simply stay with me and my familia for the night.".
"No, I couldn't impose." Ryuu quickly said.
"Nonsense, you wouldn't be imposing at all." I said. "Right Athena and Millhiore?"
"Yes, what Morax says is true." Athena spoke. "You would not be imposing on us at all."
" I don't mind." Millhiore spoke to Ryuu.
"Again, I cannot." Ryuu protested. "Once I am allowed to leave I will simply head back to my inn."
"Sorry, but where is your inn?" Shakti asked.
Ryuu told her.
"That's all the way across town. By the time we finish up here it will be near dusk and night once you are able to make it back to your inn." Shakti said. "Listen young lady I can't tell you what to do, but I strongly advise you to spend the night at least with the Athena Familia."
"I...alright." Ryuu finally said.
Yes.
All according to plan.
Getting her to meet the others in the familia is my first step in getting her to join us.
And I am definitely not using a form of mental manipulation to do so.
Nope, not at all.
"I'm glad." Millhiore told Ryuu.
Who began blushing again.
As she did so we set out back towards the Athena Familia home.
Me getting a rather nice view of Shakti's firm ass as we did so.
What can I say I am an ass man.