Adventure Forth

I was a Tough Lady Killer Mobster, But Now I am a Klutzy Maid Girl, That will take Down a Demon Lord!

Chapter 11 – Adventure Forth

Azulle wakes in the middle of the night to find a foot kicking her in her face. Somehow though Francois manages to completely avoid the kicks as she sleeps on her usual spot on Azulle’s head. It was late when the two came back inside the castle with the goddess Ori without much of an option she invited Ori the chance to sleep with her since her own bed was quite spacious. Gone are the days of sleeping in a corner of her brother’s room. Azulle and forth that matter her mother was given the rooms the former queen claimed for her own. Trying to not give her mother worry Azulle even took the very room the queen tortured her in. It had since been redecorated all be it not completely by Azulle’s choice of decoration but her father insisted her room have a more feminine quality. But one thing she did want was a bed she thought she could get lost in. But a night with Ori rolling about proved that even the largest of beds were no match for a friend with restless legs.

She knew sleep wouldn’t come easily unless she did something. This was a problem as while she was being treated more like the daughter of the king as she was. She was still one of the maids of the castle and despite the fact she would have duties to deal with her and her brother's adventuring party, she still had a schedule at least till the group left the castle of tasks to do. Even after she would still be expected to take care of many of the tasks the party would need on their adventure even when they traveled. Tasks of cooking and seeing to the needs of maintenance of equipment, setting and taking down camp, all were expectations of her title and some of her training from Lady Marril. And all of this was bringing in something that Hideo Eito never really recalled dealing with... anxiety for the day to come.

Sure, his sixteen years being raised in this world as Azulle he learned all manner of things he never thought he had to or would even dream of doing. But now with Ori throwing out violent kicks in her sleep and Francois lying about across Azulle’s eyes. She thinks of some of how similar her world is to that of her past life. Taking orders from those seated above him in power. Going out into the world to beat down, rob, shakedown, and kill those who get in his way. Only now it's her and the targets are monsters, strongholds of the demon kingdoms, and looting what treasures they can find along the way. It was all still just one giant turf war.

Reluctantly Azulle decided to push out of her bed and leave at least one turf war to be fought without her in it. So, she got up and walked out into the hall.

“Can’t sleep can you.” Azulle is shocked but turns to see her mother sitting in her chair looking out the hallway window.

“Don’t get it. I have been in fights before even fought some rough battles but the thought of leaving the castle of leaving this home kind of scares me.”

“You know how I feel Azu. I really wished you took this guy Isea’s deal and just lived a peaceful life.”

“Not this again!”

“No, I know that isn’t the answer. But as your mother, I will always worry about you out in the world fighting monsters and demons. You may have difficulty sleeping tonight but can you imagine how many nights your father and I will have from the moment you and Gil leave to lose sleep worrying you two to be safe. It’s a parent’s job to worry. It’s a hero’s job though to fight those worries and see-through so that they can return and ease the fear and bring back nights that all can sleep well. It’s a great burden you two have on your shoulders.”

“I will mom.” Azulle smiles and goes to sit down at her mom’s side leaning her head on her mother’s lap as she yawns. “You know you should be asleep in your bed.”

“I could say the same to you. But for now, I think this is a fine place to rest till morning.”

Time passes and morning comes and for the would-be hero Gil. He is having trouble in making choices. Choices that have Azulle frustrated.

“I don’t see why I can’t.”

“Seriously, for one, you aren’t the one carrying your stuff. I have to. But there is no freaking way I am dragging your bed all across the world. I got you a great set of camping gear.”

“But I like my bed it’s comfortable over that hard thing you got me. I have sat on church pews that are softer.”

“Well excuse me, your royal highness. But the store was all out of the soft and cushioned portable beds!”

“Which is why you are to take my bed!”

A knock on the door disrupts the two siblings from their latest argument. And standing there at the door was the face of their father the king.

“Excuse me, Gil, Azulle, I hope I am not disrupting anything important. I just felt that it would be best to tell you two now that you’re both venturing out as to what threats you will face early in your journey. It appears several threats have arisen even just outside our own city’s borders. I know you two still have to familiarize yourselves with your teammates. But our kingdom's forces can only hold back the attacks we see coming from the demon lord’s forces. That is what I want to say... but I have a different reason to ask you two, like your father. Please both of you when you head out. Don’t be afraid to send a message and ask for me to send what help I can.”

“Seriously you too dad.” The king looks puzzled but looks on at Azulle’s face already tired from the lack of sleep the night before. “I guess if you want to help then you could get our spoiled hero some pointers on traveling light.”

“And who keeps adding mouths to feed Huh!”

“Ori helps us with healing magic that we sorely need if we fight. The waitress mage girl covers offensive magic, and while that pretty boy swordsman is a problem, he at least is a trained and skilled fighter able to grant you more of a flexible range to attack as you see best fits you. It’s as Master taught me to create a stronger support party.”

“Gil while I am sure you worry about things. Your sister I feel has done a fine job collecting people who will aid your quest.”

“See...”

“And Azulle you need to understand that Gil has a point in trust. Your team will struggle till you all can learn how best to work with each of you.”

“Yes, father.” The sibling's state in unison.

“Very good now if you two...” before the king can finish his talk with his children suddenly out of thin air the mage Eve come flashing in and crashing down on the king.

“A magical assassin!” Gil shouts. “Guards come ...” Azulle clamps his brother's mouth shut.

“She is our parties mage!”

“Gah! I landed on someone!” Eve shouts.

“Yes, and if you would kindly get off, please.” The king groans.

“I am sorry... Ahhh I landed on the king. I am so sorry your highness please it was an accident I will do anything not to be executed!” Eve shouts as she gets off the king.

“Azu my dear fetch your mother. I think my back is out again.” The king state groaning on the floor.

“What kind of mage are you just bursting into the castle let alone my room so brazenly!” Gil berates the mage as the king looks up from his vertical position.

“You look familiar, tell me girl have we met before?”

“Y... yes your highness my master sent me when I was 9 to tell you about my master’s premonition about the birth of the hero.”

“Ah yes, Lady Keel... The damn woman was crazier than a loon. And quite a collector of debt I heard.” Eve nervously whimpers at the mention of her master’s debt.

“Y... yes as it turns out my master was cursed with debt but in her age, she learned a way to um... distribute the debt. By signing it over to me before she left on a journey.”

The king beings to chuckle but stop as pain forces him to halt. “So, she likes to spread her misfortune I am sorry for your burden. But you are a mage and my daughter has trusted you in joining the party so let’s just leave today’s incident to a debt to be paid with your service to my children okay.”

“Are you sure your highness.”

“If he said so then it’s so. But I still need to see you do better.” Gil demands and Eve shirk in a squeal again.

“Uh yes, your highness. I will work hard to be of service to you and the rest of the party.”

While Gil and Eve get to know each other. Azulle arrives at her mother’s section of the castle.

“Mom, dad hurt his back again.”

“Oh, dear what did he do now. I swear his back is so messed up because of how that damn woman treated him. If your party doesn’t get to her, I swear I will kill her. Hand me my bag will you.” Azulle reaches a makeshift desk and pulls her mother’s doctor bag. Placing it in her chair. “Where is he?”

“Gil’s room. Look I have to get Ori and the slimes...”

Eris stops her push forward and sighs. “Yes, make sure to take everything you have set aside for you and I will see you in the courtyard later.”

Eris resumes her push forward only halting enough to get a guard to help her push forward. While Azulle couldn’t see her mother’s face she could hear the way her mother talked to the guard that she was upset at what the day would bring forth. But they both knew that they had to push on and in Azulle’s case, pushing on meant getting her night's former attacker to get ready. An issue that from the moment she walked in could be a frustrating one.

“Ori it’s time to go. Seriously you don’t have much why are you taking forever to get ready.”

“The armor or the traveler's clothing?”

“She can’t hear you it’s like she is in her own world.” Noir states from a dark corner of the room. “Then there is the other one. Also, in her own world.” Azulle looks to the one Noir was noting as Francois who is still content on sleeping. “I don’t get it was she all way sleeping like this back on earth.”

“No, actually she worked most of the time. Guess in this life she is making up for lost sleep. But it doesn’t matter I have a carrier bag for you both.”

“Look, Eito I am not going to be cramped up with Franny during the journey! Hell, I don’t even know why I gotta go!”

“One you won’t be with Francois. Gil wants to carry you. I guess he thinks your dark presence ability will help hide him or something. And two because if you want back to earth. To that broken family of yours. Then it would be better if you came along, Noir! As for our other problem.”

Azulle swiped the travel clothes. “Wear the armor. We can’t have our healer getting hurt, Ori!”

“Well, you see if I wear the armor I will sweat. And if I sweat, I will chafe from the armor rubbing my skin. And if I chafe my skin will break and expose me to all manner of diseases. And when you gave me this armor, I was puzzled with my class choice and all and... wait you think I am a healer?”

“I mean yeah. You’re a goddess from what emo slime over there tells me goddesses would be best as healers, holy magic, and stuff. I mean I have some healing and I haven’t stepped in one church or alter or well anything holy since I got here so I assumed... wait what class are you?”

“Well, there were so many to choose from all had different abilities and advantages. I just couldn’t choose which one stood out the most.... but then I saw it. The class that would make it so I didn’t have to choose because it had a little bit of everything. So nice and perfect. I even got to choose a subclass of it.”

“User of many masters of none!” Yawns a sleepy Francois. “Bard’s suck.”

“Bard? You’re a bard? Wasn’t that the title that Shakespeare guy had?”

“So the goddess girlfriend of yours is a bard. Man will it suck to be in that party.” Francois grumbles. As Noir pops down from his perch and slams into her.

“You and I are in that party too dumb ass!”

“Wait how do you know about classes Fran?”

“It’s standard RPG stuff, I played a few games in between the cases you kept dropping off in my clinic. A girl had to have something to do with her free time. Lord knows you didn’t take me anywhere.”

“Well actually like I said I have a subclass. I am not just a bard. I am an idol!”

“So she is what going to sing to enemies and make them die!”

“I thought it would help liven up the spirits of the party as we travel.” Azulle looks disappointed.

“Well, if she has a little bit of everything then she could have healing magic...”

“No more than you have...” Francois says as she pushes Noir off and slides towards a jar of mayo. “All I can say is this is going to be interesting to watch.

“Fine, then let’s get a move on. We will have to deal with our healing problem on the road.” Azulle states pulling Ori’s green dress over her head.

By Midday the current group gathers together minus the flashy swordsman, at the courtyard. Azulle is dragging two heavy saddlebags and placing them on a few Navem, A giant beast that is a horse-like bird. Eve is following through with a bag of her own, while Kawa is fighting with the creature that is looking at the ninja as a possible meal.

“Do we really need to take this thing!” Kawa complains

“We don’t want to be weighed down by what we will need to survive. The Navem will be strong enough to hold on to our supplies in the cart. Besides, it’s a sweet creature.” Azulle states as the beast pecks at Kawa a bit pulling at a mask that Kawa is wearing.

“Well, your curse doesn’t make you attractive to these things! Plus, you have those two coming along!” Kawa looks at their feet where Francois and Noir are rubbing up against his legs.

“This kid is amazing!” Noir says rubbing up and down Kawa’s leg.

“MMM, I bet they taste good too!” Francois purrs.

“Hey, now you two. No eating our team members. I packed food for you Fran, and as for you Noir, I am sure we can find your garbage along the way.”

“You better Eito-Slut!”

“Don’t call me that, you filthy trash eater!”

“You can understand the slimes?” Eve looks puzzled.

“My sister is a freak so of course she can! But Noir seems to hate her for some reason it stays around, and it’s got a great skill to create camouflage darkness about it. It's not like that useless white slime.”

“Can I kill your brother Hideo!”

“Not now Fran. Later.” Azulle looks around grabbing Ori who is beginning to wander off. “ Swear Ori are you going to be like this during this whole venture!”

“But humans make such amazing buildings. And what is that light at the top of the castle!”

“A holy beacon. And while we are at it. Don’t forget that if people ask you are human too! This world's races don’t get along well, and the last thing we need is them hearing you proclaim your divine origins okay!”

“Yes yes, Mr. Eito!”

“And that… Do I look like a Mr here? Call me Azulle, Azu or Zel.”

“But those little slime friends of yours…”

“Others don’t understand them. And they were people I knew from before got it.”

“Okay umm… Ms. Azulle.”

“Great now all that is left is finding out where that damn pretty boy is…. What was his name again?”

Suddenly thousands of flower petals flow from the sky coming out from a nearby wall where the shadowed figure of a stylish man stands. “Ah, so my comrades have finally gathered. And here I thought only two lovely beauties would be at my side. But also, a lovely woman also joins… The adventure shall be a great one, and I the great swordsman Cabbage Grinrot will be honored to protect such beauties!”

Two guards gather near the bottom of the wall to shout at the flashy swordsman to come down and that part of the wall is unsafe. But Cabbage ignores them dashing to a point he can get nearest to the gathering party and leaping off doing a summersault and landing in a cool way. But Azulle couldn’t help but notice the fool shiver in pain from the landing.

“Tell me Zel. Is this another of these strange members you collected?”

“Sadly yes… Hey Ca…What was it again? Calvin? Collage?”

“Cabin!” Francois adds.

“Oh well, Carlo! You didn’t happen to break your leg just now did you.”

Cabbage laughs “Absolutely! But for such a beauty as you, I will break one thousand of my legs.”

“You only have two!” Azulle seriously replies. “Fine, I will get Mom her magic should at least help out here for now.”

“Why not have our healer do it, Zel.”

Azulle stops in her movements turning to look at her brother. “Yeah, our healer… About that.”

“This lady is our healer. The book says we need a healer, so you did get her to join to do just that right!”

“Ori is less a healer than she is sort of … entertainment.”

“Entertainment? Wait, is she a bard?” Eve questions.

“Why do we need a bard, over a healer!”

“I…I can’t explain. I am sorry. But Ori will help I swear!”

“I certainly can. I have all sorts of skills and abilities. I can even sing songs and…” Azulle clasps Ori’s mouth.

“Okay, Ori I think that they get it. I promise brother I will work hard to find a healer in our travels and Ori will help me with the workaround camp.”

“Another servant… I guess it can’t hurt. Fine, the bard can come along.” Azulle and Ori breathe after her brother accepts that another servant would mean less hard work than he would have to do.

“So, hero prince, it will be the two of us and the girls, then?” Cabbage says hobbling himself and his supplies to the cart. “Here kid put my bag on the cart will you!” Cabbage hands his bag to Kawa who almost collapses under the weight.

“Hey, I am going too!” Kawa states!

“Surely not. A child like you should wait and leave the adventure to the grown-ups!”

Kawa gets angry and tears at their outfit change to the form of a thinly dressed sexy woman. “Do you think I am a child now big boy?” Cabbage looks in shock and a few blood spurts out of his and Gils nose.

“Kawa stop that! You shouldn’t tease the perverts of the party.” Azulle smacks Kawa on the back of the now scantily clad dressed form. “You may cause them confusion before we get going.”

“Tell me prince, is that a child or such a godly vision that she is now?”

“I wish I knew swordsman. Best not to venture down that lane I suggest.”

The group begins to laugh and talk about familiarizing themselves with one another. Till the second of the three suns hit the high point of the sky. By then several of the staff, the king, and Eris all make their way out to see the group off. Azulle looked on at Lady Marril and the strange man in the bear costume that is Grell. Even the slimes from the bathhouse have come out from their makeshift places.

“Azulle, make sure you keep an eye out for the prince and try not to be a burden on the party.” Lady Marril says slightly tearing up.

“I won't Lady Marril.”

“Listen to well Prince, you may have passed my lessons but there is still more to learn that you will only find on your journey. And Maid girl. Vindell is out there, I am sure you haven’t seen the last of her or Claire. Heck, I doubt you will not run into that elven pervert. They may have left on their own ventures but you two will be reunited one day.”

“Thanks, master.”

“Yeah, thank you, Grell.”

Kawa is approached by his master who is now using a cane to help him walk. “Don’t forget to kill as many royals as you can Kawa! For me!”

“Of course, master. I won’t forget our lessons.”

“Hey your this kid's master, do you know what they are?” A confused Cabbage asks in the back of the cart. Only to be hit on the back of the head by Eris.

“I told you to not move! I swear if your foot falls off it will be on your head, not mine or my daughters got me, sword boy!”

“Daughter? So you are the mother of which of these heavenly beauties?”

“Me you dolt, Carrot!” Azulle says.

“It’s Cabbage, my succulent servant.”

An enraged King that is being held up by a guard tries to move out of the guard’s grip shouting. “Change of plans Azulle you are not going with such a lewd man. I won’t have my baby girl away near such a fancy swordsman!”

Eris rolls over to the King and smacks him. “That warning of not moving goes for you too, Handal! I swear I only allowed you out of bed to see them off when you promised you wouldn’t move to make your injuries worse!” Eris wipes a tear out of her face while it’s turned away from the group.

The king sighs at the orders that Eris has given him. “Very well then, I will make this quick. Seventeen years ago, we were guided that a great hero would come from this castle. And today I look on at my two beautiful children as they venture off on their own following the path of destiny. This world has lived for far too long in fear of the Demon Lord and their forces. Ten years ago, my children even faced one of those forces here. And they proved that they could see it through. Now they venture forth with old friends and new. Out to find a way to bring peace to this world. Let their venture help them grow strong and wise. And return here to their home safely. Gilford!”

“Yes, father.”

“Be strong my boy. Your travels will cause you to face the monster that is disguised as your mother. I know you will know what must be done. You are wise and will see things through.”

Gil begins to choke up and fights off his tears. “Thank you, father!”

“Azulle!” The king says gritting his teeth from tears himself.

“Yes, father!”

“Though you have no right to the crown. Never forget you are born of this kingdom, Your blood is of mine. You are my little princess. But you are strong and fast. Look after your brother well for I fear he is not as well adapted to life on the outside of these walls as you. Remember we are family. And your family will be at your side and waiting here as well for your safe return….. And don’t let that swordsman touch you! I want you to kick his ass if she tries anything got it!”

Azulle smiles with tears “Yes Sir!”

“Okay, team Lets move out!” Gil shouts as the group follows along the cart pulling their supplies, the swordsman, and the slimes.

As the group begins to walk, Eve is the first to come up with the more important question. “Um okay, but where are we going?”

The group begins to talk over one another to the point that no one can make out who is saying what suggestion.

Chapter End