Maybe I should have tried to get them to complete a trip through the main tower before we left... But I supposed regrets would have to wait until later.
My minions were understandably worried about me visiting the human city alone again. If the situation had been a bit different, I would have loved to take them along, but it was actually safer for me to go alone. If I brought guards, and they ended up being captured or held hostage, I could be coerced into doing all sorts of things. Alone, I could just teleport back home if things went south.
Unfortunately, the human army insisted I travel along with them, even though I could reach the city much faster with a Way-Point Flower warp. I could beat them there by more than two weeks if I wanted. Flying would get me there faster too.
In the end, I settled for warping back home each night to sleep in my own bed. I could create Way-Point Flowers from any plant near the camp, so I could always rejoin them each morning. In a way, I was actually glad to be traveling with them, since it gave me a chance to learn more of their language. Once I effectively learned how to say “What’s this?” and I was able to ask the names of objects fairly easily, my vocabulary improved quite a bit. The humans learned fairly quickly what I was trying to do, and most seemed pretty enthusiastic about helping. Of course, there was no way to become totally fluent in just a two- or three-week-long trip, but I think I improved quite a bit.
Eventually, we reached the city. I tried to ask its name, but I wasn’t sure if they told me what that particular settlement was called or just the generic word for “city.” This time, with my military escort, I was able to bypass the guards at the gate, and they led me straight to the huge mansion in the center of the city. There were sturdy stone walls around it, but it was definitely more of a mansion than a castle.
I’d been here once before, but this time, instead of being led straight to the prison underneath it, I was being escorted through the front gate. As the army entered the city, most of the men were dismissed and allowed to return to their homes. By the time we reached the mansion, the escort was fairly small—only about a dozen men, along with Sedriz, and Hegram and his group.
Once we were allowed inside, my escort shrunk again, so now it was only Hegram’s group and Sedriz accompanying me. It made sense. There were plenty of soldiers inside the mansion—nowhere near enough to stop me if I went on a rampage and decided to level the place, though. I wasn’t planning to do that, of course, so I kept that part to myself.
Inside the building, the trappings of wealth were everywhere. Pretty paintings, golden candlesticks and goblets, and expensive looking vases and sculptures decorated every room and hallway we passed through. Eventually, I was led to what I believed was the lord’s study. I wasn’t sure what rank he was, but I knew he was pretty important.
Sedriz knocked on the door, and a voice from the other side said something I couldn’t understand. Sedriz opened the door and led us inside. The man awaiting us was elaborately dressed, but my clothes put him to shame. On this occasion, I was dressed in a spectacular gown that changed colors constantly. Little balls of colored light would rise off of it periodically. Definitely a dress to impress. It was called “Fairy’s Prismatic Gown,” and in addition to illuminating dark places, it offered resistance against dark element attacks and regenerated health while it was equipped.
Meanwhile, the guy in front of me was super skinny, regardless of how he tried to hide it with those puffy sleeves of his. His face was long and mean looking, not what I’d consider attractive. He had a pointy little mustache that made him look like a cliché villain from a cheesy television drama from the 1960s or something, and he had stringy, dark-blond hair that didn’t seem well taken care of.
Not having access to proper shampoo must be rough.
Still, I was willing to bet that in this world he was considered quite the catch as far as marriage was concerned. With his wealth and position, I was sure he had to be used to having his pick of the ladies. I wondered if he was already married—I found out later that he wasn’t.
He spoke to me, but I couldn’t really understand any of it. I could pick out a word or two here and there, but the context was a mystery. I guessed he was using a lot of difficult words that nobles used to feel superior to those around them. His sentences were punctuated with sweeping gestures whose meanings also eluded me. After his grand speech ended, he motioned for everyone to leave the room. As the men turned to leave, I tried to go with them, but they stopped me. Apparently the lord wanted a private meeting with me. Hopefully he’d use easier words once we were alone...
Yeah, hold on to that dream. He’s still talking, and I have no idea what he’s saying. He’s smiling a lot, so I guess he’s enjoying himself. I’m not sure if he’s apologized for locking me up yet, but if he has, I don’t think he really meant it. He hasn’t looked sad or remorseful even once since I got here.
I’m not sure what they told him about my language comprehension skills, but he sure likes to hear himself talk. He could make this speech to the wall and it would be just as effective. Oh, he’s getting down on one knee now, is he finally going to apologize? Now that I can look into his eyes, I don’t like the look he’s giving me. Hey watch where you put those hands, buddy!
Luckily I was quick on the draw with my dome-shaped barrier spell before Lord Grabby Hands could grope my chest.
“Medo!”
He was thrown backward as my barrier suddenly expanded, and he wasn’t happy about it. From his position on the floor, he started yelling, and armed guards filled the room.
I tried to explain what happened, but I wasn’t able to use the right words. My gestures were probably just as confusing, since I was so flustered. The guards surrounded me, but I didn’t really feel like another extended stay in prison, so I warped home.
What a mess. So much for peaceful relations. What I really needed was to study up on the language more.
Once I was back home, I called a meeting. The attendees were basically everyone I’d given a name to so far, with the exception of Maple, because she was still tethered to the garden on the roof. I was worried about having Bistro there, but I planned to avoid eye contact. Yeah, that was the best I could do. I could have just not invited him, but I wanted to get a broad perspective. If it were just the warriors there, I could see it turning into a “Let’s just kill him!” hate-fest really quickly.