Chapter 12 Make Crusades Great Again (2/2)

Fuckers were expensive though.

When I was sure she got every last drop I laid her back down.

”So. ” I said as the kid drifted away. ”Is she yours?” I was eagerly awaiting a yes. Milf? Milf? Yes?

”No.” Shame. ”Evie's the child of friend. She passed away some time ago.” It didn't seem like it was something she wanted to talk about.

It was personal matter and I was a stranger, it was understandable.

”But I've been taking care of her since she was a baby.” She went on hesitantly. ”She's like a sister and daughter to me.” MILF!!

Well. Not really. But adoptive mother was also fine. And she had the sexy Onee-san status as well so that was a twofer.

She was sexy, by the way. Her curves were bountiful and in all the right places. She was a tad too thin like ”Evie” here but not so much..

Only thing that can top a sexy milf/onee-san is a sexy female teacher.

”How old are you?”

”18.” Pretty young, almost too young for my tastes. Oh well, no big deal. Least she was legal.

”I see.” The potion would already be working by now. ”I gave her something for the injuries and pain, she should be fine by next morning but I'll call for a doctor if she isn't. In the meantime we've got to warm her up. Can you bathe her yourself?”

”Yes. Are you going somewhere, Master?”

I took out some money from my purse. I then put the money in my pocket and sat the purse on the table.

She watched me without another word.

”I'm going to buy you two a few things. I'll be back in half an hour.”

I wouldn't give up on a great candidate like this one for anything, alright?

ButI also wouldn't try to force anyone to stay with me if they didn't want to.

***

The tailor from the other day was open. I asked for some new pairs of clothing for the father-son duo and then purchased some thick coats, gloves and boots for the two strays I'd picked up.

Since it really was chilly out today I got Dolly a blanket. I couldn't bear to let her part with that bunny onesie just yet.

As for the strays I had to guess on their measurements but I was confident in my keen eyes of observation.

I chatted with the shop owner a while as she worked and left as soon as she was done.

I'd taken the opportunity to change my own outfit. Something less disorderly. Which was just a plain white shirt, a vest and some trousers.

My next stop was a small pharmacy, then the bakery. After that I checked on the carriage we'd used on our way over and made sure everything was in order before finally heading back to the Inn.

I didn't have any expectations when I opened the door.

To my surprise I found Minvera laying her head next to Evie's still-unconscious form. She'd fallen asleep but woke up the moment I walked in.

I peeked and saw that the kid's face was much cleaner and now had the faint pink of a nice, warm bath.

Damn. She's be a heartbreaker in the future, that one. She just needed some more meat on her and she's be as cute as a button.

Also the pain that'd been twisting her face every so often before had now vanished completely. Glad that stuff did the trick. I was relieved to see her looking better.

”You're still here.”

”So it seems.”

I sat the clothes and bag of baked goods on the table. ”Did you even take a look?” I meant the purse, what else?

She shook her head. It was still laying right where it was, untouched.

I walked over, opened it and dumped all the contents onto the bed.

Dozens of thick gold coins and three rolls of silver-green bills scattered everywhere. It was enough for an average commoner to purchase a small property and live luxuriously for a year. Several if they were more frugal.

”Regetting it?” A smirk. Big bro is generous. They coulda had a nice life. Found some place to stay, get a new job, save up.

Of course if she wasn't a waifu candidate I wouldn't be quite as giving but still would've helped them find some lodgings and had someone under our House's authority allow the two a way to earn some income.

I did mean it when I said I'd be responsible for them. It's purely selfish, though, don't get me wrong. I took the time to help them, they aren't allowed to go off and starve! That would make my effort meaningless! Fuck that.

Now however she proved a good seed! I was totally planning on keeping her with me. I couldn't let her be under someone else, now could I? No, no. Let's get this girl a wedding dress, people!

I expected a joking response, or maybe a sigh.

I did NOT expect the bitterness that actually came out.

”As if I could keep it anyway. Is it that fun playing around with me? I guess I really don't bring her anything but trouble, do I?...I should just...”She muttered. Now she didn't show it on her face but her tone was full of self-loathing.

”I admit that I think it would be very fun to tease you in the future. But you see, that sentence right there has the scent of a story behind it. So whaddya mean? Is there something I'm missing here or what?”

”I know you saw them, there's no reason to pretend you didn't. You know what I am, what'd happen even if I took that money.”

”Let's say I don't. Enlightment me.”

I could tell by the way her body shook that whatever thought was coursing through her head right now absolutely terrified her.

She gave a hollow laugh. ”Come on. Someone like me, with no owner? They'd cut them off and leave us both to rot.” A gulp. ”But I didn't touch it. I didn't touch it at all!” She stood abruptly. ”So I passed the test, right? Right? You'll keep your word, won't you?” Her voice grew thick with emotion. ” I-If not me, then at least take Evie.” The woman begged. ” Please take care of her! If it's you, then--”

I held up a hand.

Um, yeah, what's all this nonsense she's spouting?

”Hold the heck up lady, what do you mean, they'd 'cut them off '? Cut what?”

She looked at me like I was bullying her. I saw tears gathering at the corner of her eyes. ”My ears...”

The room turned silent.

Then,

”...Your cat ears?”

She nodded stiffly.

”&%$#!” I exploded. ”Who fukken dares! What motherfucker wants to die? Cut them off? CUT THEM OFF?! Those beautiful works of art? Those glorious gifts from the gods?! Where are they, where are those cocksuckers, huh? I'll beat them to death! Fuck!”

I was panting so hard I was on the verge of hyperventilation.

I was pissed off I felt like burning coals were just spinning about in my chest. My Devil's Left, it burned!

My shouts were so loud that the little girl rolled about uneasily.

Minerva's hands were cradling her own head and looked like she was just hit a flashbang.

”What? Yes? Huh?” She babbled, clearly out of it.

I clapped her shoulder while she struggled to get herself together. ”You're a national treasure, Minnie. Don't you worry your pretty little head. If anyone here tries taking those ears, I'll burn the Kingdom to the ground.”

Bro? Comrade? What bro, what comrade? Sorry, Lucy-loo, but a Kingdom like that doesn't deserve to exist!

”You...But.. don't you think I'm a disgusting mutant freak that's ugly, sinful and deserves to die?” She blinked. astonished.

TT^TT

Watashi no kokoro, watashi no tamashi.

”Who would?”

”Who wouldn't?”

”Is that the case?”

”Beastkin who're like me are hated everywhere, aren't we? That should be the case, yes...”

”I see. So it's a purge, then.”

”???”

”...Deus Vult...”

I don't want to be bad, but the world keeps forcing me to do bad things!