32 「Mornins Neighbor」 (1/2)

The morning sun looked down upon the world. The day was warm, sunny, the sky was clear. The grass waved gently with the breeze that carried the smell flowers and the smell of an early breakfast. A light fragrance also greeted the air, lavender, it was lavender. Someone had lit incense.

Wandering up to the front gate of the massive wall that surrounded Carne Village, Momonga stared up at the canopy above the gate. Then his eyes trailed along the exterior of the wall, noting the long cannons and multiple defenses against those who could climb the wall. The intruders who had visited the Village must've been skilled to get passed them, that or they had been allowed to enter on purpose.

”Momon-sama,” Nabe took hold of his attention as she called for his name.

Turning to give her a glance, he watched as she gestured ahead to the gate as it was beginning to open, causing the large metal hinges to squeal excitedly.

Standing before them on the opposite side of the gate, was none other than Jack.

”Welcome to Carne Village, Momon and Nabe. It's a pleasure to see you again, in person.” His eyes rested on Momon for a few moments before turning away from them, gesturing for them to come in.

Nabe closed her eyes and bowed her head slightly, but kept her sharpness about her.

Momon and Nabe moved as a unit into the Gates, watching above as there were NPCs operating chains, closing the gate behind them once they were clear.

Ninya and Arche were standing to the side, where Jack soon joined them. The two blonde girls were dancing around the trio. Though the moment they saw the duo approach, they attempted to wrap themselves in their sister's cape.

”Oh?” Momon seemed happy to see the children, even chuckled a bit at their shyness to the stranger in full armor.

Ninya gave a slight wave, ”Hey Momon-san.” She smiled seeing a comrade she had connected with not too long ago. It was in a way, a pleasure to see him.

”Ninya,” Momon nodded to her, then moved his eyes over towards Arche. She was a new face. She must be the intruder, but she didn't look like she was being held hostage. She looked free.

”This is Arche,” he gestured towards the girl who stood to his left. ”She's a member of a former Noble Family in the Baharuth Empire, and a former student of the Imperial Magic Academy.”

”And the children?”

”These are my sisters!” She immediately spoke up, ”Ureirika and Kuuderika. It's a pleasure to meet you, Momon-san.” She appeared to gesture towards each of her sisters as she introduced them one after the other.

Momon was quick to notice the absence of expression on the girl's face. She reminded him of a fragile and delicate doll. His eyes drifted over to Jack who was standing between the women.

Was it just him or was he recreating his guild with humans from the New World? Surrounding himself with two other women, could he be fond of them?

Momon was growing curious of what was going on here. First he had advanced towards Ninya, and he had even egged him on. Now he had two people at his side. Of course though, he wasn't going to ask about their relationships. Just thinking about asking, reminded him of Lukrut and ironically it was an effective deterrent.

He let out a sigh.

”Momon?”

Nabe looked over towards Momonga, curious of the sigh.

”You're going to the royal Capital today, correct?”

”So you know,” Jack chuckled as he tilted his head to the side.

Momon scoffed slightly, ”I have ears Jack, plenty of them.”

”We all do,” Jack retorted with a slick tone as he looked to the peerless sky.

”Are you planning something by any chance?” He'd ask, not seeing any of the villagers until he glanced up towards the fortress and noted the chatter and the smell of food from the courtyard. It seemed everyone up there was having a good time, eating and talking to one another.

They were celebrating more than just the deaths of the Adventurers, but also their friends and family.

”You know. A little of this, and a little of that.” Jack teased his ally, folding his hands over his pelvis region as he casually gazed over them.

Momon would be grinning, if he wasn't naturally doing so. ”A friend of mine is staying in the Capital,” he was referring to Sebas, ”I'm sure he can accommodate you during your stay.”

After being hearing that he might be planning something from Demiurge, he had no choice but to make some assumptions. So he wanted him somewhere he could watch him, and have someone report on him.

”That's nice of you, and your friend. I might take him up on that,” Jack had seen Sebas at least once before during the Game World. He thought he looked like a Badass. Now he could only assume what he's like in person now that he was sentient and alive.

”How thoughtful,” Ninya smiled more as she didn't see through the true intent of the man who she could only assume was a friend that meant no harm. Though there really was no harm, Momon just wanted to keep tabs on him and his.

Glancing over towards the fortress once more as he heard a familiar groan of plreasure, Momon narrowed his sights on a pair of Dark Elves exiting the courtyard and walking down the long flight of stairs. A sweat-drop forming in the back of his bald skull.

His own Guardians were here eating the food!?

”Eh!?”

Raising a brow, Ninya's smile frowned slightly and turned into a little bit of concern, ”Something wrong?” Her eyes followed the direction of his helmet and rested her sights on Aura and Mare. ”Surprised to see the Dark Elves? They're cute.”