Rise of the Eromancer

Chapter 291 Mission Ahead

"Does anyone have any more questions?"

Rhys did not waste time presenting the facts he discovered to the rest of the group. There were also other people from Russea inside the cave that Rhys did not recognize at all, but judging by the way they were confidently sitting and looking at Rhys, they were somewhat of importance and of a high ranking.

"Yes, only one." And one of those important-looking men was the one to raise his hand first,

"What the fuck did you smoke? Do you really expect us to just trust this intel?"

"Major!" Olga, of course, did not let that tone of disrespect pass at all as she quickly stood up and pointed at the officer, "You do not disrespect someone of a higher rank than you like that!"

"I meant no disrespect with my words. But don't tell me you actually believe what this Amerkan is saying?" The major gestured to Rhys, "He has no evidence to back his intel, and he also brought those snake ladies with large titties with him — and not to mention all of his comrades are beautiful women! Am I the only one seeing something—What the fuck!?"

And before the major could continue his rant, he and the other Russean officers who had no idea that Rhys actually brought a nymph with him, all jumped from their seats as soon as Aengela crawled from Rhys's back and sat on his shoulder.

"That's… that's a fucking nymph!" The major and the other officers quickly pointed at Aengela, some of them even putting up their guard and using their abilities as they all screamed and panicked, "There's a fucking nymph inside the cave! He—Gukh!"

"Would you relax!?"

The major's body almost entirely tilted to the side as Commander Olga slapped him right on the cheek at Mach speed. Fortunately, the major's abilities seem to give him a durability greater than most,

"No, Commander Rhys here did not just bring sexy snake ladies," Olga clicked her tongue as she looked at her comrades' faces one by one, "He also brought a nymph that provided him with all the information he told us just now."

"T…then why didn't he start there!?" The major held his swollen cheek as he pointed at Rhys.

"You're asking that with the way you and the others reacted?" Commander Olga raised her voice, "All of you — report to my tent, now!"

And as Commander Olga dragged the major by the ear, Ayesha could not help but let out a small chuckle while shaking her head.

"And I thought only my subordinates were clowns," Ayesha crossed her arms as she stood up from the chair and approached Riley, "...And are you sure that thing won't bite us?"

"...She won't bite anyone. She doesn't even have teeth," Rhys slightly glanced at Aengela, who quickly started flying away as he did so, "Aside from almost killing me and an entire city of gorgons, she's been harmless and cooperative for the most part."

"Wow, dude — that really brings up the confidence around here," Dominique rubbed her palms together as she also approached Rhys while staring at the gorgons, "And wow, you are really tempting me to start liking non-humans, Boss."

"As you should," Talia joined in, "You don't look human at all."

"What the—" Dominique raised an eyebrow at Talia and gasped loudly, "Just because the rest of you are abnormally beautiful, doesn't mean I'm not a looker! If I start acting like a woman and grow my hair out, I assure you — lots of men would want to fuck me."

"Gross," Talia shook her head, "But I am with the Native on this one — are you sure that thing will not bite us?"

"She won't," Rhys sighed before glancing at Katarina's tent.

"Stop worrying about the Doc, Recruit," Ayesha shook her head and placed her hand on Rhys's shoulder, "She's tougher than you think she is. She wouldn't have survived her previous job if she wasn't. And out of all of us… she is actually the best in terms of close-quarters combat, and it's not even close."

"Just a pity," Talia grunted, "We could have used her expertize. What was she thinking, an assassin going out into the open battlefield?"

"She wasn't," Agatha, who was just relaxing on her chair, also joined in on the conversation, "Noblesse Oblige. She's a doctor, she wanted to help."

"Exactly. She's a doctor, she should have been smarter than that," Talia shook her head, "She's the Fuhrer's main woman too, it would affect the morale."

"What do you mean?" Ayesha raised an eyebrow, "Although I'm not one for labels, I think I'm the main woman."

"You…?" Talia scoffed, "The Fuhrer obviously has a preference for big-breasted women — and can any of you say that your tits are as large and perky as the doctor's? No?"

"W…"

Rhys did not really stay for the conversation, quickly sneaking away before it could turn into something ridiculous. He was initially going to visit Katarina but decided to just let her rest for now.

And so, he just decided to check on the gorgons to see how they were doing in their tent.

"Rhys…"

"Malenia."

But of course, things were still awkward between the two as Malenia had not really talked to Rhys about what she had witnessed him do — and coming from a race that speaks their mind, it was eating her from the inside.

"...Do you wish to talk about it?"

"Yes," Malenia did not hesitate at all as soon as Rhys mentioned it, "I was… shocked."

"It… had to be done."

"I know," Malenia nodded, "I have discussed what is troubling me with my dearest confidant, and we have come to the same conclusion. The man belonged to the same race as those who are hurting the sacred nymph, we could not risk being exposed with what we are doing — I, perhaps even more so, should be aware of putting the mission first."

"Hm…" Rhys nodded.

"But what still troubles me are the feelings inside, Rhys…" Malenia approached Rhys and placed her palm on his chest, "...I did not think of this before, but as the Hero, the road ahead of you will be filled with pain. I only saw the glory and the greatness."

"...Are you afraid of me now?"

"I am afraid for you," Malenia closed her eyes and shook her head, "Rhys, you were laughing with that man just moments before you wrapped your hands around his neck and took his life from him — I felt fear at that moment, yes. But also sadness… for you."

Malenia's voice started to crack as tears trailed from her eyes, "And now… now I am wishing you're not the Hero at all so you wouldn't go through that anymore…

…but we all have a role to play, that is our fate."

"I've killed many more innocent people, Malenia," Rhys shook his head and wiped the tears from Malenia's face, "I don't deserve your tears."

"I shed tears for you and for them," Malenia leaned her head away, "That is the only thing I can do at this moment — and of course, I also offer my shivellans in the brewing war. I assume we are part of the battle plan?"

"I'll inform you when the time comes. It's—"

"Commander Rhys."

And before Rhys could continue his conversation with Malenia, a Russean soldier approached them and saluted Rhys,

"Sorry to interrupt, but the Commander wants to see you in her tent!"

"Go…" Malenia removed her hand from Rhys's chest, "...We'll be here when you need us. The people who did this to the sacred nymph will pay."

"Hm…" Rhys only nodded before proceeding to follow the soldier to Commander Olga's tent. He thought the major and the others would still be there, but she was the only one inside,

"Commander Olga, you wished to talk to me about something?"

"Yes," Olga cleared her throat as she gestured to Rhys to take a seat in front of the desk; her face slightly red, "And… I didn't call you here to talk about what happened in my quarters back on the ship."

"I… wasn't thinking about that at all, Commander," Rhys could really only squint his eyes as he sat down; staring at the 4 filled Hearts above her head.

"...Really? I mean, that's good. That's good," Commander Olga nodded several times, "But… we will discuss that later. My men and I have thought of a plan moving forward."

"Commander," Rhys sat up straight and nodded.

"We will be separated into two teams — we decided to confront the Nihons in the Underworld, of course, to serve as a distraction."

"...Risk a war with the Nihons?"

"No — we have reason to believe that this is an independent military," Olga shook her head, "And as for the second team, we will try to infiltrate wherever they are keeping the abducted nymph.."

"You will be on the second team?"

"Of course," Olga nodded as she stood up, "For stealth reasons, and stealth alone. The second team…

…will be composed of only you and me, Commander Rhys."