《My Only Lorelei》Chapter 9 - The Lady In Black
Advertisement
“This place wasn’t really what I was expecting when you told us we were staying at an inn…”
Mun complained as we reached the inn.
It wasn’t much of an inn, it was more of a barn. There were multiple rooms, but the floor was made of dirt and the beds were made from hay. The only light available was the main hall’s lantern.
“Well, Teril ain’t much to be sure, but it’s home. Well, I leave these youngin’s in your care now, Reece.”
The old man nodded to the innkeeper before leaving the inn. The man named Reece greeted Tal and Mun. “Now, the dinner has already been served so I can give y’all a discount of five copper a night per room. Will that be satisfactory?”
Tal seemed reluctant at first, but then ended up handing the man five copper anyways.
“At least we’ll have a ceiling over our heads. By the way, do you anywhere we can take a bath?”
Tal was reminded of his stench when the innkeeper covered his nose with his fingers.
“Yes, sir. We have a bathhouse not too far from the inn. I can show you the way.”
“I’m surprised they’re still open at this hour.”
“Oh, they never close shop.”
“Hm? Then when do they clean the bathhouse?”
“Huh, now that you’ve mentioned it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen them clean the bathhouse.”
“I shouldn’t have even asked.”
“Tal, I think I’d rather just stay in the room,” Mun added.
“It can’t be helped, we’re literally covered in poop. Any water that can wash this down should be good enough. And you’re coming too!”
Mun was already on the bed as Tal began pulling her. “Nooo—! You can’t make me—!”
“You stink! We both stink—!”
While Tal and Mun were fighting one another, I decided to go look for Din. I was furious when the two of them forgot all about Din, but after thinking about it, they only knew him for less than a day so I forgave them.
“Din! Where are you?! If you can hear my voice, say something!”
I would normally feel too guilty to be yelling in the middle of the night, but since no one could hear or see me, I decided to risk it.
—Even after walking through the forest for a while now, I still couldn’t find Din. Although I knew no one could see or hear me, I still felt afraid to be in the forest.
Advertisement
I carefully moved through the forest. I noticed that I could phase through objects, but the complete darkness I saw when going through objects was too scary so I decided against doing that. Floating around was pretty convenient though since I didn’t feel tired from moving around so much.
“Din! Are you—!?”
At the sight of wolves, I clasped my mouth with both my hands. It was only after a few seconds that I realized that even the animals couldn’t hear me.
The pack of wolves were sleeping in a group. There were about eight of them. Even while asleep, the wolves looked menacing so I instinctively snuck around.
I looked around and felt relief when I didn’t notice any blood or body parts around. Immediately after confirming that Din was probably alive elsewhere, I left the camp of wolves. I wasn’t even sure those were the same wolves we had ran into earlier, but I just had to believe Din was safe somewhere.
While searching for him, horrible thoughts wandered through my head. Things like what would I do if I’m unable to find Din. If Din is the only one that can see me, then that would mean I might as well not exist if he isn’t around.
Even if it was selfish to think about that without even knowing whether Din was safe or not, I just couldn’t help myself.
It all seemed unreal to me. All that had happened tonight from turning into a Spirit to dying and then living as a ghost. I was just happy that someone like Din could still see me. I’ll just have to make sure to find him and then leave all this worrying behind me.
Before I began calling his name out again, I saw him.
“Din!”
I rushed towards him, but then stopped when I noticed he was with another person.
She was an older lady with long black hair. Her red eyes were beautiful, immediately drawing my attention to them. She was wearing a black cloak over a black dress. She had a mature figure and a mischievous smile that would draw any person to her.
Din was standing in front of her, mesmerized by her looks.
“It’s been so long. I’m glad I can see you again, Din.”
The black haired lady said as she touched his face. “You may not know it now, but I’ve been searching for you for a long time. I can’t remember how long now, but it has felt like an eternity.”
Advertisement
“Who… are you?”
Din managed to ask a question. His stature had still yet to change.
The lady smiled. “You’ll find out soon enough, Din.”
After she removed her hands from his face, Din took a step back and demanded, “Answer me! Who are you and how do you know my name?”
Din showed her that he was serious by taking a fighting stance.
“You’re very eager to fight, aren’t you?”
Almost seeming to enjoy teasing Din, the lady licked her lips and then rested her hand on her hip.
“Telling you my name, that’s something I can’t do.” She giggled. “You’ll have to excuse me for that. But what I can tell you is why I’m here. You’re aware that Spirits are real by now, I assume?”
Din nodded slowly.
“Well, you can think of me as a guardian for Spirits. There’ve been many that’ve awakened within the capital and I’m moving there now to find them.”
“And how do you know about Spirits?”
To my surprise, Din asked her a question rather than taking all she said to face value. Closing her eyes, the lady giggled. Then, as she opened them, two pairs of black eyes replaced her previous red eyes.
“Does this answer your question?”
“But how? I thought…”
“Now, I feel like I’ve given away enough. I must proceed onward. But before that…”
She walked towards Din and then held his face once more.
“For now, this’ll have to do until we meet again.”
To my surprise, she leaned in to kiss Din. She was about 5 years older than him, but still seemed to feel no guilt in stealing a boy’s first kiss.
It was more irritating the fact that Din didn’t retaliate at all. Even after her long kiss, he only stood there, motionless.
“Farewell, Din.”
Before the lady turned around, she looked me straight into my eyes. Her eyes had reverted into the ruby red. She smiled. And in the blink of an eye, she vanished.
“What just…”
Even Din seemed baffled as to what had occurred just now.
I moved beside Din, who appeared to be staring blankly at the last spot the lady had been.
“Hello… is anybody in there? Are you still here with us, Din?”
Din frantically moved away from me.
“L-L-Lorelei?! W-When did you get here?”
“Just a second ago.”
“That woman just now… any idea who that might’ve been?”
I could only shake my head.
“Oh yeah, do you know where the two siblings are? I tried looking for everyone, but I ran into that woman instead. It was kind of scary being near her, but I just couldn’t bring myself to run away.”
“You’ve always been like that. Even when you were in front of a snake, you just stood in front of it. Do you remember that? Katherine had to come and pull you away.”
Din began to sulk. “No need to bring up a memory like that from so long ago. I was scared back then, but this time, it was more like I didn’t feel any danger from her.”
“She wasn’t carrying any weapons so I would assume she wouldn’t be a danger to you.”
“That’s not what I meant!”
He turned towards where I came from.
“Anyways, I’m hungry! So did you manage to find the other two?”
“Yeah, they’re in the village not too far from here. It’s a place called Teril. The place where we’ll be staying is kind of beat down so don’t expect much.”
“Teril… that actually means we’re close to my uncle.”
“Hm?”
“My uncle moved to a village called Sebraten, which is pretty close to Teril from what I remember. Okay, first thing in the morning, we’ll head out to Sebraten and talk with my uncle. I’m sure he’ll know more about Spirits and…”
Din paused.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
After seeming like he convinced himself of something just now, he turned to me with a bright smile. “I’m sure he knows how we can get your body back too! He’s a genius after all!”
Hearing Din say that confidently made me happy, but I knew he was only putting a positive expression so I wouldn’t feel down. That’s just one of the reasons why I love Din Morrison.
Advertisement
I Became a [Biologist] in a Fantasy World!
I loved Biology - always have, and always will. Unfortunately for me, years of fruitless research whittled away what little joy I had left in what I did. Escapism came in the form of reading isekai works, where the stresses of real life seemed so far away.Luckily, I was summoned to a fantasy world of magic, dragons, and other mythical beasts. I didn't even need to deal with the Demon Lord threat, since it seemed that my summoning was a mistake, and all they needed was the Hero who was coincidentally summoned together with me! There was no revenge subplot, no hidden trap directed against me, and they even paid me compensation for their mistake. At long last, I could finally do what I ever wanted to do - experiment for the fun of it!With my new class as a [Biologist], none of this fantasy world's mysteries will be left untouched. Even if the Demon Lord himself comes knocking, nothing will stop me from researching every nook and cranny there is to discover of the magical biology of this world! ----I write extremely casually, and purely for leisure. Updates will likely be irregular, depending on when inspiration strikes and whether I can spare the time to work on this. Don't expect too much out of this, and certainly not anything close to professional quality! Inspired by an overconsumption of Japanese light novels, manga, and anime... expect their influence to slowly but surely take hold.
8 213Dungeon 42
Things go awry when the forces of chaos recruit a new Dungeon Master. From underpaid pseudo taxi driver to underground murder labyrinth builder, one young ladies' life is getting flip turned upside down! I guess being a Dungeon is better than doing rideshare for a living? -The MC Extra BAD! -50 stars! -Not the Authors Ex Two thumbs up? I don't really "read" but she gave me a bag of chips so I reviewed it. -Unpaid Anonymous review Updates Tuesday & Friday Chat with me on the books discord!
8 205Grinding in Vast Martial World
I loved the consept of Mr.Puddles4263-sama when he wrote Vast Martial World and wonted to continue it. but isnce I still have hope that it'll get continued I will have it start with a different person and different sect. -Real Synopsos The story fallows young Patriarch Sam. A 12 year old homeschooled child with the habit of talking to himself, as he plays the new game Vast Martial World. After spinning the Lottery he gets the demon race Ivory Oni. Will he raise his sect to greatness or will it collapse under the weight of conflict both internal and external? Author I'm bad at writting but want to get better. Please help me become a great author and I'll do my best to write good stories for you.
8 190Thief of Time
[Participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge] Book 1: The Legend of Tot Synopsis: Claud Primus, a self-declared master thief, has a simple goal. To live forever. It's a rather easy task, for miraculous objects called lifestones are able to extend one's lifespan. These lifestones are best found in the treasuries of nobles, lovely resorts that Claud pays a visit to every so often. Unfortunately, one of those nightly visits go awry, and Claud is forced to escape with just a single lifestone and a box in hand. Normally, that's when things die down. The guards yawn, the gates close, and the night continues. But this time, the night isn't that forgiving. A dozen schemes result in the murder of someone important, and with a convenient scapegoat — Claud — at hand, it doesn't take long for him to be framed as a heinous criminal, wanted for the indirect murder of someone high up...and it just gets worse from there. Book 2: The Moon Lords' Rise Synopsis: As ordered chaos sweeps across Licencia, Claud leaves for Julan Barony, intent on making some profits there. Accompanied by the erstwhile heiress of Julan, a fellow member of the Moon Lords, the two plot against the barony's wealth...as well as a promise to bring about its downfall. Meanwhile, back home, the Moon Lords have busied themselves with digesting their gains. Eyes, however, are beginning to turn to this proverbial fish in a small pond. The fishermen are coming. When they cast their hook, what will Dia and the others do? Book 3: Murders under the Moons Synopsis: In the sleepy town of Nachtville, where Claud and Lily are forced to stop at, a set of nasty murders occurs. Victims scream out in fright, before a spear falls from the sky to end their suffering. Cowed and cautious, the master thief and his partner slink in the shadows, their objective that of home... A new task, however, has fallen on Dia. With a trusty helper at her side, she has to set off towards Nachtville itself, to solve the mystery Claud had abandoned. Faced with an enemy whose sole skillset is geared towards killing, how will they succeed? And what dark secrets will they find? Book 4: In the Dark of the Moons Synopsis: The year has ended. The four months of the full moons will soon be followed by two months of the new moons. Duke Istrel's ascension is around the corner. Amidst this political upheaval, Count Nightfall, Licencia's strongest defender, has been called away. The Moon Lords' largest task yet — to protect Licencia in the absence of its ruler — has begun. And yet, trouble is unrelenting. A distinguished personage, one that Claud fears, has been found dead in the county, his brains dug out and his body disemboweled. The inquisitors of the White Church have been dispatched to investigate and apprehend the murderer...as well as the person behind this puppet. Tormented by a call to fight, Claud directs his eyes out of the city, looking for the puppetmaster. Skulking in the shadows, the master thief will soon confront his greatest foe yet. A foe just like him. Book 5: Moonlit Tides and Darkened Seas Synopsis: A new era has begun. For the privileged, the sands of time dribble away for every passing moment, counting down to the arrival of a entity of mythical proportions. The night now harbours shadows and fog, and operatives of the Moons and the Dark clash in shadow. Claud, as usual, is investigating a spate of nasty disappearances in the city, but little does he know what these disappearances truly mean. And yet, a tide is coming. When it finally breaks, what will he do? Book 6: Secrets in Shadow Synopsis: The person behind a strike that would enter the annals of history flees his home, bringing with him the person closest to his heart into a new land and into a new world. Having left Istrel for the first time in his life, the two of them attempt to settle down in foreign lands, only to be caught in the middle of hostilities between two mighty powers grappling for dominion. Yet, none of that has anything to do with him. Following his desires, Claud eventually makes his way to the fabled Celestia Ruins, a fragment of another world. Bearing witness to truths he cannot yet comprehend, he returns from his exploration, a small break away from the machinations of destiny. One thing, however, is for certain. Destiny will not wait for him. Book 7: Reddest Rage Synopsis: Destiny churns on, heedless of mortal machinations, and Claud watches as the battlegrounds between the Moons and the Dark are drawn up. With the forces of the great Dark occupying Lostfon, Claud comes to a startling realisation — that he may have very well be a murderer of heinous proportions. Grappling with that realisation, he struggles to prepare for his Second Tutorial... Back in Istrel, Dia finds herself confronted with a perennial truth. Even in a time of writhing destiny, the machinations between nobles never cease to end — and unfortunately for her, the group once known as the Moon Lords are forced into dealing with a petty squabble between two counts. What they didn't account for, however, was the startling discovery they would soon make... And the shadow of the Red God's Holy Son behind it all. Book 8: Darkness Descends Synopsis: Nightmares haunt the horizon as Claud sinks and awakens from a seeming dream. What was once illusory begins to play out before him, in a way he cannot imagine. Dia, forced to wield arms, begins and ends a battle that opens her eyes to the vast dangers that lurk in this sundered world. Under the banner of humanity and divinity, she beholds the silent, forgotten protectors of Orb...but there is no forgetting the battle between the divinities. The Dark descends, the Moons writhe, and the horns of war blow once more. But this is not their battle. Not yet. Book 9: Moons Muster Synopsis: As more and more events fall into place, Claud finds himself desperate. Not for himself, but for the person who has turned into his world. Armed with the knowledge of a certain future, he approaches the only person that could possibly help him in his time of need, trading information for a promise of help. With that as solace, he returns to the grim task of understanding and seeking, revisiting an ancient, shattered fragment of another world...unleashing changes that he never knew was possible. Back in Istrel, Dia and the others must now navigate around a familiar spirit, who seeks to investigate the death of his master's Bearer. With them as prime suspects, the Seekers of Life must move carefully...but the Coloured Gods are not the only divinities eyeing them closely. The Moons, bristling from repeated defeats, are looking for new recruits, and the Seekers of Life are prime cannon fodder. Above all, destiny marches on, the unfeeling clock a warning to all. The Trial of Aeons will soon arrive. Book 10: Destiny Divine Synopsis: ??? Release frequency: one every few days or something, I guess. (This work is also being serialised on Webnovel under the name Revile as a trial run)
8 678Mud, Blood, and Magic
Life doesn't always go according to plan. For Samuel Caulfield, ex-Army Ranger and CIA contractor, the plan was kill, leave, and drink to forget. When his plans went off the rails, and he was cast with little intel to an unknown world full of Mages, Dragons, and Kings on the precipice of all-out war, he has to struggle with balancing uncomfortable emotions, nobility, and the horrors of a world at war.
8 129Out With The Old, In With The New
Chloe, Lila, and Marinette have been best friends for as long as they can remember, but when Chole tells Mari that most of her "friends" are fake she didn't wanna believe, so she sends Lila to do an inside job and low and behold Chole was right.Drastic times call for drastic minutes right?Let's just see if everything will turn out all right.
8 101