The mansion is goddam huge. Who needs such a luxarious and grand place for temporarily staying somewhere. Well, I guess only royalty and such. Besides the point. The area the mansion occupies is around 250 square meters alone. And the fenced area surrounding the mansion is quite big aswell. I think it is finally hitting me that Samantha is truly royalty with how she acts around people other than me and Jared. I suppose it has something to do with being her saviour and all that.

''Joe, I do hope you will accept my hospitality fully.'' (Samantha)

I can feel the scheming mind behind those eyes looking at me full of expectations. I knew she was talented in many things and she clearly wants me as a chess piece. I will not succumb to the lusts of life, for long atleast. I should be able to escape even if, I enjoy it for a little while. It can't be that addicting can it? Svor do back me up.

Don't worry. If it gets truly bad, I can always take control for a bit and make you forget it.

Thanks for the reassurance. Now let's enjoy the treatment of nobles for a bit.

''Thanks for having me. My manners might not be very good, but I will do my best not to be an embarrasment for you.'' (Joe)

I can feel the smirk Samantha has on her face right now. It really gives me the chills. I should escape her grasp in a day or two huh. I don't want to get tangled up with the world of backstabbing upper ranks. Truly a tragedy how envy, greed and lust destroys the beaty of so many things. I also do like to see the world and shit. Fighting is also quite fun when it's not against impossible odds. Sometimes mindless goblin slaying can be very relaxing. Highly recommend it to the high level people around. Nothing like watching those green little lusty fuckers turn into popsicles and blow up in a fountain of bloody ice blocks. Truly a piece of art when you can get it just right. One would think someone like Jared could appreciate the sport more, truly a dissappointment.

'Sha sha' (Jenn)

''Do not hesitate to call on the servants for any of your needs.'' (Samantha)

No don't you wink at me. I thought you were more pure than this. Is she the kind of person with different modes. Does her persona change depending on the surroundings? These questions won't haunt me when it's this obvious atleast. What does haunt me is the implications and methods that are being used right out the gate.

''I will relay my needs to the servants, if necessary. Though, I truly don't want to impose on you so once, I get some money, I will take my leave.'' (Joe)

''Oh don't be such a stranger. I could never think of it as imposing when you saved my life.'' (Samantha)

''Wait, when did, I save your life?'' (Joe)

IT'S A TRAP, I REPEAT IT'S A TRAP.

Aaaand fuck. Now all of the servants are going to spread rumours huh. This sly little devil forcing me into her faction without asking anything. I hope the guild provides some political immunity.

''Young lady, the dinner is ready now.'' (Maid)

''Oh perfect timing. Let us continue this lovely banter in the dining hall.'' (Samantha)

''I can't deny being hungry after all that has happened today, so let us do that.'' (Joe)

The maid guided us to the large dining hall which was clearly made for high nobles. The table was huge capable of having atleast 30 people seated comfortably. I can already smell some wine in the air and the feeling when sitting down the feeling is that of a nobles residence indeed. Truly the more cultured in manners and degraded in morality. I think, I should stop reminding myself of my hate against politics now.

''I do hope the foods provided will satisfy your palet. We have the best chef in Lidor to cook for us so the quality should definetly be guaranteed. Don't worry about complaining if it doesn't suit your tastes however, I'm sure the chef won't mind at all.'' (Samantha)

''I'm sure the food will be the best I've tasted in a very long time, so don't worry. Jared provided many different tastes, more on the bad side in the name of getting used to shit food.'' (Joe)

Samantha just continues to smile at me after sending a quick look towards Jared. He seems to get a bit jolted with that stare. Does every transmigrator that he meets have to deal with the bullshit he comes up with. If that truly is the case and the gods do it on purpose just for fun, I have to pity everyone who had to deal with the old fucker. It takes no time at all for the food to arrive and they seem to have prepared a feast. Truly some exquisite foods on display here with some rare wines from what, I can tell. The wine also happened to be very strong and caused me to get fairly drunk soon. Svor take the handles now. And with that my time awake comes to an end.

Oh dear me, to have to deal with these kinds of things everytime. Truly our body can take the alcohol well, but Joe himself just blanks out fast. It is exhausting to deal with the constant sneak-in attempts from the maids during the night. Samantha is clearly employing every trick she can to try and rope us into her faction here. Not to worry, it is too early for us to settle down and deal with society in an extended manner.

In the morning

Good god what the hell was in that wine. Thank god, Svor can take the handles when that happens. Truly a mystery how the alcohol doesn't seem to affect Svor in the slightest. Getting dressed and moving downstairs breakfast is being still prepared. It seems Samantha is still sleeping, most likely because of the journey. I start eating breakfast quite early to everyone else. Samantha shows up as, I'm about half done with my breakfast. She seems a bit out of it still, most likely the alcohols doing. After finishing breakfast and enjoying the excellent tea served, Samantha says something a bit suprising.

''I would like you to accept a nominated request.'' (Samantha)

''If it's coming from you, I don't think I have the ability to even refuse. Aslong as it's not something completely out of the realms of possibility, I will do it.'' (Joe)

''Right, I received a report yeasterday at the guild that a mysterious curse is creating a famine at a nearby village. I would like you to investigate and see if you it's in your power to deal with it. It is not required for you to solve the issue, the minimum is to figure out the reason for it.'' (Samantha)

''That seems reasonable to me. I will accept the commission.'' (Joe)

''Great. The village of Potra is a day away from Lidor on foot. Let me give you a map of the surrounding area so you don't get lost.'' (Samantha)

Wait, aren't maps like really expensive. Like this detailed map alone would fetch atleast a couple gold. You sure you want to give something so valuable to me princess? Well not that, I won't take this kind of bribery.

''Any additional info you can give me on the village that would be helpful?'' (Joe)

''The area around the village contains a lot of clay which is used to make the villages specialty pottery. The amount of beasts around the surrounding area is quite low thanks to the large areas of clay being the growing place for a certain plant that beasts and animals hate. I don't know much else about the village. I am sorry for the lack of better info.'' (Samantha)

''No that is plenty enough for me. You wouldn't send me to investigate something like this if you knew a lot about it, so it's expected. If that is all, I will now take my leave for the village. I should be able to get there before sundown, if I leave now.'' (Joe)

''Very well. I wish you a safe trip.'' (Samantha)

Exiting from a side entrance to not draw any attention, I leave the mansion behind to leave for the village. Samantha did give me a bit of funds to get some supplies, but I think I will be fine with saving the money.

Ah yes, you always were a scrooge. Seriously you try and save money in the weirdest ways sometimes.

Oh please shut up Svor. I just don't feel it necessary at all to buy supplies like food. I also don't need a tent since, I can use earth magic to make a shelter. And Jenn can provide a constant light aswell. Walking through town with such thoughts, I can finally truly pay attention to the town life around here. Shopkeepers and stall owners are busy setting up shop in the morning while the citizens are busy with their own business. Truly a harmonious blob of people just trying to get by.

Small kid, most likely a pickpocket coming from behind.

Hey Svor, what is the local punishment for pickpockets again?

You are at most allowed to cut of a finger from them if they attempt it. Still I wouldn't recommend doing it to a kid. Just do something not so permanent to the fellow. He's reaching for the pouch now.

Deciding to play with the kid a bit, I allow him to take the pouch from me to try and dissapear into the crowd. Too bad for him, I can use magic. Svor do me a favor and freeze his legs in place. It only takes a bit for the kid to scream and the crowd to disperse around the kid, whose legs are now encased in ice.

''Don't try and pickpocket people kid. I hope this will be a lesson for you. I'm still more on the lenient side of people, but try and get a legit job. And if you can't, atleast don't be a leech on society by stealing from the hard working people just trying to get by in life.'' (Joe)

I then proceed to cause his arm to freeze for a moment to cause a painful burning sensation. It won't leave permanent damage, but man does it sting a fuckton. Hopefully it will teach the kid a lesson to stop stealing. The guards show up so disperse the gathering crowd, and see the kid trapped in ice. They ask me what happened and they are satisfied with my explanation. Telling them about the administered punishment makes them cringe a bit. According to this kid has been caught multiple times, but people have been hesitant to punish such a small kid harshly. Most likely the reason for him to not change his ways.

''Kids like these won't learn with just words. You really do need to teach them the pain such a path will bring.'' (Joe)

With that final event, I leave Lidor behind to make my way towards Potra. My first adventure in a true sense, I suppose. Let's try and make it a success. Let us also not be stereotypical goody two-shoes. Seriously be realistic in reality. Escapism is a very bad thing, though sometimes the despair it brings gives you a new outlook on life as a whole. Some people snap in a good way. Personality change isn't always bad.

Something, we are a living proof of huh. Though doesn't my existance count as escapism at it's finest? What do you have to say on the matter Jenn?

'Sha, sha sha' (Jenn)

That is an interesting view you have on the matter. Truly a nice thing to have a third companion for more opinions and views.