II

Summoned

『Summoning Day – Late Morning』

『Aventine – Capital of Epistylia – The Great Temple of Aventine』

“Father, the ritual is ready. Shall I begin?”

“Father, I am adamant that we not do this. We should not include otherworlders into our world's problems.”

“Beloved sister, we have no choice. The summoned saved us once, they will save us again. I have spent my entire life researching the 「Summoning Ritual」 and the gathering of 「Altar Stones」. Our eldest brother had perished at the hands of the Ossians whilst defending our lands. We have no choice, we must do this!”

“Enough, both of you. I have already made my decision. Go now, complete the ritual.”

““Yes father.””

Within the palace temple the emperor as well as his daughter watched as his son performed the 【Summoning Ritual】. In attendance were numerous priests and priestesses as well as the elite guardsmen, the Domestici. The altar was prepared by the priests while the priestesses performed numerous animal sacrifices to appease the gods.

“Beings from another world–”

The ritual began. Great lights flashed within the temple. Stronger. A rift appeared. Lights swirled gold and white then blue and green. The thunderous sound echoed. Ten forms began to take shape on the floor. Human forms. Their appearance clearly defined. The rift grew weaker and began to fade. Then a scream. A terrible scream.

The prince of the empire shrilled a pained scream as his body began to burn. Slowly he died an agonizing death. His corpse charred. His staff ashed. The altar shattered. The rift had faded. The lights had dimmed. The ritual had completed.

☘ ☘ ☘

『S-Day – Late Afternoon』

『Outskirts of the City of Liguria』

A 「Rift」 appeared in the sky, unlike those of the 「Ossian Rift」 with its violet coloring and streaks of red and silver, this was was a 「Summoning Rift」 of white and gold with streaks of blue and green. This drew the attention of a nearby patrolling contubernium, a unit of eight soldiers and two auxiliary servants, to quickly march to the area of activity.

It was past midday, the surrounding area was dotted with knolls and a bountiful forest which stretched past the horizon. Tensions were high as the contubernium arrived. Nearly an hour has passed since the soldiers had moved with haste to meet whatever it was that would be spawned from the 「Rift」. There they found a human unconsciously laying on the ground. Thought to be a child due to his young face, however, his height claimed that of an adult. Beside him was a cloth bag not unlike those the soldiers and adventurers used.

The soldiers' thoughts of awakening the sleeping person and interrogating him were stopped by the bellowing roar of a jungle turtle in the distance. The 「Rift」 had drawn the attention of other creatures.

“Protect the child! You two, make for the nearest village and call for reinforcements under orders of a legionary of the Eighteenth Legion!” The decanus, a commanding rank of a contubernium, ordered.

The two servants quickly left for the nearby village to fulfill their orders while the soldiers moved to battle formation to face the jungle turtle. A giant of a turtle, the jungle turtle stood nearly two meters tall and three meters wide. It charged at the formation with its sharp claws tearing through the wooden shields and leather armor. One lay dead and another critically injured.

The formation broke. The remaining soldiers moved to surround the turtle stabbing at its weak points. The eyes, the neck, the inner mouth and the legs. A soldier attempted to stab the eye, but failed and had an arm bitten off and legs crushed as the turtle moved over that person. Another tried to slash the hind leg, but was kicked and slashed by the claws of its hind leg. The other were left slashed and bleeding, but still able to move.

The jungle turtle ignored the soldiers and continued onto its target, the now awakened, observing Naoki Kuroba.

☘ ☘ ☘

Should I run?

I watched the giant turtle making a beeline towards my direction. With my condition, If I run I would not get far before collapsing. The remaining Roman soldiers were injured and unable to keep pace with the turtle.

My gun?

I looked at my rucksack beside me. No, I do not have time to dig it out before it reaches me.

My katana.

If I fight… I have no choice I am dead either way. I retrieved my katana and moved into an iaido stance preparing to draw my sword. My mind needed to be clear.

Fixed.

I fixed my position. Come closer.

Focused.

I focused the power of my attack.

Concentration.

I felt heat in my hands. I concentrated all my power into my first strike.

Now. Now. NOW!

“RAH!”

I drew my blade and swung at the turtle, but when I did something had followed the blade. A second blade, but made with fire, followed my attack. My first strike cut deep its neck and the 《Fire Strike》followed through burning its wound and part of its shell.

Was that… fire?

I was too distracted by what I saw that I could not dodge its attack in time. I moved back as quickly as I could, but the turtle's claws slashed my abdomen.

“Ah...”

I felt pain. I could feel it hurting. It was too much to handle that I fell backwards. The turtle, as well, suffered from its own wound and lurched forward falling atop me.

Then my vision faded.

〈Ding〉

☘ ☘ ☘

『S-Day - Early Evening』

“Oomph! Ugh, how much does this monster weigh?!”

“Quickly, we need to get him out. Okay, now, pull!”

A group of adventurers arrived from a nearby village to lend aid and reinforce the legionaries. When the 「Rift」 was first seen that day an alarm was rung and a call for aid had already been made. By the time the auxiliary servants had made it to the village a group of adventurers were already prepared to move. After information was relayed, the adventurers swiftly departed.

The adventurers were prepared for a horde of Ossians, but was met with an already dead jungle turtle and injured humans. Assessing the situation, they scattered to organize the injured and find out what had happened. The least injured legionary explained to them and the adventurers discovered another person beneath the turtle's corpse.

“Is he still alive?”

“Yes, but his wound is deep. Call Claritia over here.”

A young girl came as instructed and saw the young man on the ground.

“Claritia, how are the others?”

“Um, t-two have succumbed to their wounds, one is missing an arm, but his legs should recover with more healing. The other four have light in-injuries in comparison. I-I still have enough mana to treat this one.”

“Do it.”

The healer began a short chant and light bloomed from her hands that was placed over the young man's wound. But as soon as she did so an oddity occurred.

“Gah!”

“What happened?!”

“I-I don't know! The magic was rejected somehow...”

“He's moving and he looks in pain! Boss, hurry and think of something!”

“Because the wound is deep, pouring a healing potion would only heal the outer area of the wound. We would need to open his wound further to pour the potion inside, but ripping him open might kill him.”

“I know what to do!”

The young healer took out a vial and with a determined look, took a mouthful of a reddish liquid and quickly placed her mouth over the young man's mouth. She pushed as much of the liquid into his mouth using her tongue as a guide and with her hand, moved his throat to force him to swallow.

“Okay that's good, he's healing. Now bandage him up and lets sort out this place. Claritia, good work, but where did you learn that?”

“In the 「Healers Guild」, my instructor demonstrated it to us, but had said it was uncommon to be used since most healing magic was sufficient.”

“Hm? This sword is blue. You don't think…?” The man whose strength lifted the jungle turtle noticed the odd sword, but was interrupted by the appearance of a legionary.

“The child lives? That is good news. You, adventurers, I offer you my gratitude. Most of my men live due to your intervention. Now I have a request for you.

“Scribe! Write these orders down.” One of the auxiliary servants took a wax-filled tablet and began writing down the orders.

Before night came the contubernium and adventurers began to set up camp save for a single party which was making preparations to depart with young man. The jungle turtle would spoil on the way to the capital so it was decided to butcher and use the meat while the leather and shell was to be given to the young man for his part in slaying the beast.

When the food was distributed, the party began their leave towards the capital of the empire: Epistylia.

“He owns a blue sword, what else does he have?”

“We mustn't! If it becomes known we have stolen from a 「Summoned」 we could be crucified!”

“I'm merely curious young one.”

“Still, personal property is personal property!”

“You seem pretty defensive over him, have you fallen for him already?”

“T-that…no I have not!”

“Haha. I wonder if the legends about 「Summoned」 are true, what do you think boss?”

“...「Summoned」, huh.”

☘ ☘ ☘

『S-Day +1 – Early Morning』

『Outside the City of Liguria』

*Squirm*

I felt an odd sensation in my spine. Is it morning already? It was not the same pain I was accustomed to so I was confused at this feeling.

*Squirm*

It felt as if slick threads slithered up towards my neck. It was a disgusting feeling.

*Crack*

“Guh!” I felt my spine cracking. The pain surged immediately waking me from sleep. It felt as if my spine was breaking apart. I reached for my painkillers, I need more than normal. This was to much.

“Kyaa!”

I felt something soft, it was too dark to see. Was it Alicia? No, it felt bigger than Alicia's. Where are my pills?

“Est aliquid iniuriam?”

“Me arreptaque aliquid!”

What the fuck?

I was even more confused. That sounded like really bad Latin spoken by someone reading from a machine translator. But my thoughts clouded back to the surge of pain. I need my pills. Reaching in my pocket, I searched for my phone. In between surges of pain I managed to get the flashlight on. I ignored the voices of surprise and their, I am guessing, questions in a different language and started searching for my rucksack.

I was in some kind of covered wagon and there were three people with me. They stared with shocked at the me who was shining my flashlight looking around. There it was, just out of reach. I moved my hand trying to grasp it. The pain continued to surge. I became aware of more pain emanating from my abdomen as well. Panic began setting in. It couldn't be reached.

It hurts. It hurts. It hurts.

Calm. Comfort. Tranquility.

When I thought those words a sudden wave washed over me. The pain receded slightly and I was able to think clearly. I pointed at my rucksack hoping the big guy could figure it out. He continued speaking, but I still could not understand. He took my rucksack and moved it close to me. When he did so I was able to reach for my medication and took a large dose of painkillers.

Finally I was able to calm down. The pain was dulled. I could rest easy. I still cannot understand what the hell these people are saying. When my twenty minutes passed I was able to sit up. After taking the rest of my medication I took out my tablet that had a machine translator app that I used when I played one of my strategy games. It had a lot of roman words that made me curious so I would look it up. I started translating the best I could.

〈Ding〉

What was that?

I had thought I heard a ding sound in my head, but I could hear footsteps outside the wagon so maybe it came from there. Ignoring it I tried to understand what was going on and what had happen. I, maybe, understood three fucking words. I have no idea how to spell anything they said so translating it was pointless. At least they could understand some of what I said. They gave me some dried meat, hard bread and vinegar water. Since I was not able to taste it it was fine.

During the travel, of which I have no idea where we were headed, the cute girl with pink and brunette hair kept trying to perform magic on me. That surprised me. Magic. Healing magic. It fucking hurt! I thought she was trying to torture me for information, but the big guy made a cut on his hand and she healed it. The blood that spilled out remained, but the wound closed as if it was never there. For whatever reason, it did not work on me.

If this was a fantasy world then that meant little to no electricity. I had to keep my electronics off. I kept my phone on, with no service available, to keep track of day and time and managed to trickle charge it with my solar charger. Thank you Rich for this expensive prototype phone with prototype battery cells. I will buy a mil… I will buy one if I ever get back.

During the nights I was able to taste the food they gave me. It was absolutely disgusting. The meat was over salted and the bread was too gritty. I cannot believe they actually drink vinegar water. At least their soups and porridge was okay, if a little bland. They really need to learn what broth is.

Every so often my stomach would bleed and I would cough up blood. When that happened they made me drink some pink goop. It looked nothing like a healing potion from games, but it tasted okay and it made the hurt go away.

After traveling for six days we passed by large gates with large walls. We made it to the capital.

☘ ☘ ☘

『S-Day +7』

『Capital City of Aventine - Inner Palatial Halls』

I was escorted through mosaic floored hallways, the healer helped me walk my arm around her shoulders. The big guy carried my rucksack and, I guess, their leader walked in front. Two more people followed closely behind and around us was a different group with weird looking axes. Might be fasces, if it is then they might be bodyguards, lictors I think.

We made it to the throne room and I saw two people, an adventurer looking person and what looks like a kingly person. It seems the group knows the adventurer person by the way they talk to each other. Maybe he was sent ahead as a messenger. The party leader spoke with the king person and a conversation began. I was too tired to care about trying to listen and just leaned on the girl.

She's soft

My thoughts drifted until I heard something heavy being carried. When I looked I saw a giant turtle shell, it was covered in dried moss and there was a large burn mark on one end.

So it died then? Good.

“Et ibi sunt undecim.”

More dialogue that I did not care about took place. I had taken out my phone and took some pictures since this place looked impressive.

Wait, eleven? Eleven what?

Then I saw a cute girl with dark black/blue hair wearing a toga. No, I think women were something else it should be called a stola. That should be what roman women wore.

Wait, where did she come from?

She approached the king person and left the area only to come back a minute later with something in her hands. She went to the party leader and handed her a pouch that jingled then bowed. Then she went to me and handed me another pouch and bowed. She moved to take over the healer's place and had me lean on her.

“Quod unum ad vos pertinet.” The party leader said to me pointing at the girl, but still, no idea what she is talking about.

I looked at the girl and guess that she was going to take me somewhere to rest. It would be nice to have a bath. Six or so days without one makes me feel disgusting. Also, the wound might become infected.

“I need a bath. ...Bath? Bathus? Balineum?”

“Sic dominus.” She bowed.

I guess that would be a yes. Wait, master?

Before leaving the throne room I turned to the other people and bowed. They did the same and I took a picture of them. At least the flash did not go off, they might freak out. I took another picture of the healer girl… for sentimental reasons. Yes, that is a good reason. They obviously had a confused look.

We walked for some time while being escorted by the axemen. I observed everything around and noted how everything was so… fancy. The statues, the paintings, the furniture, the architecture, the plants. All of it was amazing. Eventually it started to get less impressive, still impressive in its own right, but not compared to the palatial area.

We stopped at a building and the girl said something to the guards. The guards left my rucksack on the ground, saluted and left, leaving the girl and me alone. We climbed upstairs then walked to another door. It reminded me of my apartment complex.

“Insula.” She pointed.

“Insula should mean island?… No, apartment?”

She opened the door and helped me enter while a person that came out of nowhere carried in my rucksack and followed us within. The insula was not the same as the ones I had learned about, but was still connected to other insulae. It was smaller than my apartment back home. The room on the left looked like a closet or coatroom, on the right a dining room. We walked further in and there was an open area like a living room. The bathroom to the far left, bedroom at the center end and a kitchen on the right.

I took my rucksack from the boy that followed us. The girl spoke to him and then he left. She guided me into the bathroom and I saw almost modern plumbing. Straight in was a sink with faucet, my left had a counter top area to place items so they would not get wet, next to that was smaller room for the toilet, on my right was a stone bathtub and next to the tub was a showering area with piping above. I was impressed at the level of technology these people possessed since most stories had much more primitive technology.

I placed my rucksack onto the counter and took out toiletries and clothing. I also took more painkillers since I finally had time. I turned around when I had heard some shuffling.

Hm, she is naked.

The girl removed her clothing and placed it on the counter next to my belongings. She was completely naked and did not cover anything. She tied her dark blue hair up and I saw her breast jiggle to her movements. She had beautifully pale skin, alabaster, she was not as slender as Alicia, but was skinnier than her friend, whose name I still cannot remember. When I looked lower I noticed that she did not have hair down there.

“Dominus?” She pulled out a clay jar and a sickle. Then tried to guide me to the showering area.

I knew what they were, oil to cover the body and a strigil to scrap it off. I pointed to the items and waved them off. She had a confused look when I showed her the items I held. I carried it over and began to undress. A little nervous because she kept watching me. She took my clothing and placed it at the counter then returned and began filling the tub.

This is so weird. The last person I bathed with was Honoka and she hadn't grown 'those' yet.

I started to shower. She was surprised when I used shampoo, then again when I used a bath cloth and body wash. I was surprised when she started touching me, rubbing and massaging my back. I handed her the cloth and let her scrub me down.

Whatever, when in Rome, I guess.

I looked down at my wound. It was mostly healed and had scabbed over. I supposed healing potions were not very strong. It still hurt when I put pressure on it. The girl carefully washed my front. It was incredibly awkward how close she was. Feeling her skin on me. Feeling her hands glide over me. She was careful with my wound before moving lower to clean between my legs. Felt weird to let her do that, but whatever it also felt nice. Then I did the same to her, shampooing her hair, scrubbing her body and cleaning her… down there.

We rinsed off and I felt incredibly refreshed. A first shower in a week. Then she said something.

“Dominus fellare.”

Hm, fellare, what does that mean?

I felt an intense feeling that caused my vision to turn white.

“Oh my god...”

When I was able to think clearly I was back on the floor and in front of me was the girl covering her mouth and swallowing. I saw what she could not swallow on her chin dripping down her chest and to her legs. Moments passed and she urged me into the tub then went back to clean herself up before joining and sitting next to me. The water was very hot and relaxing.

After bathing I tried myself with my towel then did the same to the girl. My curiosity became too much so I reached out and cupped one of her breast in my hand.

“Nn.”

She let out a cute moan. I let go after a minute or so satisfied with the feel of her.

Hm, slightly bigger than Alicia’s, but softer. I think that healer girl was even more soft.

I took my toothbrush, toothpaste and floss over to the sink and started cleaning my mouth. I started with flossing since I had six or seven days worth of cured meat stuck in my teeth. There was no mirror so I could check if there was any food left, but thankfully I had bought one before the trip. All clean. Then I brushed my teeth.

Before we left the bathroom the girl kept trying to tell me something, but I could not understand. Maybe something about food. I really am not sure. After changing into clean clothes I took my rucksack into the bedroom.

The bed was fairly small, maybe a full size or slightly smaller. The bedroom itself was surprisingly modern albeit sparsely decorated. There was an exit leading into a balcony, which was nice. I noticed there were workers moving around. One carried pieces of wood back and forth from an outdoor storage to the first floor of the building. He looked at me and bowed before continuing his work.

I remembered the girl had given me a pouch so I took it out and poured out its contents on the bed. Coins. Gold coins. After counting, it was one-hundred and twenty gold coins. It looked like authentic roman era coinage.

Is this a lot?

I had absolutely no idea what the value of anything was. I put most of the coins back into the pouch and pocketed three coins. Maybe I can go shopping tomorrow. No, I can not even understand the language, I would be scammed easily. I looked over at the girl who kept watching me. Maybe I can have her as a proxy.

While I sorted through my pack and making sure everything was in order the girl kept trying to talk to me. Eventually she started to pantomime eating. It took some time to work out, but I think she wanted to take me outside somewhere.

“Convivium.” Was what she kept repeating.

I took the time to look it up on my tablet. 'Feast' was what it said. Thinking about it, it would help me understand this place a bit. So I tried to tell her yes. I think it got through.

I also checked one more thing. I reached into the bottom of my rucksack and undid the secret compartment. And pulled out my case. My 9mm handgun and accessories was nestled inside. I took out my pistol and started to do a function check. Removed magazine, checked slide, cleared chamber, released slide stop, inserted empty magazine, checked magazine release, squeezed trigger on safety, squeeze trigger off safety. Everything check out okay.

Then I checked the tactical light by attaching it to the rail. It clipped on smoothly. Tighten the lock, checked the green laser, checked the light, checked the laser/light combo, checked the finger flicks, checked the thumb flick, checked the strobe, loosened the lock, unequipped light and placed it in my pocket.

Next was the bullets. Single case of fifty rounds of 9mm. thirty full metal jacket, ten jacketed hollow point, and ten soft point bullets. I loaded fifteen rounds of fmj into the magazine. Doubled checked the safety then loaded the magazine. No round was chambered. I placed the pistol behind me, tucked into my pants since I had no holster. I wore my hoodie over it to keep it hidden. Then I took my sword and tied it onto my pants. No longer feeling weakened we quickly walked out.

“Yoshi~, ikuzo!”

☘ ☘ ☘

『Summoned Quarters – Dining Hall』

“So why exactly do we have to do this every night?”

“Um, because we need food to live?”

“Shut up asshole. You know what I mean.”

“Well, the princess did call us and said it was something important …I think.”

“Yeah, I still have no idea how to structure their god damn language.”

“At least we can understand some things.”

“Their food is fucking terrible though.”

The ten students gathered around the table were conversing, lightly wondering if something was going on. Since having been summoned, they had not understood the words of the people in this world and were confused with some becoming belligerent, terrified at suddenly appearing onto solid ground from a moving bus.

The nearby priests and priestess tried to calm them the best they could. The Domestici moved to keep the emperor and princess safe. The emperor had rushed to the body of the fallen prince. Simple chaos. Screams were heard from the summoned when they finally saw the charred body laying on the floor. It took hours to be able to calm and communicate with the students, much of which was by pantomime.

They were lead to a dining area and given food and drink. Each one given a place to sleep within the palace. Some students decided to share a room to feel more secure. The following day they were lead to a teaching area and had instructors begin teaching them the native language. Many noted the similarities to earth latin. Before nightfall they would be lead to the dining area to eat. Few resisted, however, and remained locked in their rooms. Eventual coaxing by the others brought them out and joined them in their new daily life.

Over the days that followed they were able to learn various things, though their grasp of the language was still immature. Numbers were quickest to grasp as they followed earth latin. They learned time, eerily similar to earth at twenty-four hours, sixty minutes and sixty seconds. They learned the weeks were six days, months were five weeks and years were thirteen months. The students became more compliant, but still wanted answers. 'Solving the language barrier would give them the answers they needed.' was their consensus.

On the seventh day since their summoning the princess, who had acted as their liaison, had told them that there would be something important to discuss. It was still difficult to understand, but few somewhat understood. The students were seated at the dining tables enjoying, or rather, tolerating the dinner and conversing about things which had happened and plans of what to do when a call was made and the guards rushed to the opening door.

All eyes focused on this development and watched as a young girl with dark blue hair and deep blue eyes entered. They had seen her before, a servant to the princess, but today she was not seen. Their curiosity of why was answered.

☘ ☘ ☘

I walked in through the door following the girl to the quiet room that turned out to be a dining room. There were familiar people seated around the table.

“Oh what the fuck are you doing here?!”

Tch. He's here?

“Tch. He's here?”

“What was that?!”

Oops, I said that out loud. I looked at the annoying person that voiced out loud his surprise. I wasn't happy that I would have to be dealing with him here.

“Onii-chan!”

Eh? Alicia?

I immediately turned my focus on the voice I had hoped I would not hear, but she too was stuck here in this world. Alicia quickly stood up and ran to me pulling me into a deep embrace. Showered me with kisses which I returned. Our lips met and my hands wandered, caressing her, firmly grasping her butt. Our tongues met and after a few seconds she pulled back staring at me.

“Alicia.”

The only thing I could say. When she heard that she embraced me once more resting her head on my shoulder.

“Holy shit, I want in on that. Naoki baby, I missed you so mu-”

One of the other girls stood up from her seat and rushed over to us. I recognized her as someone from Chad's group. When Alicia heard that she pulled back and turned her head to the girl, giving her a death glare.

“Damn Ali, no need to be scary.” She backed off and sat down.

“Seriously Zoe?”

“What? He's hot.”

“Horny slut.”

“Careful or I might stop giving you pussy.”

“Onii-chan, what happened? Why weren't you with us when that thing happened?”

“Starving, need food. Let's go sit down first.”

Alicia pulled me to a chair next to her and we both sat down. Someone else greeted me and I did greeted back.

“Hey, Naoki.”

“You're here too...”

“You don't sound glad to see me.” She pouted.

“It means you're stuck here too.”

“Oh, yeah. It's lame here, there's no wifi and our phones don't work. Also we can't charge our phones because, you know, no electricity.”

Food was delivered to me by one of the servants and I began to eat. The others resumed eating as soon as I did. The drink was the same vinegar water, it still tasted terrible.

“They call it posca, it's sour wine mixed with water and herbs. It tastes terrible. So is the food, they actually eat mice. Can you believe that?! Gross...”

“Un, yeah, it is.” I drank the cup empty as I was also thirsty from the walk.

I signaled to the girl that escorted me by raising my cup to her and tried to communicate what I wanted.

“Vino… vinus… vi… um.” I turned to the others and asked. “Were you able to understand the language?”

“Somewhat, they've been teaching us, try vinum”

“Vinum” The girl spoke with one of the servants and walked out of the room.

“So why the hell are you here and why is that girl with you?”

“Chad don't start.”

I ignored him and continued eating. The food was… well, it was better than what I had been eating since coming here. The girl came back with an amphora and filled my cup. I drank it in one sitting. It was still watered down, but it was not sour. I looked over to the girl.

“Stronger… fortis.”

“Fortior.” Alicia's friend offered.

The girl looked a bit shocked when she heard that, but regained composure and bowed again before leaving. She came back with another amphora and poured me another drink. It was much stronger and much tastier too. It had some sweetness mixed in with its fruitiness. I think honey was mixed in.

“It's good.” I looked at the girl and nodded my satisfaction. She looked relieved, but somewhat uneasy. The other servants began replacing the posca with the stronger wine.

“Can I try some?”

“You got drunk from a sip when you spent the night, are you sure?”

““You what?!””

Ah, oops, I forgot the others were here. Oh, that person has an anger vein again.

That was unintentional, letting that slip. That was One-hundred… eighty percent not provocation. Yes, I will go with that.

“Y-you're right, did… no, back on topic. What happened to you?”

“Woke up on a grassy knoll and got chased by a turtle.”

“Haha a turtle?! Fucking loser.”

I ignored the minion.

“What about you?”

“Some temple. Bunch of cultists in robes. Oh yeah, a barbequed guy. That was fun. You missed out.” So Alicia's friend said.

Another girl came into the room and joined us. She was seated near the end of the table and was surrounded by bodyguards. I looked over to Alicia.

“That one is?”

“Princess, the barbequed guy Veronica mentioned was her brother or fiance, I think I’m mixing up the words though.”

“I see.”

So her name is Veronica, huh? She's cute.

I turned to the princess.

“Ave.” I said with a light bow. I took out my phone and took a picture of her. Whoops, the flash went off. This startled everyone and the bodyguards began to move. The girl that was with me managed to stop everyone and I guess explain what happened.

She's pretty.

“She's pretty.” I realized I said that out loud and turned to Alicia who was staring at me. I stared back for a few seconds thinking of what to say.

“But Alicia is prettier.” This made her smile and went back to eating.

“Smooth.” Said someone or whatever.

The princess started talking to me, but the escort girl interrupted her and they talked for some time. The others were focused trying to listen in. I continued eating and drinking. The others also drank the same wine I was drinking.

“Dude, how are you not drunk? This stuff is strong.” One of the guys seated next to Alicia whispered seeing that this was my...eighth-ish up. I remembered him from homeroom, but did not know his name.

“I am drunk.” Not exactly a lie, but my medication nullifies some of the effects of alcohol.

The princess started speaking to us and Alicia was translating for me. It seems there would be magic and combat training starting the next morning. She had also congratulated me on my defeat of the jungle turtle, which she claimed would take a well equipped contubernium to take down. Most of the others were impressed.

“Not that impressive.” Said the minion, I think.

There was also mention of having the shell and leather for me to use and experts that can craft armor from it. I had Alicia tell her that I would like to speak with them at a later time.

When dinner started to wind down and I had my fill I was ready to return to my room. The girl came to assist me while I saw Alicia and Veronica talking. Then she came up to me.

“Onii-chan, I want to get something from my room, would you wait for me?”

I nodded and a few minutes later everyone else had left leaving me and the girl alone. She sat next time and since we were alone I took the opportunity to fool around with her a little. Just a little groping. They feel very nice in my hand. She was blushing the whole time. Not long after Alicia came back and saw what I was doing.

“Having fun? How's her boobs?”

“Very soft. Ah that's right. Alicia I’m sorry I may have cheated on you a little.”

“Cheated? You're just playing with her tits.”

“Well, that's also technically cheating, but what I mean is that early today she gave me oral. I’m really sorry.”

“Oh, that's it? Not really a problem and if you really were sorry you would have let go of her boobs.”

Though I was confused about her lackluster response we got up and left to the apartment.

“Oh, this place. This is where most of the servants live, I think. The language is still hard to understand.”

Alicia and the girl would speak while we walked and she would translate some of the things they spoke of for me. After climbing the steps to the insula we made our way inside and I started to get ready for bed. Alicia went to brush her teeth first, I guess she had brought her toothbrush with her, and I went to put away my weapons. I also prepared my medication for tomorrow and set it near the bed.

Alicia and I talked for awhile while in bed. She lay on my left side and rested her head on my shoulder. The girl came in and moved to lay beside me. I objected at first, but Alicia told me it was fine. The two of them spoke a bit then Alicia told me that she had told Veronica to start packing their things. It was decided that the two of the would move in to the apartment next door.

“By the way onii-chan, did you have sex with that girl?”

“No, of course not.”

“Why not?”

Eh?