I just wanted to let everyone who reads this series to know that releases will begin to slow down. School is getting closer, and I won't have time to write a chapter every day. It won't be terribly slow, but I just wanted to give everyone a heads up if a chapter were not to come out. Don't worry. There won't be a hiatus. The plus side is that the chapters are getting longer. Anyway, Enjoy!

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Returning to Itsuki

Bruno: “Oh dear, I feel like I’ve had my body in supplication for so long despite only doing so for half a minute. I must be getting old.”

Itsuki: “Nah Bruno, the goddess came and talked to us. She froze time in order to speak to us for a while.”

Bruno: “What! Incredible! Was she as majestic as we imagine?”

Since Artemis did so much for him, Itsuki figured he could give the goddess some lip service as thanks.

Itsuki chuckled at his enthusiasm: “Of course! She was elegant and mature beyond words. I hope to meet her again. Anyway, we clearly finished a bit too quickly. Do you think the Head Priestess will be out soon?”

Natalia: “I’m here.”

Both Bruno and Itsuki turned around at the sound of the voice to come face to face with a woman with long black hair and rimmed glasses. She carried the maturity of a 60 year old woman, but her features would more accurately describe her as a youthful 40 year old. Pinpointing her age was extremely difficult, and asking her about it would probably be rude. Standing behind her with a red face was Polly Dreamstone, the priestess apprentice earlier mentioned.

Itsuki: “Hello, Head Priestess. My name is Itsuki Hideyoshi.”

Natalia: “Hello…Itsuki. You too, Bruno.”

Natalia was already stunned by the appearance of the young man in front of her. Polly did say that the man was handsome, but this level was definitely something else.

Bruno: “Haha Natalia, you should stop by the inn again. I’m sure you’ve been working your butt off as usual.”

Natalia: “Haha, I really have to. Sarah might already be mad at me for not seeing her for the past few months. Anyway, Itsuki, I have to ask. Are you truly a conductor?”

Itsuki: “Yes, I am.”

Veri: “Didn’t I tell you already Itsuki? It’s hard believing that you of all people is a conductor haha!”

Itsuki: “Gah! Veri, must you make fun of me every time this happens?!!”

Natalia: “Incredible. A conductor and a pixie. Two of the rarest things in the world are in front of me right now haha. I feel that the goddess probably talked to you here didn’t she? If you don’t mind, could you tell me what she said concerning this destiny of yours that would require Polly?”

Bruno and Polly both looked at Itsuki, readying themselves for what he was about to say. But they were not prepared for such an insane quest. Itsuki, fearful of what the full truth would do to the peace of the kingdom, merely informed the people present of his mission to help Apollo and how finding the 9 maidens of the Muses was the key for that. However, that alone created a strange tension in the temple.

Natalia: “By the goddess, a human setting out to free a god? I just don’t know what to say…”

Bruno: “Bwahahaha! Boy, I knew you were special Itsuki when you chased away that B rank monster like nothing, but this just takes the cake.

Bruno began to shake his head with his hand to his forehead.

Bruno: “However, I won’t doubt you. Something tells me you’ll succeed. I’ll just continue to pray that you do.”

Polly currently remained silent, but Natalia, who spent years raising her, could tell from her eyes. A burning determination resided in them, and Natalia could already tell how Polly would respond.

Polly: “Itsuki, please let me come with you. I understand this trip will have dangers, but I want to do something to change this world. I can see that this will do just that. Will you let me come with you?”

Itsuki: “Sigh. Even if I said no, I can tell you would figure out a way to force me to bring you along. The truth, however, is that I need you, and I sure would enjoy the company.”

Itsuki grinned at Polly and extended his hand.

Itsuki: “Welcome to the team, Polly.”

Polly saw Itsuki’s hand and nearly jumped for joy. She immediately grabbed it with both hands and shook it wildly out of happiness. After returning to her senses, she pulled her hand away, completely embarrassed at her behavior.

Bruno: “Haha, you know, we should have a party tonight at the inn. My life was saved by Itsuki, and now Polly’s leaving the nest. Yup, I’m not taking no for an answer.”

Veri: “Ooooh. Party Party! That means food!”

Polly: “Yay! I love parties!”

Itsuki: “If you’re going to bring lots of food, then I won’t say no haha!”

Natalia: “I guess that settles it. We’ll head over later, Bruno. There’s something I’m worried about though. I was informed right when you returned to town about the B ranked monster so close to the kingdom. That…is a cause of concern. They’re clearly becoming more aggressive.”

Itsuki: “Ah! I forgot. The goddess Artemis granted me a new skill in order to help you with that.”

Natalia: “Really?”

Itsuki: “Yea, it’s called Barrier Symphony. I can erect a barrier covering the kingdom if I conduct a musical piece. I also have to imbue a will of sorts into the barrier, giving it a reason for existing. Would you like me to do that?”

Natalia momentarily praised the goddess for hearing her worries. Polly, however, grew red as her mind was in turmoil after Itsuki’s second sentence. Oh, goodness…I should never have opened that bad book to learn more about men…I’m still not used to them and now I’m like this…Ooooh…please don’t say erect again Itsuki…

Natalia: “Please do. I would be really grateful if the citizens here could live without worrying about a monster attack in the kingdom at the very least.”

Itsuki began to show a devious smile and hardened look.

Itsuki: “Then, what would I get for accomplishing this huge feat?”

Veri: “Itsuki, what are you saying?!”

Itsuki: “Quiet Veri. I know what poverty is like. After my mother passed, I spent everything I had to study for that exam. A man can not be full on dreams alone. More importantly, in this world, my goal is to save it. How can I not expect assistance? Those dumb RPG worlds where the hero trying to stop the world from being destroyed has to pay for potions and equipment are ridiculous!”

Natalia: “I’m sorry…we don’t have much money here…but I can give you whatever I have since it’s for the citizen’s sake.”

Polly: “…”

Bruno: “Itsuki…”

Itsuki: “Ok, can I have a tent?”

Natalia, Polly, and Bruno: “What?”

Itsuki’s face returned to his jolly self, as though the hardened face from before was nonexistent.

Itsuki: “I was kidding about the rewards. I don’t need them since I am really self sufficient. However, now that Polly is traveling with me, I want a tent so that she doesn’t have to sleep on the floor. It’d also be nice to have some supplies in case something happens to her. That’s all I ask for. I just don’t have money to purchase them. Is that alright?”

Natalia: “Sigh, you sure know how to frighten someone out of their wits. But yes, that’s a really simple thing to do, and I would have done it anyway. Polly isn’t used to the outdoors, so I want to make it as comfortable as possible anyway.”

Bruno: “Boy, you nearly made me pass out with that devious face of yours! Haha, don’t worry. I’ll handle all of it.”

Polly: “Mouu, Itsuki. Did you really have to do that? My heart almost stopped!”

Veri: “Though he looks jolly like this, this guy is an evil prankster. You shouldn’t let your guard down.”

Itsuki: “You know Veri…can you really be saying that? Anyway, sorry about that. Clearly the joke was in poor taste. Anyway, Head Priestess, please tell me, what do you hope for in the barrier?”

Natalia: “Please, just call me Natalia. Simply, I wish for peace. I want the barrier to provide a peaceful haven for my people.”

Itsuki: “I thought as much. If it’s peace…perhaps a song radiating peace yet also supplicating to the gods. Natalia, could you tell me what instruments the Renaissance kingdom has?”

Natalia: “We only have old instruments, so things like recorders, lyres, and a few other woodwinds. Would that be alright?”

Itsuki: “Yes, I think so. This song I have in mind is simple, requiring only a few woodwinds. Ok, I will transcribe it tonight. Since Bruno is taking care of the supplies, could you gather a few players for tomorrow Natalia?”

Natalia: “Will do. Thank you, Itsuki. Polly, you’ll need to prepare for your journey immediately.”

Bruno: “We should also head back. I’ll tell my wife about the party tonight and then get to work on those supplies. Itsuki, you just head back and rest up.”

Itsuki: “Yup. That sounds good. Ready to go Veri?”

Veri: “Yea! I’ll probably talk to Sarah a lot tonight. We seem to have plenty in common.”

The groups separated here, and Itsuki and his gang returned to the Grest’s Rest.

Bruno: “And that’s what happened. So, shall we have a celebration honey?”

Sarah: “Oh my, how incredible! Polly’s going out into the world. Of course we need one! You did make sure Natalia is coming right? I swear, if we don’t push her to come here, she barely eats anything. Sigh. Oh! Itsuki, come meet our bard. Her voice is like silk; I can’t get enough of it. Eulina, come here. Meet Itsuki. He’s young, but he’s a conductor!”

With the call, a girl of average height came forth with her sky colored short hair. She walked with a cheerful yet calm gait, and her similarly colored eyes could easily make anyone get lost in them. Staring curiously at Itsuki, she began to respond.

Eulina: “Um, hello, Itsuki. My name is Eulina Moretz. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Her crystal clear soprano-like voice sounded throughout the bar, causing many people to turn and look at her in awe. The wonderful sound instinctively made Itsuki’s face curl up into a grin.

Itsuki: “Eulina, huh. Nice to meet you. As Sarah said, I’m Itsuki Hideyoshi. I hope we can get along. I’ve heard a lot about your voice, but nothing prepared me for such a rich, beautiful sound. Haha, I can’t wait to hear your performance later tonight.”

At that moment, Martha barged into the inn in a panic.

Martha: “Mother! We have bad news. Johnson broke his arm from a slip at the creek. He won’t be able to come in today to cook.”

Sarah: “What! How about Charles and Donnie? They’re off today, but we can still call them in right?”

Martha: “I checked, but they said that they are spending the day with their girls. They won’t come in today either.”

Sarah: “Damnit. We’ve got quite a lot of guests today, and a celebration planned. I can work the kitchen, but I probably won’t be fast enough by myself.”

Itsuki and Eulina: “I can help in the kitchen!”

Everyone stared at the two who made the outburst. In fact, Itsuki and Eulina stared at each other, both completely red due to the embarrassment from speaking the same thing at the same time.

Sarah: “Well, I’m not going to refuse the bit of help I get. Sorry to make the two of you help out but let’s go.”

Veri: “Ah, good luck Itsuki. I can’t cook for my life, so I’ll go snuggle up with Hina. It seems she’s taking a nap.”

Sarah led the way to the kitchen and began to pull out pots, pans, and knives from every direction. She asked Itsuki to peel the potatoes, while Eulina was in charge of chopping onions. Luckily, they had plenty of time till lunch since most of their guests only wished for coffee in the morning.

Eulina, however, anxious about being too slow, rushed and slipped on a wet spot in the kitchen. Seeing her falling, Itsuki immediately grabbed his free hand out to catch her, and their hands met. At that instant, Eulina’s blood began to boil, and her tender hand temporarily lost strength. Then, a message began to play in her head:

“Your destiny has begun, maiden of lyrics and music. The Conductor has arrived to begin his perilous journey. I, Euterpe, have officially accomplished my duty per the wish of my master, Apollo.”

Eulina could only think What????

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Hello Maiden #2. If you've noticed by now, the maidens' names will all be somewhat related to that of their Muse. Sort of helps with remembering who's who. Though some names were hard. I'm looking at you Terpsichore. Now we are going to become a cooking series. Just kidding. But about half of the next chapter will be about them cooking so maybe just a little. Hope you enjoy it.