Chapter 282 – The Aftermath

*** Alzi ***

"Lady Alzi," a woman calls out. "Orders from Princess Elora."

"I don't have the collar on," I say. The woman steps back a bit, her eyes flickering to Sarania's tail.

"Yes," the woman says. "This is a royal order, conscripting you into the army as a healer."

"Useless," I say. "I'm already going."

"This will be needed to take your station now. She also asks for you to be ready early tomorrow morning to return to the capital."

"I will take the orders," Sarania says, her mana taking it from her hand. "We will be ready."

"Thank you," the woman says. "Have a good day, Lady Alzi."

I give her a nod, and she runs off. Sarania takes my arm, and we start our way back through the city. The streets are busier now, but everyone gives us plenty of space as we pass, keeping their heads down and hands clear from their sides.

Are they worried I'll strike them down? Did Elora kill a bunch of them or something?

She did say Shimmer killed their entire army. Do they know about that and assume I did it? It could be Sarania they are afraid of. But why? What did we do?

Is it because I look afraid? Do I look insane? Am I insane?

Guards fill the last few blocks before the walls, giving me a polite nod or smile as I pass. I don't know what the paper is for if they aren't looking for it. Wouldn't Esta and Kali already know that I am the healer? Is Petra ok?

"Open the gate!" someone says as we near the wall.

Really, what is the point of this paper? Not that I could read it to figure it out. Aurora may have been right about my stupid letters. I don't even care that I haven't gotten a single letter that has been promised to me. I couldn't read them, and I wouldn't even be sure that it was my Mommy who wrote them.

I did get to see my Mommy a bit ago, and she isn't in the village anymore, so that would explain why Sharn hasn't sent me a letter from her.

Getting closer to the Gate, I find there isn't a gate here. A wooden barrier is present instead, with a small door I could've opened myself. Is someone trying to show off for me, or did they forget they don't have a gate?

Past the door is the normal road, and in the distance, the rest of the army.

"Why wouldn't they bring the injured into the city?" I ask. "They need the comfort the most, and they should get back to the Queendom before the rest as well."

"I guess they've still been getting control of the city and don't want to take the injured inside yet? I am not sure, my Mistress."

"I guess. They'd better not send me back to the city when the messenger could've told me the right place."

"Do not worry. They're smarter than that."

Not by much, I think. But I can trust them for now. Tomorrow will be the real issue.

"Lady Alzi," a woman calls out. "I can take your group to the camp in the carriage."

"That would be nice," I say. I was worried about walking all the way out there. That would take the rest of the day, and I'm leaving in the morning.

Sarania hands me two of the kids, and the strange stroller thing disappears. Then the woman opens the door and helps us in.

After the carriage starts moving, I hear a woman's voice in my head, 'Alzi, I'm sorry. But I have bad news for you. I know we just fought for you to leave the marriage, but you'll likely need to rejoin it in some form. Nature's army isn't something that you can run or hide from. Still, I promise we will all help you so that they're just names on your screen. Sorry, but we'll have more to say when you get back to the capital. And I'm sorry that we couldn't talk before. However, this puts us in a good position to get as much as you wanted, and true safety. Not Elora's promise, but Queens promising and actually putting it in place.'

"Who are you?!" I shout. Did they finally catch me?

"Shh, shh, it's just us," Sarania says, pulling me and our kids into a hug. "Just us. You're safe."

'Sorry, it's your wife, Space. I can't get much if you don't direct the thoughts towards me. I should've known you'd forgotten about this ability I gave you. Don't worry. Just think while intending to talk to me, and I'll hear it. Otherwise, they will be your thoughts alone.'

'Ok,' I think. 'I guess this was too much to ask for.' The world fucking sucks. But at least I'll have Mommy.

'Sarania will help. Take everything you can. They need you just as much as, if not more, than you need them. Royalty wants your blood to spread through their line. She'll tell them to give you everything you ask for. You won't be disappearing into a corner of the realm to live in peace, but you won't be dragged around by the princesses either.'

'I guess,' I think out to Space. If I'm with Mommy, things will work out alright.

...

"We are here, Lady Alzi," the driver calls back. The door opens quickly, and I see the medical tent outside, with some stitches where the kidnappers cut through the sides.

Should I be bringing kids into a medical tent?

"Sarania, should you keep the kids in a separate tent?"

"No, I can keep the two groups separate. But I think it may do the injured some good to see the kids, my Mistress," Sarania says, pulling out the stroller again. "It'll give them some hope and happiness, as I'm sure many have been expecting to waste away without a healer to help them."

"I guess," I say. How many died after I was taken? It wasn't my fault, and they should know that, right? Is- Is it my life to just get taken? Is the Mistress going to be the next to take me?

I'm back, and I can still get the list from the Princess for who I need to heal after this. I'll keep my promises the best I can.

Inside, Kali and Esta are slowly working on the women. They aren't healing much, still lacking enough mana to heal a limb and also do other things on the same day.

"Hello, Lady Alzi," Petra says. "I was worried I was becoming useless without you around."

"No, I could use your help now."

"This way. I've had plenty of time to order the women for you."

Glad I got the useless paper. But it's time to heal some women. I also need to get Sarania pregnant again as well, so I have an easy way to get more mana this time if required.

*** Fertility ***

"Malralloz, what are you doing?" I ask. She and Space followed me back to my temple. I asked for Space to keep following, but the Demoness wasn't invited.

"Well," the pale bitch says. "Seeing that you are one of the patron Goddesses of the woman I care about down there, I thought we should talk."

"We have nothing to discuss. I am happy that you helped Alzi get what she wants, but that is all. I have no desire to work with you."

"Come on, just because you became a Goddess, it doesn't mean you have to follow all their stupid rules."

"The elders don't work with you, so neither will I. Now leave, I do not need you for this discussion, and it helps me none to look like I am working with you."

"How would you know? You've been hiding even more than I have."

"I was not hiding. I was just ignoring the world."

"The outcome was the same. A hurt Champion who could've used your help years ago. I need to know your plans; otherwise, I will take it that you will continue to be useless and do as I please."

"Try, my Champion knows what I wish for."

"Have it your way, idiot."

She leaves willingly, which is nice. I really don't wish to find out if she can ignore my commands in my domain. I don't think I have the same problems as Love, but I really don't want to find out if I do.

Now, Space.

"Now, on to the matter of your relationship with my champion. Are you planning on hurting her?" I ask. The woman has found a spot to lie down and show off her small belly. I should find time to have Alzi get me pregnant again, or maybe I'll force one of my dryads to give birth.

"Mother," Space says. "I am married to Alzi. She's cute and nice, and I like her. Her goals are my goals. Obviously, I can't just clear the way for her or intervene too much without the right sacrifices, but I will do what I can."

She just had to pull out that card right now. I'm supposed to be mad, not excited about being a grandmother. I should see Power soon and say sorry. Fuck, don't get soft now.

"Space. Getting into a relationship with a mortal is an issue, and you know it. She isn't even one of the magical races. What will the elders think?"

"I don't know. I'm more confused by how you didn't know. You seemed to be peeking in on our first date and marriage."

"I noticed when a kid was made and guessed from there. But I didn't think that you went this far. The others won't be happy about you two."

"They already aren't happy. Nature is building up an army. Dragon is letting her Queen do stupid shit. Justice has a champion, Nature has a champion, Sea has a champion. I am going to make a champion. The balance is about to change, and those elders don't care. I think they're bored and happy to see the Goddesses starting to get filled out now. As long as you and Alzi keep making new Goddesses, they'll let us do whatever we want with our divine power. And then, most Goddesses are your children, so overall, if Nature and Justice fail in this attack, nothing will matter. The rules will be what you set them to be as long as you don't go too far or continue to ignore and piss off your children. They may even come to overthrow you and start round two of rape Fertility. But don't worry. I'll be busy playing with your champion instead of you."

"Do you want me to take that child from you?"

"Please make your champion sad. I would love to comfort her as she finds out that you truly are unreliable. Just like all of the other Goddesses, a vindictive bitch that just wants all the power she can get."

"You all really know how to annoy me."

"Shut up and come over here. I'll let you feel your future grandchild."

"Fine. Don't get Alzi killed by the elders."

"The only one we need to worry about is Nature. The rest like Alzi or don't care."

*** Yuki ***

Thank goodness we didn't have a way to try and teleport up here. We would've been killed if we'd tried. It's been two days of travel to get out of the damn cursed zone. How long have they been stealing materials to make something this big?

Whatever, it has been fun watching them pout as they touch the collars around their necks. The male's pride is non-existent now. The best part is when I order his wife to dance for us as he is forced to sit with a rod up his butt. I wonder how long it will take for him to like objects getting shoved up his worthless ass. I can't go too far before Alzi has had her chance at them, but small things like this are great fun.

I can't let them get used to pain before she's gotten her revenge.

I can't wait to feel a few kids in my womb. Or maybe a lot. Whatever Alzi wants for me, I'll be by her side, though I still have to figure out how to win over her Mother. The easiest way would be to separate her from Alzi, but that runs the risk of turning Alzi completely against me. I would be no better than these bitches. If I can just get her to be immobile with us, swelling up with kids... But I need more, I know it.

"Are we far enough?" I ask.

"Yes," the damn whore says.

Nakuma nods as well, "This feels right. Let me start building the circles."

"Good," I say. "I'll scout around to keep anyone from interrupting us."

"Thanks, baby," Nakuma says, pulling me into a hug before I can run off. Alzi, I need you to save me from her. I can't take another night alone with her.