Ch 188: Completely exposed.

"Good luck, young lady. And be careful not to hang out with the wrong crowd, you hear?"

"I'll be careful. Farewell, Captain." said Hitomi with a smile as she left the ship.

She was in Raelera at last.

She already knew who to contact to secure lodging, one of her shades on the other side of the city. But she wanted to get her ear close to the ground first. She entered the first bar she found. A dozen customers sat around tables or in front of the counter. They all turned to her, nodded in greeting and appreciation, then resumed their conversation.

"What do you want to drink?" asked the bartender.

"A beer, please."

Hitomi was served, paid for the drink, and focused on the conversations going around her. Her eyebrows shot up when three people at a table, a bearded man, and lanky one, and a girl who had to be an adventurer or mercenary, from her gear, started talking about "Lady Sakura" with reverence. She decided to ask them a few questions.

"Hello. Would you mind if I sit with you? I just came to the city by boat, and I'd like to hear about what is happening around here." said Hitomi with a disarming smile.

The three of them looked at each other, then shrugged.

"You're welcome to join." said the woman.

"Thank you. Your next beer is on me." grinned Hitomi.

"That's a great way to loosen our tongues." chuckled the bearded man. "I guess we should talk about things in order." said the lanky guy. "Everything was as usual until nine days ago, when they came. The Beast, and the Six Ladies. Well, to be accurate, three of the Six Ladies came two days later."

"I have heard a little about the Beast." said Hitomi. "He's a hero from another world, right? But he did some really bad things to earn that nickname, although I am unclear about the details. Didn't he kill a noble or something?"

The woman shook her head.

"Actually, that's a misunderstanding. Lady Chisato explained it to a few people who were wondering, and the news spread. You know that after women are violated by demons, they become tainted, right?"

"Yes. They can only give birth to demons afterward, and they slowly weaken as the curse eats at their body." nodded Hitomi.

"Yes. But Lord Barton, he healed them. And since the healing was focused on their lower parts, the poor women were stimulated by the process, and they made some noise. The guards standing outside the tent misunderstood, saying that only a beast would take his pleasure from the bodies of corrupted women, and that is the origin of that nickname."

"He managed to heal those women?" asked Hitomi, alarmed. Even Umeka couldn't do that, and she had received a Healing gift directly from the Goddess!

"He did. Now they are fiercely loyal to him, and they never leave his side. You might get a glimpse of them if you go early morning or late afternoon to the path between Lion's Keep and Stormgarde."

"And the noble he supposedly killed? Is it a misunderstanding as well?"

"We don’t know." shrugged the bearded guy. "But I wouldn't be surprised. Lord Barton and the Six Ladies, they are death on rapists. They started the instant they set foot in the city, killing a noble and a few guards who were using drugs to lure proper ladies into debauchery."

"Yes." nodded the woman with a grin. "And since a lot of nobles are like that, and Lord Barton is in complete agreement with the Ladies about rapists, I wouldn't be surprised if he killed a few himself before coming here."

"He seems to be a good person, then? Not just like another noble?"

"Heck no!" snorted bearded guy. "Most of the nobles fear him just as much as they fear the Six Ladies."

"On the second day after their arrival…" started lanky fellow. Hitomi had the feeling he was trying to get into her pants, but that was hardly anything new. "…a boatload of nobles and some teachers from Stormgarde were invited to Lion's Keep, to greet the new lord."

"One of the teachers was killed by Lord Barton. Skewered from the mouth to the ass and pinned to the ground kneeling by the lord's demonic sword. Turns out, that teacher wore a magic charm artifact he used to seduce proper ladies among Stormgarde's students, ruined their hearts, then passed them around to some of his accomplices. Lady Chisato, Lady Nero and Lady Darkness interviewed every single teacher in Stormgarde and killed those who were guilty."

"Now the headmaster is trying hard to recruit new teachers while hushing the scandal. A lot of nobles are angry that their daughters were at risk or were actually harmed."

"That's understandable. I would be furious too, in their position. Can you tell me about the Six Ladies? I heard that the Church called them Heretic for killing a bunch of priests."

"Fuck the Church" spat bearded guy. "The Ladies are good people. "Scarlet here can attest of it."

The adventurer woman nodded with a smile and pointed to the right side of her face.

"A few days ago, I had a scar here, and my eye was gone. But Lady Darkness healed me. Even removed all the scars on my body and fixed my bad knee. I was considering retirement because of those wounds, but now, I'm right as rain."

"Three of the Ladies are healers, and they are every bit as strong as Lord Barton. Maybe even stronger. They go every morning to the plaza and heal everyone who needs it, no questions asked. Lady Darkness didn't even make me pay for it!"

"That is… impressive." nodded Hitomi, feeling uneasy. Still more things that Umeka wasn't able to do. Had they been scammed by Metia? Even setting the issue of potency aside, she knew that free favors weren't really free. People being healed would feel indebted to them, and everyone would want to protect them, if only to have access to their healing if they ever were injured in the future. The Heretics were using healing as a way to create a network of collaborators and informants.

"What about the Church? Are they causing issues with the Ladies being there?" asked Hitomi.

"I'm sure they'd love to." grinned lanky guy. "But Lady Sakura, Lady Saika and Lady Medusa got them running for their lives. They started by killing the Cardinal himself in his own great cathedral, destroyed it after freeing slaves that were kept in the basement, and slaughtered the troops the Church mobilized. I hear there's a great crater in the plaza over there."

"Yes, I heard about that. But then I boarded the ship that brought me there. Has anything more happened?"

"You could say that, yes." grinned bearded guy. "The three of them did the same thing to the Inquisition's headquarters, killing them and releasing the people who were tortured after healing them. Then they made their way to here, crushing every garrison of the Inquisition on their path. The Ladies are damn strong."

"It seems so. Are the Ladies part of Lord Barton's harem?"

"I don't think so." replied Scarlet. "They live in the Academy with Lady Gilend and Lady Chastel, not Lion's keep."

"Lady Gilend and Lady Chastel?"

"Lady Gilend is part of Marquis Lianlaf's staff." said Scarlet. "A pretty young lady, and her heart is in the right place, too. If only all the nobles were like her, our lives would be a lot better. As for Lady Chastel, the poor girl had been abandoned by her family and her fiancée when she caught leprosy. She's been left to rot in a dark room for months. But Lady Darkness healed her. Now her parents are trying to bring her back so they can marry her off to another noble, but lady Chastel told them to fuck off."

"In more polite terms, I'm sure. or maybe not." nodded lanky guy. "Same with Lady Gilend. Her family doesn't want her associating with the people the Church wants dead, but she refused."

"I hear the guild has already contacted the Ladies, too." smiled Scarlet. "If they can heal the veteran adventurers who had to retire due to breathing too much miasma in the dungeons, there's a lot of Gold even Mithril-ranked adventurers who will be indebted to them, and the guild will want to protect them at almost any cost."

Hitomi gulped as she saw her own reasoning about the city's population applied to a much more dangerous organization, as she could imagine just that happening if they were truly able to heal miasma exposure. And she, as well as Kojiro, Maki and Umeka, were "only" gold-ranked adventurers.

The Heretics were a lot more troublesome than she expected.

Her mind was in turmoil as she started imagining a war between Tourin and Aquecia, but she kept chatting with the trio, sharing a few news from Aquecia with them, notably about the good things she and her companions did, like getting some level of general education to every child, or cleaning the streets from refuse and criminals alike.

Then she left them and crossed the city to reach her shade.

As soon as she entered the shop named Mordeca Trade Company, the middle-aged man recognized her, locked the door and led Hitomi to the back.

"Mistress. Welcome to Raelera." said Kamern Alnus with a deep bow.

"Thank you, Kamern. I see you have made good use of the money we gave you."

"Yes, Mistress. I invested it and got blessed by luck. I prepared your room as instructed and mentioned to a few neighbors about having my niece coming to visit. Your presence won't raise eyebrows."

"Good job. Tell me about…" her words trailed off as she saw a wooden wheelchair in the corner. She had been the one to draw the plans for it and give it to Alnus, so his daughter would be able to leave her bed. The poor kid had been run over by a carriage and the doctors had been forced to amputate both legs.

"…Is Miltinnia… Did she pass away?"

"No, Mistress." said Kamern with a radiant smile. "Milti has been healed by Lady Sakura a few days ago. I have seen her legs regrow with my own eyes, and before I could get over the shock, it was done, and Milti had perfectly healthy legs and feet. She spends most of her time outside now, making friends."

"Oh. That is good. I am happy for you." smiled Hitomi, already considering him as potentially compromised. She would have to find other accommodations and train another shade. And maybe kill him.

"Mistress, please do not misunderstand. I am very grateful for everything you did for me and Milti, and I will forever be. But there is something you must know. After she healed Milti, Lady Sakura whispered something in Milti's ear before we left. And when I asked my daughter later, she refused to tell me. She said that the message was only for yourself, Mistress. Somehow, Lady Sakura knew that you would soon come to Raelera and that you would visit this shop. I fear my cover may be blown, Mistress."

Hitomi stared at him in shock. The Heretics… No, maybe she should stop referring to them with that term. The Tourinese Heroes had only been summoned a few months ago, and hadn't seem to be very active until recently. How could they possibly have penetrated the intelligence network she had spent almost two years creating?

"Kuso… Well, I guess there is no harm in hearing that message, at least. While we wait for her to return, tell me everything you know about them and John Barton."

Kamern nodded and started, covering most of what she learned earlier and expanding on it. After about half an hour, they heard the sound of a key turning in the lock of the shop's door, and Miltinnia entered.

As soon as she saw Hitomi, her face lit up and she ran to her.

"Big Sister! I am so glad to see you!" cried Miltinnia as she hugged Hitomi tightly.

"I am glad as well." smiled Hitomi as she returned the hug. "And I am happy that you seem to be alright."

"Yes!" grinned Milti as she stepped back and lifted her skirt to show her legs.

"Lady Sakura healed me! It wasn't even painful. It just itched for a minute, and then it was done! I can walk and run and dance again!" laughed Milti as she turned around a couple of times.

"That's great." nodded Hitomi. "But your father told me she had left a message for me?"

"Yes." said Milti, her expression turning serious. "But before I deliver it, you must promise me something, Big Sister. It will make you sad and angry. But you must promise me that you will not harm my father. It's not really his fault."

"Why would I want to harm him?" asked Hitomi, frowning. Although, seeing the stiff expression on Komern's face, he seemed to have an idea.

Seeing that Milti remained silent, she sighed.

"Fine. I promise that I won't hurt him. Not unless he's done something so bad I really can't forgive him."

"…That will have to be enough, I guess." sighed Milti, still interposing herself between Hitomi and her father.

"Lady Sakura told me two things. The first is that the Witch has taken over your whole network behind your back, Big Sister. She isn't someone you should trust. Lady Sakura called the Witch a complete… so… soko… sociopath, if I remember correctly."

Hitomi's gaze switched to Kamern, and the man immediately prostrated.

"I am sorry, Mistress! She came to me and told me that if I didn't cooperate, she would have my daughter killed! I did what I had to do to keep Milti alive! Please, do whatever you wish with me, but please, I beg you, do not vent your anger on Milti!"

"Enough!" snapped Hitomi, furious.

"You will tell me everything, am I clear? If at any point I think you are lying to me or withholding information, I will beat the answers out of you."

"Yes, Mistress."

For the next few minutes, Kamern related in details when and how his encounter with the Witch had happened. When he was done, Hitomi felt sick to her core.

Maki had traveled a lot on her own, saying she wanted to search all over the world for books that might increase her mastery of elemental magic or find clues about how to reverse the hero summoning ritual. The date of Maki's visit corresponded to one of Maki's longer trips.

"Why would she do such a thing?" muttered Hitomi. Deep inside, she already knew the answer. She just didn't want to admit it. Secretly taking over her network of shades was a lot of wasted effort... unless Maki intended for the Shadow Mistress to not be around for much longer. And her motive was obvious.

"I do not know. But the second part of the message I had been asked to give you is that you can visit Lady Sakura and her friends for lunch or dinner anytime you want, Big Sister, and they will serve you dishes from your own country. She promised that as long as you do not try to attack them, they would let you leave unharmed."

"…Kamern, give me some paper and ink. I have a message to send to Aquecia."

"At once, Mistress." said Milti's father as he hurried to follow her command.

…

Later that day, Milti was humming a song, holding her Big Sister's hand as they entered Stormgarde Academy. Milti had visited every day to express her thanks since she was healed. Walking beside them was Juri, Milti's newest friend and a living shadow. The students were keeping their distance from Juri, but didn't really seem afraid, as if her presence was starting to become a familiar sight.

Hitomi was very curious about Juri, as she had never seen an undead that acted live a living person. Juri had even told them that living shadows kept the hobbies and interests they had during their previous life, and could form more. Hitomi also felt some kind of slight attraction to Juri, and she couldn't explain it.

She had considered using a disguise and trying to infiltrate the academy, but the Tourinese heroes knew too much already. They would be on the lookout for such attempts.

And it would be mortifying to be found out trying to sneak in when she had been invited.

Juri led them to a building set aside from the others, its entrance guarded by a pair of young women in maid outfits. Hitomi paid close attention to them and guessed from their build and posture that they were trained for combat.

The maids knew Juri and Milti and opened the door.

"Welcome, Juri, Milti, Lady Chigusa. You are expected in the dining room." said one of them as they bowed.

"Thank you." said Hitomi, keeping the nervousness out of her voice.

She and Milti kept following Juri inside and entered the dining room.

"Great, you're here. Come in! I'm Chisato Nishikigi. It's nice to meet you, Chigusa-san!" grinned the blonde girl with a red ribbon tied to her hair.

Hitomi nodded and exchanged greetings with everyone. Present were the six so-called Ladies, as well as Edelys Gilend and Alote Chastel, and Franziska Frost, the Dean of Stormgarde Academy who looked like a goth loli.

"How did you know I would be coming today?" warily asked Hitomi.

"John sent Juri's mother to tell us. There is no keeping secrets from him." smiled Chisato. Juri nodded silently. She would attend dinner as John's representative.

"And you knew that I would come to Raelera. You have informants in the palace in Aquecia." frowned Hitomi.

"We don't, actually. But we knew about Milti's father being one of your spies, and you coming here to learn more and maybe try to kill us was the logical course of action once the news of our achievements and location reached you."

Hitomi had to concede that point.

"So what now?"

"For now, we share a meal!" grinned Chisato "The important stuff can wait after dinner. Are Sushi, Okonomiyaki, Miso soup, Tempura and Mochi fine with you? Do you have any allergy?"

"You have managed to recreate Miso? And you have rice?" exclaimed Hitomi, unable to hide a bit of eagerness.

She and her friends had tried hard to find rice in this world, as well as replicate tofu and soy sauce, but they could never get it right.

Sakura created on the table plate after plate of sushi, with small containers full of soy sauce, and the maids picket them up before serving everyone. Then they sat at the furthest end of the table with their own shares.

"How did you manage this?" asked Hitomi after getting over the shock.

"I think it is a little early in our relationship to reveal all of our capabilities, don't-you think, Chigusa-san? It is already good that we are showing you this." said Sakura with a slightly cold smile.

Hitomi nodded reluctantly, already wondering if they could create more than food. Bullets? Explosives? Poison?"

The sushi was delicious, and Hitomi felt a strong longing for home as she chewed. The miso soup that followed almost brought her to tears.

As they ate, they talked about light-hearted matters, avoiding anything related to nobles or politics.

Eventually, the meal was over, and they gathered near the fireplace.

Hitomi tensed. The real fight was starting now.

"Okay, let's get started with the elephant in the room, Chigusa-san." said Chisato. Hitomi had noticed from their body language and interactions during the meal that she acted as the leader of their group, with Sakura being the sub-leader.

"You four Aquecian heroes have done a lot of good things, but also a lot of terrible ones. I would ask what in the world possessed you to decide to use the Nazi playbook of all things, but we already know. It's that Witch's idea, whatever her name is."

"It's Maki." replied Hitomi. It was hardly a secret. It was even strange if they didn't know her name.

"Yes. A complete and total psycho, that girl. Irredeemable. Unlike you three idiots who still think this is all a game, she is well aware of what she's doing. And she doesn't care how many people she'll end up killing."

"What? What do you mean, this is all a game?" asked Hitomi, suddenly hoping she was wrong about how she interpreted Chisato's words.

"This world. You think this is a virtual game, don't you? But it is not."

"That's impossible! It must be a game. It has to!" protested Hitomi.

"Please excuse me for interrupting, but what is a virtual game?" asked Alote, confused, and Chisato shrugged.

"It is something from my world, and a bit hard to explain, so I will try to make it simple. Imagine a dream that you can enter whenever you want by paying a bit of money every month, a dream allowing you to do things that wouldn't be possible in the real world, but the dream persists over years or decades, and other people can enter it was well. And Chigusa-san thinks that all the people living in this world are part of the dream, that they do not really exist. Aside from the summoned heroes, who are real people visiting the dream. That explains a lot about their willingness to harm other people to reach their goals."

"But that's ridiculous! I am just as real as she is!" indignantly blurted out Alote, glaring daggers at Hitomi.

"No. Other worlds and magic, those are fairy tales, they can only be the result of a virtual environment!" desperately denied Hitomi. If those people were real, the things they did… The things she did…

Flashes of memories appeared in her mind. The nobles whose throats she slit. The children ordered executed, for the crime of being born into a noble family. The secret police being given carte blanche to find and punish traitors, essentially becoming a second Inquisition. The drug-fueled orgies. The hardcore SM plays where she experienced both ends of the whip, and so many other things…

Everyone was staring at her, and the locals in particular were glaring fiercely. Hitomi found it hard to look at Milti, who seemed really disappointed in her.

"Try to think rationally, Chigusa-san." said Chisato. "Yes, the idea of other worlds existing would seem ludicrous to us, until we find ourselves into one. But just because we have no prior experience with something, doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. Like the European people in the early medieval era didn't know about the north and south American continents, and so on. I could cite countless examples, but you get the idea. There is no actual evidence that other worlds do not exist."

"On the other hand, let's examine your claim that this is a game, and what it implies."

"First, you need to assume that there's a company or government who can create a realistic environment like this one. A world so vast and realistic that you would be unable to distinguish it from reality. That's already a big assumption, considering what we know about the technology level in your world, but let's say it is possible, for argument's sake."

"Next, you need to assume that whoever did this was able to create something so huge in total secrecy. Or it would have become breaking news in your world."

"Then, you need to believe that for some strange reason, they would choose to kidnap a bunch of random students to use as guinea pigs. And that their Public Relations staff and their lawyers wouldn't be climbing down their throats screaming that it is a one-way ticket to prison and financial ruin. Wouldn't be running for the hills and warn both the press and the police in an attempt to distance themselves from the inevitable scandal."

"You also need to assume they would be able to abduct you and connect you to their machines without any of you noticing."

"Is this enough already, or do you wish for me to keep poking holes? Why would they make this world so terrible, when they could instead create a replica of a modern world that would be more believable for you? Why would they let you do the things you did, and watch as your mental state go down the road of total amorality? Are they trying to create criminals?"

"I get it." muttered Hitomi. She wanted to refute Chisato's points so hard it hurt. Wanted to find a way to deny the things she had done. But she couldn't find any rational explanation to counter Chisato's arguments.

"With that out of the way, I have a proposal for you, Chigusa-san. Noah, the man who gave us most of our powers and told us about what you are doing, asked us to save you, the only one of the four who is worth saving. If you agree, you will come with us when we leave this world, in the not-too-distant future. Noah will grant you the ability to heal people, as well as a number of combat-related powers, and you will have many opportunities to make up for the things you have done. There will never be a lack of lives to save."

"As for Aquecia, you will send a message to the other heroes. They are to stop doing Nazi shit. Later, we will go to Aquecia and heal all those people you guys have emasculated or spayed. Their cooperation will be a point in their favor when we decide what to do with them."

"What do you mean, the only one who is worth saving?" asked Hitomi, feeling numb.

"From what Noah told us, the boy you're in love with is a sex-obsessed cretin. Two of the girls in his harem, the Witch and the Healer, are actively trying to kill their rivals, and he doesn't have a clue."

"In addition, he forces slaves into his bed, one after another. He could easily have agreed to keep his junk into his pants and be content with the three of you, sparing countless women the pain and anguish of being spayed. But no, he has to stick his thing into as many mutilated demon kin slaves and other people as possible, because he's a Hero!"

Chisato's sarcasm was thick enough to cut with a knife, and Hitomi flinched.

"Even if he were to learn tomorrow what I told you, do you think he would stop forcing himself on women who are not in a position to say 'No' to him? I'm not so sure."

Hitomi wasn't so sure, either. She could imagine him saying "Well, she isn't saying no." as an excuse to keep doing as he wanted.

"…What about Maki? Wait, you said earlier that she already knows?"

"She is the one who came up with the Nazi plan, right? Virtual or not, what does it says about someone when total war, gestapo and death camps are their idea of building a better world?"

When she thought about Maki, Hitomi remembered all the instances where the Witch had insisted that they should always be careful not to form attachments with the NPCs. That they might lose themselves in the illusion and start confusing this world as real if they did.

Back then, she had only thought that Maki was nagging. But what Chisato suggested was something far more sinister, and… it actually made sense, if she assumed that Maki was a complete monster.

"…And Umeka?" she finally asked, afraid or the answer.

"You lived with her. You should know already, right? Noah has no interest in someone willing to plot the death of a love rival..."

"Noah is even speculating that, maybe, what happened to her might be Maki's doing. The Aquecian nobles did this, but did they really have the guts to go ahead without someone close to the heroes promising them they would get away with it? And look, suddenly, the four Heroes had the perfect excuse to purge the nobles and take over Aquecia. And one of her two rivals might have been broken to the point of being discarded by your man. Even if Umeka wasn't abandoned in the end, it makes you wonder."

Hitomi shook her head in denial. She didn't want to even think about what Chisato was suggesting.

"Why me, then? I have done a lot of… things I'm not proud of."

"But now that you know, you will stop doing them, right?" asked Chisato with a gentle tone.

Hitomi nodded. Of course she would. She would be crazy not to. Even if she didn't really believe them yet, just the mere possibility that it might be real after all made it impossible for her to harm other people without a good reason.

"The capacity for remorse. That is why Noah asked us to save you. And well, you're also a pretty girl… I guess we should stop for today and give you some time to think. Before you leave, Sakura, please heal her."

"Thank you, but I do not need healing." said Hitomi with a shake of her head.

"Are you so sure? You have abused your own body a lot, with drugs and other things." replied Chisato.

Sakura put a hand on Hitomi's shoulder.

"Yes, I can feel it. You have the internal organs of a great grandma. No, worse than that. Your liver in particular is half shriveled. If you were to return to your Japan like this, without the ambient mana to support you, you would be dead within three years at most." said Sakura.

Her hand suddenly glowed green, and seconds later, Hitomi felt… better. Lighter. Some discomfort had crept on her over time, and she only felt it when it was suddenly gone.

"Thank you." nodded Hitomi. They looked at each other for a few seconds, before Hitomi turned to Juri.

"What does John Barton thinks about this?"

Juri didn't answer for a few seconds, then took a deep breath.

"Tenno says 'I am not here for this Hero shit. I am here to make certain no fucker can ever take my son, then go home with my women. At the same time, I can't just leave a Nazi regime alone. If the Aquecian heroes reform themselves to stop being Nazis and destroy all traces of the summoning ritual, that's fine by me. But if what Chisato says is true, Maki and her hold on your information network makes conflict almost inevitable.' "

"…I need to think about all this." said Hitomi.

"Yes. Just tell us when you have decided. And we won't object if you tell everything to the other three. Just keep in mind that Maki will end up intercepting your message. The other two won't ever see it if Maki finds that message inconvenient." nodded Chisato. "Milti, Juri, can you accompany Chigusa-san back?"

Sakura created three bags of Japanese candies and gave them to Juri, Milti and Hitomi.

After thanking them and leaving, they made their way back to the Mordeca Trading Company. Juri hugged Milti, said goodbye and disappeared into the nearest shadow.

Hitomi got the distinct feeling that Juri, or another of the living shadows, would still be keeping a close eye on her. But she didn't feel angry about it. That was what she would do in John's position.

Before leaving for her own room, Milti hugged Hitomi, and stared deep into her eyes.

"When you apologize to me for thinking that I am not real, I will forgive you. I do not want to lose my Big Sister."

Milti left without giving her time to think how to answer.

With a sigh, Hitomi closed her door and laid on the bed. She knew that the next few days for her weren't going to be easy. She had a lot to think about.