Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

Chapter 16: Budding Jealousy In Free time

'Damn it, why can't I get it out of my head!' Holding the commissioned picture of Mel in his hand, he was lying on his bed, trying to get his frustration out like he often did. However, every time he tried to use his imagination, the same memories from last night flashed right in front of him.

Getting tired of the same thing happening over and over again, he sat down on the bed, wondering what he should do next. Last night he never got to talk to Raven, and after witnessing what he did, he was feeling even less confident to confront the mage about anything.

'Mel, I should...' Even so often as he tried to imagine himself with his childhood crush, the snarky smile from Raven ruined it entirely. Instead of him being with her, his mind kept pairing Raven with Mel whenever he tried to imagine a future, be it something romantic or seductively devious. 'I don't wanna give him a chance to make any moves on her!'

After seeing a married mother succumbing to Raven's charm, Amedith wanted to take no risk and finally confess to his love. But even so, just looking at the door, his heart squeezed tight. The rumors floating about him in the world outside these walls were turning him into a hermit. Steeling his heart, however, he took a deep breath and made his way outside.

In the meantime, distancing herself from the inn in her free time, Erica the high priestess brought herself to the goddess' temple and listened to the sinners inside the confessional. To serve under her goddess's light, to her there was no greater joy, but even so, listening to the degeneracy of people's minds was having an effect on her as well.

"I thought he was dead," said the woman on the other side as she confessed her sins.

And although Erica couldn't see her face, she recognized the voice quite well. It was a woman who lived down the street from the Boartooth Inn, and the thing she had to say had Erica sweating inside the oakwood box.

"You must uphold your vow, be loyal to the man for whom you walked the aisle," Erica replied, the chant already parroted a dozen times already since the day started.

'What's with these women? To lust for another man? That too one who could almost be their own child?' Gripping her rosary, she shook her head as a reminder not to judge the sinners for that was her goddess's job.

"You are forgiven, be on your way child of Aphrodite," sending the woman away, Erica grabbed the towel to her side to wipe the sweat off of her face.

Being confined in the small space for hours made her sweat like a swine. Yet since her job wasn't done, she couldn't get out of the steaming box of sweat just yet. While Erica was busy with her service, Aria was at the back of the temple grounds practicing her moves and training young kids to defend themselves against danger.

Once she too had been trained on the same soil by a monk who now lays in the dirt, and even though she wasn't a religious zealot, the memory of that man made her want to return that blessing with fists, spirit, and unshackled enthusiasm.

"Lower your mass!" Lowering herself slightly, she glanced through the pupils making sure they were all following her with the proper technique. Once she was done, her fists clenched tight, and threw a rotating forward punch.

"HA! One! HA! Two! Follow me!" Throwing one punch after the other, she had the young orphans following her every command.

Sweat sprinkled through the air as the kids trained with bright smiles on their faces. Being orphans, very few people cared to play with them, and even though Aria was treating it as training, for the kids it was no more than just another form of play. Although, she didn't mind either way. Watching them smile like she was never made to, filled her heart with purpose, which to her was even higher than that bestowed by the goddess herself.

'A dark elf being useful for once, at least she doesn't always disappoint I guess?' Watching from a bench, Mel's eyes wandered from one kid to the other.

Once they were standing in a similar crowd, the only difference? They had no choice but to learn to fight, but these kids were much more fortunate.

'The elven lord's grace has helped the land much, yet the plague of monsters and evil forces encroach ever closer.' Clicking her tongue at the thought, she wanted to head out further into the wild. Not just to explore the world, the cities, and its wonders, but to defend it to her dying breath. 'But alas, the last time we tried something brave, one of us nearly died, or perhaps did die after all.'

Unsure whether the goddess could've revived Raven, Mel didn't want to rush into another cave looking for trouble. Especially since their party was far from prepared just yet.

'But what are we doing wrong?!' Her frustration grew, and why wouldn't it? They were supposed to be the most potent heroes in the kingdom, and yet a horde of minotaur showed them their worth.

With gritted teeth, she clenched her fist. At the same time, Aria was done with the training and was now free, and so would Erica soon enough. As for Amedith who was heading straight for the temple, he as well as Raven wouldn't catch even a glimpse of them throughout the day at all.

However, busy with the preparations, Raven had no intention of bothering them in their free time, but the same couldn't be said for the wandering Hero, Amedith.