The reluctant sorcerer a.., p.13
The Reluctant Sorcerer: A LitRPG Fantasy, page 13
And so, the carriage advanced. Our emergence was some distance from the beleaguered camps, requiring us to traverse further to the waiting prisoners.
Upon arrival, we disembarked in a less-than-organized fashion to find our captives, including one mantis, situated at the front, all kneeling in a designated area.
Limpet's reanimated soldiers and a handful of additional troops stood at a distance, forming a perimeter around the group. The skeletal archers had their bows taut, and those with spears aimed them forward.
"Would you mind welcoming them?" I directed my comment toward Limpet.
She took a deep breath, clutched her spellbook tightly, and hesitated. "Is it possible for the wisp to illuminate a bit more? The visibility is low."
I gestured to Seventeen, and instantly, the glow from the multitude of wisps intensified, washing the area in a subdued light.
With newfound confidence, Limpet stood straighter. "Greetings to all," she began. "You may call me Limpet. I’m the one responsible for the attacks on your encampments, and you’ll be yielding to me tonight. Who's the person in charge here?"
From the assembled group, a mantis creature stumbled to her feet, tripped in the sandy terrain, face-planted, then regained her footing. "Mem! Mem is leader. Mem surrenders and requests you not harm her humans."
I stifled a chuckle at the pun—be Mem to her humans!
Limpet dismissed the jest with a shake of her head. "If you're the authority here, then we need to talk. I assure you, your men are safe as long as they don't attempt to flee. I have no intentions of reanimating them." A small lie by omission; she couldn't do it alone anyway.
Mem paused, then nodded emphatically. "Mem will answer your inquiries."
"Excellent," Limpet responded. She glanced back at me, whispering, "Where should this take place?"
I weighed the options. Our fortress was too far and could expose our military position. "No special setting is required for a simple Q&A. The far side of our carriage should suffice."
Limpet agreed with a nod, and soon, two skeletons took positions on either side of Mem, leading her toward us.
"Mem?" inquired Rem.
"Rem," came the acknowledgment from Rem.
"Oh, you're safe! You look so elegant," exclaimed Mem.
"I haven't changed," Rem said dismissively. "You're being foolish."
Slightly shrinking back, Mem clarified, "I simply found your new attire quite stylish."
"It's a butler's uniform," Rem answered, looking away. "That's what I'm training to be now."
"A butler? What's that?" wondered Mem.
At that moment, Alex executed a perfect curtsy. "Welcome, Mem. To clarify your inquiry, a butler is an individual who is dedicated to fulfilling the requirements of a master or a household. They perform tasks similar to those of a maid: cleaning, repairing, and so on. Additionally, they are trained to protect their master from any threats."
"Are you also a butler?" questioned Mem.
Alex shook his head. "No, I am a maid."
"Mem finds you quite attractive."
Observing this, Rem abruptly intervened, positioning herself between Mem and Alex. "Stop chatting with Alex. He's occupied with trivial maid activities."
Alex reassured, "It's fine. I can spare a few moments to discuss the profession."
Rem sounded a warning hiss. "If Mem starts asking you questions, she'll want to pursue maidship or something."
"Intriguing," said Alex, noticeably curious.
Rem hissed even louder. "No, she won't! She'd be terrible at it. Go attend to culinary matters; the limpet appears famished."
Alex looked puzzled. "Is everything alright with you?"
"I'm perfectly fine. Stop asking!" retorted Rem.
The limpet then interjected, "Alright, let's refocus. This isn't what this gathering is supposed to be. Rem, tone down the jealousy a notch. And Miss Mem, please have a seat. We have inquiries to make, correct?" She directed the last part of her statement toward me.
I nodded in agreement. While we did have specific questions in mind, perhaps now was the perfect moment to employ an old method for coaxing information from people.
"Miss Mem, would you be so kind as to recount for us the tale of how you and your companions came to be here?"
"Mem can do that!" she enthusiastically agreed. "The story began a few weeks back..."
Chapter 21: An Unforgettable Encounter with Mem
Seating myself on a convenient boulder, I motioned for the conversation to continue. While standing was an option, the rocky perch offered a more comfortable rest—especially given the less-than-cushioned state of my posterior. "If I might suggest," I began, "let's go back a bit. Why don't you share some details about your life?"
Mem, the mantis creature, nervously shuffled her feet. Her blade-like forearms generated a scraping sound that could only be interpreted as unease. "Mem is unremarkable," she mumbled.
"I'm not sure that's true," replied the limpet, remaining upright with her arms folded and legs firmly planted. Her posture still conveyed the air of a military debrief, and it was evident she had yet to gauge the mood of our gathering.
And, it should be noted, we weren't actually inside any sort of room.
Sensing little encouragement from those around her, Mem seemed to shrink slightly. "Where should Mem start?" she asked.
Weighing her thoughts for a moment, the limpet finally spoke. "Alright, let's hear your background—your upbringing, origins, things like that. If our Master believes it's pertinent, then it is."
Wiping an eye with her elbow, Mem nodded. "Mem comes from the Divine Mother, the Sovereign of All. She is the one who bestows names upon Mem and her siblings, and has devoured many a cultivator to produce additional offspring."
Her gaze subtly shifted toward Rem, who was quietly observing from the sidelines.
"Mem hails from the Flaming Steppes, near the populous human city of Yu Xiang. Raised among numerous siblings, many were consumed by our mother before they could mature enough to be named."
"Only the fittest survive under the Divine Mother," Rem interjected.
Mem nodded in agreement. "True. Mem was often told just that. Yet, despite not being strong, Mem managed to evade consumption. Whenever the Divine Mother sought to snatch a sister for sustenance, Mem would fortuitously stumble out of reach."
"You shouldn't refer to the Divine Mother as 'Mom,'" Rem grumbled.
"Mem heard humans use 'Mom' for their maternal figures. Hence, Mem does the same," she explained.
"An interesting choice," I chimed in, masking a smile. The power of naming could subtly influence even gods. In calling her 'Mom,' Mem might unwittingly vex the deity in question, which I found mildly amusing.
It seemed Mem was holding back a burst of emotion. "That summarizes my early years. Mostly it involved avoiding life's hazards through a combination of fear and happenstance."
"An awkward existence," Rem noted, under his breath.
"Indeed. My siblings would often say the same. Even though the Divine Mother named me, I sometimes question if I’m deserving," Mem confessed.
"How old are you?" inquired the limpet.
Mem pondered momentarily. "Approximately a century, give or take. I've existed for some time."
"Impressive," the limpet exclaimed. "Accomplished much in those years?"
Mem's demeanor brightened briefly before dimming back into a subdued state. "I lack aptitude in combat, hunting, or slaying. So, I sought alternative paths. Some of my sisters have done likewise."
"Intriguing," said the limpet, scenting the chance for useful intel.
"Certainly! For instance, Sister Bin repurposes human discards to construct elaborate dwellings. Other sisters..."
Bum and Dom operate a venue where humans seek romantic connections, generating significant income for their mother. Their sister Bun is an adventurer who's seen all sorts of things," Mem shared. "She's quite kind when she returns."
"I understand," said the limpet. "What was your endeavor?"
Looking downcast, Mem lowered her antennas to partly cover her eyes. "I initially sought to be the sister who offered affection and hugs, but that didn't appeal to anyone."
"I see," the limpet muttered.
"So, I tried different things. I got numerous cats, aiming to make my siblings fond of them. Cats are gentle creatures; they purr when treated well."
"Delicious!" Rem interjected.
Mem sank lower. "My mother and sisters found joy in consuming the cats I brought home."
The limpet glanced at me, clearly perplexed.
"Then I raised dogs, who are loyal and loving," Mem continued. "I had many dogs, and they were fond of me. I thought we could employ them for searching tasks. But when I introduced them to my family..." Mem emitted a distressed buzzing sound.
"It's easier to eat if you remove the fur first; otherwise, it sticks," Rem added. "Still a delightful treat, though."
"You consumed her dogs?" the limpet yelled at Rem.
"Just a handful! She had plenty!" Rem responded, appearing bewildered.
"That's not acceptable!" the limpet exclaimed.
"I can demonstrate," Rem snorted.
Ignoring Rem, the limpet asked Mem, "So, what brought you here tonight? Why are you with these soldiers and cultivators?"
Mem performed a human-like shrug with her long, blade-like arms. "Recently, Mom informed us we needed to locate someone. I wasn't very attentive."
"Figures," the limpet sighed. "Continue."
"The Opalhorn sect sent reinforcements, offering soldiers and a cultivator for each mantis that participated."
"So you enlisted for the extra manpower?" the limpet concluded.
Mem shook her head. "No, I joined because I was promised human companions who could become my friends."
"And? Did you succeed?" the limpet asked.
"A bit," Mem said. "The cultivator was quite cruel, but he's gone now. The humans are mostly okay, and some are even kind to me. One patted me on the back earlier and complimented my efforts!"
The limpet looked uneasy. "Master, I'm beginning to question the morality of our actions."
"Is that so?" I replied.
"It feels as though we've harmed an innocent," she said.
"That's your call," I said, lifting my skeletal shoulders. "You captured Mem and her human allies; their fate lies in your hands."
Panicked, Mem prostrated herself on the sandy floor. "I implore you, please don't injure my human friends! They're under my care."
"I shan't," said the limpet. "Your humans will remain unharmed. However, I have a few inquiries, if I may?"
Springing up, Mem nodded enthusiastically. "Mem is happy to explain!"
"Firstly," the limpet began, "how did you know to come to this coast?"
An excellent query indeed. The ability to locate an adversary was an invaluable trait, one that shouldn't be taken lightly. Should you learn how someone achieved this, you could either counteract it or potentially utilize it to your own advantage.
The real challenge lay in uncovering such tactics, as most seasoned leaders knew better than to divulge such key strategies.
Mem casually remarked, "We have a magical compass. It directs us to the 'most deceased' entity, and this time it led us here."
"Understood," responded the limpet. "And upon your arrival, what was your objective?"
"To find and eliminate the malicious undead entity," Mem answered. "But Mem was puzzled about how to actually kill something already dead. One time, one of Mem's pups died from eating something harmful. No matter how much Mem cuddled and rocked it, it remained lifeless, until Gon arrived and ate it."
"Hmm," said the limpet, turning to me. "What should be their fate? Should we release them?"
"You could," I agreed, "though it might be risky. A more prudent course would be to guide them to a secure place."
The limpet nodded. "Perhaps the Lava Fist sect would be willing to shelter them. They're rather amiable for a sect and would likely understand the situation without excessive posturing."
"Mem is grateful! Her humans will be in safe hands!" cheered Mem.
"Including you," clarified the limpet.
A sudden stillness overcame Mem, akin to a small insect spotting a predatory bug. "Ah... yes, of course."
"What's troubling you?" asked the limpet.
"Mem committed an error. Now, Mother will consume Mem, which is the usual outcome. But, Mem has ensured the safety of her humans, so it's an acceptable sacrifice."
The limpet looked at me once more, her eyes betraying a hint of concern this time. How I wished I had eyes to roll in exasperation.
"Would capturing their leader serve a purpose? She could possibly be put to use," she suggested.
"We already have Rem," he interjected.
"Training an additional servant doesn't sound like a bad idea," Alex mused.
"What?!" Rem exclaimed. "Training me is a time sink! I make numerous errors and consume all your time. Teaching others, especially Mem, will be an impossible task."
"Mem may not excel at tasks, but Mem puts in a tremendous effort," Mem defended herself.
Rem began to swiftly scrape her scythes clean. "You're trying to take my position," she accused.
"Mem would never steal. That's unkind," Mem retorted.
The limpet touched her forehead, as if contemplating a headache. "Am I going to regret this decision?" she whispered.
I nodded and replied, "Acts of kindness can lead to regret, but they also offer their own unique rewards at times."
"Fine," the limpet conceded. She gestured towards Mem. "We'll soon be heading to the Lava Fist sect to rescue your human comrades—or rather, the sect's warriors. During the journey, you'll serve as my dog walker. Take care of my dog, Fang Fang. If you manage well, I'll figure out some reward."
Mem lifted her scythes, then started making strange, gurgling noises while shaking oddly.
"What is she doing?" the limpet questioned, puzzled.
I shared her curiosity.
"Stop it, Mem! No dancing. The Divine Mother disapproves of us dancing in front of humans and the undead," Rem admonished.
Mem ceased her movements, her backside sticking out as a pair of small wings tugged at her tunic. "But Mem is joyous."
"Idiotic!" Rem yelled.
I had a feeling that this was becoming an increasingly intriguing situation, the sort that causes empires to fall and fuels compelling academic papers.
Chapter 22: The Dark Arts Reimagined
After the heat of combat had cooled, it was customary to go about reclaiming valuables from the fallen. A practice as old as adventuring itself, it had been immortalized in epic poems and ancient tales long before I came into existence. But necromancers like me, we took it to another level. We reclaimed not just the material, but the spiritual as well. Ah, the joys of dark arts.
"Seventeen, our young associate here might gain some insights by observing your reanimation techniques this evening," I noted.
Acknowledging with a slight bow, Seventeen replied, "Certainly, sir," and then turned toward our associate. "Shall we proceed?"
She nodded, clearly intrigued by the intricacies of animating the deceased, the hallmark of necromancy. Although she wasn't yet adept enough to perform such spells herself, the experience would likely prove valuable, provided she was attentive enough.
Seventeen and our eager associate then ventured off towards the shore, its hue gradually brightening as dawn approached.
Left in their wake were Alex, me, and our two newly acquired mantis allies. "So," I initiated, "are we ready to relay your surrender to your troops?"
Mem considered for a moment and then nodded her head. "Mem believes it's prudent. My human subordinates must be informed of the new arrangements. They might not take it well."
"I must say, you've acquitted yourself admirably under the given circumstances," I assured her.
It was a genuine sentiment. Despite seeming unfit for combat, Mem had outperformed her more martially inclined sisters and the evidently trained cultivators accompanying them. Lady Luck had played her part, too. In another set of circumstances, where my undead troops were less restrained, or our associate more ruthless, her plight could have been far worse. Yet, with Mem, it felt as though fortune had tipped the scales in her favor.
Rising from my makeshift seat, I straightened my clothes. Alex stepped closer. "Is there something specific you'd like prepared, sir?"
"Possibly. How about preparing some nourishment for our captives? We have a long journey westward, and it’s best they march on full bellies."
"Consider it done," Alex said. "Rem, come along. We've stored some provisions in the carriage. With Seventeen's help, we've also got some fresh crab and citrus. We could prepare a delightful crab roast with a tangy sauce."
He tugged at Rem's scythe, guiding her along. She showed an unusual lack of resistance. Intriguing.
"Mem would like to inquire about something," Mem piped up, her appendage raised as if in a classroom.
"Go ahead," I encouraged.
