Claire took Sarah with her as she traveled into the yard after speaking with Miss Wallen. Forced to bring some snacks along, just in case they got hungry.
She shook her head with a smile.
We were only going to be gone for a few minutes. She thought, laughing to herself.
Claire made sure to support Sarah as they walked. While Sarah was incredibly strong, a woman as far along as she was, was still in a vulnerable state. Even after the system, Sarah was prone to, well, mood swings.
Looking down and placing a free hand on her own midsection, Claire wondered if the same would happen to her.
While lost in thought they finally came to the yard outside the massive home. Drake had placed the house on the only island in the city, the only thing connecting it to the main populous an icebridge.
Somehow the ice never melted and Claire never questioned it. The waters were also protected now with the integration of the new refugees from Sandal. A large group of Merpeople had come, finding refuge in the waters.
She was aware from her own managerial duties as one of Drake's wives that the Merpeople eventually did want to return to the sea in hopes of finding their ancestral land. But that would have to wait for now with a majority of the city on alert.
The coming waves of monsters from the world quest on top of the danger of being affiliated with ReUnite if you should venture to the wrong city, was too great at the moment.
The others and herself were working overtime in keeping peace within the city.
One would think that being saved would make many happy, but it was quite the opposite. The influx of new residents clashed with the old and even the new.
To Claire's own surprise, many of the elves did not mesh well. Within the Elf community there was a very rigid power and social hierarchy. When she learned of it, she went straight to Aralleen. Who was quite embarrassed to admit it was the truth.
On their planet before the system, they were ruled by kings and queens. Her parents being one of them.
That type of governing structure was long past its prime on Earth by the time the system came, but Claire was more sure by the day it would become something much more common.
Making their way through the yard, Sarah and Claire crossed paths with the kids.
"Landin, Kalik. What a surprise, did you come to check up on Sarah?" she asked, patting the orc woman's head.
Landin waved, "We did. We also came to see if anything changed with Drake. Maybe we can all go out to eat something good at the new restaurant that opened up after? Kalik has been dying to go."
"I have not. Why do you spread such falsehoods?!" Kalik grunted.
"Anyway," Landin grinned, putting his hands behind his head, "So? Would you like to join us in checking out the new restaurant? It would be good for everyone to get out. By the way, is Charlotte here yet? Have you seen Quetz or the twins?"
Claire laughed, "No… I haven't seen them, but I would guess the twins are seeing Drake. Atropose is very… Protective of him still. But a family outing seems like a great idea. We should go ask Mrs. Wallen and the others."
"I will need a change of clothes," Sarah sighed, "I do find these clothes very soothing, may I continue to borrow them when we return?" she asked Claire.
"Of course Sarah, I think you look very cute."
Sah Ul' smiled, "I wish that Drake will say the same when he returns. Now that it has been decided we will go out for food, I would like to visit him sooner. Let us get going!"
Sah Ul' finally let go of Claire, walking toward the building that was constructed to cover both the Anchoring Crystal as well as the frozen statues of Drake and his friends.
Claire cracked a smile as well, following close behind.
"Jeez, Sarah has really lightened up since… Ya know," Landin chuckled, "How about you go with them and I'll wait here for Charlotte?"
Kalik grumbled, "If I must, so be it."
As he left with the other two, Landin made his way to the house, prepared to tell Mrs. Wallen of their plans before coming back outside to wait for Charlotte.
—--
Claire entered the building after Sah Ul', the lighting much more dim than outside. The walls were painted by a faint blue light that got stronger as they made their way deeper inside.
Once they were at the center, the room was lit up by a crystalline sapphire glow from the Anchoring Crystal. A group of shadows flickering on the wall.
"Afternoon everyone," Claire said, announcing their arrival. Not that it was needed. All of Drake's students could sense within several tens of feet with their aura spheres by this point.
Claire was also sure that Natto had known they were coming as well as the administrator of the city. However, Natto turned and nodded to her briefly all the same, before turning back to her screens.
Atropose, Quetz, Clotho, Ari, as well as Ekko and Tatsuki were present. All of them looked at the ice crystals of various sizes that contained their loved ones.
Claire moved forward with Sah Ul' as they approached the one containing Drake.
Still frozen in place with a half grin on his face, black blood running down his mouth. Claire couldn't help but give a subtle laugh. When was the last time she could remember him fully clean and not bloodied or battered?
She, just like Sah Ul' and the rest stood as close as possible but remained at arms length. They had found out the hard way that Drake's magic was something not to underestimate, even at their levels.
Somehow Drake's ice was still being infused with mana, keeping both him and his friends, Leon and Damian sealed within.
She looked at him through the ice, a strange feeling of distance despite being so close to the man she loved. Looking over she saw Ari with a similar expression as she gazed at Leon. But she chuckled as she saw Ekko, working away in front of Damian.
The little construct bobbed her head to her music as she bounced between managerial duties by swiping at screens. Then spinning records on a small turn table, moving knobs every so often as she pursed her lips giving a great expression of satisfaction.
Tatsuki was much more straight-laced. Or at least in appearance from Claire's experience, she knew very well the little construct had a foul mouth after traveling with her, Ari, and Leon for so long.
Small idle chatter went back and forth between them all before Landin came in.
"Hey folks! Charlotte is here! She brought someone who wants to se Drake too. Think that's okay?"
Natto turned first, "The sooty hammer girl, yes. I believe it would be appropriate for her to see him. Do you agree, zappy girl?"
Claire frowned, "I thought you were past using a nickname for me…" she sighed, "I don't see a problem with it, after all she is doing so much work for us all, I would hate to say no."
Sah Ul' also nodded in agreement as Claire turned to her for her approval as well.
Natto waved, "Bring her in then. Do not forget the miniature elf princess too. She will become quite annoying if I do not allow her to follow you around for at least a little…"
Landin's face blushed, "Haha, you think she likes me that much huh? I mean we have been-"
Natto sneered at him uninterested, cutting him off with another wave of her hand.
As he turned about face and made his way out of the building again. Charlotte replaced him. She bowed slightly to Sah Ul' and Claire. Giving terse nods to the rest of them before standing in front of Drake.
Claire felt conflicted. By the time she had met Charlotte, the girl and the rest of the kids had already made their advancements into F-Rank. For them their changes were more severe. Forcing the kids to grow up in not only appearance but mentality as well, or at least for most.
From her conversations with Sarah, Claire knew a good deal of how the kids were brought up under Drake's tutelage. And she also knew if he tried anything like that with their children, he would be sleeping on the floor for the rest of his life.
Regardless however, she understood, of all of them, Charlotte and Atropos seemed to have the biggest change in demeanor. And each time she met with Charlotte it was hard to not see it. The girl was several years younger than Claire, but she held herself as if decades older.
Cold, calculating, ever-aware, and most importantly fierce. The only time Claire had ever seen the girl soften even slightly was when dealing with family.
That was to go for the rest of them. Just how Claire and Drake's friends had made a bond in the tutorial. Their group under Drake had become close. Closer even.
Returning with the dwarf girl, Landin and Tanya stood to the side. Landin cared for Drake deeply and Claire knew that, but he was much like Drake in that he covered his worry and problems in humor. Using it to be the rock that others needed in his own way.
The girl, Yula, anxiously faced Sah Ul' and Claire. Bowing deeply as she stuttered.
"H-H-Hello! T-Thank you for a-allowing me to pay my respects!"
"It isn't a problem, Yula," Claire addressed, "You are doing quite a lot for us and the city. We trust you implicitly. How goes your work?"
"Everything i-i-is enjoyable, your L-Ladyship. T-The weapons that Lady Natto has ordered will be finished on time!" Yula answered a little more confidently before she bowed her head again. "I j-just wanted to s-see him again… A-And thank him…" her face blushed before she corrected herself. "And you all as well! F-For saving us!"
Sah Ul' turned and placed a hand on Yula's shoulder.
"Do not worry. The Patriarch did what was most natural. These people that placed you in your chains. We have not seen the last of them, and we will crush them all the same. This time with your help. So there is no need to thank us. We shall move forward together."
Claire thought Sah Ul' was quite poetic in her response. At least she would have been if not for her outrageous attire being a one-piece bunny pajama.
But it seemed Yula cared not and nodded profusely before being let go to see Drake with the others.
Claire could see the girl had feelings for Drake. It was obvious. And the growing amount of women falling for him of course always concerned her. However, she reminded herself that Drake was not someone she could keep to herself in this world. Natto had made that clear to her since the tutorial when she knew very well that she could not see herself with anyone but Drake.
Her eyes wandered and Claire caught Natto's eyes. The small construct waved Claire away from the rest of the group.
Moving, Natto placed an administrative sound barrier around them.
"How do you feel about the dwarf girl?" Natto asked.
Claire understood the question, but wasn't sure what brought it on.
"She seems like a good person. Why?"
Natto shook her head, "It is fine. There are certainly more important matters. For one, have you seen the crazy doctor?"
"Bridgette? No..?"
"My concern is the children you and Sah Ul' bear. Be sure to get check ups regularly. Now," Natto said, sliding her arms into her sleeves, "There is another pressing matter we must address…"
Claire looked concerned. She hadn't seen Natto worried to this level, ever.
"The city is safe for now, but I am unsure of what is happening with the moron," Natto sighed, looking at Drake, "And I must certainly say! I do not know when he will be released from whatever state he is in with the rest of them which makes this even more frustrating-"
World Wide System Alert: Atticus Wallen has begun the summoning ritual for the Avatar of the Sun. Should the ritual succeed, an D-Rank Avatar will be allowed on the planet, subverting the system's protection due to a willing connection to a chosen.
Time until ritual completion: 51 Days, 12 Hours, 38 Minutes.
World Wide System Alert: The Blood Duke of Castor has begun the sacrificial ritual for the Avatar of the Grand Lich. Should the ritual succeed, an E-Rank Avatar will be allowed on the planet.
Time until ritual completion: 29 Days, 12 Hours, 37 Minutes.
Claire saw as the blood from Natto's face paled.
"What have they done!?" Natto screamed, the sound proofing barrier releasing.
"So I guess this means dinner's canceled?" Landing chuckled wryly.