I was at the limit of my patience. The new debt of 15 coins to Torin, because of the chaos at the hot springs, was a constant burden, and Melina's song about "the strippers of the springs, again" was now being sung even by Vaelor's coachmen. My head was a mess. Elara, Vespera, and Liriel messed with me in ways I couldn't explain. Elara with her shy glances that made my heart race, Vespera with her teasing that left me flustered, Liriel with that jealousy she barely hid—and even Fiona, with her bold flirting at the festival, made things worse. I wanted to pay the debt, clear our reputation, and maybe have a normal moment with someone. But with this group, that was about as likely as convincing Liriel to stop drinking. The amulet, the scepter, the orb, and the symbol from the spring—all glowing in my backpack—pointed toward a ritual of the Demon King's general in Vaelor. I didn't know how to handle it, but I could feel the danger approaching.
At the guild, I found a mission that seemed connected: "Investigate Eldric's Tower, a missing mage, for signs of dangerous magic. Reward: 90 silver coins." Mira, from the springs, said the tower might be linked to the Demon King's general's ritual. It was a chance to pay Torin and understand the artifacts. Dragging Liriel out of the inn was the same old story. "A dusty tower? Unworthy of a goddess!" she complained, clutching her wine glass. Elara looked nervous. "I'll use only protective magic, I promise," she said, gripping her staff. Vespera, holding her bow, smiled. "Towers are exciting! I can't wait!" I tried to sound firm: "No crazy spells, no crooked arrows, no succubus charms. Just investigate." They nodded, but I knew they were lying.
Eldric's Tower was a tall, crooked structure with broken windows and a scent of ozone. At the entrance, we found Durin, the miner dwarf, and Thorne, the thief. "The strippers? Great, more destruction," grumbled Durin. Thorne laughed. "Careful not to strip the tower." My face burned. They were there on their own, but Durin said the tower held unstable magic, possibly linked to the Demon King's general. Eldric, an old mage with a white beard, appeared, his eyes tired. "You again? Try not to make things worse," he said, explaining that the tower was filled with rogue spells. The mission was clear: neutralize the magic and find clues about the ritual. I noticed Elara walking closer, Vespera giving me teasing looks, and Liriel striking a pose with her wine glass, as if competing for my attention. It was confusing, and I just wanted to focus on the mission.
Inside the tower, chaos struck fast. Elara tried a protection spell. "Just to block spells!" she said. The shield glowed for seconds before she collapsed, panting. "Mana… gone," she moaned, falling into my arms. Her face was so close I could feel my heart pounding—but then a spell shot out from the walls, releasing a sticky mist over us. Vespera laughed and used her succubus charm. "Come on, crazy magic!" She attracted glowing spheres, but her arrows flew crooked, hitting a shelf that unleashed more spells. "What a delicious mess!" she shouted as one of the orbs hit her—and she seemed to enjoy it.
"Liriel, do something!" I yelled. She raised her cup. "Divine purification magic!" The mist turned into glowing slime that stuck to everyone, leaving our clothes semi-transparent—again. I tried to strike one of the spheres with my borrowed sword but slipped on the slime. Eldric, seeing this, grumbled, "You people are a curse." Thorne, laughing, grabbed a magic tome and tried to run, but Durin stopped him. On the top floor, we found an altar with symbols identical to the amulet, scepter, orb, and spring. When I touched the altar, magic exploded, and Liriel's slime glued us all together. Elara, still weak, murmured, "You always save me, Takumi…" blushing. Vespera, laughing, came closer. "I like seeing you tied up like this." My face burned, but Liriel, annoyed, tried another spell—which only made it worse: the slime spread, sticking the four of us to Eldric. "Mortals and their ridiculous crushes!" Liriel huffed, but I noticed a fiery jealousy in her eyes as she ended up stuck to me. Eldric neutralized the altar, but the tower was left damaged.
We found a clue—a tome containing the general's ritual—but received only 60 coins from the guild, deducted for damages. We paid off Torin's debt, but Eldric charged us 10 coins for the tower repairs. At the inn, I sat, exhausted, while Elara and Vespera argued over who had "controlled" the magic better. "My shield helped!" Elara said. "And my charm attracted them!" Vespera retorted. Liriel, sipping her wine, scoffed. "You're pathetic. I did everything."
When they left to get food, I pulled Liriel aside. "If you're a goddess, who's on your throne now?" She shrugged. "Celine, my assistant. She's annoying, but she holds the fort." She took a sip. "Why? Planning to get rid of me?" She smiled, her gaze leaving me confused. Eldric stopped by the inn, saying the tome confirmed the Demon King's general's ritual, with a minion active in Vaelor. "Be careful, strippers," he said, walking out. I looked at the glowing items—amulet, scepter, orb, tome. Those moments with Elara, Vespera, and Liriel messed with me, but always turned into humiliation. And now a Demon King's minion? My life was a nightmare, and I just wanted one day without being called a pervert.