I was exhausted, physically and mentally. The 10-coin debt to Eldric, because of the damaged tower, was another burden, and Melina's song about "the strippers of the tower" now echoed even in Vaelor's stables. My head was a storm. 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 speechless, Liriel with that jealousy she could barely hide—every moment of closeness turned into a disaster. I wanted to pay the debt, clear our reputation, and maybe have a chance to understand these feelings. But with this group, that was about as likely as defeating the Demon King with a spoon. The amulet, scepter, orb, and tome in my backpack glowed together, and Eldric confirmed they were part of a ritual from the Demon King's general, with a minion active in Vaelor. The danger was closer than ever.
At the guild, I found a mission that seemed inevitable: "Hunt down a minion of the Demon King's general in Vaelor. Reward: 100 silver coins." It was our chance to pay Eldric and face the growing threat. Dragging Liriel out of the inn was the same drama. "A minion? Mortals and their problems!" she complained, holding her wine glass. Elara looked nervous. "I'll use attack magic—no overdoing it," she said, gripping her staff. Vespera, with her bow, smiled. "A minion? This will be exciting!" I tried to sound firm: "No crazy spells, no crooked arrows, no succubus charm. Just defeat the minion." They nodded, but I knew it was all talk.
The minion, a goblin named Varak, was tracked to an abandoned warehouse in Vaelor. At the entrance, we met Elowen, the seer, and Mira, the attendant from the springs. "The strippers? Great, more chaos," said Elowen, her eyes mysterious. Mira scoffed. "Careful not to strip the goblin." My face burned. Elowen said Varak was using the ritual to summon something bigger, connected to the Demon King's general. Eldric, who joined us, added, "The amulet, scepter, and orb are keys. Neutralize Varak before he completes the ritual." I noticed Elara walking closer, Vespera throwing me teasing looks, and Liriel posing with her wine glass, as if competing for my attention. It was confusing, but the minion was the priority.
Inside the warehouse, chaos came quickly. Elara tried an attack spell. "Just to weaken him!" she said. A fireball flared for a few seconds before she collapsed, panting. "Mana… gone," she moaned, falling into my arms. Her face was so close I could feel my heart racing, but Varak threw a magic net, trapping us. Vespera, laughing, used her succubus charm. "Come here, little goblin!" Varak became confused, but her arrows flew crooked, hitting a barrel that exploded into a glowing slime. "What a delightful mess!" she shouted as Varak hit her—and she seemed to like it.
"Liriel, do something!" I shouted. She raised her cup. "Divine purification magic!" The slime turned into a sticky substance that clung to everyone, leaving our clothes semi-transparent—again. I tried to strike Varak with the borrowed sword but slipped on the slime. Elowen, calm as ever, cast a spell that weakened Varak, but the warehouse began to tremble. In the center, an altar glowed with the same symbols as the amulet, scepter, and orb. When I tried to deactivate it, I was caught by the slime, and Elara, trying to help, fell on top of me. "You're so brave, Takumi…" she murmured, blushing, almost like a confession. My heart stopped, but Varak threw a dart, interrupting everything. Vespera, laughing, came closer. "I love seeing you all tied up like this." My face burned, but Liriel, annoyed, tried another spell, which only made things worse—the slime spread, sticking the four of us to Mira. "Mortals and their idiotic crushes!" Liriel huffed, but her jealous glare was fiercer than ever. Eldric neutralized the altar, and Mira killed Varak with a spear.
We managed to stop the ritual, but the warehouse was left in ruins. At the guild, we received 70 coins, reduced for the damages. We paid off Eldric's debt, but Mira charged us 10 coins for the warehouse. Back at the inn, I sat, exhausted, while Elara and Vespera argued over who had "defeated" the minion. "My fireball helped!" said Elara. "And my charm distracted him!" Vespera retorted. Liriel, drinking 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 handles things." She took a sip. "Why? Planning to send me away?" She smiled, with a look that left me confused. Elowen stopped by the inn, saying the altar had revealed the secret of the amulet—it amplifies the Demon King's general's magic, and more minions are out there. "Be careful, strippers," she said, leaving. I looked at the glowing items—amulet, scepter, orb, tome. Those moments with Elara, Vespera, and Liriel—almost a confession this time—messed with me, but always turned into humiliation. And now more of the Demon King's minions? My life was a circus, and I just wanted one day without being called a pervert.