Seraphim Online: Afterlife

Ah, a return to this cesspit of a city named Tuscany where beastkin are property and my kind are considered a rare kink. It’s safe to say the faster we leave this city behind, the better.

The only problem is, we’ve effectively been put on hold as we wait a painstaking long time to be seen in one of the many smaller courtyards surrounding this palace. Lena was already boiling enough, thankfully I may have found a way to calm her down and raise my strength.

‘Oh no… justification. This shouldn’t be that effective.’

“Hehe, faster Sera! I won’t be having my steed slacking off!”

‘Heh, I love this idiot so much.’

You see, I thought of an odd idea that would hopefully put a smile on Lena’s face. She’s always had a childish side to her so knew she’d appreciate being carried once in a while.

Way up on my shoulders, sitting on my neck, you could almost say she’s riding me in a sense.

Normally I haven’t got the strength to dare pick her up longer than a few seconds. The fact her thighs are brushing against my head as well as being this close to a place I very much like… my weak elven shoulders seem to have found the strength. Also, there is another thing, best described using a single word…

Boing, boing, boing! If you time it right, putting some swagger into my steps, a headache worth the pain can be achieved. Everyone deserves a little ecchi every now and then, nothing wrong with a little breast bouncing.

“Heh, I’m not running, Lena. You keep doing that and I promise you’ll regret it.”

“Quit your neighing, noble steed. Hya! Hya! Thou shall canter at a faster pacing, get a move on!”

Having way too much fun, Lena decides the best way of moving me is too kick, albeit lightly, against my own breasts. If she’s going to use these weapons against me, then so am I.

You see, on my shoulders she’s pretty unguarded. So much so, I can easily reach under her skirt and have a little fun of my own.

“S-Sera! There’s a t-time and a p-place!”

“Heh, says the one who thinks it’s okay to ‘whip’ my breasts. If you want me to run, I’ll need something to grab-, huh!? Naughty dragon!”

Hands rubbing against her bottom, looking to find a piece of soft clothing to grab onto, I can’t feel anything there! I’ve somehow converted Lena to the religion of commando-ism.

“Y-You do it all the t-time so what’s the big deal?”

“I’m not complaining… it’s just ironic. The day you decide to go free, I’m burdened with the restriction.”

“Eh!?! But you hate underwear, Sera!”

“It was cold, alright? When you fly as high as you do… sometimes a fluffy coat won’t cut it.”

High up in the sky, Lena’s makes me want to puke and cry. If the clouds are low, then that’s fine, but trying to keep out of sight when the clouds are full and windy sends a shiver down my spine… and my crotch apparently. Desperate times call for desperate measures, okay?

“Hehe, what colour are they, Sera? Did you borrow mine? Are they briefs? A thong? A G-String!? Or are they really cute and frilly!? Do you need me to buy you some pretty pink ones if they aren’t?”

…

“Woah… damn it! That was uncalled for, Sera!”

“Heh, what are you talking about? I did nothing!”

Suddenly, a huge gust of wind blows Lena off my shoulders and face first onto the courtyard, conveniently right when more strength is obtained.

‘Totally called for. Teasing or not, I’m not that adaptable. I don’t want to talk about wearing women’s underwear!’

A bump on my partners head and a face of real grumpiness tells me I shouldn’t have done that. Oh well, she’s a dragon with a high pain tolerance, there’s no way that hurt her. Do feel a little guilty though, didn’t mean for her to land like that.

The colour and preference of my underwear shall remain a mystery… who am I kidding? Me and Lena basically share clothes now, she can afford to miss a pair or two.

“Ahem… you two should come with me.”

Helping her off the ground, I’m about to bend over and give her another ride just when one of the golden royal knights makes his presence known.

‘Lovely, we can finally get this quest over and done with. A freaking G-String… is her mind in the gutter again or what…’

__________

“Apologies for the inconvenience, the ongoing border dispute to the east finally hit a breaking point last night so we’ve been working since dusk. You have something for us?”

Following the guard to a fancy guest’s room, surprisingly we’re not greeted by royals, but instead an uninterested royal advisor of all people.

“Yeah, this journal explains most of everything, I’ll still explain what happened. I’ve also marked the location on this map if you want to confirm things for yourselves…”

Going into detail explaining our experiences with the dungeons and bandits, the advisor scrolls through the journal I've given him, all the while sipping on a cup of tea. We were offered cups as well; Lena doesn’t drink it though and I’m a tea snob. If the milk is poured in with the bag… I’d rather go without.

“It’s unexpected, but believable considering how these places go. Do you have any more information relating to those bandits you encountered?”

Again with the surprises, I was expecting more of a response to the fact those powerful mages reside within the place. The man seems mostly uninterested in anything except the bandits. Then again, he did say about working since dusk, pulling an all-nighter does have that effect.

…

The thing is, before answering the question, I look to Lena just to confirm something we agreed upon while we were playing around. Frankly, the less information we can give this city, the better. Call it petulance or whatever, they’ll have to discover what Fuku and her spying sister are up to themselves. We’re only giving them the bare minimum.

“Sorry, we don’t. The masked leader got away, where they could be is anyone’s business.”

Once more, the advisor just continues with his tea still looking uninterested. With the bags in his eyes, I think my theory is correct.

“This will have to suffice… here’s what I’ve been authorized to pay you. Your employment to the kingdom is now complete so thank you for the service you’ve done.”

‘Good thing we didn’t tell them about the pink twins. Bloody cheapskates.’

A coin purse of just over a hundred is given to the both of us to share. All that time and effort to be basically paid what the going rate is in Bordertown of all places. This kingdom can officially go do one.

I’m happily to internally complain while Lena, like a kettle brewing in the background, is about to let off all that steam.

“That’s it!? We do all this work, going through that colourless hell, then you give us pocket change!? The least those two asshats can do is come out and say hello!”

‘Heh, is she wanting to get angrier? You just know that princess will say something bad about elves.’

“What do you want me to say? The highnesses are preoccupied with more important matters and this is what the payment is. You bring around species of lower sentience, no offense, the payment is obviously going to be lower.”

‘Oh, more casual racism. Lovely.’

“Hrm… Sera. Please say something witty about my ears because I don’t want to be reasonable anymore.”

With gritted teeth and a shake starting to border on shivering, Lena is going to get high blood pressure from this kingdom. Thankfully, I’m able to help a little by simply massaging the sides of her neck and her ear lobes.

“Out of curiosity, what are the royals up to? Is this related to the war in the east as well?”

“No, those two wouldn’t have a clue how to orchestrate a war. Her highness Melvita is due to get married any day now so all of us are working overtime.”

‘Eh, I’d say getting married is a fair enough excuse.’

Still with tired eyes and a desire to be rid of us as soon as possible, the advisor gets up and heads to the door to open it.

“Now, unless there’s anything else really important… please just leave. Thank you for helping Tuscany and be on your way…”

__________

And just like that, our service to the kingdom is over. No follow up quest or some hint at anything further as we leave the palace and return back to the mean streets of this city we’d rather forgot. Best to just leave with our tails between our legs before we really experience the true sourness this place has to offer.

[Upon completion of quest, Sera has received 100 EXP so level 11 has been reached. Is HP still the priority?]

‘Yes it is, Guide. We’re still saving ability points so just health again please.’

[Status has once again been adjusted accordingly.]

Still fuming inside but clearly trying to hide it, Lena stops the both of us with one of moodiest faces I’ve seen thus far. Not sure why but I’m getting the urge to pinch her cheek.

Personally, I’m really not sure what to make of this. I want to be pissed, be infuriated and hold a devastating anger like Lena, of course I’m a little annoyed at the lack of a decent reward. The thing is, I’m a realist… no, not like the hero who’s into kingdom building. It’s easier to go into situations expecting less.

“You all done now, Sera? The blue in your eyes is gone.”

“All done… that wall is looking mighty punch-able right now. Want to let off some steam?”

A small crack and a bit of dried blood still stains that wall Lena once punched. We’ve all been there and done it, my bathroom door where I was lived had a controller sized hole through it. The combination of sports and FPS games really do a number on one’s temper.

“Nah, deep down I know we should leave these lands. It’s good to get far enough away from those two sibling lovers as possible, ya know?”

‘Heh, this is going to become a thing now, isn’t it? The two royals of Tuscany, wrapped up in a taboo love. Wonder if a rumour would spread if we told the tale in every inn?’

“The question is, what next, Sera? What do we do now?”

Now that’s a question. There’s a whole range of places we could go within Seraph. I’ve already heard tales of elven inhabited jungles, deserts filled with beastkin and demon folk across the Abyss. All we have to do is go any direction and we’ll come across something interesting.

But then again, it makes sense to follow what we can see than blindly go into a region that we may be underequipped for. Besides, Lena’s done so much for me, the least I can do is try to help with her affliction.

“Could head back to Bordertown… I’d rather help you with something first.”

“With what, Sera?”

“Your inability to use magic. I know it’s a touchy subject, but you do want to be able to use poison again, right?”

As harsh as it is to see Lena get depressed, we do need to sort this out someday. If at least one of us can use magic, then our survival chances should increase a bit, right?

“Yeah… we can do that if you want. I’ve got an idea where we can start, just wish it didn’t have to be that place.”

“What’s the problem?”

She pauses for a moment, takes a deep breath, then reveals the reason for the concern.

“The only people I know that could help live in a cave faraway. Sera… it might be time to meet my parents…”

__________

Several days later…

“To think my beautiful sister, Melvita, will soon walk down the aisle! Oh, how grown up you are and how mother would be proud!”

“Keep acting like father, Rhodri, I promise you’ll end up in the same sorry state he is in.”

“But my loving sister is finally getting married to the one she loves and adores-, ouch! You really are as wicked as a witch.”

“And you’re a cockroach who’s only use is to be stepped on.”

A heel dives deep into the prince’s foot, his sister clearly not appreciating the joke.

As the both of them impatiently await inside the empty throne room for things to be ready, the princess takes a seat by her mother’s statue to reflect. In several hours, Princess Melvita is due to share rings with another, a political marriage with the sole purpose to garner more support from the pompous nobles that dwell under Tuscany’s thumb.

On recommendation from the princess herself, her husband might as well be a nobody, a noble lacking any sort of desire for power or control. The rumours are he may even prefer the company of men as well.

However, before the big day can progress any further, an unwelcomed guest arrives with a darkened fire burning deep in his soul.

“If it isn’t the blackened fiend that dare comes to spoil my big day. What, come to gawk at my infinite beauty or are jealous you’ll never win someone like me?”

“Oh Melvita… you really are hopeless.”

“Be careful what you wish for, princess. You seem to forgot how many times you’ve eaten dirt.”

“I… h-hate you so much!”

It hasn’t been the first time the general has laid hands upon the princess, nor will it be the last but he seems a little more patient today. Most times they meet face to face; the princess ends up bruised.

“So… what appears to be the problem? Why else would you be here?”

Taking the lead because the prince clearly doesn’t want his sister to have another black eye, The General just stands still like a statue.

“A red-haired elf wanders into this city and is somehow granted an audience with you two. If that’s not insulting enough, I learn of this due to a couple of gossiping maids! You dare not tell me about this!?”

The room explodes with fiery aura as The General’s dagger is unsheathed, the personal guard of the royals immediately flock into the room but none want to dare fight unless their hands are forced.

“We d-didn’t know! Me and Rhodri just needed a bunch of n-nobodies to act as bait, those outlaws have been spreading like a plague!”

“Speak for yourself, Melvita. A dungeon full of wealth would’ve helped the war effort massively. Our goals just happened to align on this.”

Both the royals stutter and gulp from his anger, now seriously worried if that legendary dagger will find its way into their necks.

Instead, all the armoured man does is step forward, lowering his weapon and staring dead into the princess’s eyes.

“For your sake… I hope the next word you speak is a direction.”

“W-West, they went west! The western guard reported them exciting that gate!”

“They were definitely seen heading on that road. Whether they turned south back into the forest or continued towards Britany, we don’t know I’m afraid.”

Thankfully, The General backs off and leaves the terrified royals alone… for now. This relationship has been ongoing for too long and if it wasn’t for the information the royal family possesses, he’d have been done with the whole lot of them years ago.

With one singular goal in mind and an itch in his wrist, the armoured man stomps out of the palace.

‘West is a big fucking area… they could be heading anywhere from the vampiric sinkhole to the dragon sanctuary. Both would end up death sentences… it’s heads or tails. Down into the forest, or onwards into Britany…’

__________

“L-Lena, put me down t-this instant! You a-already understand m-my battle with heights!”

“Hehe, weeeee! Loosen up, Sera, and have some fun!”

‘What a day to go braless… this is doing me in.’

Trying to use heights as an excuse as we traverse the city, all eyes seem to be glued to us as we run on by. However, wondering eyes is far from my main concern. The combination of breasts hitting against Lena’s head and my crotch constantly rubbing against her head… it’s oddly titillating.

“You n-need to stop r-right now, Lena! Otherwise, something b-bad is going to happen.”

“Hehe, how bad, Sera? You’re not going to pee or something, right?”

“Well… t-technically some of it might b-be pee. Just let m-me down before we risk an accident.”

“What are you talking abo-, E-EH!?! Damn S-Sera… never thought the b-back of my head could work that way. I-I can keep running if you w-want another minute or so.”

“Heh, think I’m good… not sure if doing that right outside a brothel is a good omen honestly.”

Ashamed with a bright red face, I nod to Lena who finally lets me down from my high horse. Not sure how much longer I’d have survived, things were looking dangerously close for a moment…