Hessian POV
"Your joy is making me uncomfortable." Alice spoke as I continued to hum an upbeat tune.
"It's only natural for me to be happy. I beat the Queen of Succubi A SECOND TIME!" I exclaimed. On the last match of the colliseum, Alma Elma showed up again for a rematch.
Needless to say, I was not caught off guard this time and easily dominated the match. So I've had a nice hop in my step all the way to the Noah region, much to Alice's annoyance.
"Oh, snowy. I always liked snow. Much better than forests." I comment while gazing at the snow covered peaks.
"..." Alice remained silent as she looked around with a curious eye.
"Never seen snow before Alice?" I grinned
"So what if I haven't?" she retorted with a glare
"Well, the best experience with snow is always to start with a SNOWBALL FIGHT!" I exclaim as I pelted her face with a snowball.
"You do realize, this means war." She spoke in monotone with a deadpan.
"I have never lost in a snowball fight." I confidently reply as I created a snowball launcher
∞
"The sacrifice this year should be me!"
"No! What would your family do if they were to lose you? I shall be the sacrifice this year!"
"No, I will!"
I watched as the group of men argued about who would be sacrificed to the 'Yamata no Orochi'. I mean, I get it. If you get 'sacrificed' to the monster for a year. It would basically be a vacation for you. Not having to work or care about anything other than pleasure for a year. It honestly sounds pretty cool.
"What do you think Alice?" I asked as she was off to the side trying the local delicacies
"Mpph I thwng thyea ifuits"
"Alice, please don't talk with your mouth full."
"I think they're all idiots." she answered after swallowing. "Also, I'm surprised you aren't trying to offer yourself up as well."
"I heard it was just multiple Lamias that were connected to eachother." I actually secretly checked up on the monster in question. It didn't pique my interest, so I have no desire to do it or dissect it.
"Wawa! I have been searching for thee!" I turned my head to the familiar sound of Tamamo.
She was frantically pointing at me as she hopped around my personal space.
"Yo Tamamo, been awhile." I greet since we haven't met since the cave.
"Enough of pleasantries! I must reclaim my pride!" she cried out.
"Oh? So you want a rematch then?"
I guess the fact that she didn't even last 10 minutes against me last time got to her. But I really am not a good match for her. Even if she avoids feeding off my soul, she would be forced to during climax. It's similar to the tantric ritual in which you can transfer magical energy to another servant through fluids.
"Indeed! Prepare thyself, for thou shall know the might of the Nine-tailed fox!" she cutely cried out
One hour later
"Okay, I'll admit it. You did much better this time." I comment as she was left moaning on the ground in a puddle of fluids. We really are a bad match for each other.
∞
"You sure this is the place?"
"For the last time, yes!"
The two had made it to Undine's springs located in the Noah region. Hessian truly was intrigued at the four spirit's abilities to basically become one with the elements. It was an interesting feeling, and he figured if he already got two. He might aswell get the remaining two to finish the set. Kinda like being the Avatar.
"Well, I'll be headin in." Hessian said as he split off from Alice. For some reason, she would always let Hessian go alone when he was meeting with a spirit.
Along the way, Hessian had encountered multiple slimes. Like there was nothing but slimes! Oddly enough, the slime were actually trying to kill him instead of the usual contest of pleasure. Not only that, there was this weird voice he kept hearing. Constantly warning him to turn back or to leave.
"You did not heed my words, human." A slime girl appeared from the shadows.
Hessian tilted his head to the side, he had a good idea of who the slime girl was. The other slime that were forced to retreat had kept mentioning the name 'Erubetie'. He guessed she was the boss. However what made him confused was the tattoos around the slime girl's body.
"How.... do those stay on?" Hessian was a bit dumbfounded at the tattoos."Like, did they use a brush or something?" It was truly odd to him
Erubetie ignored the young magician's questions and continued to scowl at him with a level of seriousness rivaling even Nanashi.
"For ignoring my warnings, you will die here human."
"Oh, so you were the voice I kept hearing!" Understanding dawned on Hessian. He nearly thought himself insane, well more insane than usual. "Apologies about that. But I have a certain illness, when someone tells me to do something. I feel like I need to do the opposite." He grinned mischievously
She narrowed her eyes at his nonchalance. "This is the spring that we slimes have purified. It is our home, why do you humans keep coming to pollute it? Have you not polluted the world enough!?" Hessian blinked at her calm anger.
"I can understand having a nice clean body of water." Hessian nodded in understanding.
"What could you possibly understand, human?" she scoffed and without warning, unleashed a tidal wave towards the young magician.
Hessian responded with a page barrier, the acidic water was unable to corrode the magical pages. Hessian didn't react when Erubetie came from the ground beneath him and trapped his head in a ball of water. Hessian didn't move, he simply stared at the slime girl's face with a bored expression. Just as Erubetie was about to try something different, she felt the world shift around her.
The next time she opened her eyes, she was in a world of water. Erubetie widened her eyes as she shifted her head to take in the great expanse of water. It was breathtaking, and completely free of the pollution of man. Hessian stood in front of the slime girl as she was awed by the sight of his Ocean of Memories.
"What is this?" she questioned
"This is my world, my soul." he responded cooly
"It's beautiful."
"Indeed."
"If humans did not exist, perhaps the world could have been like this."
"Nonsense." Hessian grabbed onto the Slime's face. "As long as you continue forward, I'm sure you can accomplish something like this easily." he gently spoke as he allowed her to drift within the Ocean of Memories.
Erubetie felt herself becoming wet despite being a slime.
∞
"Sup, so I'm guessing you're Undine?" Hessian asked as he examined the water spirit in front of him.
After he released Erubetie from his world, she seemed to lose her hostility towards him. Unfortunately she still seemed to hate humanity. Oh well, as long as she isn't bothering him then it's fine.
"Indeed, so you are the human that Sylph and Gnome have contracted to." she spoke gently and politely. Hessian's eyes seemed to twitch for a moment as Undine wondered what she did wrong.
"Sorry bout that, Sylph was just excited to see you." he explained.
"Ah... you have my sympathy." she spoke in understanding.
"She seems to be singing a song about you now."
"Yes, she tends to do that." the water spirit sighed
"Well, let's get this fight started then." Hessian sighed as he prepared for battle while listening to Sylph's song coming from within his soul.
"There is no need." Undine shook her head. Hessian blinked for a moment in surprise.
"Since you were capable of defeating Erubetie, you have proven your strength." she explained
"Oh, well nice to have you with us." He smiled
∞
"Well, this is... breathtaking." Undine spoke in awe as she took in the sight of the Ocean of Memories.
"YAYYY!!! DEENY IS HERE!" Her moment of awe was promptly ruined by the energetic wind spirit.
"Hey Deeny! Did you know, there's a guy up there that Gnomy has a crush on!" Sylph spoke as she continued to dash around the air. "Hey! Deeny, you should meet him! He does this cool thing with his eyes! Hey Dee-" Sylph was then silenced when the water spirit trapped her in a ball of water.
Undine believed that she would love it here, despite the annoying roommate.