After dealing with the monster hoard, travel has been pretty smooth. We've pretty much culled a large portion of the monsters in the area already and bandits have been avoiding this area because of all the monsters. We don't even need to visit villages and towns on the way because of Garn and the other dragons delivering fresh rations and supplies on the daily. Soon enough we made it to the capital. 

The guards at the gate gave us a raised eyebrow when we mentioned being emissaries from the N'esk tribe. Seeing a group of snakefolk this large has pretty much been unheard of. The guards seemed especially wary of me. Its the eyes isn't it? 

Well either way we eventually got let in with some accommodations made for us. We are technically a group of foreigners here. A group with a queen at that. We even managed to get an audience with the king scheduled in a week. I was expecting that we would have to apply for a slot in the open audience period, but we got a private one. The whole process was very akward though. The guards clearly didn't know how to handle diplomats so, They just sent a messenger to the palace who decided to bring this information to the minister of foreign affairs. This is probably the first time the minister of foreign affairs has had to do any work since the war with the organization's home country. Its the kind of position you give to idiots or those you don't want gaining power. Its completely redundant. However this minister actually managed to get us an audience with the king. Who the hell are they? The game sure as hell didn't show off any minister of foreign affairs. In game terms they'd be a mob or background character. The fact that they can pull this off kinda concerns me. The other things that exsist in reality but not in the game have been pretty disturbing so far. Actually scratch that, the bandits and those three thugs we actually pretty nice. There's also Mi'ara and Livia too. Ok so there is actually a decent number of nice surprises.

After getting accommodated, our group split up. Mi'ara said they have some friends they wanted to visit. Sky decided to visit some bookstores. Livia decided to visit the monster-slaying guild to gather information. Vil'anth decided to laze around in the room we were given and most of the guards left with the above people. That pretty much just left me. I considered lazing around with Vil'anth, but decided against it. I got some people I want to visit too after all.

-----------

Boss's PoV

Me and my boys got jumped in an alleyway. A few years ago, I would've said 'isn't this supposed to be the other way around?' But it's become rather common these days. After getting knocked out in a single surprise attack 7 or so years ago I practiced my detection skills, so this ambush didn't catch us completely by surprise. 

Still these goons seem to keep getting better and better. Everytime we manage to capture one they always managed to off themselves so we started killing them on sight. With each encounter they seem to have a better grasp of how me and my boys fight. This might be the fight where they finally get us.

No matter how many times we change our hideout, they always manage to find us. We would've left the capital, especially after getting kicked out of the theive's guild, but we have a promise with that young lass. As long as Keif lives we're staying in the capital.

My beloved sword that was crafted by her was knocked out of my hand. Borris has already been knocked out and Johnson has lost his leg. The organization bastard is going to plunge his blade into my chest. This is the end, I know it. To that lass, I'm sorry. I close my eyes and accept my fate.

[Become Tempest]

"Geez, can you old geezers do anything without me?"

I quickly open my eyes and see someone familiar, but at the same time very different. I can't help but smile,

"Despite becoming a grown women you're still quite the brat huh?"

-------

It was pretty annoying to find these thugs. Apparently they were excommunicated from the theive's guild. After hearing that, I killed the information broker who told me. The organization is definitely after those three and the informant who sold me info was definitely involved with the organization. Their pendant with the organization's insignia proved so.

Thankfully I managed to find them by pinging the whole city with a detection spell for my own mana. Of course they are in a pinch when I finally find them, but taking out five people is pretty easy for me now. Hell they've already been worn down for me already. The bigger problem is the folk watching from afar. In the organization's usual style they left some men behind to observe incase of the squad being wiped or captured. If I had truly been alone they would've escaped, but I have Big G so they will become dragon food soon.

The four other organization members freeze upon seeing me drop in and decapitate one of their members. In that moment of hesitancy I place a sound barrier around the area and a loud bang comes from my revolver. Another one drops dead on the spot.

[Hehehe these people are decently strong, master. They'll make a great meal!]

[As usual you're being psychotic... it's always this or some existential crisis with you Lavalivarus.]

[You can't deny that the power you're absorbing feels good though right?]

[I suppose, but unless its something important combat wise, please shut up.]

[...fine]

The assassins finally get their wits and charge me all at once. A single [chain lightning] hits each and everyone of them. Needless to say, all three expire. The strength entering my body proves it.

Boss walks up to me and pats my shoulder,

"Looks like our debt to you has increased yet again."

I'm about to make a snide remark about high interest rates, but am interrupted by a pitiful cry for help.

"You got another one of those high grade potions for my leg, girly?"

"Sure do, goon 2, but I can do you one better."

"MY NAME IS-"

"Johnson, I remember it. Don't get your panties in a twist, you'll probably bleed out faster if you do."

"Y-you actually remembered!"

Oh god he's crying now. Let's just heal him quickly now and move on. I don'twant to deal with a sobbing middle-aged man.

[Superior heal]

Thankfully the shock of seeing the extents of my healing powers puts an end to the tears.

"Eh?! I-its completely regenerated? I'm not seeing shit, right? Are you perhaps secretly a goddess?"

"No, but I am banging one."

Johnson's eyes glaze over for a moment after that statement. While I wait for the shell-shocked goon to recover I cast a few poison cure spells on everybody. 

[Summon water]

"Haaaaah! WHAT! WHERE! IS BOSS OK?! Huh, little miss?"

"Listen up boys! We got a lot of catching up to do, how about you lot show me around town in the meantime?"

"HOLY SHIT THE GIRLY LOST HER VIRGINITY BEFORE I DID!"

Well looks like Johnson's recovered, guess that means we can set off.