>>25452809Citrora seemed a bit flustered by the current topic, for some reason. “Kenichi, I’m telling you that the proper worship of a Goddess cannot include things such as l-lewding her. It’s unthinkable nanora.” The engineer shook his head while biting a tempura fried sweet potato. “I imagine this must be a cultural distinction between our people. It’s not so strange for a Deadbeat to grow to desire Our Mori carnally, she is undeniably an immensely attractive entity. I believe the same could be said of your Princess.” This seemed to put the Luknight off-balance. “Well, yes, Hime is an icon of beauty, but you shouldn’t let your admiration be tainted by this kind of feeling nanora!” Kenichi responded with a surprising amount of gravitas. “Desire is not a taint, Fruce. It can be a source of power, or of motivation. Our most elite warriors are driven almost mad by their Mori Love, but it is what makes their bones so strong.”
In her time of need, Citrora saw someone approaching the table. The place was ran by couple, a Deadbeat huntsman married with a certified Luknight Chef, Lady Anisa Corish. The matron was quite a character, she had visited the group in the middle of their meal. Fruce was a good friend of hers. Citrora introduced the Deadbeats to her before explaining the expedition to her. “I already know, Fruce, everyone in town heard about it. You’re really going back up there, huh?” Citrora nodded slowly. “The Himedom needs my skills in the North, once more nanora.” Lady Corish stared at the Luknight for some time. Citrora was around ten years her junior, and Anisa seemed a bit concerned. The younger Luknight seemed to read her gaze. “It won’t be like last time, Anisa. It’s not a desperate stand against the hordes, it’s a well-equipped scientific expedition.” The Chef Knight shakes her head in disapproval. “It doesn’t matter how much gold the Deadbeats have brought, or how high-minded your goals are. Soon enough, you’ll be faced with a schizo filled with hate and frosted in icicles. And you won’t have me watching your back.”
Lady Citrora crosses her arms and smirks, as if she was thinking: “Ah, so this is what it’s about”. “I’ll have plenty of people watching my back. Fellow Luknights, and Deadbeat warriors.” The older woman exhales. “I guess you have to let the bird fly to the high Arctic one day.” A smile grew on her lips. “If you get yourself killed, I’ll murder you.” Fruce giggled, it was a sweet, heartwarming sound. “I’ll keep that in mind, you worrywart crone nora.” The cook faked some anger and began laughing with the rest of the table.
***
Well, they were back on the ship now, admiring Chunora for the last time for the foreseeable future. Next stop: the Capital of the Himedom.
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>>25383460 