Minute Mage: A Time-Traveling LitRPG

Chapter 245: Return

Teleportation using the Beacon felt different from teleportation using a circle. It was more unstable, in whatever way teleportation could feel like thatI arrived slightly off-balance, disoriented, and most importantly, absolutely sick to my stomach. The moment I saw the Goblins forest around me, I immediately lurched over, almost certain I was about to puke my guts up. A glance at Erani told me she felt similarly.

Do not feel good at all! Ainash said, followed by a thudding sound. I looked at her, only to find her lying in the dirt, staring up at the treetops with her mouth hanging half-open. Feel likebody is turning inside out.

Yep, this is not great. I gave a strained response. However, the sensation was quickly fading. I took a few deep breaths, finding each one returned some sense of normalcy back to my body.

As my nausea subsided, I heard Erani groan. I really hope it doesnt feel as bad when we return.

Im sure well be fine, I said, letting out one last shaky breath. I hoped my face wasnt visibly green.

No, seriously, Im considering suggesting we find some way to take a carriage next time. I cant do this again.

If were using mundane means of transportation, youll have to settle for walking, miss rich girl. Especially if Sylvie is apparently going through some sort of financial crisis right now.

Is okay if I stay here for rest of night? Ainash asked, still flat on her back.

Unfortunately, theres at least a thirty percent chance that Slyvies problem is actually as urgent as she made it sound, so we should probably get moving, I responded.

I would give it at least fifty, Erani said. Shes not stupid, you know; she wouldnt ask us to return right after we left if it wasnt actually important.

Either way, I think were in agreement that we should head to town. I reached down to help Ainash up, and she reluctantly took my hand.

It was only after I took a couple steps forward that I realized we werent alone in the forest.

Off in the edges of the treeline, Goblins were staring at us with amazed eyesalmost reverent.

Uh I gave an awkward wave. Hi.

One of them stepped forward. It was draped in an oversized cloth that it was using as a robe, but was clearly just some grown mans tunic that I hoped it just stole and didnt loot off of a corpse. Have returned, just as prophesied!

...What?

It turned to face the rest of the group of Goblins. Great Crystal has returned Great Ones to us! I am prophet!

Ainash looked at them for a second, clearly confused, but after a moment seemed to figure out what was going on. She took a short breath, then stepped forward, puffing out her chest proudly. The Goblins all looked at her, and she dramatically made a few hand signalsher way of communicating with them. I had no idea what she was saying, but once she finished the short string of movements, the Goblins eyes widened and they bowed in reverence.

Whats going on? I asked her.

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Seems like Goblin in front thinks we are special people, and other Goblins believe one in front now that we teleported back. Said Goblin in front is right.

Erani turned to me and muttered, Did theystart an entire religion around us while we were gone?

We were only away for, like, half a day! I responded. Ainash really mustve instilled the fear of the gods into them when she was training them, huh.

Is this even a good thing? It feels like its not.

Sure as hells tells me she knows what shes doing.

What Goblins are doing is called religion? Ainash asked. Is about gods?

Uh, yeah, essentially, I responded.

Its when Humans take things like the System or the stars or other things of great, mysterious power and try to extrapolate information from them to make sense of the world, Erani explained. Like, some religions say that the stars are actually the people who created everything that we see around us. Or that when you die, your consciousness goes someplace else instead of disappearing.

That sounds good! Ainash said. Think I like religion!

Yeah, it looks like the Goblins assume were one of those great powers, I said. Uh, it looks like youve got this handled?

Will show them how great I am!

I turned to Erani. Should we just leave and go talk with Sylvie while Ainash doesthis stuff?

Are you sure we should?

Its past midnight. Ive got my uses back in case anything goes wrong.

She pursed her lips. I guess.

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We started walking back to town after that, leaving Ainash behind to sort out this Goblin business. I supposed that since we would be coming back here every now and then with the Beacon, it would be best to keep them relatively self-governing, but still obedient to her. Besides, I still wasnt sure if it would be a good idea to bring her into town.

We entered Salvation not as Annor and Eita, but as Arlan and Erani, with me wearing Light Plate and her keeping Distortion Strike inactive. It didnt take long after entering for people to notice, whispers spreading everywhere we walked. Nobody directly confronted or spoke to us though, not even the guard. After the stunt we pulled killing Jon in that massive battle, I was pretty sure the whole town would know of our presence within an hour.

Which was perfect, since Sylvie didnt even give us a place to meet her.

Erani and I just made our way to the guild lobby, hoping shed be waiting for our arrival and would hear that wed come. Maybe she would have someone come wake her up to come meet us, or something.

But when we entered the lobby, I saw her sitting at the bar, front and center, a mug in her hand and about six more empty ones lying on the floor by her feet.

The room went quiet when we walked inside, and Sylvie looked back to see us, eyes growing wide and a grin spreading across her face. Hey! Its you guys! Cmon over here!

After a slight pause, I made my way across the room as she eagerly beckoned us forth, clearly drunk out of her mind.

So what happened to financial crisis? I asked, eyeing the empty cups of booze surrounding her.

Aah, Ill be fine. Whats one last night of a little fun, right?

Whats going on? Erani asked. Why did you ask us to come here?

She rubbed her eyes with the palms of her hands. Flamin...parents are being shitters. Took away my assets. No income, no stockpile of eyt left. All Ive got is what Ive earned while here.

What? I asked. Why? Is that even legal?

Ugh. Its so stupid. They heard about me and the whole fight thing with that one Cleric dude, and were like Oh no, we dont want our daughter associating with terrorists and committing cold-blooded murder, or whatever. So they disowned me. All my stuff was technically in the family name, so now Ive got nothin.

Disowned? Eranis eyes grew wide. Thats extremely serious.

Yeah, I know it is. Thats why Im drinking, dumbass. Sylvie groaned, her head falling into her hands. Its fine, whatever. Didnt wanna be a part of that whole family anyway. So, basically, Im just cashing in that favor I got banked with you two. You promised youd let me tag along with stuff you got up to, right? Boom, here we go. Youre probably out making bank and living well, so take me along with you.

Are you sure you cant fight them on this? I asked. Like, you can just tell them you stumbled upon the fight, or you could convince them that you were fighting for the right side, or that you were just protecting people in trouble, or something.

She flopped her head on the bar. Are you saying I cant come?

Well, no, but

Good. Then Im coming. Theyre stubborn, and I dont wanna have the argument. Would be way more satisfying to just go get rich without them or something, and then I can go rub it all in their faces. She sighed, as if imagining the scenario. Yeah, thatd be great.

The problem is, we arent currently focused on money, Erani said.

What, too busy fighting off more armies invading the capital or whatever?

Nothing like that. Um, Annor and Eita have signed up for this tournament in Precipice. It was only created recently, so Im not sure if youve heard of it, but

Youre doing the Conquerors Tourney?! Sylvies head shot up, staring at Ernai.

Er, yes, they are, but

She leaned forward. I wanna do it too.

I thought you wanted money, I said.

She turned to me. Do you think the empire doesnt pay the winners for their work? Are you stupid, or something? Thats perfect!

You would technically be competing against

Im fine competing against you guys, whatever. Ill just win.

Erani snorted. Yes, alright.

What? She turned to face Erani again. You think the idea of me winning is so comedic?

No, no, its just that Arlan said almost the exact same thing earlier. She glanced around the bar. Er, he said it about Annor.

Mhm, whatever, she said. Lets get going, yeah? I think I have enough leftover to comp you two for the teleportation, but youll probably have to fully cover my cost of living and all that, socall it fair?

Uh, just come with us, I said. We have a cheaper method of transportation.

I hope I dont need to pack for a week-long trip or anything. I think I have some shit at Boys place, so let me go there first.

You wont need to worry about a long trip. But I guess youd want to bring your things if youre planning on staying in Precipice for a while. Which I guess you are planning on doing?

Probably. Dont really have anything attaching me to this place.

That seems rude to Entismo, Aliss, and Boy.

Meh, they can take some bad manners. Besides, Aliss is still missing, so she deserves it. And Boy does too for not telling me where she is. And Entismo deserves it for not telling her he had a crush on her and finally nailing the woman before she disappeared. So, yknow.

Youre really just gonna leave?

Ill come back eventually. Once Im obscenely rich.

You mean once youre back to being as obscenely rich as you were a few hours ago?

Oh, you havent seen obscene wealth if you think what I had was a lot.

I rolled my eyes. Clearly I havent.

We walked over to Boys place together so she could fill a backpack with the essentials. The place was empty, Boy apparently having spent the night someplace else. Probably wherever Aliss was. Either way, Sylvie used her key to enter and packed up her stuff while also raiding his well-stocked food supply, which included a lot of expensive-looking cooking ingredients. I tried to stop her, but only managed to get her out of the kitchen after shed shoved a handful of raw sugar into her mouth.

Honestly, I wonder if shell get along with the Goblins when we pass through the forest to get to the Beacon. Considering how much she acts like a savage, they seem to have a lot in common Erani muttered while Sylvie shoved clothes into her back in the other room.

I mean, she did just get disowned. Thatd probably convince anyone to just try and forget about it all for a night. And I guess in her case, forgetting about it involves drinking six mugs of straight liquor?

She doesnt even have that high an Endurance, does she? I wouldnt think shed need something that strong as a mead replacement. I worry that her stomach wont handle the teleportation very well.

Yeah, shes definitely gonna puke her guts out. And wed picked out such a nice cave, I said sarcastically.

I would like to at least keep it from smelling from half-digested tavern food. I mean, well probably be spending a decent bit of time in there with you needing to charge it every time we

Erani was interrupted by the front door opening. Standing in the doorway was a hooded figure, standing there staring at us.

Oh, the person said in a familiar voice, removing their hood. Ididnt expect people to be here.

Sylvie popped her head out from her doorway, staring at the person. Aliss? Where in flames have you been?!