As Vin cast the spell he’d been gifted by Shia’s master, Shia, Scule, and Alka all gave him a confused look. Reginald on the other hand perked up immediately, squeaking in confirmation and scratching at his nose.

  “What does it do?” Shia asked, her tongue flicking out to taste the magic. “...I can tell it’s a nature spell, but I don’t see anything happening.”

  “It doesn’t do much,” Vin admitted, ending the spell. “But seeing as it let me walk through a giant swarm of insects without getting ripped to shreds, I think it releases a smell that makes insects see me as their friend.”

  “But those were monsters,” Alka pointed out, looking confused. “Monsters attack people on sight. Even blind monsters or monsters that can’t see you can still detect your mana.”

  “I think insect monsters might not be able to see very well,” Vin shrugged. “It was your master that gave me the idea, but by casting both Concealment and Familiar Pheromones I was able to walk relatively safely through the insects, get the materials I needed, and get out. Though I cut it pretty close. Nearly ran out of mana before I could get back out of there.”

  “So Concealment stopped them from sensing your mana, and my master’s spell made you smell like one of them…” Shia summed up, tapping her chin. Vin stared at the elf as she thought, now understanding exactly where she picked up her different mannerisms. “...Seeing as you did in fact make it out alive, I guess that confirms that insect monsters really do have terrible eyesight.”

  “I’m glad I could do my part and contribute toward our understanding of monster biology,” Vin said, rolling his eyes. “It wasn’t easy either. I had to keep reapplying Familiar Pheromones, and every time I did some of my mana leaked out of Concealment. The insects would all turn aggressive for the split second it took me to cast. More than one of those injuries I had was from the trip back out of the dungeon.”

  “Anyway, enough about me. How are you guys feeling? I was afraid neither of you were going to wake up again.” As he finally admitted to his fears out loud, Vin realized his hand was shaking. Taking a deep breath, he willed his body to relax. The past twenty four hours had been a tad stressful to say the least, but it was over now.

  “Like I accidentally nicked myself with one of my muscle relaxants,” Scule snorted, shaking his hand like it was asleep and he was trying to regain feeling in it. “Other than that… I no longer feel like the God of Death is breathing down my neck, so that’s a plus. Those infernals though…”

  Scule shook his head, clicking his tongue as he searched for the right words. “I’m not one to judge a person based on what they look like… Petians have gotten the short end of the stick for as long as I can remember, so I totally get it. But looking like that…” He sighed, slowly petting Reginald, who was curled up around him protectively. “...It’s just hard to look at them and not think of them as demons is all.”

  “Have you actually seen a demon before?” Vin asked. After seeing the infernals, he was curious what an actual demon looked like.

  “Only twice,” Scule admitted, shuddering at the memories. “Once when some heretics tried to assault the citadel with an army of demons they’d summoned, and once when some kid got angry none of the Gods would give him a divine class and he gave up his own life to bring forth a demon within the citadel’s walls. Demons can take many different forms, but they all share some similar characteristics. Skin darker than black, pure red eyes filled with blood and hate, jagged horns used to disembowel their foes, and claws sharp enough to cut through steel.”

  “That would back up the infernals’ claims that they’re only half demon,” Shia pointed out. “Their horns are a bit nubby for disemboweling, and their claws didn’t look quite that sharp. Not to mention the lack of blood red eyes.”

  “There’s also the whole, not murdering all of you the moment you stepped into the village,” Alka added. “...and you know. The village.”

  “Yes, even I can tell these people aren’t actual demons,” Scule said, rolling his eyes. “I’m just speaking honestly.”

  “Well as long as you don’t go around stabbing or stealing from them, I think you’re going to be fine,” Vin said. “I did sorta promise Madam Trebella none of us would cause them any trouble.”

  “Vin, I may be a Rogue, but these people saved our lives. Even I have some morals,” Scule said, looking aghast.

  “Really? Who did you steal those from?” Alka asked, snickering as the Rogue flicked her a strange gesture that Vin could only assume was his world’s version of the middle finger.

  Vin laughed as they began bickering, but at the sound of Shia clearing her throat, they stopped. As everyone turned to face the elf, she sighed.

  “I appreciate the fact that none of you have demanded answers or anything from me just yet… But I’d rather get this off my chest now than wait for one of you to work up the courage to ask.”

  “Is this about how you knew where the infernals’ village was?” Vin asked, getting a nod from the elf.

  “Yes.” Taking a deep breath, Shia looked at them, grimacing. “...Vin wasn’t the only one granted a divine boon back in the citadel. The Gods gave me one as well!”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  The room went silent as everyone digested Shia's sudden exclamation. After a few seconds, Scule began chuckling wearily, raising an eyebrow in confusion. “Okay? I mean, good for you, Shia. But why keep something like that a secret? I was afraid you were gonna tell us you’d already made some sort of blood pact with the infernals or something!”

  Seeing how Shia couldn’t quite meet Alka’s confused and hurt expression, Vin realized immediately why she’d kept the boon to herself.

  “Alka was already disheartened that we finally got our hands on some divine power and couldn’t help her… You didn’t want to admit we actually got two boons, and neither of which were of any use to her. Is that it?”

  “That’s half the reason,” Shia nodded, finally turning toward Alka, giving the ghost a partial bow. “I’m sorry Alka. It seems dumb in hindsight, but I really didn’t want to make you feel even worse.”

  “I’m fine,” the Slayer snapped, looking more hurt than anything that Shia would keep such a secret from them. “What’s the other half?”

  “Huh?” Shia asked, seeming surprised the ghost had forgiven her so quickly.

  “The other half. You said I was half the reason, so I want to know the other half.”

  “Ah…” Before, Shia had looked pained. But now, she just looked ashamed.

  “My vow… is a Vow of Devotion. And the boon it grants me is called Gods’ Guidance. Once a week, I can ask the Gods to point me in the direction of something I need.”

  “That sounds like an amazing boon!” Scule said, perking up immediately. “Can you find anything with that?”

  “It has to be something I think I need, not just want,” Shia said, rolling her eyes. “I’m not about to become your glorified treasure seeker.”

  “Something like a way to cure the radiation poison that was killing us,” Vin said slowly, finally understanding how she’d saved them.

  “Exactly. It doesn’t have to be a physical object. Though we got insanely lucky that this village was so close to us. The boon only tells me where to go, it doesn’t make the journey any easier than it already is. However, my boon has a caveat just like Vin's. Once I use it to find something, I have to go to where it indicates, or I'll lose the boon entirely.”

  “That doesn’t answer my question,” Alka said, ignoring Shia's description of the boon and crossing her arms. “Why wouldn’t you want to admit to having the boon?”

  “Because I got it due to my devotion to my master instead of the Ancient Ones!” Shia cried out, withdrawing into herself even as she spoke the truth. The elf pulled her knees up, hugging them against her chest as she took a shaky breath. “The elves in the Sacred Forest are supposed to look up to and believe in the Ancient Ones above all else! How do you think I felt when the Gods themselves branded me with a boon that reveals how I truly feel?!”

  As Shia began sniffling, Vin shot Alka a look, and the ghost held up her hands in her defense, giving him her own look that said I didn’t mean to make her cry! Vin rolled his eyes, nodding toward the elf. Alka seemed to take the hint, because the ghost sighed, floating over to her.

  “Sorry Shia,” she said gruffly, clearly not used to having any sort of heart to heart conversation. “I didn’t mean to make you feel bad. If it makes you feel any better, Erik is a pretty cool guy. I don’t think he would mind in the slightest if you revealed your boon to him.”

  “He already knows,” Shia hiccupped, wiping her eyes on her sleeve. “Don’t you remember? He basically came right out and said it when we left the Sacred Forest by mentioning the yearning in my heart. I’d thought I’d done a good job hiding it, but clearly Erik saw right through me.”

  “Wait, hold up,” Scule said, raising a hand. “I wasn’t there for that, so I’m a little confused here. Is this some sort of weird taboo situation where you’re in love with your master?”

  The moment the question left his mouth, a few things happened simultaneously. Vin slapped a hand to his face, letting out a sigh. Alka turned to glare at the petian, running a finger along her throat in a universal gesture. Reginald let out an indignant squeak, smacking the Rogue on the head with his tail.

  And Shia burst out laughing.

  “Am I in love with him?” Shia repeated, her tears forgotten as she all but started rolling around on the bed laughing. “Oh, broken bark that’s too good…” After nearly a full minute of laughter, during which everyone else glared at the sheepish Rogue, she finally managed to get a hold of herself, wiping away the last of her tears.

  “In a way, I guess you’re not entirely wrong. I definitely love him,” she nodded, giggling at Scule’s confused look. “...He’s basically my father. Both my parents lost their lives defending the Sacred Forest from the increasing monster attacks when I was still young, and my master took me in, practically treating me as his own daughter.”

  “No wonder you think so highly of him,” Vin nodded. “Did the Ancient Ones not have any sort of orphanage set up or anything?”

  “They did… But my master took note of my interesting ability to taste magic,” Shia admitted. “And when the most famous elf in the village, the one even the Ancient Ones would confer with as equals, comes up to you and asks if you want to study under him? Well, there’s really only one answer you can give.”

  “Well… Our opinion might not matter as much to you as that of the Ancient Ones or your fellow elves. But I personally don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to put your father above all else,” Vin said, getting nods from the rest of the party.

  “Nothing wrong with supporting your family,” Alka agreed.

  “Can’t say I liked my old man all that much, but hey, if yours is all right, more power to you,” Scule said.

  Reginald squeaked out his agreement, and Scule nodded, translating for him.

  “Reginald says he’d feel honored if any of his children revealed they were devoted enough to receive a divine boon for it.”

  “Thanks everyone,” Shia sniffed, grinning at all of them. “It means a lot to get that off my chest. And thank you Reginald, that’s very sweet of you to say. I have to admit, I keep forgetting you have kids.”

  “Eh, I wouldn’t be all that impressed with him,” Scule said, covering the rat’s ears and mouthing the words ‘Deadbeat Father,’ before getting another smack on the head from the rat’s tail.

  While everyone laughed as Scule and Reginald began poorly wrestling with one another, both of their bodies still sluggish and weak from the after effects of the purification ritual, there was a knock on the door. Malzar poked his head in, smiling at Vin and nodding toward the others.

  “Glad to see you guys are doing better!” He said, chipper and excited as always.

  “Madam Trebella said she’s ready to talk about her payment.”