The monk was blaming himself...and, it seemed that they were too late for some of the people here. And even then, Eula was being told it was alright to leave. That she could take her coin and go, and just...ignore everyone else's suffering.

There was no part of her programming that let her take even a single step back from this place. Not without doing everything she can. She may not have medical equipment or two arms to work with, but she did have her database. Perhaps, this disease could be analyzed and made into its own antigen.

"I don't know how much help I can be but...please!" Eula said, before getting on her one good hand and her knees, touching her forehead to the ground before the monk. "Let me try and help these people." She'd studied some Zipangu customs before coming, and had discovered an effective method of "groveling for mercy or a favor" was called the "Dogeza", a pose that demonstrated absolute prostration. She could only hope the monk would let her try, in spite of what had happened.

"Oh, no, no, no, no! There is no need to do that!" The monk quickly pulled Eula up to her feet. Or at least, attempted to considering his inferior strength. "Thank you, yokai. Know that your help is very much appreciated. Come, let's see where this disease came from."

The Automaton and the monk then talked to a refugee, asking when the illness arrived. "Ever since the Varjans came and took all our food."

"What are you all eating then?"

"Nothing, healer. We can only drink water from the well."

The monk sighed and thanked the refugee before turning to Eula. "The plight of these refugees is worse than I thought. Not just illness, but starvation as well. I should notify Miss Ayu's network to give this camp a priority in supplies. It'd be best to move them all to the temple but..." The monk looked around and saw the amount of people that needed to be protected if they moved out in the open. "Anyway, we're not here to figure that out. We're here to treat an illness. Let's get to the well."

The stone well was outside the hidden camp and by a fork in the main road. It was out in the open but fortunately, it seemed the duo were alone. The monk pulled a wooden bucket of water from the source and inspected it. "Hmm, I don't see anything wrong. It's mostly clear... What do you think, Miss yokai?"

"Being deprived of food is...terrible," Eula said, sympathizing with the villagers as she walked with the monk. She liked food but didn't need it to survive, so she couldn't imagine going without vital fuel for a long time. When they reached the well, the automaton would inspect the water, looking at it. "Waterborn contagions are often not visible to the naked eye. I will attempt to analyze some of this water. Don't be concerned, diseases shouldn't affect me,"

Eula would take a sip of the bucket and make sure it reached her stomach for analysis, closing her eyes as she worked through its chemical makeup and contaminants.



Taking her time to analyze the water, Eula's eyes would open. "Without a doubt, its been poisoned. Its designed to be hard to detect in small doses like this. Water lily root essence can cure it. Do you happen to know where we can find some? And, perhaps, where this well's source is?" she asked, figuring the monk might at least know someone who would know.

"Poison... Do you think perhaps, the Varjans put it in the well when they arrived? That would explain why they let the villagers escape instead of capturing them." The monk speculated. "Anyway, water lily roots, you say? I know there's a small pond near here where the plants grow. We can gather some there."

The monk then lead Eula to the aforementioned pond. It was a short walk down the road where the white-tipped grasses became as tall as an average person. "As for the well, I'm not too sure where the water comes from. It's probably an underground reservoir like a normal well." The monk answered. "Listen, I heard you say the root essence. That means we'll need to boil the plants. I'll return to the camp to prepare the equipment while you gather some water lilies. I believe a handful will be enough for the whole camp." He finished before splitting from Eula. "Just walk straight into the grass and you'll reach the pond. You can't miss it."

Following a straight line into the grass dancing in the wind, Eula soon arrived at the pond and indeed, it was filled with some healthy water lilies. But another figure emerged from the grass right beside Eula with the former immediately noticing the latter, two wild eyes staring at her without fear.

The wild boar snorted, ready to throw down with the monster. Its paw clawing the ground and about to charge.

With her course set, Eula would head off in search of the water lilies, only to come upon a wild boar with the intent to face her. On instinct alone, Eula would raise her one functioning arm, unleashing a series of demonic energy bolts with the intent to stun the beast. "Move aside," the automaton said, rushing to move past the boar after she stunned it. If she hesitated, more might lose their lives from the poison.

The boar squealed as it was hit by the stunning bolts, stumbling back before fainting into the ground. Eula truly allowed nothing to deter her from obtaining the cure. With the wild animal unconscious, the Automaton was free to take as much of the water plants as she could.

---

Bringing back the plants to the camp, Eula saw the monk in the middle of the camp stirring boiling water in a huge pot with a fire underneath. "Ah, miss yokai! You're back so quickly!" The monk exclaimed, stopping to greet the Automaton. "And I see you've brought the lilies. A simple task, no?" Stopping a wild boar before it could do anything was probably a simple task for someone like Eula. "Here, let's cut off the roots and put them in the pot. Then it is all finished."

It was a simple matter of taking the roots off the lilies and soon, the boiling water had several pieces of water lily root in it. With the work finished, the monk finally sighed a breath of relief. "We may be too late for some, but better late than never, I suppose." He remarked. "Yokai, I can't tell you how thankful I am for your help. I know this became... complicated midway and amends are... probably no longer possible. But you have saved lives here today, remember that."

"Now then, I know you are keen to help but you have done all you can here. No doubt, the taskforce has need of you back in Terauchi Temple." The monk bid farewell to Eula. "Don't worry about me, I can handle things from here."

With the roots now in place and becoming medicine, Eula could rest easy knowing that the village would, for now at least, stave off disaster. "Helping is the least I could do after what happened to you. And...I'm not sure if the poison in the well can be entirely neutralized, but adding the extract in large quantities should prevent the spread of this illness. ...Yes. I must return and report. Thank you for giving me a chance to make things right and...please, stay safe," the automaton said, before departing.

"Oh and, one more thing: There was a very large boar in the woods near where the lilies are. It will likely be stunned for a few more hours, so a hunting party could easily take care of it. ...I think the village could use the protein from it," The automaton advised before departing, brain stuck on thoughts of porkchops and barbeque ribs while her synthetic stomach let out a slight grumble of protest.

The monk was confused as to why Eula would suddenly bring up a stunned boar as she bid farewell. "Uhh, we'll keep that in mind."

---

With the task done, Eula made her way back to Terauchi Temple, traversing a familiar route on the way back. The walk through the countryside was peaceful... until it wasn't.

Just before arriving at the area where the temple was, Eula spotted a large camp that was not there before when she left. Hiding under the tall grasses, she got closer and identified the inhabitants of the camp: Varjans. She saw Brigands and Warriors, Footmen and Firethrowers. They were sharpening weapons, testing spells, putting arrows in quivers. She even spotted an important-looking Warlock clad in blue armor and having an ornate headpiece, giving out orders to who appeared to be officers. These invaders were preparing for an assault.

And that was when Eula realized: They were preparing to attack Terauchi Temple.

...Eula hadn't expected to run into armed forces so close to the temple. Varjans, armed to the teeth and somehow fully prepared for a siege. There was no way they could have done all this in a week, let alone a day but...that didn't matter. She had to do something. There were too many to take on in a direct fight, and even if she had the idea to do a suicidal charge, Terauchi Temple would be defenseless against such a siege if not warned.

And so, Eula made the choice to evade the camp as best she could, utilizing the brush and cover to sneak past if possible. She had to warn everyone...and, if all else failed, take out as many of them as she could if she was spotted.

"Get everyone ready in an hour. The longer we delay, the more likely we get discovered and lose the surprise."

As the officers left, Amenhotep looked to the direction of Terauchi Temple and recalled his orders. Lord Serek'uar broke the news to everyone in the invasion fleet that monsters were inside Shizuyama and were helping the locals resist the Varjans. While some of his fellow Master Warlocks were delusional enough to think that no one would come to this island's defense, Amenhotep always felt that the monsters would not sit idly by as they invaded Shizuyama. Even if the island was wholly against them. Now, they even had the Island Lord's son on their side.

Fortunately, this small band of monsters did not seem to include anything... crazy. No unstoppable Baphomets, no irresistible Lilims, no relentless Wurms, nothing like that. Still, his fellow Scarce legionnaires were hesitant to fight monsters since they expected none coming here, so it fell to Amenhotep to nip this problem in the bud. Prevent it from blossoming into a very problematic garden. To that end, he quickly gathered a small army to deal with this.

Scouts pinpointed that this Terauchi Temple was where the monsters, as well as a lot of local villagers, were residing. Even now, Amenhotep could sense the demonic energies of the monsters coming from the temple. It worried him that it was so strong at this distance. Was the information wrong? Was a Baphomet there, after all?

Or maybe it was not strong, it was just close...

---

The encampment was larger than what Eula saw earlier, encompassing all the way to a small forest nearby. Which was fortunate since there was plenty of shrubbery the Varjans did not bother to clear away, allowing Eula to dart from bush to tree to bush in the middle of the camp with the Varjans none the wiser.

She soon passed through what seemed to be the supply depot of this encampment. There was a pen for several horses on one side while on the other side, a tent housed barrels that oozed with black liquid: oil. Near the tent were a couple of catapults too. This Varjan warband was bringing all they could to destroy Terauchi Temple.

Eula was about to arrive at her next bush when it was suddenly incinerated in fire. The flames came from the Scarce Legion Master Warlock who, in his blue and gold armor, emerged from the burning shrub to confront the Automaton. Despite appearing fully human, the Master Warlock knew that she was a monster. "Found you, little monster..." The warlock hissed, his hands burned with fire. "I'm afraid you're not returning to your friends at the temple."

The Varjans have been alerted to her presence, so it was time to fight... Or was it? A pen of horses OR some flammable barrels could serve a useful distraction.

"Magical Energy Identified. Warning: Danger. Unit is not equipped with Anit-Spell Plating." A mental warning fired off as the bush came alight. The Warlock had Eula made, cornering her in an instant in a way that got the attention of several Varjan soldiers. But, she was well aware that fighting them all was suicide. Especially since she couldn't harm humans in an overtly lethal way. But...she had options. One of them was to simply not stop running in the slightest.

"Incorrect," the automaton said before staring down the warlock as she continued running right at him.

Where a normal monster may have had an aversion to fire, Eula could repair the damage rather quickly. She wouldn't simply charge around the blue and gold warlock...so she'd go over him. With her one good arm she would fire off a bolt of concentrated magical energy to her back left, hitting one of the horses square in the chest and causing the beast to panic. She'd made the blow barely stunning, but a random bolt of magic from nowhere caused the beast to panic in just such a way that she might be able to use it as a distraction.

Next came the warlock, who seemed pre-disposed to fire magic. Eula was confident that she could evade his spells, and maybe even injure him enough to alleviate some of the burden on the Shizuyamans.

Amenhotep stood his ground when Eula continued to run up to him. He was about to unleash a torrent of flame upon this insolent monster when the Automaton suddenly shot a bolt to a horse inside the nearby pen. The bolt did not seem to do any sort of damage, but it did panic the horse. Which then lead to the panicking of the other horses, which lead to them attempting to run away from the perceived danger. The pen fence was hastily-built so it was no barrier to the stampeding horses.

The Master Warlock was briefly distracted by the unfolding disaster, and realized too late that more powerful bolts were shot at him by the monster. His enchanted armor protected him and he only stumbled back from the shots, but he was flinched enough to let Eula leap over him and continue on her way towards Terauchi Temple. Amenhotep threw fireballs at the fleeing Automaton, hitting trees, tents and panicking horses, but never the target.

"Sound the horns! We're attacking now! YES, RIGHT NOW!" Were the last words Eula heard from the Master Warlock.

"A plan to get us killed, perhaps," Alice says, as she looked to the misty sea and the ships anchored within. "There's two ships, making a fifty/fifty chance that you'll find the right one, firstly, and secondly, your combat potential is garbage - that's the truth of the matter," she says, "Even if you can sneak up on jailor, what then? How are you going to free this woman? How are you getting her off the ship? How are you getting her to the beach? How are you getting her to safety? So on, so forth..."

"I am very Human-passing," Alice returned to the track, as she continued, "I'm anything, but, of course. But, the Varjans don't know that. All they'll see is a roughed up, captured Shizuyaman woman for trade," Alice smirked, "Blissfully unaware of the paralytic spores I'll be exhaling under the cover of the fog. Providing they vote, of course. They could have a means to suss me out, perhaps resistance, or even refuse the trade that, I, too, have a fifty/fifty chance of correctness on. Regardless, it's much safer than sending my poor Lili-chan out there..."

Alice turned her head to the swordsman, "Do you have any old dresses of your daughter's? A potato sack might do better, though. Also, I need you to punch me, Shizuka. Really sell the capture slave look. If you need incentive -- " Alice grabbed Carroll by the throat from behind, and tightened her grip. Normally, the bond between Cursed Sword and Host was unchangeable, and set in stone by the weapon; however, Carroll was no normal Cursed Sword, and shifted her form to suit the combat style of her Host. For decades, she'd maintained the axe she was born as, thanks to her previous Alice, so she'd forgotten the pain.

It was like breaking a bone and resetting it with tweezers.

It was like burning your skin to muscle and cleaning it with sandpaper.

It was like slashing your skin and stitching it with a dull needle.

Before all, Carroll was locked in a silent scream; a weapon made a woman, yet her true nature was exposed, as Alice peeled back her fingertips, so she could touch the Cursed Sword.

Crimson, angular fissures opened on her skin, as the soft cream turned dull steel, and her eyes rolled into the back of her head from the pain of being consciously reforged. Her body locked in a rhythmic series of convulsions, as it fought to maintain itself; rippling between faux flesh and bone and demonic metal and wood.

Suddenly, there was one sound, as Alice dug her perfect fingernails into Carroll's throat:

A dying woman's choked scream of pain.

In the very instant that Alice dug her nails into Carroll’s throat, Alice would feel the sting of a lightning-soaked foot dig into her cheek, her face contorting from the force. She would suddenly find herself flung across their standing, stumbling and skidding on the ground. Her trek ended as she was slammed back-first into a boulder several yards away, leaving a sizable crater from the impact. Upheaved earth and skid marks could be seen trailing her path, torn bits of her dirt-covered dress also lined the ground. Her cheek having a burn mark on it from where the ronin kicked her.

Shizuka, himself, paid no mind to the flung plant woman and instead focused his attention on Carroll. Holding her in his arms, he was attempting to pass more of his chi into her in the hopes of healing the pain she was going through. While his face was full of worry and concern for Carroll, for a brief moment there was a look of ire that he wore.

”Satisfied, Alice?” He said coldly.

Alice hissed, as she pulled herself forward; her cheek wasn't burned, but crumbling away.

Rubbing the hole, she smirked.

It was too easy to manipulate Humans, the ignorant, emotional creatures.

Still, it was too early to act in full, so she let the wound close; a thick, dark bruise spreading across her cheek, as she dusted herself off.

"An admirable performance," Alice says, as she returned, "I'd almost believe you felt something for that Cursed Sword of mine..."

"Why don't you keep her, thinking about it?"

"Nnnhh..." Carroll groaned.

Alice looked to the distant shore, and then fog-hidden ships. "Liliana, what's your spell list again?"

"Um…depends," Liliana said. "But I can turn invisible if I have Whimsy just catch a bunch of support magic!" she said, still on the backfoot from Alice telling her that every detail of her plan was bad. "But-but I know I can take down a lousy Varjan jailer no problem! And, and then I can just make her invisible too and slip out…"

"Mayhaps, you can... However, as my First Bladeflower, there's more important things you could see to..." Alice says, squatting as extended a pointer finger. "That little fog cloud offers more than mere cover," Alice pressed her extended finger to her lips, and then blew a soft breath; exhaling smoke from between her lips. "A nice, little delivery system..."

Alice looked back, "Are you done playing nursemaid, Shizuka? I'm curious, if you can expand upon this fog spell of yours from a safe distance. I've an idea that might work better than my previous idea."

”It can.” Shizuka responded. ”I believe I understand what you’re aiming for, if I’m indeed correct.”

He then looked at Carroll for a moment, who still appeared to be in some pain. He couldn’t be sure if giving her his chi helped relieve whatever Alice had done to her. She seemed to be doing a little better, at least.

”My fog should work for your plans, Alice.”

"Perceptive, aren't you," Alice smiled.

Carroll's breathing had evened out, and calmed to a peaceful state; her body was healing from the Chi applied. Though, she wasn't regaining consciousness at the moment.

Flying over to Carroll, Liliana would worriedly hover before her. "...Lady Alice…why did you hurt Carroll?”"

"A Cursed Sword doesn't get hurt," Alice smiled, "Now, let's focus. We have more important things to consider," she says, "A rusty, old sword is of little import to the mission at hand."

Liliana couldn’t have looked more scared of Alice’s words. …Carroll was…like Whimsy to her, wasn’t she? A weapon and a friend? So…why was she treating her like trash. "...That’s not true,”" Liliana said, closing her eyes and holding her sword. "Whimsy, pretty please!" she said, before the sword rapidly flashed buff spells on Carroll, each ending before finally hitting Greater Healing.

"...I don’t like it," Liliana said, putting her sword back on her back. "...I don’t like the idea of a Queen that can throw away a friend."

Alice tilted her head. "How curious a statement," she says.

For a moment, Alice looked a bit pensive, as if, thinking on the sad words of a fairy, before clapping her hands, "Anyways! Let's get underway with saving a poor girl, eh?"

Liliana frowned, but would nod slightly. "Mm," she said, resolving to at least save the man’s daughter. "I’ll bring the fog in and then find where her cell is."

Shizuka could tell that Alice was purposefully antagonizing him with her taunts and harsh words toward her weapon, and understood the reasoning thanks to Carroll’s explanation. Shizuka, of all people, should be more mindful to keep his emotions in check. Liliana also felt sympathy for the injured blade, casting her healing magic on the still unconscious Carroll.

”Thank you, Lili-chan.” He said in a softer tone. ”Again, be careful on your way. Alice, I trust you’ll perform your end of the plan without issue.”

"If ever there were any doubt," Alice says, "Better question, can you keep the fog trail flowing without losing contact?"

”The fog will only go away unless it’s dispelled by me or someone else. Otherwise, I can keep it up as long as I have mana to spare.” replied the swordsman. ”I suppose your confidence counts for something.”

"Do you need mana, then," Alice asks, "I can make you a quick pick-me-up," she says, "You, as well, Lilianna."

"I’ll be okay," Liliana said, patting Whimsy’s pommel.

”Your offer is appreciated, but you needn’t worry about me. Just watch out for yourself out there.” He replied to Alice.

"I’m hardly going anywhere," Alice says, sitting down, cross-legged, as she started to breathe meditatively. "Alright. I’m focused. Shizuka, wrap the fog around me, so I can breathe into it," she says, "Liliana, be careful not to take unnecessary risks. If you start to feel numb, fall back."

"It’s going to take all my focus to create the amount of spores needs to overpower and render two ships of that size unconscious, so... if you want to kill me, prime time, once I’m under," Alice beamed, before returning to her measured breathing.

Shizuka would feel her Demon Energy well up; waiting on him...

”Let’s focusing on helping the poor girl, Alice.” He retorted. With a clean motion of breath, Alice would find herself being surrounded by a stream of thick fog. It perfectly wrapped itself around a small space around her, making breathing it in quite a simple task. ”Good to see you took your training seriously as well.” He saw no reason not to compliment her on her breathing technique and chi control.

”There, while it is not normal fog, that should do you just fine.”

"Fly, my little Bladeflower," Alice says, "A tailwind favours you..."

Liliana would blitz off as fast as her wings could carry her, rolling the fog in on wings of whimsy.