R H E I N
”Farewell, Commander!”
Rhein coughed and sputtered as he sprang back to consciousness.
”Ugh. What the hell did you make me swallow?” he groaned, taking note of the fact that they were now in the hallway outside of the baths. Once he looked to be fully cognisant, Estelle began to read the group a letter that Grim had left them. Frowning, Rhein simply shook his head as he heard the contents of the message.
”That little idiot… Show her some shiny toys and she’s full speed ahead.” he mumbled, scratching his head. While he didn’t exactly show it, Rhein was a little disheartened by the younger Dragnan’s departure. Much like the rest of the Shabu Shabu crew, he had grown to be fond of her despite how utterly disruptive she was. At Estelle’s mention of a noble having volunteered their help, Rhein’s eye shifted to the Eldrin woman who had accompanied them in the hall. While there was also a chance that the goat beastgirl may have also been who she was talking about, the overall appearance of the woman gave off a distinctly regal feeling. Plus, she was carrying around a sword in a bathhouse.
However, upon getting a good look at her face, Rhein’s “danger senses” kicked in. While it might have just been a passing resemblance, he was almost entirely certain he’d seen this woman before.
”Well, I’ve still got to get over the loss of one of our number, but maybe I’ll be up to discuss it next morning. Right now, I’m going to take a well-deserved rest.” Rhein remarked, making a hasty retreat without waiting for an answer. That was a lie, of course. Due to a combination of eventually being connected to the hot spring incident
and this encounter, he was going to try and get the hell out of dodge as soon as daylight came…
”Alright. Everything checks out.” Rhein muttered, having taken the time to check the condition of the Prowler before they departed. Plus, it would probably be smart to check if Grimhildr had tried to play some parting pranks on the Party. Satisfied, Rhein was about to let everyone else know they were leaving when he heard shuffling behind him.
”Commander!”Shit.Rhein turned around to see that a small group of those from the Gesellschaft had gathered up before him, including young Laurence.
”We’re glad you’re safe, Commander! But…. Are you leaving so soon?” the innocent blue eyes of the bunnyboy stared up at the eyepatched hunter expectantly. Scratching the back of his head, Rhein shrugged his shoulders and took account of the rest of the group that gathered.
”I reckon so. There are lots more battles to be fought, and more men to gather for our cause, y’know?” Rhein replied, making up a response. Perhaps the idea of becoming a multi-branch operation really appealed to the gathered group, as they all seemed to light up. As the gathering, which Rhein had been informed simply consisted of those who weren’t busy that day, gave their tearful goodbyes to the “One-Eyed Demon Commander”, Rhein couldn’t help but feel like this was really cutting into the swift “escape” he had planned.
”We’ll make sure to hold down the fort here, Sir!” Laurence shouted, saluting Rhein along with the rest of the group.
”Aye, sir. I, uh…. Made ya a little somethin’. Call it a good luck charm.” a Horvin stepped forward and placed a small object into Rhein’s hand. Inspecting it, Rhein saw that it was a wooden figure of a voluptuous bunnygirl. The attention to detail was top notch. And it even had a ribbon attached to it in case he wanted to fasten it to something like a sort of keychain.
”We’re gonna have to elect a new leader while you’re gone, but hopefully this’ll help you remember the boys in lil’ ol’ Delion.” the Horvin, named Jackson, added. Rhein, moved by the gesture, bowed to his “subordinates”.
”It was an honor working with you all. Make sure you tale care of the kid. With his guts, he’ll make a fine leader one day.” and with that, the Hot Spring Demon Farewell Vanguard parted ways, trying hard to hold back the tears they desperately wanted to shed over a man they’d only met yesterday.
Weirdoes. The whole lot of them.
”Well, now that delay is over, it’s about time we get a move on.”Little did Rhein know that he was probably already too late to leave without incident, having already overslept before checking the Prowler, something which was ordinarily Grimhildr’s job. And, if his guess that the white, raptor-like creature belonged to Siloratan was correct, there was a good chance thar she’d show up to check on it or feed it any moment.