Liberation of Lugnica

Chapter 4: Greetings

While Apex was making his way to Irlam village where myself, Rene and Milk were at, I took my time in selecting a spot that is not too far away from the village to place my store. It was a good five-minute walk from the village to Irlam, so the villagers and by extension, the Emilia camp won't feel like it is too far out of the way to come and visit. I also needed to have Yukari place an invisible defensive barrier around the building to keep all the possible pests out. I also needed to procure a merchant's carriage so that I can make trips to the village and set myself up to do some minor sales and make a great first impression as this mysterious trader. While Rene and Milk was setting up the front of the store, I was walking around Irlam looking for someone that would sell their carriage. Of course, if they didn't then I would just turn them into my subservient mold monster. Fortunately, or rather unfortunately, I was able to find someone who was more than willing to sell their carriage to me. I also made myself acquainted with some of the local villagers. I found it nice to know that not too many people in the village knew me, which made it much easier to move around in the village. The only people that recognized me were the merchants that entered and left the village. Many of them came to me trying to get me to give them advice to be better merchants and some trying to buy from me. Of course, I let them buy some of my exotic foods and alcohol but that was all I let them buy. There were more pushy merchants that wanted the more lucrative items, but to put heavy emphasis on the "were" part, they are no longer an issue. After finally getting everything set up, all we had to do was wait for Apex to make it to us. I knew that the ride back for Apex was going to suck because of the injections I gave him before his fight with Elsa. They increased his speed, strength and durability but had some major side effects that wouldn't occur until after the fight. What were those side effects? Hehe well, they are arthritis, high blood pressure, and locking of the joints. Right now, Apex is probably having difficulty sitting properly as the child is worrying about his health.

It was around three or four A.M Earth's time when Apex made it back to us. I greeted both Ram and Emilia near the entrance to the village as they did not know where I set up the store. Even though Emilia was tired and had slight bags under her eyes, she was excited to meet me and got really close to my face, which freaked me out a tiny bit with how close and fanatical she was. She seemed to be acting just like Rene was back when we first exited the Backrooms. I had to hide my insidious intentions behind a jovial smile as to not arouse suspicion. She also seemed to inquire a lot about why I use a horse rather than a land dragon and I told her that I just prefer them. Ram stood back and observed the interaction between myself and Emilia, probably to make observations on my behavior and report back to that clown. So, I made sure to let down some of my guard, but not enough to get an accurate read on me. The conversation between myself and Emilia was pertaining to the events that occurred in the capital and questions about myself and my store. I have to admit, I found her childish nature humorous to a point, after a while it started to get annoying, but I needed her to continue to act like that, so I let it go. Eventually, I got tired of the situation and asked about Apex, to which Emilia just gasps in shock as she had forgotten about him. She then opened up the door of the carriage they arrived in, and I saw Apex sprawled out on the floor of the carriage, trying to get up. I had the urge to burst out laughing at the display, but I was able to push it down and help him out and get him inside my carriage. I thanked both of them for helping Apex get here and sent them off, letting them know that we shall come to greet them soon. I then took Apex back to my store, and that leaves us off to where we are at now.

"Hahahaha!" Currently, I'm laughing at Apex as he recounts his experience with Emilia and Ram during the ride to Irlam. The reason that I don't include Subaru is because that dumbass got himself hurt when it wasn't necessary and was unconscious the entire time, but Apex made sure to express his annoyance of the boy to us.