Rhemic Empire (2)

The cancellation of the tournament left Alaria with mixed feelings. On one hand, the Tanarsian saw it as a good way to hone her skills and perhaps even learn something from her potential opponents. And, truth be told, she also found simply watching the fights quite interesting. On the other hand, she could understand the government's position. Even putting aside accidents, some participants fought not for sport, but for own lives; they didn't care in the slightest about their opponent's well-being. Others signed up because friends dared them or because they were in desperate need of money. However, many spectators preferred not to dwell on such nuances. They cared only for the spectacle and the victory of their favorite. Indeed, cruelty was more appropriate in Aldre than in the capital of the own Empire. Such reflections led Alaria to very bleak thoughts. In an attempt to distract herself, she decided to follow a simple but effective piece of advice. Ironically, she had read it in a book by Sonata Rheime, whose will had caused the tournaments to be cancelled. The advice was that the former inquisitor should find herself a new hobby. And she had long had an idea about which field she would like to try her hand in. To be more precise, this idea had taken root in the Tanarsian's mind back when she first tried a milkshake. Alaria decided to try her hand at making sweets, tormenting herself and her colleagues from "Morpheus" with her own creations during the days remaining before the mission.

The fact that the secret mission was to take place in Areide came as a surprise to her. Even during her time as a more or less righteous inquisitor, Alaria considered helping Tanarsis—the "festering sore of northern Enclessia"—a waste of resources. However, as it turned out, besides disease, pain, and suffering, the lands of Areide were rich in green erinium. And although the Areidian government could have used this fact to establish relations with the own Empire, being an Areidian government, it chose not to. Thus, "Morpheus" had a very dirty job. After this mission, Alaria even thought about taking a short break from mercenary work, but she never got around to making a decision. It was made for her. The "Free League," created shortly after the "Areidian Incident," left most mercenaries, including "Morpheus," practically without work. Of course, one could still try acting as someone's bodyguard or seek luck in another country, but neither of these options looked particularly attractive to the Tanarsian. The only way Alaria saw to stay in the game was to pledge herself to one of the political groups. And she had little doubt about whom exactly to serve. Both in terms of political views and personal gain, the faction of the current ruler seemed to the inquisitor as the best, if not ideal, option.
However, even despite the generous pay, this was not enough to provide Alaria with a stable income. She needed a normal job. Fortunately, due to regular practice, the inquisitor had become quite proficient in cooking—even if most of her dishes were desserts. Thus, finding work was no great struggle for her and soon she stood on the threshold of a coffee shop called "Lunar Eclipse." Gathering her courage, the Tanarsian opened the door. As she stepped inside, an orderly and pleasant interior met her eyes. There were few customers; at this time of day, most respectable own citizens were at work.
– Hello, – Alaria approached a short middle-aged Nihon woman standing near the counter, – I'm here about the job.
Before answering, the Nihon woman looked at the inquisitor evaluatively, then, squinting suspiciously, clarified:
– Are you from the "League"?
– No, – the inquisitor hesitated for a moment, – I am interested in the cook vacancy.
Having received the answer, the Nihon woman looked at Alaria evaluatively once more, after which, to the latter's surprise, the suspicion on her face was replaced by a friendly smile.
– You can relax, it was a joke. I couldn't help myself. It's not every day someone so unusual comes to apply for work. Especially from Tanarsis.
– Did my accent give me away?
– Well, – the Nihon woman demonstratively looked the inquisitor over from both sides, - I don't see a rosaria on you. Like I said, relax. Now let's get to your interview.
Still not knowing what to think of her strange interlocutor, the Tanarsian silently followed her.

As it turned out later, the strange Nihon woman was named Sunahara Shizuki and she was the owner of "Lunar Eclipse." Despite her odd behavior and peculiar sense of humor, she proved to be a good and understanding boss. If the faction offered Alaria any work, she could confidently count on time off. To her surprise, she even found working in the coffee shop not so boring or tedious. Of course, it was still not the dream of a lifetime, but much better than working at a construction site or a factory. The inquisitor had nothing else to compare it with. However, the biggest surprise awaited her when Shizuki decided to update the menu by including dishes containing succubus milk. But while such a decision would have caused righteous anger in the old Alaria, the current one—who used her inquisitorial abilities for cooking—felt mixed emotions. It was hard to deny that the new menu items tasted pleasant, but she still felt awkward using something like that for cooking. Furthermore, as if striving to make the situation even more awkward for the Tanarsian, the boss decided to run a promotional campaign regarding this.

The coffee shop employees, mostly young men and women, crowded into a small service room. Opposite them stood Sunahara Shizuki with a sly smirk. Having made sure everyone was present, she approached the table and opened a huge box.
– Starting next month and for the following two, you will need to wear this at work, - the Nihon woman took out small horns from the box, similar to those used in carnival costumes, - consider them part of the uniform.
Looking over those present, Shizuki continued.
– Additionally, some of our female employees will have a short photo shoot. For making promotional flyers, nothing special. You can find the list of participants on the wall. Participation is voluntary, but financially encouraged.
As if sensing something was wrong, Alaria immediately decided to check the list and, same as expected, found her name in it. And while she didn't want to turn down extra money, she wasn't sure what had come into her boss's head this time. It was possible that the bonuses weren't worth it.
– Oh, don't be so scared, you'll be photographed in uniform. After all, I have a family establishment, – Shizuki's voice sounded from behind.
– A family establishment that serves dishes made of succubus milk? – skepticism was clearly audible in the Tanarsian's voice.
– Of course! Who, do you think, is the primary consumer of female milk? Children, obviously!
– Advertisements with attractive girls are also aimed at children, I presume?
– How modest, – Shizuki smirked, – it sounds as if you're convincing me to splurge on full succubus costumes...
– In that case, you would have to splurge even more on the bonuses.
– Well, - the Nihon woman smiled slyly and patted the Tanarsian on the back, – I'll think about it.
– But I didn't mean... – Alaria began, but Shizuki had already gone off to attend to her own business, – ... fine, whatever.


Stats:
Strength: 42
Intelligence: 10
Will: 35
Agility: 27
Perception: 40
Wisdom: 5
Charisma: 9
Skills

Two-Handed Weapons
+2% damage for each unit of strength.

• Cleave
  Strength/2=chance to deal double damage.
• Concussion
  Strength/2=chance to paralyze the opponent for one turn.
  Cooldown: 1
• Ultimate Ability — Frenzy
  Additional attack, +1% damage for each unit of strength, +3 movement speed.

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Inquisitor
The character's weapon is covered in holy flame. +(will*2)% fire damage. 50% chance to inflict burn on the opponent for 1 turn (-20% of max.
health at the end of their turn).

• Crippling Strike
  Character's attacks reduce current accuracy, evasion, and will checks by -25%.
• Cauterization
  Restores 50% of lost health to self or an ally on an adjacent cell.
  Cooldown: 1

[/B]

Cook
Upon taking this recipe, the character can learn up to two basic recipes; they know the faction recipe from the start. Acquiring other recipes costs 1 SP.

• Soufflé Omelet
  Egg, cream, tomato
  Removes negative effects from the character
• Pastries
  Flour, egg, chocolate, succubus milk
  Brings back a character who died from lack of HP.
• Semifreddo
  Sonata Rheime's Faction
  Egg, milk, lemon, sugar
  5% chance to receive +1 SP

[/B]
Inventory:
Triton +1 (two-handed sword)
Damage: 187 (507)
Crit: 5%
Pierces armor, +50% melee damage. Indestructible.

Plate Armor (Alivar steel)
Incoming damage -60%
Movement limit: 3
Cannot use ranged weapons.
Strength: 40

Purification Potion
Removes all non-physical negative effects from the character.

Money
11810 rumii

Two-handed hammer (Alivar steel)
Damage: 140 (316)
Strength: 32

Children of the Emperor — Luciola Rheime
Final water damage to character is reduced by 30%
Final water damage dealt is increased by 30%
+1 to all stats

Temporary residence permit for the territory of the own Empire (Alaria Doran)

Alaria's identification documents[/COLOR]

Meridians:
☆ Air
☆ Light
☆ Air
☆ Darkness

So, that's how it is. I changed the picture because she assimilated a bit. I even thought about taking imperial origin, but decided to keep the old one. Otherwise, it would be strange if she lost the skill.