☀️ Arselia and Akonia

— I already know something about you, Erefir Linel Darvening, but it would be better if I heard your story and plans for your future in this world from your own lips. I am not obliged to show mercy to those who are not Her children, but if your life brings Her benefit, and not harm, you will be allowed to remain in Her embrace.

— Thank you very much, — she bowed. The redhead didn't seem to react negatively to the light threats, but most likely the extremely observant Kripov knew that it wasn't an illusion. Nozenrotka was a warrior to the core and fully respected the patriarch's decision to leave herself a legalized option for exile, should the need arise, even despite the lack of aggression from the visitor.

— My story is not worth telling in detail, although if Your Holiness retains the interest in everything unusual that you had in the past, and even more so, the time... But you probably don't have much of that left. Therefore, I will only say what is necessary, no matter how much I would like to take advantage of your attention, — absolutely sincere words, although Erefir was not used to lying.

— My home world does not have any specific name, since it does not have a patron god. We call it "world," "land," or "planet." As for my home continent, it is called Ertenia. I would describe my profession as a "wandering knight," meaning that the code of chivalry has always been the main measure of morality for me. By duty, and, I will not hide, for glory and interest, I spent the last years of my life in the so-called "Dark Lands," where I fought monsters and protected the few good people who remained there from all sorts of dangers. During my last mission, I had to part with my life, taking with me the life of a dangerous fire mage.

— To my surprise, I woke up not in the heavenly abodes of Grevan, where hot forges are kindled, and heroes go into battle with monsters. No, instead, I learned that higher powers, completely unknown to me before, had intervened in my fate. Having learned the reason for my presence here, I gladly swore allegiance to my new suzerain, Her Highness Naria, to whom I owed my salvation. It was from Her that I learned that my new world is called Anuzish, that it has life and will, and that it is under existential threat due to the intervention of otherworldly gods, some of whom, it is known, destroyed their own worlds and now want to make another, hitherto prosperous one, their battlefield. Thus, my current mission is to prevent such a negative outcome.

— I will not call this mission particularly noble, because there is nothing noble in a guest offering support and help to his host, or rather, the ruler of this world, who was so kind as to feed and water me all this time, and shower me with all sorts of other benefits.

— As for the rest... Well, according to the mandate, I must confess, and although there is no such ritual in the spiritual practices I knew before, I have already become familiar with the rituals of Anuzish. In theory, I should reproach myself, and objectively, find something to reproach myself for. For example, I tend to give myself too much to my passions, and sometimes I think that the people around me are often more empathetic than I am, which sometimes leads to wrong decisions, — here Erefir remembered how she allowed Raphael to recruit the dangerous Metarma into the squad instead of simply taking pity on the actor and establishing a strict ban for his own good.

— But also, contrary to tradition, I want to praise myself for the fact that I do not engage in propaganda, and do not inflict any other form of cultural harm. Moreover, as far as I know, none of the gods of my world are expanding into Anuzish: this means that I am not carrying any hidden dangers that I am not aware of. In addition, I try to make a positive contribution to the world even outside of my main work: I think some of the residents of Margel can confirm this by their acquaintance with me.

— This... Your Holiness, this is probably my not-so-short "short" story, — a light smile.