The Story of a Protoss

[Protagonist]

A beast tide.

Based on what I heard it is simply a horde of beasts rushing out of the forest into the surrounding area. While they do cause damage it is negligible.

Scouts and hunters report the signs of a beast tide as soon as possible and the army reacts accordingly.

Adventurers are sent to cull the general beast population and once the tide begins, all commoners are evacuated behind the sturdy walls of their respective city.

It is seldom a real "threat". More of a hassle as it seems. I vaguely heard them talk about special beast tides but they did not go into detail. Some seem to have a leader, some are simply berzerk hordes of murderous and agitated beasts and it seems there are even things like [Rodent Tides].

"Is this tide a problem?", I thought it would be good to ask. I am new to this world and common sense is something I still do not possess. Let's start with beast tides.

"No Milady.", Madelyn was quick to answer my question,

"There is no problem. It is simply that we did not expect the beast tide so soon. There had been signs since around 2 weeks ago but we thought we had a week or more till it erupts.

I believe that the awakening of the Reaper must have sent the beasts into a frenzy.

It will likely be more ferocious but nothing we cannot deal with."

"That is a relieve.", It is truly a relief. While I know that danger is necessary to grow it can wait till I am stronger. Right now some relaxing would be appreciated. A nice breakthrough and evolution and we can start thinking about some challenges. But not prior.

"Milady. The countess scouts have sent another letter alongside the first. The first concerned the beast tide and asked for the intended course of action. The second reported movement in the Margraves fief. It appears he is gathering troops and mercenaries."

It seems like the Margrave is intending on using this beast tide to his advantage.

Even a fool could guess that he would use the beast tide as a distraction for the other nobles.

Based on what I was told I am sure that he would avoid Rias. The countess is another unlikely target as she is prudent and attentive. She is sure to have a lot of spies and troops ready. Especially since she seems to abhor the Margrave, based on what I heard.

The Earl seems a likely target for such an assault. Madelyn described him as very honest and kind.

Not exactly the character traits of an experienced general and warrior.

The Margrave will likely face the least resistance in the Earl's territory. By occupying the Earl's territory he will be able to gather more troops and start to build an army to occupy Rias and the Countess fief.

"Give a letter to Dua. She is ordered to gather our Strike Force and tell the countess to support the Earl in his defense. The Earl is to be contacted. Tell him to evacuate the commoners to his cities.

We will send a squadron of our healers to his support."

I planned to share my thoughts with Madelyn but I am foolish.

She has been leading a city for years, has made contracts with other countries with a completely different culture.

She must have lead dozens of diplomatic discussions. Has forged relations and has fought beasts, monsters, and humans alike.

Hell! She is responsible for the sealing of something as dangerous as the Reaper!

Of course, she is capable of strategic planning!

"Furthermore send our spies to the countless border. Have them make sure that this gathering is not a feint and make sure that they truly intend to attack the Earl."

After a short bow and a "Yes, Milady!", Mina disappeared through the door.

As silence settled on the room, Madelyn turned to me. She was calm and looked like this was just a normal day's work.

"I can see on your face that you are surprised. For someone as young as you, with so much information and memories, the whole world probably looks vastly different. You don't have the same process of growing up as humans, elves and demons have.

Your parents made sure to tell me that you should not rely on your memories. They are an asset. A massive one but in the end you lack experience.

A plan they made for you was for you to have a teacher of some sort. Either in a school or privately.

The process of learning and discovering is used to develop your mind. It is meant to temper your ability to think and draw conclusions.

I know that you probably analyzed the situation in your head while listening, right?"

She had my interest. I nodded and she resumed her lecture.

"While you may have analyzed the situation you have probably come to the conclusion that the Margrave will attack the Earl."

Another nod.

"While that is right and a solid conclusion for your thoughts, it is insufficient. What you lack is foresight, experience and a good judgment of a person's character.

I mentioned that the Margrave is a smart person, right?"

A nod followed and she had my undivided attention.

"Would a smart person make such obvious movements?"

I shook my head. I was shortsighted.

"He would not. He would either employ a feint or really go through with it by making us believe the feint is the real maneuver. He could also attack the most unlikely target which would be Rias.

He could also use the mobilization as a means to keep us on edge and divert our attention from something entirely different."

It seems like experience and the process of growing up is quite important.

I was interested in this school thing she told me about.

As expected my dutiful A.I instantly delivered a short overview of what a school is.

What made me hesitate was that the A.I mentioned the probably massively inferior children I'd go to class with. While they would be aged around 8 to 11 years old, they would be children. Plain children without an overdeveloped mind and intelligence. They would not possess information about all kinds of things and would be simple, naive, perhaps aggressive and annoying.

I had to consider whether or not it would be a good idea to go there. Social interaction would be something that I have to learn but interacting with children is not what I need.

The topics I'd learn would be way below my capacity. I'd learn them in a fraction of what these children would need and that's it. I'd be sitting there doing nothing.

Only one way,

"Is there some sort of higher education in this city? A school for children "my" age would be pointless."

Something like a university would suit my purpose but I don't know whether or not this town or city has one.

"Ha ha!", Madelyn once again began laughing. This time I was unsure as to why," You underestimate this "town". We call it a town because it is so young. Its size is comparable to some of the bigger cities around here!

The current population ranges around a bit over 52.000 citizens. Then you have to add all the merchants, their guards, and servants. Include their family and you get another nice sum!"

It is surprising. When I was told that this is some backwater place where the banished nobles are dumbed at, I expected small towns and cities because no one would desire to live here.

It seems like I was wrong, but I could have guessed.

Madelyn has told me so much about how the city is a hub for trade. Medicine seems to be another big part and the proximity to the Forest of Beasts draws adventurers to the city.

Nomiki told me about the good educational system around here. I bet that draws in families and workers who desire a better education or who wish to help their children.

But 52.000 is a surprising number. I know that normal towns and cities during the medieval time all over the worlds were very basic. Those with magic are better in several aspects such as Medicine, Hygiene and Defense.

Still. They are mostly at a basic level. Science mostly lacks behind due to the convenience of magic. Only a few go the very strenuous and hard way of exploring the way the world really moves.

"Aside from the city's size, is there anything else important I should know about?"

Considering that I have been flooded with information the past hours, I just want to get this over with.

Some quiet and peace would be nice right now. A good deep sleep would help with this growing headache.

"We have to decide on your identity. We can, of course, make it clear that you are my mistress but that would make you a target for several people.

If I may."

As she spoke, Madelyn made her way to the back of the room. The wall was lined with cupboards and wardrobes of all sizes. A messy sight I truly did not expect from her. Her garden and demeanor gave the impression of a very collected and tidy person.

As she neared the wall, the by far biggest wardrobe swung open and revealed its inside.

I am sure that the wardrobe is somehow enchanted.

Why?

Well, there is a whole room inside the wardrobe and I am sure that it is not just the wall opening into another room.

The wardrobe had the same "film" that was present on the gateway. The inside was filled to the brim with clothes. All kinds of colors made up huge mountains of clothes. The clothes came in all kinds of sizes.

For small girls, well-endowed and flat. Costumes and dresses. Something that is definitely not appropriate for public use and what not.

She must have felt my weird gaze on her back as I noticed the pieces of lingerie near the entrance.

She turned around with a blush on her face as she hurriedly explained that the storage was used by several other people. All maids, servants, and guards who lived in the courtyard were allowed to use the storage.

Apparently, these clothes were pieces Mina liked to collect. She did not seem to wear them but she simply liked to collect them.

Anyway. Madelyn was thinking hard while trying to come up with a good outfit. I had no clue as to why she would need an outfit right now but I decided to wait for her.

After several minutes of contemplating she moved into the wardrobe and started to pick out articles.

First, she grabbed a pure white scarf. The scarf was lined with very thin and delicate silver strands.

They were almost invincible but the light made them shine ever so slightly.

Next, she grabbed a pair of pants. She seemed to hesitate on that one as she was always stealing glances at a skirt not too far away. In the end, she picked up the black and gray pants and gathered the rest.

A mostly black shirt with a small open space for the shoulders and a pair of white gloves with faint black fingertips. A pair of socks in pure white color and panties.

She left the wardrobe and handed me the clothes.

"These clothes are pretty similar to the colors of our organization or faith. I will probably make an announcement and proclaim you as one of my disciples. While it may draw attention it will not make you into a target. I have several disciples and till now no one tried anything."

She seemed confident and I decided that it would be the best approach.

While I may have been able to be introduced as a normal worker, the frequent and necessary interactions between us would make the whole affair seem shady.

As her disciple, I would be able to speak with her at any time without it seeming strange.

"I will wait for you to decide on whether or not you decide to visit the school. If you do wish to do so I will make sure that you can visit one of our higher schools. A normal school would be insufficient and would take much longer. I doubt you want to go through years of school."

A small smile sneaked its way onto her face and she looked at me as if waiting for my confirmation.

I smiled back at her and decided that it was time for us to move onto her part of the compensation.

"Yes. That would be good. I will tell you in the next week but now let us move onto you."

She visibly trembled as I said so. The anticipation was tangible and her happiness oozed out of her.

She once again kneeled in front of me and I placed my hands on top of her head and her heart. Well her breast as I could not get closer.

[Per ordinem contractus, erit praemium. Vis servire fuerit agnita et recepta. Pro tua pietate accipietis voluntas tua. Accipietis caro tua, fortitudo tua, et futura.]

[Pro illis dedita!]

(By the order of the contract, you shall be rewarded. Your wish to serve has been accepted and recognized. Your devotion shall reward you. You shall receive your flesh, your strength, and your future.)

(For those devoted!)