I Woke Up In A Completely Different World! 12 The Set Up

When morning came, we headed out and made our way to the Academy. Running into Cynthia, we decided to go straight to the inn where Nathan was staying, instead of the Academy, as I already had everyone I needed gathered up. We were all here, Cynthia, Livia, Nathan, and a couple of his friends from the Army. The inn had a lot of privacy and looked like an excellent place to set up. There, we sat at the tables inside, discussing a strategy after introducing ourselves.

Nathan: "Private Nathan Pierre, 22, from the countryside."

Now that he had less of the bandages on him, Nathan had a French look to him, if you exclude his pointed ears, he had the stubble and had his hair combed over neatly.

Cynthia: "That's all?"

Nathan: "It's all you need to know and say."

Jacob: "Corporal Jacob Layne, 26, Everhand."

The same went for Jacob, though, he looked Irish, his hair was a little messy and kept short, in a caesar-like hairstyle.

Oliver: "First Sergeant Oliver Conner, 36, Oki. I'm here to observe and help in anyway I can."

For someone that's 36 years old, he looks like he was still in school, he didn't look too different from the Elves here in the city and didn't have much to him apart from his hair, which was slicked back like a greaser.

Jacob: "This is all under the table, we don't want to cause panic by telling everyone that there's a Demon in Everhand. So he's here to keep that from happening."

It was our turn to introduce ourselves, and we're doing it in front of very serious people from the Army. I'm getting nervous about it, but I'm doing my best to keep my composure.

Cynthia: "Cynthia Fairbairn, 18, Everhand."

She was here because she found rumors where Lilith might be, they were just rumors, but it was all we have to go on. It was my turn to introduce myself. I was nervous, but not as nervous as Livia looked. She's obviously out of her comfort zone.

Steven: "Steven Omeo, 18, Toku Village."

I sighed, it was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. Now, Livia was the final one to introduce herself and looked like she was going to blow up. If I have to, I'll cover for her.

Livia: "Li-Livia Kendria, 18, Everhand."

Nathan: "Oh, 18 all across—"

Oliver: "We're dealing with kids! Just look at her!"

Oliver interrupts Nathan as he was speaking, calling out Livia for being nervous.

Steven: "She's here to observe on behalf of the Mage's Academy. In fact, these two aren't going to be fighting Lilith."

I was relieved to have them agree not to come along when we found Lilith, Cynthia thought it was too risky and I convinced Livia that she's still recovering from the curse. Yet, I couldn't help but think of this as a secret club by the way it was set up, it was simple and looked like we were just hanging out. It's almost ridiculous.

Oliver: "If you say so, Corporal, you're up."

Jacob: "Alright lads, listen up…"

He lays out a map of the cathedral and the surrounding area across the table. If anything, Jacob was amazing when it came to explaining what he had planned. With Cynthia's knowledge on the rumors of where Lilith might be, it pointed to a cathedral in the middle of the city. It was ironic that a Demon would seek shelter at a place of wors.h.i.+p, but it was ingenious as it would be the last place anyone would search, and it was even under renovations at the moment, so no one except for workers were allowed inside. Carefully, we planned that me and Nathan would go inside while Jacob and Oliver would be on the balcony of the second floor ready with the bows and magic.

Oliver: "So why does Steven, a civilian, have to be besides Nathan up close to the Demon?"

Jacob: "We need to be on the balcony where I'll be ready with the bow and you'll be a safe distance so you can use your Holy magic. Besides, Steven here has fought the Demon twice and survived, if anything, he has the most experience when it comes to fighting one here."

Steven: "She plays with you before she tries to sacrifice you."

Oliver: "She's a complete s.a.d.i.s.t…"

Nathan: "I think she's trying to do more than just sacrifice you."

We all looked at Nathan, confused. If Lilith wasn't trying to sacrifice me, then what does she want from me?

Steven: "What do you mean?"

Nathan: "You took her Grimoire, I think she wants it back."

That would make sense, but she's been after me before I even took it from her. I was even minding my own business when I ran into her!

Oliver: "What?! Bulls.h.i.+t, he took a Grimoire from a Demon and survived?!"

Nathan: "He even has her sword."

Steven: "I have it holstered, here look."

It was a really simple looking sword, its blade is straight, with a square guard and the rest of is pretty much thick, heavy and straight. Pulling out the sword, I placed it on the table beside the map as Cynthia and Oliver looked at it in disbelief. Almost as if they were looking at a lost treasure. It was a really simple looking sword, its blade is straight, with a square guard and the rest of is pretty much thick, heavy and straight.

Oliver: "My G.o.d."

Cynthia: "I don't believe it, you…"

They looked at it a little more, still speechless. To the point that Jacob had to interrupt.

Jacob: "Can we get back to the planning, Top?"

Oliver: "Uh, Yes, you may, Corporal."

Jacob: "Now…"

I took back the sword and Jacob continued explaining his plan. In order to avoid the guards, we had two possible ways we could enter unnoticed, we could go underground, through the catacombs, or, we can dress as workers, and enter freely. I was against going into the catacombs, seeing as they were expansive and we can easily get lost without a map. It seemed really promising, but we would also have to find a way to enter it as the only known entrance was through the cathedral.

Nathan: "Impersonating the workers wouldn't be that difficult, we just need a tunic and the right pants. We'll be invisible to the guard."

Jacob: "But not to the Demon, if she were to see us."

This is a lot harder to pull off than expected, why can't it be like the estate where we snuck in? We would have to find the clothes and move in a way that wouldn't attract the guard's attention and so Lilith won't spot us. It's starting to become either risk getting lost in the catacombs, or have Lilith ambush us as we enter.

Livia: "I have an idea."

Seeing as we needed another idea, we were all eager to hear what she said, making her nervous again.

Jacob: "Let's hear it, Livia."

Livia: "Demons, like Elves, need to sleep, so why not go at midnight, dressed as workers, and infiltrate the cathedral? You might be able to catch her off guard."

Jacob: "Well, that does sound like a good idea, but it'll be after working hours, that would make the guard suspicious."

Cynthia: "Oh! I think I know how to get around that!"

Jacob: "What is it?"

Cynthia: "The guard here can be pretty useless, they'd rather turn a blind eye rather than get involved with something dangerous. If you all dressed in your uniform and went into the cathedral, they won't bat an eye."

Jacob: "We can't be direct and risk it."

It was very direct, but sneaking in wouldn't be as easy as it was back at the estate. The cathedral was surrounded by a roundabout road and guards were posted all around it. I tossed ideas around in my head when one popped up, it sounded like a good one too.

Steven: "What if we pose as Military Police? You guys are in the Army, so it couldn't be too hard."

Oliver: "We don't have any backing from the Army, we'd lose our positions if we got caught. If we could, we would've done so in the first place."

Shame, it was a good idea too.

Nathan: "I think Livia's idea is the best one, if we do get caught, we can always bugout."

Jacob: "I have to agree, it's the best chance we got."

Oliver: "Midnight, that's about 12 hours from now."

Steven: "We might even catch her off guard."

After the minor debate, we agreed that Livia's plan was the best one we had. Jacob and Oliver went to the cathedral to map a good route while me and Nathan would find a way to get the outfits so we could impersonate the workers. Before I left, I went to check on Cynthia and Livia to see if they were satisfied with the plan.

Steven: "What do you guys think?"

Cynthia: "If it's the best you have, then go for it. Just don't get hurt."

Steven: "If you're that worried, why'd you agree to help me?"

Cynthia: "I always help a friend out. Besides, who knows what Kanna might do if she found out that you got hurt."

Steven: "Really?"

Cynthia: "Yeah, just make sure you stop by and let them know you're alright."

She's right, I still have to go and check on them and I don't want them to think anything did happen to me as well.

Steven: "Livia, what do you think?"

Livia: "I think it's a good plan."

Of course it is, she came up with the plan after all.

Nathan: "With you smiling like that, you can't bulls.h.i.+t me and say both of you aren't dating."

Livia: "We're friends—"

Steven: "Just friends—"

We retorted in almost perfect unison, causing Cynthia to burst out laughing.

Nathan: "If you say so."

Oliver came back, this time to tell us something important.

Oliver: "I forgot to mention, it's best if we all stayed here at the inn in case she finds one us. If she did, she'd likely follow you home and attack you. We don't want to take any chances here."

Cynthia: "So we're not allowed to go home?"

Oliver: "Not if you value your family."

Hearing that shocked me, I wasn't allowed to go home. I sure hope the girls will be fine without me.

Steven: "I was supposed to go home to Kanna and Yuuna!"

Oliver: "Then it's going to have to wait until then."

Nathan: "Are you sure that's a good idea, Top? She could get us all at once."

Oliver: "We're by a guard barracks, she won't dare unless she wants to bring the whole city into her little games."

I bet she wouldn't mind, she doesn't care about other people, going as far as to hurt Livia and attack Fort Dunkel. In fact, she might actually want to!

Oliver: "There's a double bed upstairs, set them up before leaving."

Nathan: "Aye, sir."

We went upstairs to the room where would be staying in the meantime. It was bland to say the least, no decorations or anything. Just two beds, an end table separating them and a desk in front of them. There were three of us, where are we all going to sleep?

Nathan: "I guess Cynthia can have the farthest one and the couple can get this one, the closest."

Steven: "Dude, seriously?"

At this point, we finally decided to ignore him as Cynthia snickered. If it comes down to it, I'll just sleep on the floor, it won't be a big deal.

Livia: "How long are we going to be here for?"

Nathan: "Until Top says so, I believe."

Cynthia: "Why do you call him Top instead of Sergeant?"

Nathan: "Because he's a First Sergeant. He doesn't mind it so we just call him that."

I hate to interrupt but we should really get going. Lilith won't be hiding at the cathedral forever, if she even is to begin with.

Steven: "Well, we should get going."

Nathan: "Aye, I'll be outside."

Before I left, I asked Cynthia to look after Livia, leading her to sarcastically refer to me as "not-her-boyfriend." I prefer it if she were to take this situation a little more seriously, we're not supposed to go home after all. Annoyed, I left heading back down, outside where Nathan was waiting. We headed towards some of the tailor shops, looking for clothes that a construction worker would wear. Nathan said the colors would have to be similar to a green color if we were going to successfully pull this off together. He already knew what his friends sizes were and all I had to do was find my own size. The only issue I had run into being that I didn't know my own sizes.

Shopkeeper: "You don't know your size?"

My clothes were always pre-ordered and Yuuna would do my sizes before ordering. She had a good sense of fas.h.i.+on and picked out most of my clothes. She even went as far as to say "If you're going to be Kanna's servant, you're going to have to look like one." Though, I don't look like a butler as I wore more casual clothing because of Kanna's protests.

Steven: "No, I don't."

Shopkeeper: "Stand still, I'll size you."

Nathan: "Remember, try to get it as close to an olive green, a dull shade of it, if possible."

The shopkeeper pulled out a rope and began stretching and wrapping it around me, saying my height and the sizes of my body throughout. I was impressed by how fast he did it.

Shopkeeper: "An olive green, you say? Are you working in construction?"

Nathan: "Aye, he starts tomorrow, sir."

Shopkeeper: "The best for construction would be a cotton s.h.i.+rt and pants in an olive drab. They're low cost and durable."

Nathan: "That's perfect, can we get 3 more in different sizes?"

Shopkeeper: "Of course! I have a lot already pre-made, just find your sizes if you can. I might even have the lad's size too!"

He pulled us into the back and began going through some of the outfits, he wasn't lying either. He had shelves full of cotton s.h.i.+rts and pants in different colors and shades. After finding what we needed, we purchased the outfits and headed back outside.

Steven: "Are we really going to wear these?"

Nathan: "Aye, we need to be prepared for everything. We should head back and wait for the others."

Steven: "What about weapons?"

Nathan: "I do need a new scabbard, but other than that, we have our Army issued swords and bows and you have that sword you took from the Demon."

Steven: "Will it be enough?"

Nathan: "We can't exactly lay siege on a cathedral in the middle of the city, we'd easily get caught. Besides, if they catch you and see that sword you took from that Demon, they'll execute you on the spot."

I knew it, carrying this sword would bring a lot of risks. I'll have to keep what he said in mind...