We trained for two whole weeks.
Maya helps me with potions and enhances my Doll mask by giving it blue lace gloves, as well as stockings with a cat ear design at the front, rising above the knees, just as blue as the rest.
On top of that, she has improved everything else: clothes, the doll's body, and she even started creating a surprise related to my previous idea.
My Doll mask is now rank 2!
As for her, she has finally completed a new Pentain: The Floral Maid!
Her powers are quite simple.
She is the pillar of healing among the Pentains, endowed with the attribute of Life to heal her allies. With her Wood magic, she can control and grow plants at will, creating vines to restrain enemies or flowers with healing properties to enhance her magic.
In addition, she has also created an absolutely stunning maid outfit!
Her outfit is a soft green with pastel pink accents, reminiscent of the colors of flowers and leaves. The fabric is light and fluid, with leaf patterns embroidered in a tone-on-tone style. She wears a delicate white apron at the front, enhancing the overall look.
Besides her, she also made outfits for the other existing Pentains.
Earth wears a maid outfit in a rich brown with olive green accents, evoking the earth and vegetation. The dress is adorned with floral and leaf motifs, incorporating natural textures. A jute apron, embroidered with nature elements, completes the ensemble.
Gold sports a maid outfit in a brilliant gold with bright yellow accents, giving her a regal appearance. The dress features geometric patterns reminiscent of ancient coins. An elegant apron, adorned with golden embroidery and shimmering jewels, perfects the look.
Poison wears a maid outfit in deep green with purple accents, symbolizing poison and mystery. The dress is decorated with sinuous snake patterns and water droplet motifs. A black lace apron with silver details adds a touch of allure.
But of course, their outfits are not just for aesthetics! They also provide passive bonuses that enhance their elemental powers!
On top of the improvements to the Pentains themselves:
Earth has reached rank 7,
Gold is now rank 6,
Poison has reached rank 5,
Floral is also rank 5.
As for us, Maya is now a rank 6 magician!
And me… rank 2! Yes, I caught up with my mask—I'm just getting stronger way too fast!
On top of that, we have significantly improved the quality of our mana, making our magic much more powerful.
And finally, I increased my Mental Power stat to level 8!
With all this, we should be well-prepared to investigate the affairs of our enemies: the dark mages and their master.
Soon, we receive a message from Sorcerer Vaelthorn.
He asks us to depart on an investigation. More attacks are underway. Additionally, given the urgency and difficulty of the mission, the beast tamer Velmira will accompany us.
We meet in front of the city.
"Hello, Velmira."
"Hello, Maya. Mina."
"Hi!"
Once the greetings are exchanged, we set off.
On the way, we had to fight, but I requested to handle it alone. Not only to understand my new power and test the strength of my upgraded mask, but also to train in properly using Two Thought.
And while I'm at it… I take the opportunity to earn some star points ~
We finally arrive at the first village that the other groups failed to defend.
Velmira takes out an emerald. A green light emanates from it, slightly dazzling us. A goblin queen appears.
She seems familiar to me.
"Is this the goblin queen from the attack?"
"Yes, I took the opportunity to make her one of my monsters."
"Wow! You've seriously improved her! Now she looks all sexy, whereas before she was fat and ugly!"
The queen understands my words and sulks, lowering her eyes, melancholic… Too cute.
"That's because I evolved her into a Hobgoblin Queen."
"Now, she can give birth to hobgoblins instead of regular goblins."
"She wouldn't have been able to give birth without the Goblin King…"
"But as a Hobgoblin Queen, she can reproduce with any creature, regardless of sex or species!"
"I even have a small chance of getting a half-hobgoblin, half-monster hybrid!"
"Wow! She's become so cool!"
The queen lifts her head proudly, a sly smile on her lips, her eyebrows raised with a shiver of excitement. She, who was already important among her kind, is becoming even more extraordinary.
"I'm trying to breed her with a female werewolf."
"But so far, she has only given birth to pure hobgoblins."
The queen seems disappointed not to have succeeded in obtaining half-hobgoblin, half-werewolf hybrids. Her brows furrow, her teeth grind, producing a dull sound.
I gently rub her back. By the way, it's really soft.
"Don't worry! You'll get there!"
She seems in a better mood after my reassurance.
"Goblina, can you identify if goblins were really the ones who destroyed this village?"
Goblina nods and agrees.
After several rounds around the village, sniffing residual scents and analyzing the tracks left behind, she confirms our fears.
"This isn't good…"
"Yes. It seems they are using goblins for their numbers."
I think for a moment before proposing an idea:
"What if, instead of just using goblins, they were actually using monsters capable of mass reproduction?"
The two women exchange glances, their brows furrowing. Their expressions darken. A shiver of fear runs down their spines, and their fists clench in anger.
The silence grows heavy. Their gaze darkens, intensifying the grave atmosphere.
"That would be a fucking disaster."
"Yes… If they are using hordes to create their special knights, we should expect monsters of unprecedented power…"
Seeing their concern, I try to lighten the mood a little.
"Velmira, think about this."
She looks at me, intrigued.
"If they really are using these kinds of monsters, then for you, it's an opportunity!"
"What do you mean?"
"Think about it: you could obtain more Hobgoblin Queens! Maybe even Kings and Queens of other races! You could form your own army!"
"You will become even more powerful!"
Her eyes lit up when I pointed out this aspect of the expedition!