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[@PaulHaynek][@Rezod92][@Crowvette][@Restalaan](GRI)

Since arriving here there had been several things that had been weighing heavily on Shizuka’s mind, and not just the immediate threat of the Varjan invasion. He was about to consult Ayu before Gringor and a large man dressed like a monk came up to the temple. The man of course was Nobutada; Gringor as well succeeded in his mission. He turned to acknowledge the high orc’s question, which made him squint a bit. 

[color=0072bc]“I typically do not fight for enjoyment, Gringor-san. However, I can say that we promptly resolved it without there being any casualties. As for her, she’s our new ally, a lich named Io.”[/color] He replied, having some feelings for the nearly crazed grin on his face. 

Ayu then explained that they could stay at the temple to rest for a bit, listen to some of the stories of the locals and aid them with their troubles, or continue to find more of Takeshi-dono’s allies. He then saw the others off as they went on their way to fulfill their next objectives. Though he was a bit concerned about letting Gringor roam about as he pleased, he decided it’d be best to stay and meet with the other taskforce members once they returned. Besides, the high orc had thus far proven himself thus far hasn’t let his battle lust run wild….yet. 

Shizuka went back to Ayu, hoping she could answer some concerns he had about the land they were sent to defend. 

[color=0072bc]“Ayu-san, the miko I fought earlier mentioned something about how much the yōkai had taken from the people here. I was wondering about how much you know about the history of the relationship the people have had with the yōkai and why they fear them so vehemently.”[/color]  He paused a moment before continuing 

[color=0072bc]“Also, I was also wondering why Kyouko-sama had decided to aid the island with a group of yōkai in spite of all that. I have my suspicions but I’d like to hear the most accurate answer first.”[/color] 

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[@PaulHaynek][@Restalaan](SKR)

On seeing Skarsneek’s hand gesture and hearing the phrase he gave out, the sisters turned to each other with perplexed faces. 

[color=7bcdc8]“Boffum…?”[/color] Hinami said. [color=7bcdc8]“Um, I’m sorry, but is that some sort of phrase known amongst your people? I don’t mean to be insensitive…”[/color]  Quickly after that, however, the goblin explained that he would flank and distract them while Atsuha would bind them with spells and webbing. Oddly to Hinami, he did give her an explicit directive in this case. Before she had time to press him about it, he was already on the group in front of the inn. Taking down one of the men, the woman shouted for reinforcements. Six more fighters scrambled out of the inn, ready to engage them. Atsuha took note of the archers at the windows; they would be annoying to deal with, she thought. They should  probably deal with them first.

As if reading her mind, Hinami had already thrown some knives made from demon realm silver at both of the bowmen, hoping to drain and take them out in one swoop. Meanwhile, she began charging at the fighters and entered the fray alongside Skarsneek. [color=9e0b0f]“Hinami, wait!”[/color] She exclaimed. 

Hinami failed to hear her sister’s words, she already had a bo staff in hand as he bludgeoned one fighter upside the head with it, gracefully flipping over another’s head and then hitting him with a spinning kick. 

During the chaos, some beautiful pink petals began to swirl around her, emitting from the plant on her back. She started firing them at some of the other bandits, she also pulled out a talisman and began to channel it. After casting its spell it dissipated into a golden light.

The spell was one that boosted one’s vitality and durability, she and the others would take less damage in case anything went awry. While these seemed to be nothing more than low level marauders, one could never be too careful.