Gilford's Chance

You awaken in an uncomfortable position: sitting on the floor against Camilla's bed. You groan as you stand, stretching to relieve the tension. The captain's still asleep, resting soundly. That's odd. She slept the entire night? She's still breathing, so you're not worried about some kind of sudden ****. However, she'll probably be starving when she wakes up. You're about to scrounge around and attempt to prepare something for her to eat when she wakes up when you hear a knock on the front door. You creak the door open, spotting Kara carrying a familiar picnic basket. "I see we were thinking the same thing." You whisper as you open the door more, letting her enter. "She's still asleep, and I don't think she woke up in the middle of the night or anything."

Her face takes on a thoughtful look. "We should probably talk to Gilford about that..." You nod as she heads toward the counter and begins emptying her basket. "Have you learned any more about your abilities?"

"Nothing new. I did get a bit stronger from the hornet hive yesterday, but not nearly as much as I thought I would. I'm actually planning on crossing the river to search for more mobs."

You receive a questioning look from the blond. "Mobs? And what do you mean you're crossing the river? That's the one thing you shouldn't be doing, especially on your own."

"Mobs are monsters, a bit of shorthand from my world. As for going alone, would you rather I take Camilla with me?" She takes on a conflicted look. "Like I thought. And I can't afford to sit around and do nothing, not when a single slip-up could bring an army to kill me."

Kara sighs. "I suppose you're right...but if it gets dangerous, surviving comes first. With Cammy pregnant, you're our best defense if 'mobs' attack."

"I can live with that."

After waking up Camilla with the smell of breakfast, and then feeding her the food you helped Kara prepare, the three of you head to the church, finding Gilford filling a small fountain near the altar with water. As you approach, he turns, and you could swear you see a scowl on his face before he presents the same soft smile he greeted you with when you met him.

"Greetings. I was not expecting such company today." You feel like he's talking specifically to you.

"Relax, father. Everyone in the room right now knows."

He doesn't relax, but his tone gains some bite. "You have a lot of nerve entering holy grounds not once, but twice."

Camilla jumps to your defense, crossing her arms. "Gilford, remember what I told you yesterday? He saved my life and did a good chunk of the work taking down the hive. You know how difficult that is." She jabbingly points her finger to him before crossing her arms again.

The priest sighs. "I suppose, if nothing else, you've earned a chance. However, if I get the slightest hint that you don't want what's best for Riverbend and its people, I will not hesitate to bring the wrath of the gods upon you." He glares, and you don't doubt he can somehow follow through on his threat.

"I'm grateful, Gilford, really. And... I'm sorry for the other day. It wasn't really the best way to try to prove myself..." You rub the back of your head. "Anyway, we've got a bit of a problem, and I'm not going to even try to claim that it's not my fault, because it is."

Camilla lightly elbows you. "Relax, Private. It takes two to tango, and while my memory of the night isn't the best, I'm pretty sure I'm the one that started it."

Maybe you wouldn't have started it if it weren't for my pheromones...

"Are you saying what I think you're saying, Camilla?" He squints his eyes at you with hostility.

"It'll last a month instead of nine, but yes..." She nods.

"A month..." He turns around, seemingly talking to himself now. "This isn't unheard of, but it's much more dangerous." He suddenly turns, looking to Camilla. "When did this happen?"

"Two nights ago." You answer promptly.

"And how much have you eaten since then? You should be having five or six meals a day if you're going to remain healthy."

"Uhhhh..." Camilla shares a look with you, then with Kara. "Not enough, apparently..." She then mutters under her breath. "No wonder I'm still a bit hungry..."

"You'll need to keep up at least some exercise, as well. Some light sparring, light sparring, will be enough." He pauses. "However, there's a question I haven't asked: what will this child even be?" Gilford looks at you again.

You look up, thinking. "Well, I never really-" Wait, they don't know that I can 'modify' my semen...and I kind of forgot that myself. "I'm a nephilim: half-angel, half-devil. Whether you believe me is a different story, but it's the truth."

His face reveals his disbelief. "A nephilim? I've never heard of such a thing. And why would an angel have a child with a devil?"

You quickly explain. "They wouldn't. Or, probably not. I'm not sure about everything in this world. But you know how the Hero, Tomoko Sakurai, was from another world? I am, too. I had some different circumstances, and ended up like this."

He shakes his head in disbelief. "By the gods... Do you really expect me to believe this?"

"In all honesty, no. But where I'm from, actions speak louder than words. While Camilla's...incapacitated, I'll be heading out to lessen the threat of mob-, monsters in the area. All I ask is that you keep quiet about me, well, existing. While I don't intend on trying to actually take down the Saintesses, it'd be nice to be strong enough to survive if they show up. I know the archbishop could just speak and I'd probably die, for example."

Gilford sighs. "You're right, you're right. And I agreed to give you a chance. Just make sure to bring back evidence of whatever monsters you kill. You may have a chance, but that doesn't mean I trust you."

You nod. "Hey, I'm fine with that, and I know you're being pretty generous about it. Now, if you're all okay with it, I'm going to make good on my word. I'm sure you all have more to discuss regarding...everything." You wave goodbye as you leave the church, intent on conquering the nearby goblinoids...one way or another.