Marco Verse 8 - Journeying with Eleanor (The strange Village with a warm bathhouse)

Marco POV

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In the scorching sun, I found myself perched on a grey, stony boulder, the remnants of the recent battle scattered around. My sword, now free of the beast's blood, gleamed in the harsh light. Below me, the aftermath of the skirmish lay evident - nearly 70 fallen orcs, each a testament to my prowess in combat. A sense of pride swelled within me, a smirk playing on my lips at the thought of the number. "My favorite," I mused.

My attention, however, was quickly drawn to Lady Eleanor the Tempest. Through the dense woodland, her silhouette stood out, a formidable figure amidst the chaos. Her skill was undeniable, her efficiency in battle surpassing even my own. As she dealt the final blow to the Orc king, a sense of rivalry stirred within me. "I'll surpass you... soon," I thought, my gaze locked on her triumphant form.

But a sudden sensation jolted me back to alertness. Swinging my arm, I unleashed a spiral of golden Qi, the chain burrowing into the wood with a thud. Strangely, there was no enemy. My senses, sharpened by my ascent to the gold rank knight, rarely deceived me, yet there was nothing but the woodland's silence.

I redirected my focus to Eleanor, now emerging into the open. The marks of battle adorned her, blood splattered across her armor, a vivid contrast to her otherwise pristine appearance. Her presence was captivating, a blend of power and grace unlike any other.

"Marco... Let's keep moving," she spoke, her tone stern, a shift from her earlier demeanor. I nodded, sensing a change in her since our engagement with the beasts. It was then I considered using Belle's power, noting the subtle shifts in Eleanor's aura. After the skirmish, the pieces fell into place, revealing a side of her I hadn't seen before.

‘Her arousal levels are increasing after each fight we get into...could it be the curse mark she carried.’ I wondered to myself, I couldn't hide the devious grin set against my face. Imagining just how fun this trip was going to be filled me with delight.

Our journey towards the nearest town unfolded with a sense of urgency, driven by the need to replenish supplies and the unspoken desire for a much-needed respite. Eleanor, who had agreed to the break, seemed equally eager for a moment of tranquility, perhaps longing for the comfort of a bath after the relentless battles we had faced.

As we walked, Eleanor's silence was like a thick veil, her mood seemingly impenetrable. Yet, upon closer observation, it became clear that this was a facade, a deliberate effort to mask whatever turmoil brewed within her.

Breaking the silence, I tentatively called out to her. "L-lady Eleanor," my voice hesitant, yet carrying a hint of curiosity.

Her response was distant, her mind clearly elsewhere. Seizing the opportunity, I gently probed further. "There are stories I've grown up with, tales of the Golden Tempest, the legendary Lady who ventured from our mountains to carve her path across the mainlands. Why did you choose to leave that life behind?" My question was laced with genuine intrigue, eager to uncover the truth behind the legends.

Eleanor's gaze dropped, a clear sign that my question had stirred something deep within her. The silence that followed was heavy with contemplation, as if she weighed the decision to unveil her past. Finally, she spoke, her voice tinged with a mixture of nostalgia and pain.

"I fell in love," she began, her words reflecting the profound impact of that experience. "Love can lead you down unexpected paths. I knew I couldn't continue my previous life if I wanted to raise my son. And after his father's... departure, staying in one place became increasingly difficult."

Her revelation hinted at a sense of abandonment, a narrative that differed from what the elders had portrayed. Despite my limited interest in the finer details, understanding Eleanor's past seemed crucial in forging a closer bond with her.

"Thorjen's father was exceptional in every way," she continued, her voice a mix of admiration and sorrow. "He was kind, funny, and incredibly strong. His true nature only became evident after Thorjen was born."

The idea of Thorjen's father being anything other than weak intrigued me.

"That's a heavy burden to bear alone, Lady Eleanor," I responded empathetically. "But it's shaped you into the remarkable woman you are today. Thorjen understood that, I'm sure of it."

Her reaction to my words was one of surprise. "Thank you, Marco. That's very kind of you to say. I didn't think you and my son got along."

Ah and there it was, perhaps the reason she's been a little distant. This needed addressing if I held any hopes of progressing with her. "Our differences were rooted in my own jealousy," I admitted falsely. "Before his... circumstances changed, I admired his intellect, his warmth, and his resilience. I regret not realizing it sooner and the pain I caused. I wish I had another chance to make amends."

IAs my words settled into Eleanor's heart, I could see the impact they had. Her eyes, glistening with unshed tears, betrayed the emotional turmoil she was struggling to contain.

“M-marco..It’s...I understand,” she managed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Our conversation dwindled after that, and we quickened our pace, navigating through the dense forest with a newfound urgency.

When we finally reached the town, its entrance was surprisingly welcoming. The towering wooden gates stood open, a stark contrast to the iron-clad fortifications I had anticipated for such a bustling place. Without any guards in sight, we proceeded with caution.

Inside, the town was a hive of activity. A diverse mix of beast kin and humans filled the streets, creating a vibrant tapestry of life. Despite the apparent camaraderie, an underlying tension seemed to permeate the air, leaving me with a sense of unease.

Eleanor voiced her concerns, mirroring my own. “Marco, stay vigilant. This town feels a little off. Let’s gather what we need quickly. I don’t want to linger here.”

“Sure,” I agreed. “How about we explore together and then find a place to rest?”

Eleanor's reaction was unexpected. Her cheeks flushed, and she appeared visibly unsettled. “N-no... Let's split up. We can cover more ground that way. Let’s meet back here in a few hours. I have some personal matters to attend to.”

Her evasiveness only piqued my curiosity, but I decided to play along. “Alright, let’s do that. Here, take my knight’s token. It might help us reconnect later.” I said, extending the token towards her.

As she reached out, I clumsily dropped it purposely allowing me to activate Belle's arousal ability, our hands brushing against each other as we both went to retrieve it. In that brief contact, I sensed a shift in Eleanor’s demeanor. Her eyes widened, and she hastily stepped back, her expression a mix of confusion and alertness.

Her reaction was more intense than I expected, and it momentarily took me by surprise. Her status as a Gold ranked knight was evident in her swift and guarded response.

I feigned ignorance. “Lady Eleanor, is something wrong?”

She stuttered, clearly trying to regain her composure. “N-n-no, Marco...it’s nothing. Let’s just...go our separate ways for now. I’ll see you here later.”

Before I could respond, she had disappeared into the crowd, leaving me to ponder the complex layers of the woman known as Eleanor the Tempest. Who I was staring at more and more, wishing to fuck her brains out.

A deviant smile creased against my lips. I can tell though it was brief she felt the effects of that, which then begs me to wonder where she is actually running off too. But more importantly,

As I pondered my next move, I turned to Kasumi, my trusted companion and source of mystical insight. "Kasumi, that token... you can track it, can't you?"

Her response came with a hint of playful sarcasm. "Of course, perverted one. Your mastery over void control makes that possible. Do you wish to track the Elven Lady?"

I paused, weighing my options. "No, not yet. First, I need to understand what's happening in this town." My curiosity about the unusual atmosphere of the place was growing. "And Belle, how's the third guardian? Still asleep?"

"Yes, Master. Belle senses her gradually acclimatizing to her new environment within you. Her unique nature requires more time to fully integrate."

I ran a hand through my hair, contemplating. The third guardian's powers remained a mystery, an intriguing prospect that promised further strength. But for now, unraveling the secrets of this town held precedence.

With a resolute nod, I set off into the bustling streets. The town, alive with a mixture of characters and an underlying tension, beckoned with secrets waiting to be uncovered. The path ahead was unclear, but my determination to find out what was going on and also gain more ground in my quest to fuck Eleanor excited me greatly

****

I trudged through the town, wary of the overzealous merchants who seemed to swarm me at every turn. Their **** smiles and overly friendly demeanors made my skin crawl. Despite their eagerness to please, I could sense their underlying desperation, a hunger for any shred of attention or validation.

One merchant eagerly shared personal details with me, including the intimate betrayal of his wife leaving him for a sellsword with a supposedly larger cock. Another boasted about his involvement in petty thefts, as if it were something to be proud of.

The whole town seemed to revel in sharing their darkest secrets and tales, all while maintaining an eerie sense of contentment.

As I entered what appeared to be a quaint tavern, a grizzled old man caught my eye. He hummed a tune while cleaning mugs behind the counter

“It’s a pleasure to meet you...traveller?” The man's sickeningly sweet smile made me want to vomit. I couldn't believe how easily he was able to maintain such an unnaturally happy demeanor. “And how may I be of service?”

I felt a wave of disgust wash over me as I tried to compose myself. What the fuck is wrong with these people, I thought.

“Hey, tell me what’s happened to this town, why is everyone so happy?” My question sounded absurd, but I needed to get to the bottom of this.

The man's smile faltered for a moment before he quickly recovered. “Ho-oh happy you say? Interesting question and I am compelled to speak truths but this one...hmm dear Ser I cant actually say hahaha.”

‘Compelled?’ I prodded further.

“Is there someone stopping you from saying the truth?”

“Oh no, on the contrary. I am under oath of the greatest warlock to ever live,” the man said with a manic glint in his eyes, “to always remain truthful, happy and singing cheerful songs until the day I die. Even if I am robbed, beaten up, or someone decided to fuck my wife. I must always smile and be happy hahaha.”

My stomach turned at the mention of a warlock and the realization slowly dawned on me. Magic. These people were under some kind of spell. But why?

As if reading my thoughts, Belle spoke up telepathically. ‘Master Belle senses something strange about these people.’

“Go on...”

‘Master Belle can sense things, and these people have the same...scent. Belle doesn't quite understand but it’s similar to Belles Desire me-desire me powers.’

Belle's explanation sent a shiver down my spine. If what she said was true, then whatever had befallen this man had possibly affected everyone else in the town. And he had mentioned a warlock.

“Say, where is this warlock right now?” I asked, my mind racing with possibilities.

“Ah well, the Master arrived three days ago,” the man replied, “he only left this morning. Said he had a very important date with a Queen of some kind...”

My heart skipped a beat at those words. There's no way that's a coincidence, considering we were supposed to support the Elven Queen's traveling party. Shit! She’s being targeted. I needed to find Lady Eleanor fast.

Without wasting another second, I raced out of the tavern and activated Kasumi’s powers within me. In an instant, I was transported across the entire village, standing in front of a wide straw building emitting steam from the back.

“A bathhouse,” I realized with a sinking feeling. Eleanor had been trying to get away from me so she could bathe in privacy before meeting with the warlock.

Determined to protect her at all costs, I swiftly entered the bathhouse and found two middle-aged women inside. They greeted me with smiles and cheer, but I cut to the chase.

“Hey listen, did you see a beautiful and massive breasted Elf come in here? If so, I need a bath beside where she is. Take me there now,” I demanded, my urgency evident in my tone.

The women were more than happy to oblige and led me across the stone-tiled ground as I cloaked myself using Kasumi's hunting skills. They kept turning around to check on me, but thanks to my abilities, they couldn't even sense my presence.

I had to find Eleanor before it was too late.

“here this is the place, you’ll find the Elven lady inside, but if you want we have a separate one which sits side by side over there.” She pointed.

“Great ill take that one.”

The open outdoor area beckoned to me, a circular pool shimmering in the soft light and fragrant petals decorating its edges. My mind was in turmoil after seeing my sister again, and I desperately needed an escape. As I made my way around the pool, I heard a low moan coming from behind the wicker wall that separated the baths.

“Nnnh...Ahn...Haan”

Without hesitation, I activated Belle's technique, allowing me to see the clear outline of auras. And what I saw left me breathless with excitement.

Lady Eleanor sat on the edge of the bath, her legs spread wide as she vigorously rubbed her swollen clit. Sweat glistened on her body as she expertly worked her fingers around herself, lost in pleasure.

“IT’s comming...It’s cominggggg-outttt...I’m gonna...CUUUUUUUUUUM!”

As she reached climax, her body convulsed and she sprayed her fluids into the pool. But before I could even move closer, she had already regained her composure and stood up. Despite just experiencing intense orgasmic release, she seemed to have regained her strength almost instantly. The thought of fucking her overwhelmed me, imagining how she would dominate me in bed.

But something didn't add up - why was she pleasuring herself out here? Then it hit me - the curse mark must be working, making her crave sexual release amidst all the fighting and chaos. Just when I was considering surprising her and offering my help, I heard her mutter under her breath.

“Sigh...Eleanor you cant keep on doing this. Perhaps if...J-julien was here to help me...N-no I promised I wouldn't use him anymore."

My blood boiled at the mention of that fat elf's name.

She had let him fuck her? No way. That wasn't possible.

But then again, maybe it was just another effect of my curse mark on her. Either way, I knew I needed to act fast if I wanted to claim her as my own. And perhaps this was all a blessing in disguise. ****