Comfort in the stars...

You learn a lot about Tresduin during your broken conversation with Kris. It's a logging village in the elven kingdom, a decent ways from its border with the human kingdom. They also deal in furs and meats more so than their more industrial counterparts. It usually operates as a frontier town, and has had its share of adventuring parties depart into the wilderness from there.

When Arsorisa, god of growth, blessed Kristhyra with his power, her parents encouraged her to leave home and head to the nearby city to train in one of the temples there. Then, the priests there sent her and another south to the human kingdom, as part of a cooperative agreement to form diverse groups of adventurers. That's as far as that part of the conversation gets though, as she starts to hyperventilate when discussing her old party.

Changing the subject, you begin asking more about elven culture, finding out that while some elven towns have their fantastical towns in the trees, others are similar to human towns, where they build their buildings on the ground. Either way, each elven settlement is built around a large tree, often one that's unique to the area. For example, it could be a sturdy oak surrounded by maple trees, or a white birch surrounded by pine. You ask if the trees are naturally there or if they're planted by the towns' founders, but she doesn't actually know (and it seems like the question never occurred to her).

Eventually, things end up winding down, and you and Kris retire to your rooms, both of which Garth is providing for free. ("Ya both are doin' good work fur the town. I'd be'an idio' if'a turned ya 'way.") You fall on your bed, still tired from ferrying people across miles and miles of forest. You sigh, relishing your brief respite before you have to deal with one of the gods, again. What am I even going to tell them? What are they going to ask me? You think about the last day, from the Empress to the goblinoid takeover. Other than saving all the slaves...I don't think I did anything questionable. And even with that, I can double down on what I told Mel last night. I need to increase my image among the humans so I can 'eventually' rip it away, ruining their trust in Runa Ruya. You exhale, ready to drift off...

...before you hear someone sobbing. Apparently the walls are thin, because you're pretty sure you hear Kristhyra sobbing through the one between your rooms. You sigh, both annoyed by the sound, and feeling sorry for her at the same time. Can I even do anything to help her? A particularly loud sob tugs at your conscience, leading to you to get up from the bed. You exit your room, relatively easily navigating the hall and knocking on her door. You creak it open, finding the surprised elf starting to sit up.

"S-sorry... I-I wake you?" She wipes her eyes.

"No, you didn't. Can I come in?"

"Yes, yes." She pulls off the blanket and swings her legs off the bed. She sniffs. "P-please, sit." You notice that she doesn't seem to have changed from her oversized shirt.

You close the distance and sit next to her. "Hey...do you...want me to stay with you tonight?"

Despite the darkness, you can spot her shocked look. She turns away briefly. "Uh...i-if you want, he-...Dusk." She fidgets with her hands before pushing herself back. She slides under the cover and holds it up for you to join her.

You hesitantly join her, honestly expecting to spend the night on the floor next to the bed instead of in the bed with her. It's a tight fit in the twin bed, but with your arms touching, you manage to find some comfort...

...until she begins sobbing again. You mentally sigh before turning onto your side and wrapping the depressed elf in a hug, pulling her face into your chest. "Let it out. You're safe now. They can't hurt you anymore."

She begins crying in elvish, her words meaning nothing to your ears. You don't know how long it takes, but she eventually falls into an uneasy slumber, and you follow suit.

"Wow, you're really going all out on this 'goody two shoes' act, huh?" The often-excited voice of Carnachias enters your astral ears.

Once again seeing the field of stars around you and the world of Ruyanei below, you pull up your daily summary.

Enemies Defeated: 15

Race: Devil +0xp, total 5000xp Rank 1

Enemies: 150

Pure Land: 4

Evolution Requirements Met: Archdevil Path

Archdevil Path Requirement: Have 30 individuals view you as their ruler (Completed)

Succubus Path Requirement: Seduce/**** 5 individuals who are in positions above you

Daemophim Path Requirement: Desecrate 2 areas of consecrated ground and kill 2 Priests

Race: Angel +0xp, total 5000xp Rank 1

Enemies: 150

Pure Land: 4

Evolution Requirements Not Met

Archangel Path Requirement: Have 30 individuals view you as their leader

Guardian Path Requirement: Heal 100 innocent or Light-aligned creatures for at least half of their health

Seraphim Path Requirement: Kill 100 creatures with dark elemental power using light elemental spells

Class: Knight +304xp, total 304xp Level 1

Enemies: 300

Pure Land: 4

Class: Sorcerer +304xp, total 304xp Level 1

Enemies: 300

Pure Land: 4

Maximum Experience Obtained, Redistributing Excess Experience

Knight: +77xp, total 381xp
Sorcerer: +77xp, total 381xp

Maximum Experience Obtained, Redistributing Excess Experience

Knight: +77xp, total 458xp
Sorcerer: +77xp, total 458xp

Why...isn't Angel able to evolve? "Well, once I play my hand, there's no going back. I want to make sure I get the most out of this before showing my true allegiance. By the way, I know this is probably a question for Mel, but what are the advantages of each evolution path?"

She chuckles. "Well, you know I'm partial to succubi, and I don't doubt you know what they can do. I've seen the internet, Anon. Archdevils and succubi are more capable of using magic, and archdevils are usually more focused on making sure their subordinates don't disobey versus the succubi's lustful magic to debilitate their enemies. Daemophim...it's been a while since we've had a real boss-level one of those... They focus on the utter destruction of their enemies, by any means. I'm pretty sure they regenerate health when they deal damage to someone, but I'd have to ask Mel on that."

You hum. "Is there a way to...I don't know, go down two or more paths?"

"Well, you're already special, so there's a chance you could anyway, but there's a fruit grown only in the Demon King's garden that lets you evolve multiple paths. I don't know the details, but I do know that most monsters can only evolve up to eight times. You actually might be able to evolve eight times for both devil and slime, but Hybridization is a real mystery. We couldn't tell you basically anything about how it's going to affect your evolutions, honestly." You can almost see the god shrugging.

"Huh. Thanks for the help, then." I'm using a magic-heavy build anyway, so there's no harm in making the choice to evolve now, rather than later.

"By the way, did you enjoy meeting the Empress? Don't worry about that other guy, I'm sure you can beat him in the dick department."

"I don't think it's going to be a dick-measuring contest. I'm pretty sure he's just gonna be out to get me, and I honestly don't know if I can handle him if it comes to that." Especially if he's backed up by a bunch of hornets. "Although, I can't say I'm upset that the Empress just showed up on my doorstep. I was worried the Saintesses would get to her, first."

"My idea. Mel wanted you to get stronger so you'd be 'worthy' for her, but I basically said 'fuck it' and put the suggestion in her head to check out that hive."

"You...can do that?"

"Yup. Not often for her, but I decided it was worth it."

You shiver. If she can do that for me, can I even trust my own thoughts, anymore? "Anyway, today was exhausting, so if I could please get some actual rest, I'd appreciate it."

"Fine. Just make sure you have actual sex today. It's fun watching you fuck that goblin, but it got boring after the eighth time."