Game Master in Another World

The simple dirt road wound across the plains toward a distant forest. The landscape was featureless apart from the occasional tree.

“So, Igasnov, how do you spend your time?” Juliana asked.

“Travelling mostly, looking for people to help. I headed towards the border because I expected some trouble from that direction.”

“Why alone, though? Wouldn’t it be easier with friends?”

Igasnov looked at us for a moment before answering. “Most of my friends didn’t want to risk fighting an enemy army; they thought it was suicide.”

“Can you tell me about some of your friends?”

“Certainly,” Igasnov began.

“Firstly, there was Cadel, a half-man, half-lion. He fought up front. He loved his two blades and was always raring for a fight. His ability to find traps and unlock doors was also greatly appreciated in the group.

“I remember one time we were looking for a lost noble’s daughter. He picked the lock of what we thought was her captor's room, but it turned out to be a room for a brothel. Needless to say, the ladies were not happy and shooed us out incredibly quickly. He also seemed a bit lost sometimes, just staring off into space, thinking about something. Despite my asking, I never got an answer as to what he was thinking about that could satisfy me.

“Next we had Engelweiss; they were the healer of our group, a half-angel. They were incredibly pious and always wanted to be doing the right thing by their code. The shenanigans we got up to sometimes clashed with their moral compass, but they never stopped us. I remember a time when we were in a dungeon, and Cadel kept triggering traps, causing injuries. Engelweiss would always have to heal him. After the fifth time, Engelweiss simply said, ‘You know that your role is not to find traps by feel, right?’ ”

Igasnov laughed. “Engelweiss always had such a dry sense of humour.

“I cannot forget the half-spider, half-woman, Aria. She had the most amazing singing voice, but the fear people had just looking at her meant she could never really perform for crowds that often. That was fine by us, though; it felt like we had our own personal singer who would perform only for us. She would often stand at the back of fights, using spells to manipulate the battlefield in our favour. She was definitely an integral part of our team.

“My favourite moment with her was when she was singing for us in a cabin. Some local boys peeked through the windows, but they could only see her top half. I noticed them watching, seemingly entranced. Then she moved. The look of shock on their faces was great, and their screams as they ran away were even funnier. We all had a good laugh, except for Aria, who was a little embarrassed. That night, a quest was put up to defeat her. We accepted the bounty and immediately cashed it in—the quickest fifteen gold we had ever made.

“Maria, on the other hand, was an older caster with a devil's pact. She was always brooding about one thing or another, but her casting ability was much needed because of her raw firepower. Maybe not as powerful as you, mind, but certainly potent enough to help face some of the largest threats. She would often go into town with me, as by our team's standards, she was fairly normal-looking. But her personality was anything but. She would pick fights with people due to the smallest of slights. I would often have to step in to simmer things down.

“And last but not least, Saelihn, a one-armed elf. She was our scout. Despite having only one arm, she proved incredible at warning us of danger. She was always a little pompous, believing elves to be a superior race. But despite that, he truly cared for us all. When we first met Aria, though, she wanted to kill her immediately; she had incorrectly assumed that she was a servant of Vorlith. I had to hold him back to stop him. I’m afraid if she meets you, she would likely try to kill you on sight. Personally, I find that unlikely. And in the event she tries, I’m quite certain she would lose very rapidly. But one great feature of his was that he could grow to see past his prejudice. In the end, he seemed closest to Aria, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they ended up together.

“And that was my party. I do miss them, but I stand by my decision to take on this suicide mission. And honestly, I’m glad I did, as it meant I got to meet you and Toby.”

“Your friends sound wonderful. I hope I get to meet them,” Juliana said.

“I don’t think that is likely, unfortunately. They left this country to avoid getting dragged into the war.”

“I would like to have no part in this war too,” Toby said.

“Don’t worry, Toby, for I will not involve you in this war if at all possible,” Juliana replied.

We continued along the road until we reached the forest. The trees looked similar to kanuka, carrying the distinct smell of tea tree leaves. Getting out of the direct sunlight was always a welcome relief for our Nhalyri vision.

“You seem more relaxed now, Juliana. Do you like forests?” Igasnov asked.

“Indeed, the nature of the forest is intoxicating. I feel refreshed stepping into it.”

“Personally, I like them, but conversely find them a little dangerous. Speaking of which, I think we have some company,” Igasnov said with a smile.

Ten men stepped out onto the road in front of us. They wore what looked like old uniforms from the army, mixed in with some darker clothing.

“Hey there, you’ll leave the woman, child, and your supplies if you want to live another day, giant,” said a gaunt-looking man.

Igasnov looked over the men. “I think you might want to reconsider your profession.” He pulled his mace from his hip and retrieved his shield from his back.

One of the bandits, a taller man, glanced at us, then looked more closely. Suddenly, his face fell and he dropped his weapon, breaking off into a run.

“Corvin! Why are you running?!”

Corvin didn’t answer; instead, several other men noticed us before shrieking, “It’s the Devil! Run!”

“You’re no fun,” Igasnov sighed.

Juliana cast a spell. Several branches sprouted from the ground, holding the slowest half of the bandits in one place.

“There you go, Igasnov. I’ve held some of them for you.”

“Do you mind if I show them some righteous punishment? I don’t think we have the capacity to take prisoners right now.”

“Sure, go ahead. They have disrespected this forest; it is only natural they pay the price for their folly,” Juliana replied.

Igasnov walked up to the first man. “I’m sorry, but I will make this quick.”

The man pleaded, “No, no, no, ple…”

The mace landed swiftly on his head, killing him instantly.

Igasnov then continued on to the other four bandits, finishing them off one by one.

“Do you want to chase down the others?” Igasnov asked.

“No, I think we can leave them be. Hopefully, their companions' deaths will help turn their lives around.”

“I don’t think that is likely, but I will take your steer on this.”

Igasnov put away his weapons, and they continued walking down the path.

“So why don’t you bury these men?” Igasnov asked.

“Well, they will provide for the forest animals if I leave them above ground.”

“Would you say you care more for animals than people, then?”

“I wouldn’t call it more, just around the same. I will eat meat, after all,” Juliana replied.

The sun began to drop below the horizon, and the forest began to darken.

“Shall we make camp?” Igasnov asked.

“Sure, I can acquire some fuel for the fire.”

They found a clearing just off the road, next to a small stony creek.

“It is quite a pretty spot,” Toby said.

Juliana found some dry wood and began to break it into smaller pieces, making a small pile.

“So, Lord Geoff, how are you feeling about this journey? Do you think we will find the answers you seek?”

I took control to answer. “I feel like I was brought back with a purpose, and that purpose is to bring the world back to relative peace. And since I brought you into this world, making you happy is another goal, which peace would also achieve.”

I released control again.

“Why would you want to make me, a humble mortal, happy?”

“I created you. I feel like that is the least I can offer you.”

“And what of Drisnil? Do you want to make her happy too?”

I thought for a moment, remembering Drisnil’s nature.

“No, I don’t think I can achieve her happiness without harming others. The best I could offer her was her freedom, which I have done.”

“Aren’t you worried about what she is doing?”

“Yes, but at the time I left, I was incapable of considering that aspect. One day I may catch up with her and judge her actions. If she has committed excessive harm against others, I will destroy her, or at least remove her freedom completely.”

“If it comes to that, I can help you, my lord, with the judgement,” Juliana offered.

“That is very kind of you to offer, but I couldn’t have you fighting. To me, it would be like having my children kill each other. That is something I could not bear to watch.”

“You see me like a child of yours? That makes me feel honoured.”

“Yes, Juliana. You are like a daughter to me, and as I would for any child, I wish for you a fulfilling, happy life.”

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