The Way of the Clan 3 (World of Valdira)

by Dem Mikhaylov

  -- Yes! – Chloe exclaimed triumphantly, leaning on me with her whole body— No censorship at all! Blood, meat, and sex!

  -- Ohhhh… -- drawled the player, whose nickname I had not bothered to read— Ohhhhh…

  -- Ohhhh… -- I continued, trying to retrieve a teleportation scroll from my pocket.

  -- Why are you fidgeting?

  -- Trying to get a teleportation scroll— I confessed— and to port myself out of here.

  -- What are you talking about? Any magic is going to be turned off. Even peaceful. There’s a video being taken in real-time! Super show with Lizanna the Ravishing in the World of Valdira! Once she passes, everything will go back to normal again.

  -- Yes, so where is she then? – I shouted, wriggling my whole body— Already been standing here for half an hour! Would be nice if she could hurry it along, this Luxurious one! And why in the world is she even going around in the streets?! Not enough money for a coach?!

  -- Oh! It’s starting! – cried Chloe— The carpet!

  -- Looking ahead, I saw a bright scarlet carpet appear over the golden stone path. The show did not end there— thousands of white flower petals gently fell and descended from the heavens onto that red carpet.

  -- What in the hell is this actress even doing in Valdira. The real world is not enough?!— I made a plaintive moan— Let me out!

  -- Real world? – Chloe marveled, grabbing my shoulders and leaning around me— What do you mean? Lizanna is a “local!”

  -- Huh?!

  -- Mhm! A “local!” A masterpiece of design! Super-advanced artificial intelligence, you can’t tell her apart from a real person. And how she plays! Oh! She is just… Hey! Whose hand is this? Rosgard, there’s a hand reaching to you! Under your coat!

  I had felt the strangers touch only a moment earlier and, turning my head, I buried my eyes upon the big brown eyes of a pretty brown-haired woman in a maiden’s clothes. “Local.” Beautiful. And, not taking her eyes off me, her hand gently but firmly climbed under my coat.

  -- Good day, sir— purred the girl.

  -- And the same to you— I answered, trying unsuccessfully to pull away— This… listen…

  -- Your body is so hot, sir… it just burns…

  -- Damn it! – I yelled out loud, only now having understood what was happening.

  Cursed love aura which clouds the brain of the locals like a powerful drug! And I can’t move away!

  -- Hey! What’s going on there? – asked an interested player, trying to get the details of what was happening.

  -- She’s trying to get to him! I mean not to steal something, but seriously won’t leave him alone!— responded Chloe with a startled laugh, not looking away from the distraught maiden— Oh! She’s going into your jacket!

  The elegant hand of the “local” really managed to undo a few of the buttons of my coat. At which point the peacefully sleeping Tyrant discovered that a hand had made its way into his abode. There was a throaty growl, and the clamping of tiny jaws in warning, at which point the girl yelled and withdrew her arm, much to my unspeakable relief.

  -- Oh… looks like he bites, sir… -- complained the maiden, pressing herself to my chest and lowering her hand— from the jacket right to my pants.

  -- Huh? It bites?— repeated Chloe in awe— And… and looks like he growls, too…

  -- What does he have that is growling? – eagerly asked an unnamed player— And what bites?

  -- You won’t ever guess! – answered Chloe, watching the actions of the “local” girl with interest— Ohhh…

  -- Ugh! No! — I yelled, seeing the maiden’s hands as they lowered down and teased the waistband of my pants— Do not!

  I could not really move anyhow! What a bloody string of bad luck!

  -- How did you do this?

  -- I didn’t do anything! – I shouted, jerking my hips away better than any belly dancer— Nothing! Better if you’d help me and pull her away!

  -- I cannot— I’m pressed down— answered Chloe and, after a pause, admitted— And in truth, I don’t want to. That girl lighting it up…

  Feeling that the woman had begun to use her other hand too, I gulped and made an attempt to push away from the magical barrier, at least a few centimeters. In vain.

  She wouldn’t pull off my pants, but her attempts and unambiguous body movements… and we’re standing, pressed to an absolutely transparent magical barrier before the eyes of thousands of players and “locals”… already, it seemed to be the prelude to another erotic drama, except without the participation of Lizanna the Ravishing.

  Meanwhile, the events had interested some of the players who were standing by me.

  -- What’s going on over there?

  -- Some guy is getting raped— casually responded Chloe, who I had marked down not without reason to have unhealthy inclinations— Whether from a failure of the “local” software, or something else…

  -- What! You’re kidding?!

  -- What’s there to joke about? She’s got her pants and trying to steal…

  About the aura of love which was “floating” around me I decided to say nothing and, clenching my jaw, began to push off from the star-struck fans. Turned out that this would be to no avail. With my brains I knew that as long as I did not fully want and allow it, the girl could not steal my loincloth no matter how much she desired, but it did not make my situation any easier. And neither did that looming unhealthy excitement of my own…

  -- Listen, maybe you’re actors? – Chloe pressed on, hotly breathing down my neck— Huh?

  -- Who?

  -- Well, act0rs! From the crowd! Sort of as though the aura of Lizanna the Ravishing is so strong, that you could not keep your hands off each other… and made love in front of numerous passerby…

  -- You should go to the doctor— I suggested, grabbing the maiden’s wrists with an incredible effort and raising her to her feet— And when you’re better, you can safely take up writing erotic novels.

  -- Ha ha! Very funny! – Chloe snorted— Oh! There’s another one climbing over!

  -- What?!

  -- To your left.

  Not letting go of the almost-purring maid, I spun my head and saw another “local” stretching to get to me. This time, with black hair. And an equally abnormal expression.

  -- Do they need a sedative or something?! – I howled mournfully and, to an incredible relief, noted the fact that the brunette got stuck in the crowd and could not take a step. To her sorrow, it seemed, as was clearly visible on her pretty face.

  -- What is wrong with you – asked Chloe, not appeased. – Why are they sticking to you? No, you’re definitely an actor! But that design of yours is so-so… kind of ugly… like a farmer from a long-range farm.

  -- Look who’s talking! – I snapped.

  The girl did not have time to respond to the taunt. A fanfare rolled over us, slowly falling petals rippled in beautiful tornadoes.

  -- She’s coming! She’s here! – roared the crowd, pressing into the invisible barrier.

  -- She’s here! – Chloe’s voice rose to a high-pitched squeak, and in her trembling hand was a scribbled piece of paper— She’s coming!

  -- If only a bit quicker!

  -- It’s a video! A slow and stately procession through the streets of Algora! Lizanna in the role of the queen of the tiny island nation which arrived in Algora for peace talks between governors. There is a looming war between two kingdoms, and to avoid the impending carnage Lizanna voluntarily gives herself into the hands of our king! – said Chloe ecstatically, with anguish in her voice— And then…!

  -- And then? I asked, involuntarily.

  -- Erotic drama!

  -- Oh, for pete’s sake! – I grumbled— Didn’t have to ask!

  -- Sir, do I not please you? – cried the black-haired girl in offense, clinging to my chest.

  -- Ahem.

  -- Oh, good sir… -- moaned the brunette, not able to reach me— Please give me your hand…

  -- No th
ank you!

  -- Here she is! – yelled one of the players, and the next moment, I was deafened by the roar of the wild crowd.

  In the air soared numerous hats and bouquets of flowers. The fanfares did not stop, bringing welcoming melodic music. On the stone walls were heraldic banners, etched with complex and fanciful patterns. Among this noise, I could see familiar sights disappear— information such as game nicknames, levels, statuses of belonging to a clan. Everything was absolutely gone until one could no longer tell apart a local from an immortal.

  The result was a nameless, multi-colored crowd, where a peasant stood next to a noble and a well-dressed character was standing right next to a homeless man with a beard.

  It seemed full well that it was not virtual reality, but a real life middle-class medieval town, whose population came running happily to greet the royals who had just arrived.

  A smart move, nothing else to say about it. Ready-made and most importantly— voluntary extras, and everything is absolutely free. No matter which way you look at it, it’s almost impossible to tell that this is just a game. And the players are working it— yelling, shouting, almost chirping from their overabundant feelings. The completely insolent Chloe climbed on my shoulders and whooped gleefully, waving her arms.

  If there’s anyone who remained indifferent, it was myself and the two girls who were molesting me. Molesting me so hard that if this had taken place in an enclosed area away from prying eyes, I would have long since acquiesced. But here… no, I wasn’t going to bring the joy of seeing that to anyone.

  And what good does that “aura of love” that was hanging over me do? Guarantees higher chances of interest and the chance to flirt with previously inaccessible girls, but not to this extent!

  Should I just press “logout”?

  That would do it. They wouldn’t be able to steal anything—

  Paying no attention to the roar of the crowd, I activated the game interface and, going to the main menu, hovered over the Exit icon. I shortly pressed.

  Attention! There is an auto-save occurring in the system!

  Exit is going to be possible in: 05:17… 05:16…05:15…

  Huh?!

  What save? What system?! First time I hear of such a thing!

  Cursing through my teeth, I tried to exit again and was greeted only by a similar message, with a small addition:

  We apologize for the inconvenience!

  What the hell!

  -- Hello… darling… -- sounded a velvety voice, which I fully ignored, proceeding to fight vigorously with the exit button. If not for the sudden deathly silence of the street, I wouldn’t have paid any attention to the surrounding environment. Even the fanfare had quieted down. It was so quiet that a pin could drop and the whole city would hear.

  First thing I did was look at the player next to me, whose jaw had dropped and whose face was frozen. Looking up, I saw Chloe Tierra in the same frozen state. And then, only then over the tops of the heads of the maidens who clung to me, looked in front of me. And buried my gaze in the an incredibly huge bust behind the magical barrier, scarcely contained in her taut peach-colored silk dress.

  Already having understood that I was done for, I carefully raised my eyes higher. Her mouth stretched into a blinding smile, her brightly shining green eyes and a smattering of blond hair, artfully and intricately styled. She stood at a distance of a few centimeters from me… there was no nickname above her lovely head, but for some reason I was sure of it— it was precisely her. No other than Lizanna the Ravishing. Perhaps my confidence was based on the simple fact that the lady was standing on the red crimson carpet, and behind her loomed the bewildered faces of her body guards.

  -- Honey… -- gently cooed Lizanna…

  -- I’m done for… done for… done for… -- I muttered, trying to back away.

  -- Honey… what is that ragged cat doing clinging to you? – Lizanna casually inquired, adjusting a blond curl with a sharp motion and glancing at the brown-haired girl disdainfully.

  -- Huh?! – at this, the voice of the maiden suddenly dropped to the temperature of an arctic wind— And who are you talking about?

  -- Oh shi— I choked out, pressing at the “exit” button with a blind hope— Oh please, click… What’s it gonna cost you, huh? Come on… hell…

  -- Your Majesty! – a hunchbacked guard, all dressed in gold, addressed Lizanna— Your Majesty! His Majesty is waiting! His Majesty waiting for Your Majesty! That…

  -- That… -- Whispered Chloe…

  Judging by the dumbfounded expression of the face of the man and his loss of words, he was certainly not a “local.” A real person on the verge of real panic.

  -- Piss off— Lizanna waved him away— I have found the love of my life… Honey – she spoke to me— Stop cuddling the ragged cat like that. I’m starting to get jealous…

  In the elegant hand appeared a no less elegant dagger with a slightly curved blade. A soft movement and the blade easily passed through the magical barrier and, without stopping, moved downwards, leaving behind it a bright curved line.

  As I was dumbfounded at what was happening, the excited crowd lurched forwards. As a result, I was sprawled on the magic barrier like a crushed jellyfish. The dagger sliced again, this time dangerously close to my cheek— and in the next moment the Ravishing, super mega star at the top of all the ratings and charts threw aside her weapon, firmly leaned forwards and “sucked” me in to a passionate kiss.

  -- Mmmm!

  -- What are you doing! – The outraged squeal of the maiden was an electric drill in my ear, and I was firmly pulled back.

  -- They are just actors! I knew it! I knew it!

  -- Oooohhh – the vociferous crowd hollered, not adding to my enthusiast.

  -- Is he the king?

  -- What a hell of a kiss!

  All of these long moments I persistently pressed at the “exit” button like a woodpecker. And nothing… I did not succeed.

  But the others were different. Over our heads, appeared words in an unknown guttural language, flashing an intolerable bright green. In the next moment, the crowd was moved aside. Soon, the maiden was pushed aside, screaming in protest. A vice grip closed on my elbows and pulled me back, breaking the “romantic” kiss with Liza— judging by the exclamations, to an indescribable regret. Exhaling with relief, I looked around and almost choked— around me stood no less than thirty city guars with utterly evil faces. And a couple of gloomy magicians. On Lizanna, who had lunged towards me, flew a dozen ladies and despite her stubborn resistance, they pushed the island queen back. Into the emptied space flew the golden guard and, pointing a finger at me, yelled:

  -- It is he!

  -- He! – the crowd gasped.

  -- He? – I repeated, puzzled.

  -- The nasty dark sorcerer who cast a terrible love spell on the Queen! Criminal! Into prison for these atrocities!

  -- Oh hell! – I choked.

  -- And for impious language in the presence of royalty! – the hunchback did not miss a beat, whose role was clearly filled by a real life person.

  -- Oh! Come on now, what are you talking about…

  -- Gag him!

  -- Huh! M-mph!

  -- Get the shackles!

  Click! Clack! Click! – the sound of shackles and chains locking onto my arms, legs, and my neck.

  -- Put him in the pillory!

  Whack!

  Behind me appeared a hefty post, to which I was securely strapped with a thick rope.

  -- Spit on him, people! Spit on the villain!— cried the guard, wringing his hands.

  The people spit, echoing the guards and the entourage.

  -- No, my love! – a thin cry came from the throng of ladies, who were restraining Lizanna with difficulty.

  -- Into prison with him! Into the dungeons of darkness and sorrow!

  Clap!

  The street disappeared in a flash, and when I blinked, I found that I had ended up with the pillory in a prison cell. As ordered— d
ark and damp. The post had allowed me to “gracefully” land on all fours.

  Throwing up my head, I saw an immortal sitting on the bench, his head in both his hands, looking up at the dirty floor.

  -- And what are you in here for? – I croaked, being able to think of nothing more intelligent to say.

  -- Ehhhh!— sighed the demon.

  After such a concise, yet extremely exhaustive and emotional response, a deathly silence hung in the chamber. The game angel sat intently staring at the floor, occasionally scrolling through some information on the screen which only he could see— but I did not doubt the fact that it was there.

  After waiting a few minutes and mentally going over the exhausting events which had led me here, I said decidedly:

  -- I’m not a wizard! – it did not seem very convincing, and so I quickly corrected myself— Hmm… that is, I am a wizard, of course, but I don’t have any love spells! Uh… that is, I have them of course, but I wasn’t using them… um… just, any which way!

  -- Player Rosgard— the demon took his hands from his face and rose to his feet.

  -- At your service! – I jumped.

  -- On behalf of the administration of Valdira I bring you a formal apology for the invasion of your gameplay. I also officially declare that we have no complaints against you, that no rules have been violated. The mistake was made by those carrying out the event, and they will suffer severe punishment for what has happened.

  -- Apology accepted— I nodded carefully, lowering my gaze to the narrow stone bench running along the wall— But… what happened, anyway?

  -- It’s simple. I think you have the right to know— the angel sighed, and produced a densely speckled table full of obscure characters before us with a graceful wave of the hand. – Here… at the time of the event all abilities on the territory of Algora were frozen. All the magic… except for divine magic used by event organizers, all had been locked. That was where the glitch occurred. If you believe the logs, you had recently visited the Temple of the Tribulation and received the Aura of Divine Love.

  -- Right. I visited. And got it. Except that I did not know that it was divine.

  -- The divine aura of love remained active. Plus all that, all of the “locals” in the Golden Alley were superimposed with “RadVos” and “euphoria,” so that their faces appeared more real and so that they could more strongly express their emotions. To put it simply— these effects take away the brakes and press down a bit on the pedal. Even greater effects were applied to the main event of the celebration— Lizanna the Ravishing. She had to be positively shining and radiating positive energy. Hm… that’s the way it all was, until Lizanna entered the range of your love aura. Then, you see— the silent horror and the graying faces of all those responsible. An urgent improvisation was applied, as a result of which you have been declared a dark sorcerer and sent to prison. After your disappearance, Rosgard, everything went back to normal and now the Queen of the Isles has returned to her senses. She is now entering the doors of the Pearl Palace. Hm…