"James, since you say that you have lost all your memories, is there any clue that we could use to find out who you are?" Veronica asked in a concerned voice.
'This is annoying.. I know who I am and nobody is looking for me. I don't think anyone on earth would be looking for me either. Well for now let's play along.'
When James washed himself up in the river earlier, he noticed his reflection was the same as it was on earth, just 11 years younger. And his lip scar was still there surprisingly.
Putting on a look of determined concentration he said, "The only thing I can think of, is this." Pointing to his lip, "I feel like this scar is important to my identity, but I don't know.. I wish I could be more helpful."
'Yeah right, with so little to go on Veronica will give up pretty easy and then I can focus on trying to survive in this horny world without anyone worrying about my past.'
"There shouldn't be very many men with handsome features like yours and a scar like that, I'll see what I can do. For now let's find the Mayor and get you settled in."
Pleased by the swift end of the conversation regarding his past, James thought she must've realized it was going to be impossible to find out his identity. Eager to get a move on he excitedly said, "Alright Veronica, away we go!" While hooting and pumping his fist.
'What am I doing, I think I actually just died a little inside. I'm 25 acting like a kid being held in this woman's arms, my pride will never recover..'
As they passed through the streets of the town, James noticed once again there was a distinct lack of men.
"Hey Veronica, where are all the guys at? I haven't seen a single one since I entered this town."
"That's because men only live in the capital cities of each territory. Their constitution is not suited to living a life in a small town like Creekrock."
"That seems a bit condescending Veronica? How frail do you think men are?"
"I'm sorry if I offended you James, but it's true. With their weaker bodies, lower starting stats, and minimal experience gain, it would be very hard for a man to survive out here. Not only that, since most town garrison's are armed by milita and adventurers, they do not report to government officials or military officers. It would be very easy to kidnap a male and sell them on the black market as a slave, or even keep them as a personal toy they rent out."
"Oh.. okay I guess, but why would they live in the capital cities then? Wouldn't more people mean more opportunity for something bad to happen?" James asked slightly confused.
"While it may seem that way, males in our country are provided two level 50 guards by our military. There is also a secure gated community in each city that only men can stay in, it restricts entry to everyone except nobility of the rank Countess or higher."
'Wow that does sound pretty safe, but I'm not really sure how strong level 50 is.'
"But Veronica, what about the guards themselves? Couldn't they have designs on the very person they're meant to protect?"
"No actually, all male guardians provided by the military are magically oathbound. Failure to maintain that oath results in immediate death."
Startled by the revelation, James responded with a faint, "Oh.. okay."
Still in his princess carry James pondered his next steps going forward. 'I wonder if they'll let me be an adventurer, I really don't want to be cooped up in a glorified daycare until I'm forced to complete the quota'
He had to admit, while embarrassing, being carried around by this woman felt pretty nice. Her big strong hands made him safe and- 'What am I even thinking about right now, I'm a manly protagonist. Not some child to be spoiled.'
James looked around suddenly as he felt Veronica come to a stop. In front of him stood an ornate wooden manor two stories tall, the nicest building he had seen so far in this town. They stood just outside the fence lines gate, which was protected by two guardsmen.
He heard Veronica start talking in a professional and no nonsense tone.
"Corporal Sanders here to report to Lady Justine."
The two guards had thier visors raised on their helms, so he noticed the shocked expressions as their eyes landed on him.
"You may proceed, corporal." Said the guard on the left who had a shockingly high pitched voice.
Striding forward, Veronica and James swiftly passed through the gate into the manors well maintained yard. The doors to the manor were wide open letting the two pass unhindered.
Inside the building, there was a vast open room that had various tables and chairs arranged neatly. At the back of the room stood a set of stairs that led to the second floor. Looking up James noticed a balcony that wrapped around completely, being supported by large wooden beams underneath. On the stairs there stood a line of people that stretched up to the right side of the balcony, leading into a room.
Veronica ignored all the people waiting in line and bounded up the stairs. Shocked cries of "hey" and "no cutting" sounded out as she passed them. She kept walking until they were at the front of the line, just outside of a very solid door. Waiting for a bit, it opened then slammed shut as a very angry woman walked out muttering, "No good stingy hussy" in a huff.
Cutting off the next woman who went to grab the door, Veronica sidestepped in front of her and announced, "Corporal Sanders reporting, Lady Justine."
A few moments passed until a somewhat exhausted voice sounded back, "You may enter corporal."
Shouldering the door open, Veronica stepped through. The inside was very neat and stately, rows of books lined the walls to the left and right. In the middle of the room sat a plush bench meant for visitors. Towards the back of the room, a woman sat behind a desk, she had cyan colored hair with an intricate braid. One elbow rested on the desk, propping her head up with her hand. She blankly stared out the window not even looking at them.
The woman sighed and said, "Close the door and be seated corporal, then give me your report."
"As you command, Lady Justine." Veronica replied.
Veronica hooked the door with her leg and pushed it closed, walking to the very comfy looking seat, she sat and positioned James to the middle of her lap. Her arms resting on the sides of his waist.
James felt his cool image shatter into the breeze once and for all with this seating arrangement. 'C'mon man.. I look like the biggest wuss ever right now.' Seeing that the lady hadn't bothered to look at them yet, James felt an opportunity regain his dignity.
He hissed up at Veronica, "Hey put me down!"
Veronica looked confused as she responded, "But we are already sitting?" Her words seemed to rouse the woman at the desk since Veronica hadn't whispered back.
'My one shot, my one opportunity, I let it slip and I did not capture it..' James felt like crying.
"Well then, who might you be handsome?" Lady Justine was now staring at him with an intrigued expression, leaning over her desk to peer down at him.
'Either she's in a high chair or this woman needs to be in professional sports. I can think of a few teams who could use a center..'
James's neck was starting to hurt a bit looking up all the time, "Good afternoon my Lady, my name is James."
There was a brief pause before she responded with a slightly strained voice, "Hello Sir James, I am Viscountess Justine Clement. What brings you to my town today? Also it's polite to give your full name when meeting for the first time."
Without missing a beat James smoothly replied, "My Lady, what brings me here is quite a long story." He said this with a downcast expression, hoping to incite pity on his situation.
As James words teetered off into silence, he began to open his mouth when Veronica started, "Lady Justine, please forgive my interruption but James has lost his memories and it must be hard for him to talk about. He said he woke this morning with no idea who he was or anything about his life.. just his first name and that sexy little scar on his lip."
James gave a mental double thumbs up to Veronica. 'I could've put more emotion into it but this works too. Also that last bit was a little creepy.'
Lady Justine put her hands up to her mouth as she said, "Oh you poor child.."
James wore a defeated expression as he thought, 'Why does everyone assume 'that' happened. My butt is perfectly fine, thank you very much!'
"Don't worry James, on my honor I vow to return you safely to your family." Justine declared with a solem vow.
Suddenly his mind saw words forming on a paper as a mechanical voice said,
(Justine Clements vow: Justine Clement has vowed an oath to return you to your family safely.
Do you accept her vow? Yes or No)
"Thank you Lady Justine, your words alone give me confidence." James snickered as he mentally clicked yes and he inwardly thought, 'these women will give up sooner rather than later, I'm one step closer to putting the questions about my past behind me hehe.'
(You have accepted Justine Clements vow)
James snapped his head back up when he heard Justine say, "In fact, I think I already have a lead on who you really are. It will just take a couple days to follow through on it."
'Yeah right lady, if you really have a lead on me then I vow to run through the town naked yelling 'Thank you Lady Justine' hehe good luck..'
Suddenly the voice in his head started talking again and a new paper forming with words appeared in his mind.
(James ****** vow: James ****** has vowed an oath to run through the town of Creekrock naked yelling 'Thank you Lady Justine' if she reunites you with your family.
Do you wish to retract your vow? Yes or No)
Stunned by his own stupidity, James's brain failed to react quick enough before Justine's eyes lit up and accepted his vow.
"I hope my lead finds traction Sir James, for this would be a major morale boost for the townsfolk." Justine said as her eyes sparkled.
'I am so stupid… good thing I'll never have to deliver on this promise. I need to be more careful with my words in the future. Even the ones in my own head.'
James let out a sigh as he said, "I hope so too, Lady Justine." With as much forced positivity he could gather.
Veronica, noticing that she had been left out of something butted in with, "Lady Justine, with your leave I'll ride to the capital to gather information on James situation."
"No need corporal, I'll just use [Instant Message] to my contacts in the capital. With any luck I'll have what I need soon. Besides, I'm assigning you as his temporary guardian along with sergeant Dell."
"As you command, my Lady." James felt Veronica's right hand leave his waist as she preformed some sort of salute above his head.
"Since that's settled, corporal Sanders take Sir James around town while I prepare a room for him." After scribbling down an order, Justine handed Veronica a piece of parchment, "Also take this and inform sergeant Dell of her new assignment." Turning her head to cast her gaze back down she said, "Sir James, welcome to Creekrock."
'That went well I think… at least I get a free room. Maybe later I can work on restoring my masculine image and finally get some respect around here..'