Headed by a Snake

Tycondrius approached Invictus' chocolate elf, Sasha, fully intent on using her body to rid himself of his frustration.

With a merciless hand, Tycon mussed Sasha's vividly white hair, making certain to keep her naturally formed hair-clump upright and majestic. Only after several seconds charging Sasha's hair with frizzy static was Tycon able to calm his nerves.

Hm... The young lady needed a bath.

Sasha pouted her lips, but as usual, she did not move to stop him.

Once Tycon was satisfied, he smiled and gently poked the tip of the young elf's nose.

"(Wouldst thou assist us in battle, Beautiful Child?)" Tycon asked in Parseltongue.

Sasha averted her gaze, staring at the ground and mumbling. The sprout on her hair bobbed when she did.

Curious, Tycon moved his face closer to the young girl. Sasha was taller than both Pale and Taree, so he didn't feel as ridiculous leaning closer to hear.

"(Sasarame fears the aberration)," she softly hissed.

"Be not afraid." Tycon stood back up and chuckled, "They have not the strength to take thee away from my protection."

Sasha looked up, her pout turning into a subtle smile. It appeared that Tycon's encouragement reached her well.

It was highly unlikely that an undead creature of base intelligence would attack her. The creature would seek out threats... and Tycon was not planning to have Sasha participate in direct combat. He would have her utilize her Sanctuary spell, preventing her from being attacked... and perhaps she could pray to the snake god for a blessing.

Whatever prayers she used, the prayers increased Guild Invictus' speed and sensory perception. Even with the Magic Tower's ambient mana, every advantage was useful in a life-or-death situation.

While Sasha utilized solid, First-Circle spells, she wasn't at all conditioned for combat. She flinched at loud noises and had no martial weapons training. Compared to Lone, even though Sasha was a Bronze-Ranker and had a higher-tier Class, the Lone Shadowdark's training made him the superior combatant.

And as far as the aberration...

"Miss Margeaux, are you skilled in combat?" Tycon asked bluntly.

The pink-haired girl stood up and moved away from Lone, her cheeks flushed crimson, "Oh! I'm sorry, what was that, Sir?"

[Margeaux, Bronze-Rank Aberrant-blood Expert]

Tycon expected almost nothing from the girl. If Guild Invictus hadn't found her, they would not have gone out of their way to search for her. Her class, Expert, was of the same tier as Warrior, but was far more useless to him, as it wasn't a Combat Class.

It was likely she was good at something... maybe cooking or cleaning or studying. Her build and demeanor suggested that it was something useless. Flower-picking, perhaps?

Thus far, Sasha had made fast friends with Rico, Eilean, and Lulu-- all women with forward and welcoming personalities. Margeaux's personality leaned towards the timid side... Tycon doubted they would get to know each other.

It was just as well. Tycon had no use for a timid Bronze-Ranker-- with Seldin Korr as a somewhat-exception. Korr was an exceptional combatant, a veteran mercenary, and had the high-tier Berserk Knight Class. She was an Iron-Rank whose attacks consistently broke apart steel weapons.

Margeaux was...

"What are you good at, anyroad, Miss Margeaux?" Tycon narrowed his eyes.

He was still in a poor mood.

The maid averted her gaze and tapped the points of her fingers together, "...I'm good at animal husbandry."

"Nice, me too," Lulu interjected, placing herself between Tycon and the shy maid. "Wanna bang?"

Tycon firmly grabbed the demoness' ear and pulled her to the side.

"Ohhhh~! Harder, Boss!!" Lulu moaned.

Tycon glared, incredulous, "How... how could you sexualize me pulling your ear?"

"'Cuz I'm me! Teehee!" She pursed her lips and winked.

Tycon sighed... but lifted the corners of his mouth when faced with the demoness. He vaguely felt that Lulu was trying to cheer him up with her antics... If anything, Tycon couldn't treat the woman's promiscuity with any sense of seriousness.

"Oh! Right!" Lulu gasped, "I almost forgot!"

"Wh-what is it?" Lone asked warily.

...Lone's earlier confidence appeared to have transformed completely into worry and panic. Tycon sighed inwardly in disappointment.

Lulu stuck out her tongue and tapped her knuckles against the top of her head, "There's not just one Flayed Beast, there's two of them!"

...

Tycon spent extra preparations on the fight. He had loosed the binding on his razor whip, to make it easier to draw. Since the enemy couldn't be killed in one strike, he opted to use the Shatterspike instead of his faster, lighter cutlass.

He took off his pistol bandoliers and gave them to Lone.

"Lulu will engage her target first. Wolfrider, you will move to intercept the other target," Tycon ordered.

Wolfrider opened his mouth, "But Boss--"

Tycon swiped his hand to stop him, "If you cannot do at least that, we will all die. We are counting on you, young man. If you do not feel you are capable, tell me now."

Levi Wolfrider stared, his mouth still agape, stunned by Tycon's forcefulness.

Tycon waited patiently for an answer.

Reluctantly, the boy nodded, "N-no... I can do it."

"Good. To you, I entrust the safety of Lone, Sasha, and myself."

Wolfrider fidgeted uncomfortably, "G-got it, Boss... but what if I--"

Tycon turned away. He didn't care for Wolfrider's complaints, "Lulu, if you need assistance with your target, let me know."

"Uhuhuhugh," Lulu laughed, deep and creepily. "Awww~! You care about me, Boss!"

"Of course, I care." Tycon nodded, "You are a valuable member of my Guild Invictus."

The demoness smiled radiantly-- an odd smile, in that Tycon didn't sense any strange sexual innuendos behind it.

"Lone. Sasha."

Lone held two pistols up in the air, his fingers off the triggers, "Ready, Boss."

Sasha nodded shyly, her fingers interlaced.

Tycondrius kicked in the double doors, "GO!!"

Lulu ran past his right, her umbrella ready. Wolfrider passed his left, running with his halberd pointed forward.

Quickly, Tycon identified the Flayed Beast Wolfrider was fast approaching. It seemed the creature was caught off guard by Invictus' abrupt entrance.

Tycon pointed to it, mana sheathing his gloved hand, "Death to the enemies of Invictus!!"