I Know What You Did Last Isekai - Chapter 4

Cheers rang across the city as the procession advanced through the streets.  The heroes had entered through the eastern gate and were progressing around the city perimeter before turning towards the administrative district where the Council would greet them.  Well, Kimbree would greet them along with Maester Chandler. 

Dancers proceeded the parade, throwing out flower pedals and waving streamers as they moved.  Mages sent up bright explosions of light that dazzled even in the middle of the afternoon.  All the food vendors were out in force, hawking their wares to a hungry populace that weren’t about to miss out on the biggest celebration of the season. 

Given the short notice, the festivities were surprisingly well put together.  Kimbree glanced towards the two council members to organize the event with some suspicion.  Just how long had Henry and Joanne been aware of the heroes?  Were they intentionally concealing their existence just for this specific moment?

Whatever the case, Kimbree wasn’t about to give them the satisfaction of seeing her sweat.  She had nothing to fear from the heroes given she wasn’t an evil bitch like the Dark Goddess of legend.  Lilim had waged war on the entire continent, only to be driven back by the Creator’s chosen hero.  The mythical figure had no recorded name, just that should Lilim return, so too would the hero. 

Technically she hadn’t returned, but Kimbree wasn’t about to count on luck which had so far failed her at every turn.  She had little doubt that her opposition on the Council were setting up some scenario to get her to expose any dark powers to the heroes so they would have the excuse to cut her down.  

“You confirmed it?” she asked softly. 

Maester Chandler nodded ever so slightly.  “The laws were quite clear.” 

Kimbree had asked Chandler to look into the laws surrounding a Noble house that loses all heirs.  Arcadia itself would claim all their holdings, assuming no wrongdoing was suspected.  Rules were understandably established after one Noble house had another eliminated to the last to seize all their belongings.  The guilty party also had all of their assets seized, leaving them destitute and the city considerably wealthier. 

With Kimbree being the last to her name, she was the sole obstacle to such a seizure.  If the Hero killed her, then her funds were as good as appropriated.  Granted, those funds could only be used for the good of the city, but that didn’t stop past Nobles from using it to fund their own vanity projects. 

Like the atrium she was so fond of. 

“That certainly gives them a motive,” Kimbree mused, though she had a feeling there was more to it.  “Are we certain none of them have ties to the cult?”

“Not that I have been able to find, but there may be intermediaries involved.” 

A grimace crossed her face just as the crowd’s cheers picked up.  Paper trails weren’t nearly as easy to track in Arcadia as they were back on Earth.  Then again, it didn’t matter much if everyone involved in the investigation happened to be in on it.  If not for Maester Chandler, the investigation into her own family might have resulted in more severe actions against her person.  Given the ritual involved, being on supervised house arrest was a slap on the wrist. 

Henry and Joanne were seated together on one of the raised platforms carrying out an animated discussion.  Kirkland and Gerard were coordinating with the guards providing security to ensure nothing got out of hand.  Vance had slipped off to grab something from his favorite vendor, which she honestly couldn’t fault him for.  The food being provided for the Council and other wealthier individuals were nice and all, but sometimes you just had to have something greasy and good. 

She’d handed him a couple of coins to pick up a few potato skewers that were about as close to french fries as she had found outside of her own kitchen. — A fry was offered and Kimberly grinned when Heather bit into it, pulling it away. — Kimbree shook her head, the memory already fading. 

Of all the things she missed from her old home, it had to be Heather’s smile.  The way her little snaggletooth stuck out when she smiled just the right way was so adorable that she tended to melt on the spot.  Now that was nothing more than a memory.  Kimbree tried to move on, but each attempt was met with viscous flashbacks to her old life that left her reeling. 

It wasn’t worth the pain, and so she hadn’t made any further attempts in over a year.

The pillars lining the thoroughfare had been wrapped in golden rose vines, nature magic allowing the rapid growth.  Entire fields could be planted and grown in an afternoon, which was something that Kimbree still struggled to wrap her head around.  It was such a departure from even the best modern conveniences that she had to concede that some things about her new world were simply better. 

Like women’s equality being codified in both government and religion.  Maester Chandler spent months talking her into reading the sacred texts, which weren’t nearly as long winded as any of the major religions from Earth.  What she found was refreshing.  No slaves, all humans are equal under the Creator and no law of man could remove that.

Yet, something about that felt off.

Lilim’s role in history was something that was rather vacant.  Sure, she was the great evil that nearly conquered the world, everything she found agreed with that account, but there were no actual records of that war.  Everyone cited the sacred texts and called it fact.  That bothered her deeply, because there had to be more to it than what a religious text would tell.

A sudden cheer shook her out of those thoughts as the procession finally turned up the thoroughfare towards the Council Building.  Kimbree couldn’t help but think how gaudy the whole display was.  Gold painted chariots pulled each of the heroes.  Four rode in formation, one at the front, three flanking.  She couldn’t see anything in detail from so far away, but the man at the front was waving at the crowd with some enthusiasm.  The other three seemed more reserved in clamouring for adulation.  It gave her some mild hope for the coming months working with the heroes. 

Well, assuming they didn’t find an excuse to execute her on the spot.  

Even as a small figure on the horizon, it was difficult to miss how dressed up the Hero was.  A heavy bronze plate adorned him, though he wore no helmet.  Actually, only one of the figures was concealing their face from the crowd under a white cloak that practically screamed ‘healer’ to her old gaming instincts.

The third person wore robes and held a staff with a glowing gem atop it.  A magical foci, most likely.  Those had fallen out of favor in Arcadia, but Alvon still used them as their primary magical implement.  There were advantages to using one, especially for someone new to magical theory, but there was a reason that Arcadia had them beat as a major magical power in the region.

The last among them had a bow on his back and twin blades at his hip.  Depending on if he was actually skilled with them, she might just be able to write him off as a threat.  The mullet on his head wasn’t doing that opinion of him any favors.  He even had a scarf wrapped around his neck and trailing off like some damn shinobi. 

Drawing closer, the hero had turned back towards the masses, throwing out gestures that continued to draw deafening cheers.  Hell, at least one woman had thrown her damn undergarments at the man.  Either he was intentionally playing up the crowd, or the man was full of himself.  It was difficult to tell without meeting him first.  One showman who passed through a year prior had put on a spectacular fire dance, then turned out to be the most humble man she ever had the fortune of conversing with.

Vance approached, weaving through the crowd where he handed her the spiral cut potato skewer.  It certainly smelled like fries, even if it wasn’t quite a potato.  Close enough was the best she could hope for when it came to food, and this certainly qualified. 

“You have my thanks,” she said with a smile. 

He shrugged, turning to face the approaching parade.  “Just because we don’t agree on everything politically doesn’t mean I dislike you.  What you endured was horrible, and you have my sympathy.”

“But not support,” she concluded.

He shook his head, biting into some fried ball of dough not dissimilar from a donut hole.  “I still think your commoner initiative is foolhardy, but if it does pay off I’m prepared to eat my sandals, if you will.” 

A typical response, hedging bets without being directly opposed to something he clearly didn’t believe in.  Better than Joanne and Henry, with how openly hostile the pair were.  Not everyone could be like Gerard and openly support her ideas, much as she wished for it at times.  Despite the shortcomings, the government of Arcadia was a sight more functional than anything she had seen of Earth’s attempts. 

Granted, her fifteen years spent there didn’t lead to much hands-on experience, but things were not going well for the planet when she departed.  Still, there wasn’t anything Kimbree could do but pray to whatever force brought her to Arcadia that Heather was doing well for herself, wherever life had taken her. 

Smirking, Kimbree turned a side-eyed glance upon the Council member.  “I look forward to that day, and I would recommend you get a leather pair that will boil well.” 

He chuckled, raising his fried confection in a mock salute before turning his attention back towards the parade.  Kimbree did the same, noting that they had gotten much closer, not that she could see anything new.  The lead hero was still facing away from her, and the others seemed more disinterested than anything.  Regardless, they were close enough now that she needed to begin making her way to the reception area to be ready to greet them. 

Making her way from the viewing platform, Maester Chandler fell into step at her side.  “Remember, they have no reason to harm you.  Please don’t give them one.” 

“I have no intention,” Kimbree said, wishing that her snack wasn’t already gone.  Rather than dissolve this stick, she instead dropped it in one of the many receptacles set out for the event.  “We have no idea what kind of people they are, and I’ve always been one to judge others on their own merits rather than their reputations.” 

“I still worry,” Chandler said, glancing around.  “Something is off about this whole thing.  Both Joanne and Henry are too smug, not to mention how eager Gerard was for you to meet with the heroes.” 

“True enough,” Kimbree muttered. 

Down at the landing, the first chariot was just pulling up, the armored man giving the crowd a final wave while the others rounded the corner and began to disembark.  The robed man with a Foci was every bit the stereotypical mage.  The only thing the mousy gentleman lacked were glasses, which was explained by the healer in their midst.  Kimbree couldn’t see a Foci on her person, but her own white cloak was rather concealing.

The last of their group hopped down with a nimble grace, his steps sure and confident.  If not for the ridiculous mullet, she might have found the look to be rather impressive, but it was lost thanks to that one style decision.  Perhaps introducing him to a barber of some sort wouldn’t be remiss. 

Motion drew her eyes as the healer pulled down her hood and shook her hair loose.  

Chestnut hair blew in the breeze and Kimbree’s breath caught in her throat.  Any words she might have said were lost as she took in amber eyes and a soft smile that melted away every worry she might have had.  It was something she never expected to feel again after reincarnating, yet there it was.  It was crushing and elevating all at once, a breath of the sweetest air and a sip of the finest ambrosia. 

Because there was no mistaking it, Heather was standing right there.  Somehow, someway, they had found each other again.  Tears pricked at her eyes as she choked back a sob, one foot moved before she could think better of it.  She didn’t care, she just wanted to hold her love again—

“Hail fair maiden,” someone said, stepping between them.  She almost summoned the infinite darkness to push him aside, but paused at the sight of the bronze armor.  “I hear you’re to be our escort while venturing though Arcadian lands!” 

She tried to look past him, but he shifted to keep Heather out of sight.  Snarling, Kimbree turned to glare at him only for her entire world to shatter into a million pieces.  She knew that face.  It haunted her nightmares frequently, sparking a primal awareness of her own mortality.  For all the comfort that she had just felt at seeing Heather standing there, it had all shattered now that she had seen who was traveling with her. 

For there stood the hero, Rory Rodgers.  The man who killed her.