3
First Hunter
"The red moon hangs low, and the beasts rule the streets. Are we left no other choice, other than to burn it all to cinders?"
They had managed to make it out of the northern badlands and were headed straight towards Ken, the capitol of Eostia and the seat of Celestine Lucross herself. The problem was going to be food, water and the fact that Olga seemed to be sick from something. The Hunter didn't know. He was better at taking lives than preserving them after all.
He looked back at his companions. Chloe had Olga up front and the Dark Elf Queen's head was lolling on her subordinate's shoulder. She had a cloak over her body, but the Hunter could tell she was not doing good. Delirious, Olga was barely coherent and barely eating or drinking. Swearing to himself, the Hunter looked around. The Badlands were aptly named. Nothing lingered or survived here unless it was steeped in dark magic.
More than once, the Good Hunter had to fend off the wildlife here. None of which was edible, or downright poisonous. He had already been yelled at by Chloe for being an ignorant savage. The Hunter's temper was already frayed by the situation and the fact that his ward was suffering an illness he had no idea to treat.
The only thing he could try to give her was a sedative to help her sleep, he was not going to risk giving her a vial of blood. He was foolish to even consider it, a beast plague here would be more devastating than Vault's dreams of conquest and enslavement. The Good Hunter sighed and called for a stop.
"Lady Olga..." Chloe whispered as Olga let out a groan. She took the damp cloth on her queen's head and flipped it over. She was still feverish and shivering. The Good Hunter was already getting a fire going. He paused only to take a look of their surroundings. He was overly cautious but considering their situation she could at least appreciate that he wasn't being an idiot human with no idea what to do.
When the fire was done, the Hunter approached and took a drink out of his water skin. "Fire's done." He told Chloe tonelessly.
Chloe barely paid any attention, consumed with worry for her mistress. The Hunter, to her surprise and displeasure, knelt down opposite of her. "Lady Olga?"
Olga's eyes opened. She looked around confused. "Have we...We stopped?" Her voice was weak, raspy.
"Lady Olga, I need you to drink some water alright?" The Hunter said. He looked at Chloe who obliged, gently helping Olga drink from the water skin. The Dark Elf Queen nodded her head in thanks.
"To think that I. the Dark Queen, would be laid low by a fever." Olga huffed. "How weak of me."
The Hunter said nothing even as Chloe giggled softly before her face fell. She glared at the Hunter as though it was his fault that Olga was sick. What else was he supposed to do? Yell at the gods to make them feel better? Like that ever worked. The Hunter never did get the point of churches. He had seen more than enough in Yharnam.
He ignored Chloe's angry stare and stood up to make sure the horses were tied down. The Hunter was not in the mood for her childishness, even if he did understand her impatience.
"We leave at dawn, like yesterday. I will take first watch." He told them both.
"Surely...Sir Hunter." Olga said weakly trying to sit up despite Chloe's protests. "You should be sleeping as well."
"I will sleep when I am dead or when I complete my mission." Was the Hunter's cold reply. "Rest Lady Olga."
Chloe scowled but Olga remained staring at the Hunter as he sat down in front of the fire. The Dark Elf Queen had heard a hint of pain in his voice. She had barely met the man but she knew one thing about him; he was tired beyond all reason. Tired and sad. Something that she could relate to. Her, a Dark Elf Queen of noble blood and some mysterious stranger with a talent for bloodshed. Had this situation been different, she would have laughed at the thought.
The rest of the night was spent resting. Tomorrow was going to be another hard journey through the Badlands. When they made it to Ken...things were going to change drastically. The Hunter exhaled. From one battle to the next. This was his life now.
There was no point to complaining. The Hunter kept an eye out before turning his thoughts to the Dream...
/
The Hunter's Dream...
"Forgive me, my friend." The Hunter said as he appeared in the Dream before the Doll once again. "I was...delayed."
"Are you hurt Good Hunter?" The Doll asked concerned.
"No...but I've been caught up in some very twisted circumstances I'm afraid." The Hunter answered as they walked around the gardens of the workshop. "I'm caught up in another war."
The Doll said nothing. She knew her dearest Hunter was strong, that he could see this through. What worried her was how tired he sounded. She had always found it unfair that he had so many burdens on his shoulders.
An ocean of them weighing his tired limbs down.
"Good Hunter." The Doll smiled at him. "I am a Doll, here to take care of you and soothe your sickly spirit." She gripped his hands in her own, a touching gesture. "So long as you live, I will take care of you."
The Hunter looked down. "I am unworthy of your affections." He whispered. "But thank you nonetheless."
He sighed. "I'm taking my charges back to Ken, to tell the ruler of the land that the war has ended and that she has another one about to begin." The Hunter closed his eyes. "I fear I may be asked to fight soon."
"Will you fight for the people of Eostia?" The Doll asked.
"I will. Because no one deserves the fate a madman has in store for them." The Hunter said. "Forgive me, it seems that I must bring my full strength against their enemies." His eyes narrowed.
"Then, you shall take up Gehrman's mantle." The Doll stated. "As First Hunter."
The title of 'First Hunter' was held by Gehrman, who had taught the Good Hunter all that he knew. When the night was ending, and dawn had come the Good Hunter had slain his mentor to free him from the long night. Now, a plague arose once more. A plague of madmen who controlled demons and wished to subjugate a kingdom and do whatever they pleased to its people. Knowing is luck, he would be the one Celestine would ask to help.
Would he have to unleash his full strength to save her people?
"When the time is right." The Hunter replied. He had answered his own question when he pondered on what he would do.
/
Chloe's aim was true.
The feral werewolf died gurgling with an arrow in its throat. The Dark Elf turned to see the Hunter cut down another monster with a single swing of his sword. The blade seemed to glow slightly as though it fed off the agony of those who were tainted. As the Hunter held his sword in a two handed grip, the werewolf pack fled the scene leaving their brothers to their fates.
The Hunter exhaled under his cloth mask as he went to check on Olga who was at the top of the hill with the horses. Chloe and the Hunter had happened to run into the pack by accident and battle was joined.
The Hunter had accounted for most of the kills. Chloe observed that not only was the human fast he was also insanely strong. She had watched him bisect a werewolf in a single blow. In the same amount of time he had also beheaded the alpha werewolf with frightening efficiency. He did not fight like a knight, his swordsmanship was measured and aggressive. It was like a beast killing another beast.
Chloe watched as the Hunter leaned his sword on his shoulder. "That was unexpected." He told Chloe. "Were they working for Vault?"
She shook her head. "I do not think it would be possible to tame werewolves this fast. " She said. "Lady Olga was a master of binding monsters to her cause."
"A particularly talented mage could do it." Olga added, sounding exhausted. She looked better now, a little bit of color had returned. "Were there any mages amongst those dogs, Sir Hunter?"
"Kin." The Hunter said quietly.
Olga frowned. "No others?"
"Nothing is certain." The Hunter cleaned his blade off and strapped it to his back. "We should keep moving, we're wasting daylight." It stinks here...
Chloe nodded hesitantly. While she still distrusted the human, their interactions were more professional. It was something the Hunter clearly appreciated even if he didn't show it. Both Dark Elves hardly knew anything about their protector, and Olga thought it best not to ask any further questions. Although her burning curiosity remained, she had to be patient. She had to survive, for Chloe. For everyone else she had left behind in the north.
/
"You should watch your back, stranger." The old merchant told him as they crossed paths. "Orcs just razed another village to the ground."
Silently swearing to himself, the Hunter asked. "Where?"
"The village of Oppenheimer used to be down east yonder." The old merchant pointed eastward.
"What of the lands surrounding Ken?" The Good Hunter asked, trying to be as patient as possible. If there were orcs in his way then things were more complicated than he thought.
"The knights are mustering for battle. There has been a surge of orc attacks all over so they're stretched thin."
Wonderful. The Hunter thought to himself. He bade the merchant good-bye and headed back to his companions. Hooded and cloaked, Olga and Chloe were eating lunch next to the horses.
"Well?" Chloe asked as the Hunter set down a satchel of supplies.
"Orcs have taken a village east of here, so we're going to have to make a little detour." The Hunter said and sighed. "Celestine has mobilized her knights to fend off orc raids."
"Vault has started his move then." Olga whispered.
"Yes, with your orcs." The Hunter said. Chloe glared at him warily. Olga's expression was resigned.
"Yes...my soldiers." Her tone was recalcitrant. "That I allowed free reign. It was either the south or my people. That was the choice I had. They either enslaved the humans or my people."
He had a lot of things to say about that, but he wasn't going to judge her. That wasn't his problem. There were other people who were more deserving of that task.
"Let's get going then." The Hunter said after a long pause.
/
The journey to Ken was a silent one. Apart from a few attacks from orcs, they were mostly unbothered by anyone heading out. Townsfolk were leaving their villages and heading towards the capitol.
The Hunter sighed as they finally reached the Fortress of Ken after a whole day of travelling.
"My, My Celestine..." Olga commented. "You've outdone yourself. I can see so many wards it would be a surprise if those dogs actually managed to breach this fortress."
"You can see that from here?" The Hunter asked.
"Aye, Sir Hunter. Every sorcerer or sorceress leaves their mark in the spells they weave." Olga said smiling underneath her hood. "You will also sense them differently. I, for example, can see the structure of magic. From what I remember of her, Celestine can 'hear' the tone of magic."
The Hunter said nothing and shrugged. Huh. The things you can learn on the road. He was still musing on what Olga had said when the guards noticed.
"You there, stranger! Halt!" The guards stepped in front of the Hunter's horse. "What business do you have bringing Dark Elves in here?"
The Hunter, irritated, got off his horse. "Celestine Lucross has asked me to report to her directly, sirs. I have two individuals with me who are witnesses that she needs to listen to."
The younger one scoffed, keeping a hand on his spear. "And by what right do you have to see her highness, foreigner?" He asked mockingly. A mistake as the Hunter grabbed him by the gorget of his armor and pulled him in close.
"She was the one who spoke to me, boy." The Hunter spoke tonelessly, but there was steel in his voice. "But go ahead, draw that sword. You and your friend will be dead before it even leaves the scabbard. Now, I'm going to say this only once: Get out of my way." His frosty tone forced the guards to reconsider blocking him from entering the capitol.
"Let them in." The elder guard squeaked out in fear. "Let him pass, let him pass!"
Satisfied the Hunter got back on his horse and led Olga and Chloe through the gates, making sure to steer the horse to bump the younger guard out of his way. The poor fool tumbled onto his backside.
"Smooth." Olga snickered.
The Hunter grumbled.
/
Fortress Ken, Council Hall
"S-Sir! There is a meeting going on, you can't just-"
Celestine Lucross looked up in curiosity as Claudia Levantine stood up frowning as the doors opened revealing the young Hunter who was tasked with bringing in Olga Discordia. Said Dark Elf was standing next to the Hunter alongside another Dark Elf with blonde hair. Her butler, Jamal, was sputtering indignantly at this stranger's brusque manner but considering that the man was extremely intimidating had chosen not to try and physically bar him from entering the council hall.
The Hunter turned his attention to Celestine. "Lady Celestine, my mission is successful. I present to you Olga Discordia and her vassal, Chloe." He said emotionlessly. "I am afraid I also have news of dire importance to share with you..." He looked to see that the Princess Knights had been gathered in Celestine's council hall. "And the other Princess Knights as well."
"Sir, you cannot just barge in here like that. There is proper procedure-" Jamal started to say but Celestine raised her hand.
"It's alright, Jamal." She said gently to her butler. "You may go for now." Jamal looked ready to protest but schooled himself. With a meaningful glance at the Good Hunter who didn't even bother to respond, the butler excused himself and left.
Celestine then turned to the Hunter and smiled graciously. "Sir Hunter, it is good to see that you have returned successfully."
The Hunter nodded. Celestine then regarded Olga Discordia. A silent moment passed between the two century old elves. There was a spark of memory in the air. "Please, all of you take a seat. I am sure we all have much to discuss."
The Hunter remained standing in the room as Olga and Chloe took their own chairs next to Claudia Levantine and a blonde girl who regarded the Hunter with a wary glance. Her attire was a mixture of armor and blue cloth, highly revealing. Her eyes were a brilliant shade of purplish blue. She had an uptight air about her and had a very serious look.
This was Alicia Arcturus, daughter of King Eos and the celebrated Knight of Iris.
Next to Alicia was a pink haired girl younger than her. She slightly resembled Alicia save that she was softer looking and had a milder temperament. Like Alicia her pink dress was revealing and she wore a golden tiara over her voluminous pink hair. She was trying to calm down the more passionate Alicia.
She was Prim Fiorire, Alicia's younger cousin.
The Hunter turned his eyes on Maia, the Queen of the Mercenaries. The redhead regarded him with a look before her expression turned sullen at the sight of Olga Discordia. She seemed frustrated with something.
Sensing eyes on his frame, the Hunter then looked to the left side of the table. Kaguya was the head Shrine Maiden and came from lands far to the east. Wearing pink robes of silk, she had short black hair that framed a heart shaped face. Strong and sensible brown eyes examined the Hunter curiously.
The last member caused the Hunter to sigh inwardly because she looked the most childlike amongst the women here. She wore a two piece armor made of animal hide, all underneath a green cloak. A hat was placed haphazardly on the top of her curly ginger hair. Bright curious eyes looked around at the table, lingering on the Hunter with interest.
Her name was Luu-Luu, a talented genius Halfling who was a master weapon smith.
"My comrades." Celestine said as she leaned forward seriously. "This is Sir Hunter, a mercenary I personally hired to bring Olga Discordia to me. As you can see, she is here and that mission is successful. However, he has something important to share... Sir Hunter?"
The Hunter stepped forward.
"A few days ago, I was tasked with bringing Olga Discordia back to Ken in order to force an end to the war. To that end, I accompanied the Black Dogs up north to launch a raid on the Black Fortress and capture Olga. That endeavor was successful."
His tone was clipped and to the point. "However, upon imprisoning Olga in her own dungeon Vault had refused to transfer custody to me, saying that they had to inspect the fortress and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Once there, I decided to take matters into my own hands and thus I freed Olga and her vassal, Chloe. We were about to leave when we were stopped by Vault himself..."
He regarded Celestine and told her and everyone else in this room about Vault's plan to rape the country into a Sex Empire led by his mercenary troop. He didn't get the chance to go into further detail however as Maia slammed her fist into the table and stood up.
"That is wrong." She said. "I refuse to believe that Vault would turn his back on everything he fought for and speak such nonsense about...about..." She couldn't finish her sentence.
"But he did." The Hunter replied pedantically. "I heard it from his own mouth that he wanted to start with Lady Olga and Chloe."
"I do not give a damn about them." Maia snarled and pointed at the Hunter. "You're talking about a war hero, you bastard. Watch your tone."
The Good Hunter's reply was a look so withering it could have killed someone. Maia actually flinched from the Hunter's stern gaze. "Regardless, that is what he told me and there was the fact that he made an attempt on my life so...here we are." He replied coldly.
"It is true." Olga said, gracefully despite the glares in the room. "That dog intended to give me and my vassal to his men as entertainment. Thanks to Sir Hunter, we avoided that fate."
"How do we even know he is telling the truth?" Alicia leveled a hostile look at the Hunter and the Dark Elves. "What if this is a trick to lower our guard? This stranger's a mercenary and a foreigner too. And he's in league with the Dark Elves."
Olga and Chloe glared at the blonde princess while the Hunter stoically withered Alicia's accusations.
"Be that as it may." Kaguya spoke up. "Sir Hunter is here, but Master Vault is in the north. Surely, that would help give some credence to his claims Alicia."
Alicia still looked unconvinced.
"Can you tell us why he has done this Sir Hunter?" Claudia asked from her seat.
"He blames you all for the bloodshed during the war." The Hunter answered. "And since he would be out of the job he wanted to secure a better payment...through enslaving everyone in this room and every other women in this land."
His uncaring delivery earned him a hefty glare from Alicia and Maia. But, Olga and Chloe knew he was serious.
"As such...he intends to use the resources secured in the Black Fortress to fulfill his goals." The Hunter continued, arms crossed. "He also wishes to kill me for bringing Lady Olga here. And killing some of his men."
Luu-Luu chuckled. "You seem pretty used to something like that."
The Hunter shrugged. What else was he supposed to say? The halfling was correct.
Celestine sighed. "Regardless of his reasoning, Vault has started a new war just as one has already ended." She announced. "I propose that we prepare for battle and muster forces to stand against Vault and the Black Dogs."
"So we hire more mercenaries, Lady Celestine?" Alicia asked. "We ought to just send our knights out to deal with him."
"I'm up for that! I can lend out my Halfling troops for an interesting fight!" Luu-Luu crowed.
"I suppose you have a plan for evading detection then?" The Hunter asked Alicia.
"Excuse me?" Alicia glowered at the Hunter.
"If you muster your armies and head up there, most of you will not be returning." The Hunter said. "Olga nearly died getting here because we had to cross the badlands."
At Chloe's side, Olga coughed looking contrite.
"Furthermore, Vault has had time to consolidate his holding. Even a child could see that attacking a prepared position is an extremely bad idea."
The Good Hunter sighed. "And that is not even counting the number of Black Dogs in the south. I hear that it is the largest mercenary organization in the land. Am I correct, Lady Celestine?"
"Indeed." Celestine said. "I am sorry, Alicia, but I will have to agree with Sir Hunter on this. Attacking the Black Fortress is simply unfeasible right now. We have much to prepare in the coming days, my knights."
"Now, the next issue to solve." At this Celestine frowned as she gazed at Olga who remained very poised throughout the whole meeting. She had kept silent the whole time.
"What must be done with Olga Discordia."
"Imprisonment, then hanging." Claudia Levantine suggested immediately.
"Why just that?" Alicia scowled. "I say we burn her at the stake."
Maia said nothing and neither did Prim, who had no heart to suggest such a harsh punishment on anybody.
"There are quite a few rituals to summon guardian spirits in my homeland." Kaguya suggested. "Perhaps, I could use her as a sacrifice."
"Sky burial." Luu-Luu piped up.
The Hunter quirked a brow. But, he did something no one expected. He walked away from Celestine's side and walked over to Olga and Chloe. Once there he stood at attention behind Olga who smirked at what he was doing.
"Sir Hunter, what are you doing?" Celestine asked curiously. Claudia watched with a frown.
"Defending my wards as they are under my responsibility. I did give Lady Olga my word that no harm shall come to her after all."
That statement caused a ripple to go through the meeting room. Almost all the Princess Knights had leveled a heated, enraged look at the Hunter. Celestine was surprised but there was a hint of a smile on her face. Luu-Luu's reaction was comical, her eyes were wide as she gaped ludicrously at the Hunter.
Olga smirked as the Hunter again willingly defended both her and Chloe.
"Some of you seem to believe that Vault is a minor threat easily crushed by the sight of a thousand spears." The Hunter said. "The man is clever, he's been fighting your war for you for quite a while. He's a hardened veteran compared to some of you. Lady Maia herself has fought alongside him in the past."
Maia flinched slightly as some people glanced at her.
"Furthermore, it won't be as simple as attacking the North. We also have to look to the south. As I have learned in my travels here, Vault is considered a hero." He clasped his hands behind his back. "We must also consider that he has convinced others to follow his banner and thus we must be cautious as well."
Celestine could agree with that. She had definitely gotten her money's worth hiring Sir Hunter.
"But what does that have to do with Olga Discordia?" Kaguya asked. "Surely you know that she is responsible for reprehensible crimes."
"She can start earning forgiveness for those crimes by helping us defeat our enemy." The Hunter answered the Shrine Priestess.
"Are you joking!?" Alicia stood up before Kaguya could ask another question, even as Prim tried to pull her back into her seat to calm her down. "She is a monster! She's responsible for ruining countless lives! You must be an idiot if you're willing to defend her! Either that, or she already has you under her thrall. I wouldn't be surprised if you were!"
The room was silent. As Celestine was about to speak up to reprimand Alicia, the room seemed to darken as the Hunter stood very still at Olga and Chloe's side, both looking extremely uncomfortable sitting there next to him, their eyes glanced at his left hand that slowly clenched into a fist. His empty but stern gaze settled on Alicia who had quickly clamped her mouth shut as a pair of dark eyes settled on her own. Celestine swallowed the lump in her throat as everyone shifted uncomfortably in their seats, she heard Luu-Luu give a terrified whimper as she sank into her chair trying to look even smaller than she already was. At the corner of her eye, she saw that Claudia had gone utterly pale.
"Fucking hell..." Maia gulped, her eyes watching the Hunter as if he was going to lunge across the table.
A sense of being trapped permeated the room, as though the Princess Knights were trapped with a deadly predator in their midst that was more than capable of killing everyone in this room.
Celestine thought she could hear the roar of the ocean in the room, an angry sound that barely registered in her senses.
For Olga she could see a storm brewing around the Hunter, if this was him annoyed then she shuddered to think what he would look like completely enraged.
Kaguya felt a chill go down her spine, the shrine priestess rubbed her arms to ward off the chill. Such malevolent ki Sir Hunter had, but somehow she had the feeling that he was holding back a lot.
"I pray that you are wise enough not to try my already dwindling patience with you, Lady Alicia. Sit. Down." The Hunter told Alicia quietly, so quietly that they had to strain to hear his voice. But there was no mistaking the menace in his tone. Alicia sat down hastily as Prim whimpered fearfully avoiding making eye contact with the Hunter who stared Alicia down until she too looked at the table. Her ears had turned red, whether from embarrassment or rage he neither knew or cared. He was not going to stand there and allow her to accuse him of being under the thrall of anyone.
The atmosphere seemed to lighten slightly as the Hunter put his hands on the table and spoke. "We stand to lose even more if Vault is allowed to move freely. Lady Olga and Chloe have information on the North, the Black Fortress and the Badlands. Information that will be lost if you decide to kill them." His voice was more calm now which helped everyone breathe.
Celestine cleared her throat. "Very well, Olga." She turned to her rival. "Is there anything you would like to say?"
"I suppose I do not have a choice do I?" Olga said after a while. "But either way I appreciate having the opportunity to put that Vault and his dogs in their place." She smiled deviously. "I will be glad to help."
Celestine beamed at that. "Then, I believe that there is one last matter to settle." She stood up and faced the Hunter who looked back stoically, eyes never leaving Celestine's.
"Sir Hunter, for your unwavering dedication and the success of your mission I wish to reward you." She said. "If you could please, kneel."
The Hunter obeyed. Celestine frowned for a moment then asked a question.
"If you could also remove your hat and bandana please, Sir Hunter?"
He hesitated only once but obeyed at once as he first removed his tattered tricorne, revealing unkempt black hair that was flecked with grey. He lowered his cloth mask revealing a somber faced young man with dark eyes. He would have been quite handsome had his face held more expression.
"Um..." Celestine cleared her throat as she was clearly disturbed by the emotionless mask that the Hunter possessed. "Can I ask you for your name, Sir Hunter? I would like to do this properly."
"Kyril." The Hunter replied. "My name is Kyril Sutherland."
Celestine smiled. "Kyril Sutherland, my country is once more imperiled by a man who wishes to enslave its good people. You have done a great service for me by aiding them before, I ask if you are willing and able to do so once more."
"I am." Kyril said quietly. "My blade is yours."
Celestine nodded. "Then, by the power vested in me as the ruler of this country, I Celestine Lucross bestow upon you the title of Knight, Sir Kyril Sutherland."
Kyril nodded. "I thank you for your generosity, Lady Celestine." The newly knighted Hunter stood up.
"What would you have this knight do?"
/
The Good Hunter sighed and thought about what had happened today. He had sent a Messenger back to the Doll to alert her of the current changes. She would be happy to know that he had apparently been knighted.
Kyril looked at the steaming cup of tea next to him then leaned back in his chair and sighed. Having a room at Celestine's estate was nice but he would really just prefer having his own place. The Princess Knights were going to meet again tomorrow to formalize an alliance, but that wasn't the worst part.
Some idiot noble had decided to throw a party to, in his words, 'welcome Her Highness's new knight'. Oddly, enough Maia had also been invited to the little gathering. Kyril took a sip of tea then set the cup back on the table half empty, his eyes locked onto the door as he sensed someone come in. There was a knock on the door.
"Enter." Kyril spoke up. He idly unbuckled his pistol's holster.
"Your pardon, Sir Kyril. Celestine Lucross asks for your presence in her quarters." The maid poked her head in, not keeping eye contact.
"Very well." Kyril answered. "I shall be there in a moment."
/
The halls were silent. That was good, that meant less stares. It was honestly very annoying but the Hunter weathered it as he usually did. He easily kept pace with the maid leading him towards Celestine's quarters. His boots hardly made a sound compared to the click-clack of the maid's heels.
When they arrived at Celestine's door they found the High Elf outside, looking over the fortress on her balcony.
The maid bowed and ushered Kyril inside. "Lady Celestine, I have brought Sir Kyril."
"Yes, thank you." Celestine dismissed the maid. The Hunter walked inside then quirked a brow as Olga Discordia was there as well. The Dark Elf gave a little polite wave but Kyril noted the way her eyes were locked onto his.
For some reason, it made him feel very uncomfortable.
Celestine walked back inside, removing her shawl from her shoulders. She raised her hand to stop Kyril from bowing.
"Please Sir Kyril, can we keep this private? You do not have to stand on ceremony with me."
"...As you wish." Kyril clasped his hands behind his back and didn't relax for a second.
"You're very tense." Olga observed as she took up a wine glass at her side. She took a sip. She was wearing dark silken robes and nothing else. Again, Kyril was extremely uncomfortable because both women were intensely beautiful and both were royalty. This was clearly not his element. He was not a conversationalist.
"So I am." Kyril muttered.
"Why? Having a small chat with two extremely beautiful women makes you nervous?" Olga teased.
The Good Hunter blinked, not even looking at Olga for a few moments. "What do you require, lady Celestine?" He talked straight through Olga's attempt to flirt, which made her pout.
/
Celestine's smile lost a little bit of luster. She realized that Sir Kyril was a very intense individual. She reached out but paused as the Hunter flinched away from her hand.
That was a warning sign and she retracted her hand immediately. Olga noticed as her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Forgive me...I just wished to talk to you." Celestine murmured.
"About what, milady?" Kyril asked.
"Well...you, of course." Celestine answered.
Sir Kyril remained standing, his face an emotionless mask as he considered her words. "What do you wish to know?"
"Why do you call yourself a Hunter?" Olga piped up before Celestine could get a word in.
"Because that is what I am." Kyril answered quietly. "The quarry I hunt are those who lost themselves to bloodlust. Beasts and madmen. I am not proud of it, it is a burden few would willingly take up."
"Is it that dangerous?" Olga asked.
"Yes. Countless die, as my mentor had taught me and so this burden is mine to bear alone." Kyril answered. "Any other questions, Lady Celestine?"
Olga and Celestine looked at each other. If the Hunter was this dangerous, it made them all the more curious about his mentor.
"Where is your mentor now, if you don't mind me asking?" Celestine asked. "We could use their help in the war if you were willing to find them..."
"He's dead." Kyril said tonelessly. But his eyes hardened, there was some pain there. And regret. It was so palpable, Olga could practically smell it.
"Oh," Celestine covered her mouth looking guilty. "I am...so sorry, Sir Kyril. I didn't want to pry."
Kyril sighed. "Anything else?" He asked wearily.
Olga and Celestine glanced at each other. Celestine bit her lip as she had wanted to ask more questions but the way Olga was looking at her, it was best not to.
"No, Sir Cyril." Celestine said. "But thank you for coming by to chat."
Cyril merely bowed and walked out.
Celestine sighed and sat on her bed as Olga drained her glass in one gulp. "That was interesting." The Dark Elf told Celestine. "Although you probably should not have pressed about his mentor."
"I was curious, Olga." Celestine argued half-heartedly. "But you're right. I might have upset him. I will apologize tomorrow."
"I hope you do my friend." Olga said then smirked deviously. "Of course, I should probably watch out since you've already staked a claim on our strapping new friend."
Celestine reddened and sputtered. "W-What? N-No! I was merely rewarding him f-for helping you!"
Olga's brow raised further until Celestine threw a pillow at her, which Olga caught in the air with a tiny bit of magic. "Pillow fights? Really?" She asked Celestine who huffed indignantly.
"...He seems very tired." Celestine told Olga.
"Considering that he always took first watch, I wouldn't be surprised." Olga said. "I won't even get started on whatever he is dealing with in the past."
Celestine's ears drooped. Obviously, she was feeling quite guilty. She wanted to help but had no idea how she was going to do so. Especially after what had happened between Sir Kyril and Alicia...
"Give it time." Olga said as though sensing Celestine's thoughts. "Perhaps, you'll wring a smile out of him yet."
Celestine reached for another pillow to throw. Which she did, giggling.
For now, she had no need to worry about the coming war. She had her friend back, that was all that mattered. Long ago she and Olga had come to blows over the fate of humanity. That war would have taken everything she had held dear had it continued.
Centuries had passed but it had ended. A new war was about to begin. But Celestine had Olga by her side now.
She would not have had it any other way.
The next morning, Celestine and her Princess Knights were within the council chamber when Sir Kyril came in holding a scroll.
All eyes turned to him expectantly. Even Olga and Chloe who had been offered a place at the table were giving him concerned looks.
Kyril, in his coat, mask and hat offered the scroll wordlessly to Celestine. She read the words to herself and the Goddess's expression turned to one of resignation.
"Sir Kyril was correct. The war has begun."
/
Alright. Now it is time for the Good Hunter to start putting down some rabid dogs. I must say I was not expecting this to blow up but nonetheless thanks for the support.