Truths and fights
knightblazer85: Thank you for the review, about your requests.
(Also spoiler alert for CS1 and CS2 for anyone other than the one who left the review, if you haven't played you may want to skip till the next reviewer, you have been warned)
1) It will depend on what I learn once I play CS2, until then I have nothing to say on the matter.
2) I have a few things planned for that; that is all I'm willing to say for now.
3) Wait just a second! Didn't Osborne die at the end of CS1?!
…
Kidding, I already know about that particular bit (as I said on the first chapter 'Damn you YouTube's recommended section!') but please avoid giving any more spoilers for CS2, I was only able to play Cold Steel 1 on the PC and they still haven't ported the second part so I'm trying to avoid spoilers as much as possible (I don't know how he survived, please do NOT tell me). Like with your first request it will depend on what I learn once I play the sequel but I already have something thought out for when I reach that point, it'll change depending on a few things (including, but not limited to, Trails of Cold Steel 3).
Thanks for the support, until next time.
Apex85: I couldn't help it; the references are begging me that I use them! Haha
It won't be for every argument, just some of the major ones… and the occasional minor one.
About Heinz and Marco, they listened because the logic behind the teen's words held out and them making up… I strongly recommend that you read this chapter hehehe.
Sadly I already lost that battle, some things I know about CS2 from before and I recently learned something about CS3, I won't say what I learned just that there was a lot of necessary swearing around it, for more than one reason (and no I did not misspell, there was 'necessary' swearing involved)
As always, thank you for the support, until next time.
Yuuto2: Thank you, I'll do my best to keep up.
Also thank you for the support, until next time.
.
Also thanks to Shikyo no Kyofu, MysteriousIgnis, Damion Mizore and AzureDawn210 for adding this fic to their favs and/or follows list.
Without further ado, on with the chapter.
Disclaimer: Same as every other chapter.
'Hmm, this isn't good'. Rean thought standing near the East exit of the town.
Since talking to the provincial army officer the group split up again trying to find a clue, they all agreed to call the others through the ARCUS as soon as they find something resembling one.
There had been some calls but they ended up been dead ends; one in particular talked about a 'strange group of teenagers' that seemed to be able to fight strong monsters in the highway that someone heard from the farmers in the Highway.
'Well, it's not like a clue will just drop from the sky in my hands, let's keep looking'.
His next stop was the church, he was about to get in and ask when a little girl sitting in a bench outside caught his attention.
"Lulu, are you okay?" She said, talking to a cat also sitting in the bench. "Look what that nasty man did to you…"
"Umm". That sound caught the attention of the girl who turned to Rean. "Is something the matter?"
"…who are you?" The girl asked tilting her head.
"My name is Rean; I came here in a field study for school". He answered kneeling to be at her height. "Can I ask your name?"
"…I'm Mina".
"Nice to meet you Mina, did something happen to your cat?"
"Yeah, I was just chasing after Lulu near the west exit of town and there was this weird man asleep along the side of the street".
'A weird- Seriously I need to stop this habit of not vocalizing my questions'. The swordsman mentally noted.
"A weird man you say?" Mina nodded. "Why was he weird?"
"W-well, he was really drunk, the nasty smell coming off of him nearly made little Lulu faint". She explained petting the cat.
"That's terrible".
"It really was!" She agreed with an energetic nod. "I don't know who he is, but I'll have to keep an eye on Lulu to make sure she keeps her distance from him".
"Hmm, are you from this town Mina?" The black haired teen asked.
"Yeah I was born here, I know pretty much everyone".
"So you're saying this man is not from Celdic".
"I don't know every single person but I only started seeing him around a few days ago, I'd never seen him before that".
'…did I really just get a lead in front of the church? And here I thought clues couldn't drop from the sky'. Rean chuckled to himself, which in turned caused Mina to look at him curiously, but quickly got back on topic.
"Sorry about that, you said he was near the west exit?" Once again she nodded. "Thank you Mina, I think you just helped me a lot".
"I did?" She asked tilting her head in confusion.
"Hehe, yeah, I owe you one". With those words he got up and walked away while taking out his ARCUS.
"Hello?"
"Hey Elliot, I think I just got a lead".
"Really? That's great!"
"Call Alisa and tell her to meet near the west exit, I'll call Laura".
"Got it". The swordsman ended the call and marked Laura's number.
Now near the west exit they all met and Rean explained what he learned.
"So we're looking for someone drunk at one side of the road". Alisa summarized.
"Pretty much". Rean confirmed.
"I believe I may know who we're looking for then". Laura talked surprising her classmates.
"You do?" The musician of the group asked.
"Yes, while I was asking around I saw someone who fits the description given". She looked around before pointing with her eyes. "There he is".
The four saw a man sitting at one said of the road, his back against a wooden fence, with a bottle in his left hand.
'I am not thrilled about this conversation'. Rean thought, his friends probably thinking something similar, but they all walked up to him nonetheless.
"Drink! Bring me another drink!" The man yelled out of nowhere with a 'hic'.
"This guy reeks! How much has he put down?!" Alisa half yelled pinching her nose.
"It's only midday and he's already completely blitzed!" Elliot added.
"At the very least I don't think he is responsible for the robbery… he'd probably have trouble doing something like that in his state". The fuchsia eyed teen commented with a half eyed look. '…Mom, Dad, I think you raised me too well'. He thought with a sigh. "Uhh, sir? Are you all right? We can help you back home, if you'd like". The swordsman knew that they shouldn't waste time but his conscience ended up winning.
"Sh-Shurrup… Leamme alone…" The man answered. "I'm jus' a good fer nothin' who jus' los' his job… lookin' after that… nature… park… wuch my whole life…" He bantered in his drunken state.
"Nature park?" Laura asked curiously.
"You kidsh ain't heard o' it? Lunaria Nature Park! 's ta the northwest of 'ere! I ushed ta be th' park ranger for tha' old… dump… -hic-"
"And then you lost your job?" Alisa asked.
"Yeah! Outta nowhere, too!" He said taking a sip of the bottle in his hand. "I gave m' life to that job, I did. An' then… he just came… an' took it all from me!" His expression turned into one of pure rage before the next part. "That damned official jus' showed up outta nowhere… an' told me I was sacked! Ya can't just take a man's livelihood off 'im like that; 's not fair! That job was my life! My –hic- life!"
"Y-yes, we can see that…" Rean answered. 'I'm not sure how to deal with something like this… I guess I'm kind of glad Instructor Sara doesn't get so drunk'.
"It hardly seems fair to take a man's job away from him without a good reason". The blue haired swordswoman opined.
"Right?! I'm so glad shomebody unner… unnerstands how I feel". The drunk answered. "There's no way a bunch'a kids like that 're gonna do a better job 'n me!" That part stuck Group A's curiosity.
"Kids?" Elliot was the first to talk.
"I was drinkin' here last night too, see 'n a bunch'a kids in ranger uniforms went walking outta tha town through the west exit". If they weren't paying complete attention before, they certainly were now. "Weird thing was, they was carryin' a bun'cha wooden boxes, too. In the middle o' tha night! Kids these days, I tell ya…" He trailed off taking another sip.
"Y-you don't think they could have been…?" The musician of the group trailed off, guessing what would be the answer.
"The nature park… I wouldn't even have considered it but a park would no doubt provide a large enough area". The yellow eyed girl answered. "It fits perfectly".
"Yeah, they'd have no trouble stashing the merchandise there undetected". The other sword user agreed. "Lock the entrance, leave a couple of lookouts, and no one would suspect a thing for a very long time".
"And if a provincial officer was the one to tell him he was fired that's practically a smoking gun". The archer of the group added.
"Huh? I say somethin' useful or something'?" The man asked, not following the conversation. "Dunno wha' I said, but if I helped y' out, why not buy me a drink?" The students sweat dropped when they heard this.
"I would suggest you start trying to sober yourself up instead, there's a good chance we may be able to recover both your park and your job". Laura said back surprising the man.
"We know our next stop". Rean said to his friends, knowing they were all thinking the same. "Let's head on out to the Lunaria Nature Park!" They all nodded and quickly left.
"Huh? I ge' fired and all the sudde' peple wanna go ther'". The drunken man said looking as Group A left. "I wonde' what thos' oter two 's deal was". He attempted to take a sip of the bottle but realized it was already empty.
It took them more time than they would have liked but they finally arrived to the park.
"Lunaria Nature Park, huh?" Elliot said looking at the entrance. "Seems less like a park and more like a forest".
"Yeah, it really does feel a little out of place, sitting smack dab in the middle of farmland as far as the eye can see…" Alisa agreed.
"It may have had some religious significance in ages past; perhaps it was a place where animists of ancient times chose to enshrine the spirits of the forest, there's a place like that in my hometown". Laura commented.
"Yeah, there's one in mine too". Rean added.
They looked around the entrance and noticed something weird.
"That park ranger made it sound like there would be people here, if they really are the culprits, maybe they've run away already?" The green eyed teen asked.
"Hmm… this woodland is too dense to reliably intuit whether anyone awaits within". The swordswoman of the group answered.
"Yeah…" The other sword user agreed, having been trying to feel anyone's presence with no luck.
"Hmm, what's this?" The blond haired girl asked squatting to take a look at something in the ground.
"It's…"
"A bracelet?" Elliot finished for Rean when he trailed off.
"How did a bracelet come to be in a place such as this?" Laura asked.
"…Just as I thought". The archer said picking up the bracelet and getting back up. "This bracelet has the same design on it as the ones that merchant from the capital was planning on selling".
Her three companions widened their eyes at hearing this.
"R-really?"
"You're sure?"
"Positive, there's no doubt in my mind that it was designed by the same person". She answered to the musician and swordsman. "Care to give a second opinion on that, Laura?"
"I'm… hardly qualified to weigh in on recent trends…"
'Somehow I'm not surprised, not that it's a bad thing'. The black haired teen thought.
"…but there do seem to be a number of similarities between this bracelet and the merchant's goods".
"So the fact that it's here means…" The red haired teen trailed off, not needing to finish that sentence.
"It's extremely likely the culprits we're looking for are inside this park". Rean concluded as they all faced the gate.
"Sure seems that way to me". Alisa agreed, Elliot gulped nervously while Laura took a few steps towards the giant gate in front of them.
"It only opens from the inside". She said looking at the lock holding the door close. "I suppose that leaves us little choice". She took a step back before taking out her sword.
"A-are you going to destroy it?!" The archer of Group A asked in surprise. "W-will you be able to?"
"The lock seems quite solid but my sword should be enough to-". Halfway through answering she had moved her sword over her head and was about ready to bring it down when.
"Wait". The other sword user said this stopping her in her tracks and moving beside her. "I'll do it; I can get it done more quietly".
"Oh?" She uttered in surprise.
"R-really?"
"Wh-what are you going to do?" The other two asked in confusion, it wasn't so weird to think that a zweihander like Laura's could get it done, albeit with a good number of hits… if it wasn't Laura hitting it; but Rean doing the same with his sword was a bit more strange.
Nonetheless, Laura sheathed her sword and stepped away without a word.
Now standing in front of the lock with his sword sheathed and his right hand on the hilt, Rean took a deep breath.
"The Eight Leaves One Blade school's fourth form". He expelled all the air in his lungs before. "Autumn Leaf Cutter". He did a quick draw of his sword.
"Hmm?" Alisa and Elliot looked confused and were about to wonder if something went wrong when the bar holding the lock split in two pieces.
"Seriously?!" The archer asked in disbelief.
"Wow! You cut it right in two!" The musician said equally surprised.
"I did, thankfully". Rean answered once again sheathing his sword.
"Spectacular". Laura commented after a few seconds. "It's an honor bearing witness to one of the skills of the Eight Leaves school".
"Thanks, but I'm still more or less a beginner". The swordsman answered with a chuckle then suddenly turned serious. "We don't have much time left, let's head inside and see if we can find them".
Like Elliot mentioned the place really was like a forest, there were only trees and vegetation as far as the eye could see and on both sides of the road that lead further in there were tons of little stone monuments, probably made by the animists, Laura offered, there were also some monsters varying from ones that looked like mushrooms, to oversized scarabs and a gorilla with purple and orange fur and horns coming out of its head, these ones been less common to see in the forest, at least as far as Group A could tell for now, but significantly tougher than the other two types and even less common but not as tough there were some pandas, they were still rather annoying since they had an habit of literally jumping on top of them, the hit with their entire weight making them disoriented for a while, that the other monsters seemed happy to take advantage of.
"I never noticed before but you use the fourth form in combat quite often". Laura mentioned after they finished another group of monsters.
"It's the form I'm better at". Rean answered her.
"So you know the other forms then?"
"Aside from the fourth I know the second, seventh and eighth forms; the fourth is the only one I can actually use in combat though". He stopped for a second thinking. "Well, technically I can also use the eighth but that one is for unarmed combat…" He got a chill after saying this.
"How many forms are there?" Alisa asked joining the conversation.
"Eight in total but there are variations for each one".
"Variations?"
"Yeah like-". He stopped mid-sentence when he felt the presence of human beings ahead.
"There they are!" Laura whispered as the four hid behind a lifted up piece of the ground that acted as a wall for the road.
"Are they the ones responsible?" Elliot asked, also whispering.
"I think so". The other male of the group answered trying to peek without been seen but what he saw made him widen his eyes in surprise. "Why are they here?!"
Unaware of the students watching them the group of six kept talking.
"THAT WASN'T THE DEAL!" Or more like yelling.
"YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO LEAVE A PART OF THE GOODS THERE!" Two of them were complaining to the other four, the last ones been dressed as park rangers with hats and matching blue shirts and pants with boots, while the other two…
"Aren't those the two merchants that got their goods stolen?!" The archer yelled, or would have if Group A wasn't still hiding, so it was whispered yell.
"So they were in on it?!" The green eyed musician asked too.
"It would seem so". Laura answered.
"So what are you gonna do about it?" One of the fake park rangers asked back, probably the leader. "The deed is done, we can't give you back the goods or it would raise suspicion". The man smirked evilly while looking down on them. "But by all means, feel free to go tell the authorities about this".
"Yeah we won't stop you, promise". Another one said as the four started to laugh.
Marco and Heinz clenched their teeth in anger looking at the several boxes with all of their merchandise.
"We had a deal, why did you break it?!"
"Because we could". The leader answered as if it were obvious. "Hell, the provincial army is probably happy about it, after all if we don't leave anything behind you idiots will withdraw that petition even faster, which means even more mira for use, and in the meantime we get all these goods from you; so it's a win-win for us".
"But-!"
BANG
Marco's words were interrupted when a bullet was shot near his feet making him jump back and fall to the ground.
"You're getting annoying, I recommend you leave now". The four thieves drew an orbal submachine gun each and pointed at the two merchants who started to shiver. "I'll count till three, one-"
"Stop right there". The six men looked at the origin of the voice.
"Wha-who's there?!"
From behind the irregular part of earth that made a wall Rean came out, his sword in his sheath.
"What the-"
"What are you doing here?!" The two merchants asked.
"A student?" One of the park rangers asked in confusion.
"I locked the gate…" Another one trailed off.
"What are you doing here kid, you lost?" The leader asked as Rean calmly made his way towards them. "Not another step". The four pointed their weapons at him.
"You're the ones who caused the incident at the Grand Market then". The swordsman said not taking his eyes off the armed men.
"Hehe, so what if we are?" One of them said in mockery. "Kids these days don't know how to use their heads apparently or do you think you can beat us on your own?"
"…well, I wonder". As soon as those words were uttered an arrow flew from the right side of the criminals, finding its target on one of their hands.
"Ugh, what the hell?!" Said park ranger said, the pain making him drop his weapon and hold his wound.
At the same time a mass of water hit another one from the opposite side, the one hit managed to maintain his balance and he along with another one of the thieves turned in that direction only to see someone holding a huge sword already less than an inch of them that hit them in the back of the head with the flat side knocking them down.
The last one aimed at said person but the second he took his eyes off Rean he closed the distance and with a draw of his sword cut the weapon in half before using the flat side to hit the user in the back of the head knocking him to the ground.
"Nice work guys". The black haired swordsman congratulated as his friends came out from the bushes.
Laura broke the remaining weapons as the, now defenseless, criminals huddled up.
"Don't you think that was a bit reckless?" Alisa asked as the four reunited.
"Well… it worked didn't it?" The teen answered weakly.
"Still, if they were to shoot you on sight things could have been different; you didn't need to be the bait". Laura said back.
"Th-that's true but it all worked out in the end so why don't we just leave it at that?" Elliot tried to defend.
"In any case, we can talk about that later". The fuchsia eyed teen said walking towards the two merchants. "I think you have some things to answer for". Both merchants looked away in shame.
"This has to be some kind of joke… they're KIDS!" One of the bandits said in frustration.
"How pitiful, that barely qualified as a warmup". Laura said still holding her sword in case any of them tried anything.
"Well, when you're used to Instructor Sara's training exercises, warmups take on a whole new meaning". Alisa answered.
"That's very true". The orbal staff user agreed with a chuckle.
"I'd suggest you surrender yourselves and apologize to everyone in the Grand Market for all the trouble you caused". Rean said both to the bandits and the two merchants.
"We were going to return those stolen goods to their rightful owners too, but I guess that's not necessary anymore". Alisa said glaring at said rightful owners.
"We would also be very interested to learn who hired you". The yellow eyed swordswoman added.
"But why would they do this?" Elliot asked. "I mean the bandits I get they were hired but why would they go along with it?"
"Care to explain?" Laura asked them.
"…it would only sound like an excuse". Marco said smiling dejectedly.
"Then tell us that excuse". Rean answered.
"…we were having trouble with our business, alright?" Heinz finally said. "Things weren't working for me back at the capital, the accessories were popular but other stores could sell them more easily so my business started to decline, I thought that if I go the Grand Market maybe I could get back on my feet".
"Same for me". Marco said next. "Sales were getting worse so I tried to get them better with things like discounts or special sales but my spot at the market has never been good and it wasn't enough to keep me afloat… so I sent a petition for a better spot".
"To Duke Albarea". Alisa didn't ask, it was a statement.
"Yeah". They both answered, Marco kept talking. "We were then asked to meet with him and well…"
"Did he tell you to do this?" The blue haired girl asked angrily.
"Never with those words, just implying what was expected of us… and what would happen if we refused". The other merchant answered. "We said no at first but we were desperate, it was either we played along or we go out of business".
"…hmm?" Suddenly the musician of the group started to look around frantically.
"Elliot?"
"What's wrong?"
"I-I don't know, I just… I just thought I heard the sound of a flute".
Before they could ask anything else another sound caught their attention, and it was definitely not a flute.
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGHHHHHHH"
"Wh-what was that?!" The archer asked.
"It sounded like the cry of an enormous beast" Laura answered as they now started to feel a tremble in the earth and something rapidly approaching.
"Wh-what's happening?!" One of the bandits asked in a panic.
"It's coming this way!" Another one added with the same tone.
Soon enough the creature responsible for the commotion appeared.
A giant baboon with mostly black and orange fur except around the neck where it was mostly yellow and white in his throat; except for its knuckles the creature was completely covered in fur, stone-like pauldrons coming out of its shoulders as well as several strange growths on its entire back and two sets of horns coming out of its head, both of them flat ended; the first set was comparatively small when compared to the second one, darkly colored and pointing upwards while the second set was lightly colored and pointed straight out from its face. Its mouth filled with sharp razor teeth that he kept showing at them and yellow bloodshot eyes.
"Wh-wh-why is that thing here?!" One of the bandits yelled in panic trying to crawl away, too frightened to stand up.
"We were told Grunoja didn't come to this part of the forest!" Another one said in the same state.
"Heeeeeeelp!" A third one asked to anybody, while the fourth bandit along with the two merchants was too terrified to actually react other than gawking in fear at the giant creature.
"A giant baboon?!" Elliot asked in a similar state to the bandits and merchants, although he stood on his feet while tightening his hold on the orbal staff.
"I-it's huge". Alisa stated the obvious with a gulp.
"I believe we're dealing with the ruler of this forest!" Laura said; her sword at the ready. "What would you suggest, Rean?!"
'That we get the hell out of here!... it's what I would like to say'. Said swordsman thought before answering. "They may be criminals but we can't just leave them to die!" With a grunt. "We're going to have to fight it!"
"Understood". The swordswoman answered as calmly as possible.
"A-all right!" Alisa said preparing an arrow.
"Aidios, help us!" Elliot begged to the Goddess while tightening his hold on his staff even more and using it to hit the ground once a faint yellow glow appearing beneath the members of Class VII along with some sort of sound.
Grunoja let out an almost deafening roar before lunging towards the students, they all prepared a combat link, Rean with Alisa and Laura with Elliot, and dodged to the sides in those pairs, the monster stopped a few feet from where they were before and turned around looking between the two, probably trying to decide which group to attack first.
It didn't got to decide when this time they lunged at it, Rean and Laura moved in front of it just to quickly side-step when the baboon raised both fists and tried to crush them, Alisa shot an arrow aiming for the monster's face but Grunoja managed to raise its left arm to block it.
Laura tried to capitalize on that and attacked its exposed flank but even with her sword she only managed a flesh wound; she immediately jumped away knowing that one of the beast's arms was coming her way, she dodged the hit and now Grunoja was completely facing her which gave Rean a chance to attack its blind spot.
Noticing that the wound Laura was able to make was shallow at best he opted for using the Autumn Leaf cutter and slashed at its back, aside from a roar that seemed to be more of anger than pain he didn't have any more success than Laura.
"It has a tough skin". The Eight Leaves practitioner said in annoyance taking a step back like his fellow sword user did before.
Both of them kept this up while the archer and orbal staff user hit it from a distance, it did seemed like they were doing damage but nothing more than scratches at best while even a blocked hit was able to send any one of them practically flying away.
"We need to find a weak spot or this is meaningless". The blue haired girl said as she tried to parry one of the beast's fists, managing to avoid any serious damage but feeling numbness in her hands nonetheless.
"…guys, let me try something". Elliot said taking a few steps back from the creature, although he was already a good distance away, he then held his orbal staff with the gem pointing at the creature and the staff pointing straight to the skies. "Analyzing enemy attack patterns". His friend didn't really get what he was doing but didn't have time to ask as all of their attention needed to be in Grunoja but after a few seconds the musician spoke again. "Aim for the back of its right leg".
Rean was the one closest to it so he did as told as soon as he saw a chance, he didn't have time to concentrate on using his quick draw so he just slashed as hard as he could.
To everyone's surprise Grunoja let out another roar but this one did seem to be out of pain.
"Next, around his lungs on that same side". The musician said next and the swordsman once again listened while Laura attacked near the left shoulder, once again it cried out in pain from both attacks, the swordswoman knowing where to attack due to her combat link with Elliot. "Alisa aim for its left leg, as close to the knee as possible".
"Got it". She answered preparing another arrow. "Turn to flames". With those words the tip of the arrow was covered in fire. "Burn". And when it connected it made a small explosion on its objective.
They weren't sure how but Elliot was telling them to hit exactly where it hurt so no one questioned it for now; however even for a wild beast Grunoja seemed to understand who the biggest threat was at the moment and so forcing the two swordsmen away by flailing its arms it charged towards Elliot.
The musician is first instinct was to panic but that wouldn't do anything so instead he did the same thing he did at the old schoolhouse, as if preparing a fishing rod he moved his staff back which started to glow and when he moved it back on front several bubbles appeared popping in contact making the creature fall asleep.
Or that's what should have happened.
The bubbles did little more than nothing to stop the giant baboon's advance that kept running towards the red haired teen, he was about to try and repeat his earlier move but there wasn't enough time, it would close the distance before that, the only thing left he could do was put his staff in front of him and hope it would protect him from at least a part of the damage.
The beast was about to reach him but suddenly lost its balance and had to stop to avoid falling to the ground, Elliot was clearly confused and when he looked closely he saw that one of the monster's legs was buried in what seemed like a broken piece of earth and not one that just appeared out of nowhere, the damage seemed to follow a line all the way till Laura who had her zweihander glued to the earth where the whole fissure started.
'Did she break the earth all the way over here?!' In any other situation he would have yelled that in amazement but this wasn't the time to be worrying about that so instead he quickly put distance between him and Grunoja as the two front line fighters closed the distance to the creature once again.
They repeated the earlier pattern, this time making sure not to give the monster a chance to go for Elliot or Alisa by Rean and Laura making sure at least one of them was in the middle at all times forcing its attention on them. This kept going for a while, the damage to the monster adding up, not that they were coming out unscathed, every once in a while Grunoja managed to catch the front liners off guard, they did the best to avoid any big hit and the range fighters made sure to heal them but healing arts weren't miracle workers, they can cure minor wounds and depending on where and how deep even a gash isn't out of the question, but one direct hit from the giant baboon's enormous fists would be more than they could manage.
'All right, this is working'. Rean thought having just hit another spot marked by Elliot. 'It will take time but if we keep this up there shouldn't be any problem'.
If only life was so easy.
Both Rean and Laura stood in front of Grunoja preparing to attack again when it suddenly moved its head to the left and saw the bandits and the two merchants watching the fight.
'Oh, crap!' Group A didn't even finish that thought and the beast was already moving towards them.
"Run, quick!" Alisa yelled but they were too scared to even move.
Grunoja seemed to have set its sight on Marco who shivered as soon as he noticed the monster's eyes on him as it reached its target it prepared its right fist moving it backwards.
'This is how I die?' Marco asked in his mind. 'Hit by that monster in this place?' He wasn't able to dodge or try to block, his entire body refused to listen so he simply prepared and hoped for a quick death as the giant fist approached him but when it was about to connect he was pushed away, he looked in the direction the push came from and saw Rean there.
'Just in time'. The black haired swordsman thought as Grunoja's fist collided with his left side and was sent flying away colliding with the trunk of a tree as if he was just a rag doll been thrown around.
"Rean!" His three friends yelled in worry as gravity did its work and he fell to the ground.
'That… got a few ribs'. The teen thought trying to get up but only able to rise to a four legged position before coughing violently, each cough worsening the pain on his side, without raising his sight he saw a shadow beneath him, he didn't need to look up, that shadow was definitely Grunoja's ready to finish him off.
"ARCUS activate!" Alisa yelled sending an art towards the beast a large mass of flames erupting from beneath it and forcing it away.
Laura wasted no time going back to close quarters while Elliot rushed towards Rean's side.
"Rean, are you okay?! Talk to me".
"I'm… fine". He said with a ragged breathing. "Go… help them".
"B-but-"
"Go!" He shouldn't have raised his voice since that only gave him another coughing fit.
"A-all right but before that". He quickly casted a healing art on Rean that, although it couldn't heal his wound, it would at least ease the pain a bit. "Hang in there".
With those words he moved away so if Grunoja were to try and attack him it wouldn't notice Rean.
.
.
.
"Damn it, we can't keep this up much longer". Alisa said once again using the art she used to save Rean. "Laura, can't you use that secret move of yours?"
"I can't". The swordswoman answered trying to hit one of the spots Elliot transmitted from their combat link but Grunoja forced her on the defensive moving one of its giant arms, without Rean to distract it the chances for her to attack were significantly lower than before. "There is no opening I can use, maybe I could have before but it wouldn't have been enough to kill this beast".
"Then what do we do?!" Elliot asked in a panic, already searching for another weak point.
"I'll make an opening". The three turned towards the origin of the voice and saw Rean on his feet.
"But your wound-"
"Don't miss the timing". The swordsman interrupted Alisa as he broke their combat link and made one with Laura.
"…understood". The blue haired swordswoman answered preparing to attack as soon as the opening was made.
Ignoring the pain coming from his left side Rean tightened his grip on the blade; he raised the arm holding it over his head and bent his elbow pointing the tip of the weapon to the ground, the tachi was close almost touching his face. He brought his free hand near the center of the blade and closed his eyes to concentrate.
'Flames, gather on my blade!' Commanding this in his mind he opened his eyes and the weapon ignited out of nothing, he moved it to his right and behind him while his left arm went back to his side.
Maybe out of instinct, Grunoja turned to look at the teen but before it could react he had already closed the distance between them, it noticed the flames surrounding the weapon and the movement the human had already begun to hit it from his right using the empowered weapon, it quickly brought one arm to block the attack, even if it would hurt Grunoja could use its other arm to literally squash Rean to the ground but pain never came.
Instead of attacking there Rean had feinted the first hit and just moved his sword to the other side, since the arm was now in the way of Grunoja's eyes it couldn't see until he took another step forwards, now been half a meter away from the giant baboon's torso this time he did attack delivering an horizontal slash to its mid-section, not giving it even time to cry in pain he grabbed the tachi with both hands and raised it over his head. "Strike!" Bringing it down with a diagonal slash he passed through the creature leaving a large flaming wound on it.
Once his attack was finished the flames disappeared from his blade as if they were never there and having used up all of his remaining strength the teen fell to one knee using his weapon to avoid falling completely.
Enraged due to the sudden pain and in a state of panic due to the flames that still burned its fur the monster turned wanting to smash the one responsible for its wound but the second it turned around an arrow flew hitting it square on its left eye, eliciting another cry of pain.
"Radiant…" Not missing the timing Laura closed the distance, her sword already prepared to strike. "Blade Dance!" The three slashes from her most powerful technique connected adding three more serious wounds on the creature.
Grunoja roared once again looking at the group of students who were already prepared to keep attacking but before they could the monster started to step back before completely turning away and escape.
Everyone kept their stance for a full minute until the sounds of Grunoja's footsteps could no longer be heard and, almost as if the strings of a marionette were severed, they all fell to their knees.
"That was kind of… terrifying…" Alisa said trying to catch her breath.
"I-I thought we were done for…" Elliot stuttered in a similar state.
"Still… at least we were able to force it to flee". Laura said, probably been the first time any of her classmates saw her tired.
They then got up and went to Rean.
"Rean, are you okay?" Alisa asked worriedly.
"…I'm alive, does that count?" He tried to chuckle but quickly regretted it as it caused him another coughing fit this time, though, he coughed blood.
"Q-quick we need to get him back to the town". Elliot said in panic.
"It's true, here let me help you". Laura offered.
"U-unbelievable". The four heard one of the bandits say.
"They beat that thing". Another one said in awe.
"What are they teaching these kids in that school?" Heinz asked equally mesmerized.
"Umm…" Marco on the other hand approached the group. "P-please let me help you get back".
Laura, Elliot and Alisa glared at the liar but.
"It's okay guys, let him". Rean told them.
"A-are you sure?" The blond archer asked.
"Yeah". Having his permission Marco moved and put the teen's right arm around his back to support him. "Thanks".
"That's my line... thank you".
Just then a whistle was heard.
"What?!"
"Uh-oh". The archer and musician said looking at the source of the sound.
"It seems we have some unwelcome guests". The swordswoman added looking at the officer they talked to back at the guardhouse along with six soldiers who quickly surrounded the teens and Marco.
"Put your hands in the air!"
"Don't try to resist!" Two of them yelled.
"Why are you surrounding us and not them?" Laura asked calmly.
"Keep your mouth shut!" Another one ordered.
Just then the bandits started to laugh.
"Looks like all your hard work was for nothing, huh? Sucks to be you!" One of them said as they're laughter intensified.
"Seems that way, we ended up saving your lives so I guess 'nothing' is a good way to put it". Rean answered making the bandits stop laughing, whether it was because of surprise at the comment or embarrassment for that fact, only they knew. "Well, almost 'nothing' anyway". He added thinking of the two merchants.
"They're not even trying to hide their involvement". Elliot said about the soldiers.
"Utterly shameless". Alisa agreed.
"You're jumping to an awful lot of conclusions". The officer said taking a few steps towards them. "I see two groups of people and a collection of stolen goods, but no indication which group is responsible". He stated matter-of-factly. "And you, merchant, I suggest you move away or we will have no choice but to consider you part of their ploy". Marco flinched at hearing this but the officer continued without waiting for a response. "Do you have any way to prove that the four of you aren't the perpetrators?"
'I swear if my ribs weren't broken I would hit you in your smug face… I may try anyway'. Rean thought angrily.
"Do you intend to frame us?" Laura asked glaring at the officer.
"I'm just telling you that you need to mind your own business and learn your place, the Kreuzen Province is the territory of Duke Albarea and I will not have a gaggle of bratty students poking their noses where they don't belong!"
'Ok, not the time for jokes about hitting people, what to do? Think Rean'. The black haired teen tried to come up with something, anything, that would help them in this situation.
"You will back down now, or we'll be more than happy to arrest you right here and drag you to Bareahard City, kicking and screaming".
'Bareahard-wait a second… I either pull this off or I drag us to an even worse mess but I think it's worth a shot, I just hope they think I'm just in pain and not lying when they see my face'. The black haired swordsman thought before suddenly chuckling.
"What's so funny?" One of the soldiers asked.
"Oh, nothing, just thinking what Jusis's reaction will be when he finds out".
"Jusis?"
"Y-you mean Jusis Albarea?" At these words the soldiers and the officer all turned to Rean.
'Gotcha'. "You don't know? He is on our same class in Thors, we are good friends with him".
'We are?' The other three members thought but kept this to themselves.
"I-I did hear that he was attending Thors". One of the soldiers said.
"S-seriously?" Another one asked.
"Not to mention that you're trying to arrest the daughter of the Radiant Blademaster I admit, you guys have guts". 'I am deeply sorry for using your father's status like this Laura'. He apologized in his mind and made a note to remember and properly apologize to her later.
All the members of the provincial army started to visibly sweat at hearing all this.
"But please do arrest us if you want, I am certain Jusis wouldn't do something like take this matter to his father" The swordsman said as sarcastically as possible.
"Wh-what do we do?"
"M-maybe he's lying".
"But if he isn't".
"Enough!" The officer yelled silencing his subordinates. "Even if what he is saying is true we have our own duty, take them away".
'Shit, shit, shit!' Rean repeated in his mind over and over.
"I'm afraid you'll be doing no such thing". A new voice said coming from the same way they all got here.
"What?"
"Who's there?!" The officer yelled before gasping in surprise.
Out of nowhere four armed people wearing a gray military-like uniform appeared and surrounded the soldiers.
"I-it's…"
"The R-Railway Military Police…" One of the provincial army soldiers finished for his companion.
"Railway Military Police?" Laura asked curiously.
"Yeah, the RMP!" Elliot answered.
"They're supposed to be the most elite unit in the whole of the Imperial Army". Alisa added.
From the entrance to this part of the forest one more person appeared, wearing the same type of uniform with long sky-blue hair tied in a ponytail on the left side of her head.
"Th-the Icy Maiden!" Another soldier said noticing her. "Why has one of the chancellor's dogs come here?"
"What is the meaning of this?!" The officer asked. "This area is under the jurisdiction of the Kreuzen Provincial Army! The Imperial Army has no right to intervene!" He seemed to be trying really hard not to start yelling at the top of his lungs.
"With all due respect, Celdic is a major interchange station in our railway network". The 'Icy Maiden' answered calmly. "So in point of fact, we have every right to investigate any incidents that occur in this general vicinity as I'm sure you well know".
The officer could only gasp knowing she was right.
"And in accordance with our investigation thus far, after having questioned all those connected to the incident we have concluded that it is impossible for any of these students to be guilty of these crimes". She added, all the way sporting a pleasant smile. "Do you wish to contest this judgement?"
The officer only stared at her not saying anything for a while.
"…Hmph, I suppose not". He finally said trying to avoid the sense of defeat that he felt to show in his face.
"Well then, may I suggest you leave us to do our jobs? The RMP will take responsibility for returning all of the stolen goods to their rightful owners as well".
"Men! Withdraw". The officer ordered with a grunt and so they all left, not before the bandits yelled about how they had a deal going on.
"Take them into custody". The RMP officer said and the soldiers broke formation from the provincial army soldiers and went towards the bandits.
The officer said something to the 'Icy Maiden' before leaving but Group A was too far away to hear, once he was gone she took a few steps towards the students.
"Thank you all very much for your assistance". She said before noticing Rean. "Are you injured?"
"Yeah… a few broken ribs". He said once again coughing up blood.
"You, give him medical care". She said to one of her subordinates who quickly went to check on the swordsman. "What about the rest of you?"
"U-umm, we're fine". Elliot answered.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes, we appreciate your concern". Laura assured her, Alisa nodding as well.
"Very well". She left it at that. "My name is Captain Claire Rieveldt of the Railway Military Police; we're a division of the Imperial Army". Claire introduced herself. "And you are the visiting students from Thors Military Academy, are you not?" The four nodded, although Rean wasn't noticed since he was lying down so the member of the RMP could tend to his wound. "I'll need to file a report about what happened here, so would the four of you mind accompanying me? This goes for you two gentlemen as well". She added talking to the two merchants.
Of course they all complied and went back to Celdic, the RMP soldiers vanquishing any monsters that tried to attack them while Marco helped Rean walk back.
"So you decided to try and investigate the situation on your own, is that correct?" Claire asked holding a notebook in one hand and a pen in the other; the group of students, merchants and the RMP were in a medical tent so they could answer while receiving treatment; Rean might have been the one who took the worse of the beating but that doesn't mean the other members of Class VII came out unscathed.
"That's right, what happened didn't sit right with us so we decided to help". Alisa confirmed. "In all honesty though, if Rean wouldn't have offered it I'm not sure any of us would have".
"I agree, while I found the situation unjust, to say the least, I cannot assure that I would have offered my help in that way". Laura added.
"Thanks you two". Rean said a bit embarrassed from the other side of the curtain.
"And so after you found out about what happened from this 'drunk near the west exit' you all went to Lunaria Natura Park which then ended up with you confronting 'Grunoja' and managing to force it to flee".
"Yes". The four confirmed.
"Thank you, now to the two merchants, may I ask why you were there?"
Marco and Heinz clearly gulped at the question but came out clean and told her everything.
"I see, it is regrettable to hear this but do you have any other proof than your word?"
"N-no". Heinz answered while Marco just looked away.
"If it means anything, I believe them". Rean said causing the RMP officer to look at him, or his form behind the curtain anyway.
"Oh, may I ask why?"
"It checks out, the market manager told us about what was happening in Celdic with the increased taxes and how it was affecting the people there, not to mention the attitude the Provincial Army had taken". The black haired teen answered while raising an arm for the medic to apply some bandages to his wound.
"I must admit I didn't think they were in on it until we saw them there". The blue haired swordswoman admitted.
"They did make a good job of playing the victims". The blond archer added.
"We…we were payed some acting lessons to make it more believable". Marco answered in embarrassment. "Not that we had a choice about taking them or not"
"We kind of had to improvise when you broke our argument". Heinz said talking to Rean.
"By the way, back then you mentioned something about the bandits leaving part of the goods behind, what was that about?" Elliot asked remembering the argument they were having.
"Well, the plan was supposedly to have them break our stalls and steal most of our goods but leave a part we set aside there, this one was rather hidden actually". Heinz answered. "We didn't notice that they had taken that part too until after you talked to us in the rest area of the market, once we did we went to the Park where two of those bandits were mounting guard, they guided us where the rest were… and you know what happened afterwards".
After an uncomfortable silence Elliot spoke.
"Umm, what's gonna happen to them?" He asked about the two merchants.
"It's too soon to say but you have my word we will conduct an investigation on the matter, what happens will depend on what we discover". Claire assured them.
After a few more questions they were patched up and it was time for Group A to leave Celdic.
Claire and Otto escorted them while they went to the inn to take their luggage and back to the train station.
"We really are grateful for everything you've done today". The market manager said to the students. "Thanks to you the ones responsible for the crime were found and arrested… although the circumstances on it are regrettable". The students silently agreed. "Even so, I am truly grateful".
"I'm just glad we were able to help". Rean answered sincerely.
"Besides, it was only thanks to the RMP's involvement that we were able to catch the culprits in the end". Alisa added.
"Oh, there's no need to be so modest, all we did was physically arrest the culprits, the rest was entirely on you". Claire answered. "If not for your assistance in stopping the criminals from escaping, we would have missed out chance to intervene altogether; I believe the credit for this achievement is yours, and tours alone".
"All this attention is kind of… embarrassing". Elliot said with an awkward laugh.
"Still, I suppose it would be rude not to accept your thanks". Laura said.
"Indeed! You should all be very proud of what you've accomplished here". Otto exclaimed. "So, can we leave everything in your capable hands from here on out, Captain?"
"Of course, I'm intending to leave a number of our soldiers here for the time being". Claire answered the market manager. "Rest assured that we'll take care of any further problems that may arise".
"We are greatly obliged; still, while your personal loyalties may differ, both the RMP and the provincial army are made up of Erebonian soldiers so I'd appreciate it if tried not to… stand out too much; your presence may create some anxiety among the locals".
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind". The RMP captain assured him before turning back to the students. "Thank you for your cooperation with our report; I'm sorry to take up so much of your time".
"Oh, no; not at all". Rean assured her.
"And, umm… we really appreciate you coming to our aid like that". Alisa added.
"Oh, there's no need to thank me, really; in fact, the more I think about it, the more I regret having stepped in at all". She answered making the teens puzzled. "Overcoming such an impossible situation was probably meant to be part of your field study too. To… build character, perhaps".
'I really, really, hope it wasn't'.
"Yeah, I may be good, but I'm not THAT good".
"Eh?!"
"I-Instructor?"
"I was wondering when you'd show up".
The instructor just calmly walked down the stairs of the station.
"It's been a while, Sara". Captain Claire greeted.
"That it has; six months, give or take?" She answered. "Honestly, I had no idea you RMP folks were going to get involved with this". Her expression turned rather sarcastic before adding. "I suppose you had everything that was happening here figured out all along?"
"Heh, you overestimate my abilities". The sky blue haired woman answered with a smile. "I did receive a report that suggested there might be trouble here, but that's it"
"Oh, from your 'brother', I take it? Nothing gets past you lot"
"We're just trying to make sure we're prepared to deal with any problems that might arise". She then turned to leave. "But, I'm sorry to say I don't have any more time to catch up with you right now; I really need to be taking my leave". She did a salute towards the students. "I wish all the best to you and the rest of Class VII!" And with that she walked away.
"W-was she really… part of the military?" The musician of the group asked. "She sure didn't seem it…"
"Her movements and actions, however, were those of a skilled officer". Laura answered. "Highly skilled".
"Yeah and the rest of the RMP seemed really well trained too". Rean added.
"You know her, Instructor?" Alisa asked to the older woman.
"You could say that". She answered vaguely. "Anyway, it looks like you've managed to finish all the tasks I laid out for you! So I think it's about time we take our leave of this place too".
And so they got on the train and left Celdic behind.
DONE.
Man and it's 7 AM?!
.
.
Worth it.
Before we finish there is one more thing, there was a ridiculous idea that popped in my head while writing this I couldn't add it to the chapter because of the sheer ridiculousness of it.
Seriously, it would be sooo out of place and would ruin the flow of the scene, so instead I decided to add it afterwards as a… I dunno maybe 'bloopers' would be the right word?
Anyway moving on.
"…guys, let me try something". Elliot said taking a few steps back from the creature, although he was already a good distance away, he then held his orbal staff with the gem pointing at the creature and the staff pointing straight to the skies. "Orbal staff, give me sight beyond sight!"
"Sword, give me strength beyond strength!" Laura said afterwards.
"Bow, give me aim beyond aim!" Alisa next.
"Tachi, give me power beyond power". And finally Rean.
"VII…VII—VII—Class VII HO!" They all yelled at the same time projecting a giant VII in the sky.
As I said something truly ridiculous and the only way I would have added that in the actual chapter was if someone pointed a gun to my head and forced me to but I still wanted to share my silly idea so there you have it.
At first it was only Elliot who would say that but I ended up adding the others too.
Ok, I think that's it, as always a review would be appreciated and I hope you enjoyed.
Until next time.
