Chapter 10! Main story it goes!

"Hey Kuro. Eleanor is calling for us." Uni walks into the R&D facility, where Kuro is working with Kreis on some weapons. Currently the former is making some Submachine Guns for the Engineers, considering they need more protections than just normal Rifles like the Scouts.

"Oh, the Captain? Let me finish here and then I will follow." Kuro acknowledges the call.

"Okay... you two really have sweet teeth, huh?" Uni then notices the bowl full of chocolate on the nearby table. "If any shop has to close because of lack of sweets, that's you two's fault."

"Maybe." That earns a chuckle from Kreis as Kuro just says it nonchalantly. The latter then drops the screwdriver down. "I think it's good for now. When I return, we will talk about the silencers. That would be useful for every class. I'm heading out now."

"Yeah, better not keep the captain waiting you two." Kreis says his goodbye towards the mercs, before heading to Leon and Isara, who's taking care of the tanks. "Hey, do you two need some helps?"

*Knock* *Knock* "It's Kuro and Uni. Can we come in?"

"The door's opened." Once the two enter the room and greet the others, meaning Welkin and Faldio, Eleanor says: "Sorry for calling you all on an off-duty day. Just an hour ago, I got a message that, Princess Cordelia has graciously extended banquet invitations to me and both of your squads. Including our non-official members as well."

Welkin is a bit surprised that he's invited to such an important event like that. Then he asks: "But, why us? I mean, Kuro and Uni, I can understand..."

"Squad 7 and Squad 1 have achieved many successes in this war, including the Vasel Bridge and recent ops. To Kuro and Uni, maybe they want to know more about the weapons they have provided to us." A quick pause. "The banquet will be held at the castle tomorrow."

"A royal party, huh? How long have I taken part in one?" Kuro asks himself in wonder.

"Every day, when you're with Charlotte." Uni jokingly says, which earns her a lightly knock on the head.

"That's not a party."

"Though, I'm not very good at this formal stuffs." Welkin expresses his concern.

"You're not planning to back away, are you Welkin?" Faldio asks in disbelief. "We're going to meet the princess directly here, and that's a rare chance we have to take anytime. According to the records, House Randgriz, the Archdukes of Gallia, are descended from the Valkyrur. That means Princess Cordelia is a Valkyria as well, and we can get an audience with her!" He is planning continue, but his smile falters when he sees Kuro's uninterested face. "Oh don't tell me that's wrong?"

"I haven't said anything." Kuro answers, nor denying neither agreeing with Faldio's suspicion.

Though, that's enough to make Faldio lose his smile. "All of that records..."

"That doesn't mean Cordelia is not a Royalty." At least that keeps Faldio's hopes up.

"Hey Kuro, how about you sign yourself up as the Royal Protector again?" Uni cheekily asks Kuro, which makes the man blush.

"Oh? You were a protector of Royalty once?" Eleanor asks in curiosity.

"Is. I'm still one, but most people wouldn't think that mainly."

"Hm, maybe you can say more in the banquet. Meanwhile, you're dismissed till then."

Getting out of the room, Kuro knocks on Uni's head again. "Do you have to say about that now?"

She just giggles. "I mean, you would say that eventually."

Faldio then gestures the two to follow him. "Can you come with me? I need to ask about something."

The two comply. And when the trio is in Faldio's room, the owner locks the door and gestures the two to sit on the chairs in his room. Once it's done, Faldio asks: "I want to talk about the skirmish in Barious recently. When everyone was asleep, I took a check on them... and I saw the same fire of Valkyria emitting from Alicia... is she one of them?"

Kuro sighs and confirms: "Yes, she is. However, she doesn't know about it herself."

Faldio: "Why are you keeping it in secret? I mean, with her power..."

"No." Kuro immediately stops Faldio. "I know what you're saying, but I'm not letting that happen. She's too young and naive to take the responsibilities of her power. Both Federation and Empire already knew about the Valkyrias, and they already used the ones having the bloodlines of Valkyrias to experiment for power. In fact, Alicia WAS one of their victims. Alicia was sent among with other children to foster orphanages, while Selvaria escaped and met Maximilian, and since then she was under his control. If that info was leaked out, Alicia will surely be forced to kill everyone, innocent be damned."

Faldio widens his eyes in surprise. He knows that Alicia might be one once he saw that, but he never knew about that story. "Then, about Alicia saying she was in the orphanage..."

"That's what she could remember. However, Selvaria and Alicia were once friends, so they would recognize each other for sure."

Faldio then remembers their encounter in Barious Temple. "No wonder that General sent that look to Alicia... What can we do about it?"

"I do plan to train her to use her power. However, I need to get rid of Damon first, since he could use her and try to gain fame for himself."

Faldio nods. "I understand. A power like that, everyone would want to get their hands on."

Uni then asks Kuro: "Should I tell her about that?"

"Hm... when you two are alone. Try to keep her calm after she hears that. Because she could be very... rebellious after that."

Uni: "Got it... say, are you going to the banquet with that look?" Uni then changes the subject.

Faldio also asks: "I remember now. Uni has another form, but if you're the same as her, do you have one Kuro?"

"I have three." Kuro confirms it. "However, two of them are for fighting only."

Faldio: "Wait... they're battle suits, right? I don't think Uni has a..."

Uni: "I have one with me."

Faldio: "Ah, okay then. Well, I have kept you on for a quite. You can leave now."

"Us two can go there?" Isara asks in surprise.

"This is great! I can't wait to see what's inside of Randgriz Castle!" Alicia says in excitement.

"But Uni, do you have a dress for that?" Cherry asks in curiosity. "If not, I could give you another tour in town!"

"Thanks, but I already have one. Considering I have to attend this kind of events a lot..."

"Say, isn't Kuro the same? And yet he seems to be very laid back of these events." Rosie asks.

"Two hundred years could give a person some bad tastes."

"A bouquet in Randgriz?" Maximilian asks.

"Yes, Your Highness. Nothing worth to address, if not for the fact that an Ambassador of Federation is also attending this one."

"Hm... that could mean troubles. Selvaria, Jaeger, you two infiltrate and if necessary, stop whatever their plans are."

"Roger!"

Upon getting out of the meeting room, Selvaria rubs her eyes in frustration, causing Jaeger to chuckle. "Not feeling well there?"

"I fell like this is one big trap and we're stepping right into it. And yet... that person's voice gave out such certainty that I don't know what to think..."

"Well, he knows his way for sure. Though, a banquet... have you ever attended one? I mean, not as Your Highness' protector?"

"...No."

"Then you're going to have to, now. *Chuckle* Hope you work with me peacefully, for once."

"I will consider..."

"Are you sure it's a good idea to contact them directly like that, Kuro?"

"I know what I'm doing, Uni. Don't worry."

Time skip

Location: Randgriz road

"Shouldn't they already be on the way now?" Alicia asks in wonder, as she looks around to try any presents of the mercenaries.

Welkin: "Knowing these two, they want to put up some surprises for everyone."

Faldio: "Yeah, their appearances, plus the bike they have. If nobody's shocked, then I don't know what else could surprise them."

Ramal then looks at the rear mirror, and sees the red light of unmistakable bike. "Well he has caught up to us now." And when the bike catches up and runs on the right side of the car, Ramal turns and speaks: "So you two... who are you?"

The group has also turned, and see that, instead of Kuro riding the bike, a man with white hair wearing red glasses, in a business suit, is the one controlling the bike. However, looking at the back seat, they see Black Sister in a black dress (it's in the first episode of the anime) sitting behind.

Black Sister is the one saying first: "Hello everyone. Sorry for keeping you waiting."

Faldio greets: "We're just wondering where you are... so that's Kuro?"

"Yep, that's me." The man answers, however, his voice is not Kuro's, instead it's a stranger with voice of women echoing in it. "This appearance suits better than my normal looking."

"Uh..." Everyone is a bit dumbfounded, not at the appearance but rather the voice.

Uni notices their faces and immediately understands: "That's why he rarely transforms. Though, at least it's not as terrifying as his other form."

Isara then asks: "Why don't you just change the outfit, instead of the whole appearance?"

Kuro: "Not really want my face to be recognized much. Also, in this form, call me Raiden."

Alicia narrows her eyes. "I hope it's not some plans of yours."

Uni: "Don't worry, that's normal Kuro for you. He doesn't like to show his face if he could help it."

Welkin smiles. "Well, that's his decision. Ah, we have arrived."

Location: Randgriz Castle

"Hm... there's not many I could ask, huh?" Irene sighs, as she just finishes asking the Ambassador of Federation, but ending up with nothing. "His way of talking to the reporters seems very off..." She then turns to look around, and finds a strange duo in the midst of people. However, the girl looks... familiar. "Let's try to ask them."

Closing up to the duo, as the man just took a glass of wine from a servant, Irene speaks up to catch the two's attention: "May I have a second with you two?"

The girl turns to her, as the reporter sees her green eyes... and the symbols in them "Ah, it's Irene. You are here too?"

Hearing the familiar voice makes her blink once, then exclaims: "Uni? Is that you? What's with this look of yours? You look beautiful."

The girl blushes up a bit. "Thanks for the compliment. I have to dress up a bit for this kind of event, don't I?"

"Then..." She turns to the man. "...You are Kuro... right?"

The man shrugs. "Who else? However, please call me Raiden when I'm like this."

"... What happened to your voice?"

Uni just pats the reporter's shoulder and says: "An after-effect, don't worry. Anyway, you want some questions from us, right?"

"Ah right." Deciding to go with that, Irene starts her questions: "So miss Uni, what do you feel about this banquet?"

"At the moment, we're enjoying it so far. It's been a while that we have joined a party like this."

"So, mister K...Raiden, what do you think about Federation and Gallia creating a relationship?"

"Hm... I would say: it depends on the speech today. A good relationship has to come from both sides."

"I see. Well, I heard about Gallia Militia having weapons more advanced than the Regular Army. Should you think those weapons should be given to the latter as well?"

"To be fair, it's necessary. However, the owner of those must have been asked for permission. If not, it's just stealing."

"And..."

"I think the owner wants the weapons to be used for defend, not to conquer."

"Thank you for the answers." Putting the note down, she then asks: "Okay, do you know the Ambassador of Federation is here?"

Raiden takes a small sip and answers: "Yeah. I saw him during a joint operation with the Rangers in the south."

"And what's your opinion about him?"

"He... well, let's put that aside, because a few 'guests' have arrived."

Raiden suddenly turns his eyes towards something else, and Irene follows it... "Wait, aren't those two..."

"We will talk later. For now, let's head into the main show."

"Honored ladies and gentlemen." Princess Cordelia Gi Randgriz starts her speech with her emotionless tone. "To be able to invite so many guests from the Federation and be together here fills me with endless joy. It may be short, but I want you all to enjoy the moment."

Everyone starts clapping. Though Raiden whispers to Irene sarcastically: "Yeah, 'endless joy' with that face. Nobody is going to believe that."

Uni scoffs hearing that: "You think? Kurome wasn't even that emotionless when she told us her plans."

"That's what I'm saying."

"Ambassador Townsend, would you please?" Upon hearing his name, the Ambassador walks towards to the left side of Princess. Kuro, however, gets closer to the duo of Imperial Generals.

Once in position, Townsend speaks: "Tonight, being able to be in the presence of Princess Cordelia, the heir to the Randgriz house and of Valkyrian descent, fills me with immeasurable joy. So, in celebration of prosperity of Gallia, cheers."

Everyone cheers, including Selvaria and Jaeger. However, the latter comments: "Shouldn't he be embarrassed as an ambassador to say such thing?"

"That's acting for you." The two turn to see Raiden standing next to them, focusing on the princess. Selvaria immediately recognizes the tone of speech. "Don't worry, I didn't call you here to fight."

"... You change that much in a month, huh?" Selvaria speaks back, threatening.

"Hm... Yeah, you look quite different. What's the occasion?"

Briefly transforming back to Kuro then to Raiden, he says: "Just for the fun. I called you here for a few things. First, my apology for giving you that scar, Selvaria. Didn't mean to hit you that hard."

Flinching once, Selvaria answers: "That's none of your business."

"I insist. It's very rude of me making you look bad."

"... I accept your apology."

"Thanks for your understanding. For the second reason: I need you here, so that in the future, you can tell Maximilian that the collaboration between the Federation and Gallia is not going to happen."

Jaeger chuckles. "For real? You went for all the troubles just for that?"

"Gallia's independence won't be broken, and I will guarantee it. Anyway, talk to you later." Raiden then joins his own group, as they start questioning the reason why he joined them.

"Interesting fella. Don't you think so, Selvaria?"

"Don't give him praises. After all, he's still our enemy."

"Yeah yeah."

...

After Welkin and Faldio get their Medals of Honor, the Minister continues: "To continue, I would like to introduce the mercenaries who has been helping Gallia's Militia during the time of war. Please come forward, Mister Kuro and Miss Uni."

Upon hearing the names, all guests turn their heads towards the duo, who starts heading to the princess after hearing their names being called, and start whispering to each other: "They don't have last name?" "But they don't look like Darcsens..." "The girl is too young to be a mercenary..." And so on.

However, that doesn't sway the duo. When they reach the stage, the two bow respectfully to the princess. Borg then continues: "Even though you two have no relations to this country, you have helped us a great deal in protecting our nation's safety. You are also the ones providing us the weapons we need to drive out our enemies, to keep our hometown in one piece. For that, Princess Cordelia will also award you with the Medal of Honor. May your help be remembered for eternity."

Despite not fully knowing the situation, everyone still claps to cheer for the two's succession. Princess Cordelia awards the two the Medals, and then gives out her thank: "My grateful thank to you two for protecting our country."

"It's for everyone's safety, Your Highness." Kuro bows again after receiving the reward. "We won't stop until the war is over."

And with that, the two backs away, returning to their group.

...

The second half of that banquet is the Second scene of chapter 9 in the game.

...

"Hello, mister Kuro." Turning away from his focus on the sky, Raiden looks at the person calling his name. "My name is Gilbert Gassenarl. The ones behind me..." The man gestures to the duo standing behind him. "Are my children, Baldren and Audrey. It's a pleasure to meet the person who has fought against a Valkyria and won."

The boy snorts, while the girl bows lightly, though Raiden could see how irritated the girl is. Though, he decides to not say it yet. "It's my pleasure as well."

Gilbert gives him a handshake before saying: "Your feats have been spread like a strong wind throughout the whole Gallia. Your coordination with the Militia makes you even more famous."

"Just doing my work... what's eating her?" Deciding to change the subject, Raiden asks.

"Oh, my apology. She didn't accept the fact you dared to fight against a Valkyria, let alone defeated her. So she was a bit... distressed."

"Ah, I see... Miss Audrey..." The girl looks at him. "Sorry about hurting your... what to say it... idol. However, if I didn't stop the Valkyria, then she would kill the people trying to protect their lands from being invaded. I hope you understand the circumstances back then."

"... So you're not out to hunt Valkyria?"

"Why would I do that? Valkyrias are just human. They have their own lives." Hearing that makes the girl relieve. "Though, I can't say the same to the Valkyrur, especially what they have done to the Darcsens."

That catches the trio's attention, and the senior asks: "Oh? You know something?"

"... I think letting Audrey watch it first would be better." And, with no one able to react, Raiden places his right hand on the girl's head. A second later, Raiden pulls his hand back, and Audrey's face turns horror. Kuro then turns back and walks away after saying: "Audrey, that's my gift to you. The truth."

Gilbert was about to call him back, before noticing Audrey fall on her knees, her tears starting to flow out of her eyes, causing the man to ask in worry: "Audrey, what's wrong? What happened?"

Audrey stutters: "The... Valkyrur... Darcsen Calamity..."

"Oh that?" Baldren dismisses it. "I thought you already acknowledged..."

"Caused by... The Valkyrur... Darcsen... killed and blamed..." She then hugs her face with her hands, not wanting to accept that truth. "No... all of my believes..."

"What's wrong, madam?" Eleanor notices the trio, she heads to them and asks in concern. "Did something happen?"

"You know about that mercenary, right? The male one?" Receiving a nod from Eleanor, Baldren continues: "That man just did something to her, and now she's sprouting nonsense about the Valkyrur!"

"Oh... so that's it." Eleanor nods, understandingly. "Kuro... he showed you the truth about the Valkyrur..."

Gilbert asks in surprise: "Wait, you mean he... somehow gave it to her, without any talking or... he just touched her head, and that's all!"

"I know your confusion, but let me explain." Leading the crying girl towards a chair so she could sit on, Eleanor starts: "Kuro... he did it to one of us before... he could look into any past and get any truths. He probably showed you the past of Barious, before the Valkyrur destroyed it and blamed the Darcsens."

Baldren snorts. "What nonsense! No human could do so."

"When did I ever say he's human?"

...

"Princess, are you feeling tired?" The Prime Minister asks the girl in concern. Seeing her reaction towards the question, Borg immediately says to the nearby guests: "Princess Cordelia will be exiting now." They acknowledge it, as the princess' led by a servant towards her personal room.

Once the princess is in her room, the Prime Minister says: "A court lady will be here to assist you with your return. I must return to the banquet now. Please take a short rest."

"Understood." When the door's closed, Cordelia takes out her dress and her hat, leaving the normal clothes on her, and sits on the chair, then lays her head on the table. "I'm tired."

"How about I help you with that?"

Ten minutes later

"Well, good night everyone." Eleanor has found group and talked with them for a while. "It's been good time here."

"WAIT A SECOND!" Damon suddenly runs to them, he's sweating a lot. "Princess Cordelia has been kidnapped!"

"WHAT?" Everyone exclaims in shock. "IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!"

Uni then notices Kuro (not Raiden) returning, so she immediately asks: "Hey Kuro! I thought you were going to talk to the Princess!"

"Uhm... I was, but... I didn't see her in her room..." Kuro answers back, however, the stuttering gives Uni a little suspicion.

However, Damon continues: "It was that damn Federation Ambassador! He's the spy all along!"

Eleanor the understands: "SO the Federation wants to 'take her under their protection, along with Gallia'. Typical."

Damon shouts again: "SO GET ON IT! Varrot, you have to take her back!"

"Roger that! Faldio, Welkin, gather your squads immediately."

"ROGER THAT!" Everyone starts taking actions. Uni also pulls Kuro, who is having a surprise expression on his face, out to the outside. Turning into Black Sister, the girl takes the other Deity to the air, making his eyes widen in another surprise. Then, Uni asks: "What's your plan now, Kuro?"

"My apology about the cramp of this car, Princess Cordelia. Once you're on the ship, it won't be a matter anymore." The Ambassador says his 'sorry' towards his kidnapped, who's sitting steadily in her chair. He then turns forward the driver. "Full speed ahead to the harbor!"

"Do you think this through, mister Townsend?" The princess speaks up, catching the Ambassador's attention. "Even if I'm under your 'protection', I'm still in control of Gallia. I can still order my nation to not let you do whatever you Federation want us to do."

The Ambassador chuckles. "Of course we're aware. That's why the Minister has already planned for that."

Cordelia gasps in surprise. "Borg? Impossible..."

"It is possible, madam. You're just a pawn in our game. You're only a figurehead of the nation, holding no power in your hands. Once you're not in Gallia ground, Borg will take over, and he will lead the nation however he wants."

Cordelia hangs her head down, then growls: "So this banquet is a set-up for you to dethrone me... Once I'm out of here, Borg will be in prison."

"I highly doubt that, princess." Townsend laughs. "We have left unnoticed. We're already far away..."

"Sir! We're being blocked!" Hearing that makes the Ambassador stop his words, as he looks out to see tanks and vehicles being stationed to block their way out.

"What the... how?" He then hears a rare giggle from the princess. "You planned it?"

"Not likely. But, that man, Kuro, probably noticed me being kidnapped already."

"Gr..." He grits his teeth in anger. There's no way they have been compromised that fast!

"Ambassador Townsend!" Eleanor shouts in the megaphone. "We have you surrounded! Come out with the princess immediately!" And with that, Edelweiss immediately stops behind the APC, stopping the vehicle from going anywhere, as the soldiers start closing their distance towards the APC.

"Sir..." The soldier asks in worry.

Townsend then pulls out a pistol and points it towards the princess' head. "You better listen, or you die."

...

The backdoor of the APC kicks open, and Townsend walks out with one hand wrapping Cordelia's arms, while the other points the gun in her head. "Nobody moves!"

"What the... everyone, hold your fire!" Welkin immediately tells the soldiers, not wanting to hurt the princess accidentally. "Ambassador Townsend, what's the meaning of this?"

"Ah, the son of the famous general. Now, you have two options: leave us go back to the Federation and we will guarantee her safety, or there will be no living princess." Townsend points the barrel closer to Cordelia's head to further prove his point.

"Damn it..." Welkin then whispers into his radio: "Uni, do you have a clear shot?"

"On who?" Uni answers, surprising the commander. "Kuro is asking me to shoot the princess, not the ambassador."

"What? Kuro, are you insane? We're trying to protect the princess here!" Welkin couldn't believe his ears. Why would a person like him order such scandalous idea?

"Well, mister Gunther. What's your decision? Whatever your plan is, I will win eventually." Townsend orders. "Then how about this? I'm counting to five, and if you do not give out an answer, the Valkyria blood will be spilled here. One..."

"Damn it! What can I do?"

"... Believe in my plan." Kuro talks back, making Uni's tremble her trigger finger.

"Two..."

"Kuro... this is a freaking real bullet! Do you have another plans? How about you just jump in already?"

"Three..."

"...Do it."

"Four..."

"DAMN IT!"

"Five!"

And with that, the bullet comes out of Uni's sniper rifle and heads straight towards its target, being Cordelia's head...

Only, to everyone's surprise, the princess suddenly yanks Townsend towards, making the bullet hit the Ambassador's shoulder. He screams in pain, but before he could shoot, the princess frees her right hand and back-hands Townsend in his face so hard that he unconsciously throws his gun to the air. Cordelia immediately grabs it and shoots the driver in the hand, causing him to drop his gun as well and scream while trying to cover the wound with his left hand.

Falling to the ground, Townsend tries to stand up, but Cordelia steps on his chest, completely stopping him from doing anything as she points the gun towards his face. The Ambassador tries to speak: "Y...Your Highness... we can talk..."

"Yeah, no way I'm letting that happen." The princess talks back, further surprising everyone by her way of talking. "The fact you tried to kill a leader of a nation right in front of her subjects would earn you a death sentence. Though..." Not moving the gun, the princess turns her head towards the descending Uni along with Kuro in her hands. "I have to leave the situation to her."

Uni, upon hearing what Cordelia just said, looks at the person who's in her hands, then recognizes the current situation, as she scowls the person in the middle of the scene: "For our sake, why the hell could you even think of that kind of idea KURO?"

"...KURO?" Now that makes everyone exclaim again in shock, as the 'princess' before them turns into Kuro, and vice versa to the other person.

"Of course, why else would I tell princess to tell you to shoot me right at the head?" Kuro just casually talks back, earning a facepalm from Uni. Then he asks the real princess: "So yeah, princess, what would you do?"

After thanking Uni for protecting her, Princess Cordelia walks towards and orders: "First, mister Kuro, please stand him straight up." Kuro just shrugs, then pulls the man up so the Ambassador faces the princess, as he puts the gun barrel right at his back. "Now, sir Townsend, I have heard everything in that APC. And I'm very disappointed. Normally I would do what Kuro said, however, since you're not Gallian, I will send you and your soldiers back to your land. And don't expect anymore attempts of making relationship from our countries." She then turns to the soldiers of Gallia. "Take him away please. And treat the driver's wound."

The soldiers, after snapping out of their shock, start to do their work. After a few minutes, only the princess, Uni, Kuro and some members of Squad 7 are left in the now quiet road.

And Uni punches Kuro right in the face. "YOU DAMN JERK! No wonder I felt something strange here! I took her off in the sky, and thanks to HIM I didn't drop her midway!"

Rubbing the bruise, Kuro replies: "Because I know you wouldn't do that." He then turns to Cordelia. "Sorry about the whole fiesta. It could have been much better."

"It's alright, mister Kuro." The princess bows to her savior. "If it's not for you, I might have been kidnapped for real."

"Still, that's one risky plan of yours." Welkin says. "I know you would be okay, but Princess could be caught in the fight."

"Well, Uni's there to protect her. Anyway, about Borg..."

"He will be removed immediately. Also Damon as well."

"Yep. Thanks for that."

"Wait, Damon is going to be removed?" Alicia asks, both in surprise and relief.

"Take quite a time, but I managed to find those documents..." Kuro pulls out a package of files. "That proofed that Borg did illegal stuffs under Cordelia's observation. Including having Damon promoted as well."

"And thanks to Kuro..." Cordelia continues. "I could pull myself out of the shell. From now on, I will directly lead the nation, not through anybody else."

"That's one good news I like to hear." Uni says in satisfaction. "Anyway... Kuro, how long did you talk to her so that she could follow your plans like that?"

"A day."

"... You just met her... right?" Faldio asks in confusion.

"Hey, told you I use power when I feel to. I just need to stop time and talk to her, so she could vent out all frustrations."

"I didn't think he could pull that out until I saw everyone stopped." Cordelia confesses. "But, it's a nice change of pace."

Uni sighs. "I should have known that you would pull that kind of thing out. I mean, you did that to the Queen of Gallia..."

That immediately earns a blush from Kuro, as he tries to hide his lower face with his right hand. Rosie asks in interest: "Oh? So you already knew about the Duchess of Gallia? Figure as much."

"Well, he's her husband and her protector, so..." And with that, Kuro covers her mouth with both hands, his face is in the last stage of red.

"...What? So that means..."

Before Cordelia could continue, Kuro immediately explains: "Wait a second, she's talking about a different Gallia, not your Gallia, Cordelia!"

"Different... come to think of it, his middle ring is made of sapphire... it might explain why he's taking quite an interest to our country, huh?" Eleanor then starts to see some reasons.

"It's not like that!"

"Isn't it, though?" Alicia decides to play along. "I mean, you two could be a couple..."

"NOPE NOPE NOPE! I don't want to hear it!" Now Kuro has released Uni, as he's flailing his hands in embarrassment and fright.

"You're in Gallia, so I think Charlotte could understand."

"IT'S NOT!" Kuro runs behind Edelweiss and tries to hide his red face, causing everyone to laugh.

"That aside..." Uni regains her breath first. "That's the real Kuro there. Very easily to be embarrassed."

Largo chuckles. "Now that's a good sight to watch."

Welkin follows the action, then says: "I think we should escort Princess Cordelia back before heading back to our place as well. It's late at night already."

"So, about Cordelia's suggestion..." Uni starts.

"NOPE! I already have Charlotte to deal with already! And I don't have the same feeling to her as Charlotte, okay?"

"How about as a father?"

"...*Blush* That doesn't mean I could stay here for long, okay?"

"Say that to Charlotte."

Chapter 10 end!

A bit of fan-service in the end for anyone who has followed me from before.

I decided not to finish the conversation with the Gassenarls, because I have a plan for VC2.

And yeah, don't say about Townsend being OOC. It's Kuro controlling his mind to put him deeper into the hole.

That's it, for now. See you all in the next chapters!