Chapter 26: Threat of war
Hey everyone, one quick thing before going to the story.
I have started a forum, it's called 'Something you might find interesting', it is mostly to collect ideas about the Trails series for other people to use; if you're interested feel free to go take a look.
Anyway, shameless self-promotion aside (haha), on with the disclaimer.
Disclaimer: -Inside the same train station as last time-
Me: Still no announcement about Trails of Cold Steel 3… I am okay.
And I don't own Trails of Cold Steel, enjoy!
As they entered the area where the lake was Gaius quickly noted that the boat was back, so the hermit should be back as well.
After leaving their horses and once again going up the stairs to the door of the cabin.
"…seems like there's someone inside". Rean said.
"Definitely". Fie supported.
"The hermit must be back then". Laura chimed in.
"Yeah, I'll bet he just came back from fishing". Gaius commented.
"Well then". Rean approached the door and knocked a few times. "Excuse me, is anyone home?"
"It's open, come on in!" What sounded like an elderly man's voice answered them.
"Eh?!"
"Alisa?" Laura called out, noticing her strange reaction.
"…um… excuse us, then". Rean also noticed but decided to enter and ask her later.
The inside of the cabin was… oddly decorated for a hermit, there were several shelves with books, four fishing rods in a perch, a desk with some pens and paper on top of them, a stand with a gramophone on top all against one of the walls, a window facing the chair to the desk.
A kitchen, a stove and shelve to keep plates and bottles against the opposite wall from the door.
In the middle of the cabin a round table with five chairs on top of a carpet.
However, almost no one from Group B payed attention to that, most of their attention was in Alisa whose jaw was almost hitting the floor while looking at the elderly man standing with a pipe in his right hand.
Wearing a blue short sleeved shirt, with a green fishing vest, white shorts and slippers; with gray hair, a moustache and a goatee of the same color and similar colored eyes.
"Hey! It's good to see you again, sir". Gaius greeted, not paying Alisa's sudden lack of ability to keep her mouth shut a second glance.
"Well, if it isn't Gaius! Haven't seen you around for, what, half a year now?" The man said with a calm smile before looking at the blonde. "And little Alisa's here, too! Why, I don't think I've seen your face in, oh, must be coming up on five years now!" He added as if he was saying 'hey, been a while' and not nearly as shocked as the blond archer, his smile widening a bit.
"You know each other?" Rean asked the obvious.
"G-". Everyone turned to Alisa. "Grandfather, what are you DOING here?!" Her yell almost matched the ones Class VII had heard when Sharon first arrived.
Except this was louder.
"Haha, why don't we sit down and I explain?" Alisa's, apparently, grandfather said with a chuckle. "I'll make you something to drink, make yourselves comfortable".
"Hmm… right…" Laura answered as everyone moved towards the table.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit by the way?"
"The settlement's truck broke; we were hoping you could take a look at it". Gaius answered.
"I see, I see… although that doesn't sound like something that'd be part of your field study". Gwyn said with a raised eyebrow.
"So?" Rean asked.
The older man stared at him for a moment before chuckling.
"Good point, young man".
"Why are you so calm about all this, Grandfather?!" Alisa asked, clearly exasperated.
"It's not the first time I've had visits". Gwyn answered innocently.
"…you know what I mean".
"Haha, let me just get you your drinks and we can talk, okay?"
The archer nodded, albeit reluctantly.
Two minutes later and Alisa's grandfather gave everyone a mug of coffee before sitting down.
"Well, I guess that's one way to be introduced, but let me give you a proper welcome; I'm Gwyn Reinford, Alisa's favorite granddad, pleasure to meet you all, Class VII". He introduced himself taking a sip of his mug.
"H-honored to meet you, sir; I'm Rean, Rean Schwarzer".
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, my name is Laura S. Arseid".
"I'm Fie Clausell".
"Ah, a promising group of young folks if ever there was!" Gwyn said cheerfully before turning to his granddaughter. "But you've sure done a lot of in the last five years, Alisa, you're taller; and… bigger… it does this old man's hearth good to see how easy on the eyes you've become".
"G-Grandfather, please!" Alisa protested, clearly flustered. "But forget about me! What have you been doing out here all this time?! Back when you disappeared from Roer, I'd never have believed it if someone told me THIS is where I'd find you! Do you have any idea how worried I've been?!"
"Oh, come on now; I send you letters a couple times a year, don't I?" Gwyn said back, not at all bothered by Alisa's glare. "And of course, I read all the ones you give to Sharon, too".
"S-Still…!" Alisa seemed about to start yelling again but stopped herself. "…have you been here the whole time these past five years?"
"Just about, I don't stay year-round, though". Her granddad confirmed. "I spend about half the year traveling around the continent, seeing friends or visiting the Empire".
"…I see…"
"Umm… Mr. Reinford?" Rean said earning the attention of Gwyn. "How did you know about our field study?" He asked, noticing his words from earlier.
"He raises a good point". Laura supported.
"And you don't seem surprised that we came to visit". Fie added last.
"Haha, well, it's just a coincidence the truck broke down when it did". The older Reinford began to answer. "But I admit, ever since Irina told me you were coming to the highlands, I figured I'd see you at some point".
That last sentence had Alisa widening her eyes in surprise.
"You still talk to Mother?!"
"Yes, indeed… though just the bare minimum". Gwyn nodded. "That girl's zeal for her work borders on unhealthy". He closed his eyes and sighed. "What did I ever do to turn her into such a workaholic?"
Said workaholic's daughter simply averted her eyes drawing a few glances from her classmates.
"Anyway, we're all done with our coffee, so let's head on over to the settlement and have a look at that truck, just wait outside a bit while I go grab my tools". Gwyn suddenly seemed to remember something and turned to Gaius. "Oh; actually, I caught a few good-sized trout, can you take them over to the settlement when you go?"
"Of course,". He answered.
Both got up and walked outside while the rest of Group B followed them with their gaze until they closed the door behind them.
"…so that's the former chairman of the Reinford Group". Laura commented once they left. "I wouldn't have imagined him to be so… easygoing".
"He seems nice". Fie said next, an 'easygoing' person was usually okay in her book.
"He's always been like that". Alisa said with a sigh. "Everyone loves him because he's all laid back and approachable, but mostly he's just capricious and irresponsible… and then, five years ago, he just…"
"Alisa?" Laura asked to prompt her to continue but she only growled, let out a sigh and murmured a 'never mind'.
"Let's get going; as soon as he's ready, we're going back to the settlement". The archer said.
They agreed and went to wait outside near the garage of the cabin.
In front of said garage, Gaius was waiting for them.
"You got the fish Gaius?" The black-haired swordsman asked as they approached.
"I put them with my horse". He answered. "If there is nothing else to do, should we head back to the settlement?"
"Hey Gaius…" Alisa said earning his attention. "You're on pretty good terms with my grandfather, then?"
"Something like that, we've only known him for a couple years, but all of us in the settlement owe him a lot; myself included".
The archer nodded at his answer in an 'I see' fashion.
At that moment Gwyn walked up to them from the garage, holding a toolbox by the handle with his right hand.
"Okay, we're good to go; you mind if I ride with one of you?"
That raised a few eyebrows.
"You aren't driving?" Rean asked in mild surprise.
"Nah, the engine's been acting up a bit lately so I'd rather not". He answered while pointing towards the truck inside the garage with his free hand. "Besides, how could I pass up a chance to get to know my granddaughter's classmates a little better?" He added with a smile. "Rean, right? Got room for one more up there?"
"He doesn't". Fie answered before the swordsman could.
"Oh… I see, then-"
"Gaius, you give him a ride please". Alisa interrupted.
"But Alisa, I already know Gaius a fair bit". Gwyn… whined… for lack of a better word.
"You're not riding with Laura". The archer said with half closed eyes.
"Hmm? I have no issue with him-"
"Just trust me on this, let's go now". Alisa interrupted the swordswoman while gently pushing her towards the horses.
"…well, let's get going then". Gaius said.
With the sun setting giving the sky an orange hue, Group B made their way back towards Gaius' settlement.
"So, how's little Sharon doing these days?" Gwyn asked, he requested Gaius to ride next to Rean and Fie so they could all talk, Laura was riding a bit ahead next to Alisa. "I heard she recently started working at your dormitory".
"That's right". Fie confirmed.
"She does a great job, I'm honestly amazed sometimes". Gaius added.
"True, if she told us that she jumped on top of the roof of our trains when we met at Roer, I would have believed her". Rean said next.
"Really?" His other two classmates asked.
"You wouldn't?"
"…" Both stayed silent.
"Oh, she is skilled at what she does, very much so". Gwyn agreed. "But more importantly, she's a real cutie!" He added excitedly. "She always has that lovely, reserved air, but there's a playful side to her, too; ah, I wish she'd sign on as my personal maid, that'd be the life!"
The other three couldn't help but sweat drop at the comment.
"But that Laura girl is really nice, too". The former chairman said next. "She's got that noble air about her, that hair you want her to let down AND… why are you getting away Rean?" He trailed off mid-sentence after noticing how the swordsman was moving further and further from him and Gaius.
"It's one thing when you talk about Sharon or your granddaughter but I draw the line at saying stuff like that of someone who is less than half your age and you just met". Rean answered, still maintaining his distance.
"Come on! You know you agree with me". Gwyn said back.
"That's beside the point".
"I'm with Rean on this; it's uncomfortable to hear you say that". Gaius supported.
"Thanks Gaius". The swordsman nodded to the lancer.
"Even I feel that's not something you should be saying". Fie chimed in.
"Fine, fine, I won't say stuff like that anymore". Alisa's grandfather relented, although he was still smiling. "So, anything you youngsters want to talk about?"
The three looked at each other before Rean spoke.
"If you don't mind me asking, why did you never tell Alisa that you were here?"
"Hrmm… tell me, Rean". Suddenly, Gwyn seemed a lot more serious. "What kind of girl do you see her as?"
"…well… I'd say she is a hard worker; in a great many respects".
"Oh, I have no doubt of it; she's good-looking, polite, as well-mannered as any noble's daughter, intelligent and that all comes naturally to her; it's not some persona she forces on herself".
"True, although she does have some flaws that come with all that". Fie commented.
"I'm not sure you should be saying that to the person's grandfather of all people". The swordsman commented with a nervous chuckle.
"Hahaha, don't worry, I am very much aware of that fact". Gwyn laughed. "One that sticks out in my opinion is her habit of trying to resolve everything without relying on anyone else for support; I'm sure it hasn't escaped the notice of three canny youngsters like yourselves".
"It does feel like that sometimes". Gaius answered.
"She always sees things through but she always keeps everything bottled up, like she never wants to let on to anyone that she needs help with a problem" Rean followed.
"I have a feeling the relations between her mother and I caused her to end up that way". The older person in the group continued. "Or, to be more specific, the conflict between the two of us". That comment in particular drew the three's glances. "That's why I didn't tell her where I was… but I'll leave it up to her to fill in the details about that". He then looked towards Rean. "I'm sure that once the two of you are a bit closer, she'll tell you on her own".
"…A bit closer?" The teen repeated. "I… think there's a misunderstanding going on here".
"Oh, is that so?" Gwyn asked, apparently surprised. "I thought there was a little something going on between the two of you after seeing your name come up in one of her letters".
"…there was that one accident at the start of the year". Fie thought out loud.
"Yeah but they sorted it out later on that same day and nothing has happened since then as far as I know". Gaius commented.
"An ACCIDENT, eh?" Alisa's grandfather said with a smirk. "Did you ACCIDENTALLY collide with her on your way to school, causing her to drop the toast she held between her sweet lips?" His smirk got a bit wider. "And as dust cleared, did the two of you find yourselves sprawled on the ground in an unlikely yet heart-racing position?!"
"I have no recollection of any sort of accident involving me and Alisa happening, ever". Rean answered in a deadpan tone that would make Fie proud.
"Really? What about the incident at the old schoolhouse?" The silver haired former jaeger asked.
"I have no idea what you're talking about". He said each word slowly to send the message of 'don't talk about that' to Fie.
"Soooo… something really DID happen, didn't it?" Gwyn asked a bit too happy. "Since Rean doesn't seem to remember why don't you two tell ol' Gwyn about it?! I want every last juicy detail!"
"Grandfather, please!" Alisa yelled, having gotten closer to the group while they were talking.
Unbeknownst to the group a girl with blue hair riding on top of the arm of a strange object similar to the training 'scarecrows' was watching them.
As soon as they arrived at the settlement Gwyn got to work on the truck, quickly fixing it.
And that night a banquet was held for Class VII, Gwyn and Norton at the elder's house.
Ivan's house was very similar to the Worzel's, two beds against the 'wall', a few chests and rugs and an oven in the middle.
Around said Oven now sat Gwyn, Lacan, the Elder and two other people from the settlement.
Near the beds Thoma, Sheeda, Lily and Cotan were playing.
Alisa and Laura were talking with Gaius' mother, Jedah, Kilte the attendant of the store and another woman the group doesn't know.
Meanwhile; Rean, Gaius, Fie and Norton were sitting at a table near the oven.
"I don't know what we'd do without you, Gwyn". Elder Ivan said raising his glass. "Here's to you, my friend".
"And to you". Gwyn mimicked the motion and both took a large gulp; he then turned towards Gaius' father. "Come on, Lacan; this booze isn't going to drink itself".
"Yes, yes…" He answered taking his own glass.
"I can still hardly believe it". Norton thought out loud from the table. "Finding the famous Gwyn Reinford out in the sticks like this".
"You know him, then?" Rean asked.
"Of course!" The cameraman nodded. "He seized on the opportunities of the Orbal Revolution to make Reinford the industrial powerhouse it is today and it's only gotten bigger since his daughter took over".
"They were originally arms manufacturers but they expanded and started working on orbal weapons and railway projects". Fie added.
"That's right, you're well informed, miss". Norton confirmed.
"Comes with the job". The former jaeger shrugged.
"…Ok? In any case, the company does business all across the continent, not just domestically; Gwyn has a refreshingly international outlook for an Erebonian businessman".
"I knew he was a keen man, but I didn't realize he was that famous". Gaius thought out loud after hearing the adult's explanation.
"The real mystery is why someone would walk away from that in the first place". Norton wondered. "Some people say he got ill and had no choice but to stand down but…" He looked towards the former chairman. "…look at him now! He's the picture of health". He then frowned in thought. "Maybe there's some truth to that old rumor after all".
"Oh? What rumor?" Rean asked.
"Eh, just something I heard a long time ago". The cameraman shrugged. "No real proof of it, and we at the Imperial Chronicle aren't in the business of printing baseless speculation".
As he said this Rean noticed that Alisa had just left the tent.
"Excuse me, Rean". Laura approached their table. "Would you mind going to talk with Alisa? She seemed… troubled by something".
"Hmm? I don't mind but wouldn't it be better if you go?" He asked his fellow sword user.
"No, you're definitely better company than me". Laura answered with a chuckle and a shake of her head.
"…if you say so… I'll be back in a while".
Outside the tent, the settlement was lighted by several torches giving it even more of a 'stuck in time' feeling.
'I want to take a picture'. Rean thought. 'Shame I left my camera back at our tent… later, focus now; where would Alisa be?'
A moment of looking around and he saw a yellow head just a few feet from the tent.
'Well, that was easy'. The swordsman began to approach and once he was close enough that he didn't need to raise his voice to be heard called out to her, making the archer turn around.
"Oh, Rean… wh-what are you doing out here? Did you eat too much?"
"My mouth says 'No', but my stomach's thinking, 'Yes'" He answered, how it was possible for the food to make you hungrier the more you eat, he will never know. "You doing okay? Laura mentioned you looked troubled".
"Nothing like that, I'm just feeling a little out of it". Alisa answered, a little too fast. "I'm just going to stay out here for a while and get some fresh air; then I'll be f-" Out of nowhere the world seemed to be spinning for the archer and she lost her balance falling face first into-
"Easy there". Rean quickly grabbed her by the shoulders.
"S-sorry about that…"
"We've been riding all day; it's no surprise that you're tired, riding a horse is a lot more tiresome than some people think". The black-haired teen assured her.
"I guess you're right…" Alisa trailed off while looking away from Rean. "Why didn't that occur to me before…?" She slowly moved away from the swordsman to stand on her own again, a frown clear in her face.
'I wonder what's up with her… well I know it has something to do with her family situation but I'm not going to pry into that unless she brings it up, still…' He trailed off noticing her frown.
At least until something caught his attention at the corner of his eye and he looked up.
"Hey, Alisa… look up at the sky".
The archer looked at him for a second before doing what he said.
"Oh… wow…"
Above them the sky was filled with starts as far as the eye can see, even some shooting stars could be seen for a moment.
"You know, I didn't even notice last night because we turned in so early". Rean said still looking up. "But now that we know, if you're out here to get some air, better to take in the starlight than look at the ground, right?"
"…you're right". Alisa agreed. "So, Laura told you to check on me?"
"…pretty much, yeah". The black-haired teen nodded. "How are you doing, honestly?"
"Fine… more or less". She answered. "You're not going to ask about my family?"
"Do you want me to?" Rean asked back. "I'm noisy and can't help but wanting to make sure others are fine but I'm not going to ask something that they may not want to talk about".
"I was under the impression you were the one to ask Fie what her past was and you were rather pushy about it".
"If you see a girl a year younger than you that seems to be better at fighting and carries around an explosive that you haven't heard about, not asking seems to be worse than asking". He defended.
"Hehe, fair enough… would you mind listening to me for a while?"
"Not at all". Rean assured her.
Alisa sat down on the grass before laying completely down, Rean opted to sit and lean back using his arms for support.
"My father was a technician; eight years ago, he passed away". The archer began. "My family was never really the same after that; Mother was director of the company back then, she focused all of her energy on making the Reinford Group even bigger". She took a pause and closed her eyes for a second before continuing. "She used to treasure our family, but after that, it's like she could barely spare a thought for us".
"Oh… she did seem like a talented business-woman when we met her; well… more than 'talented', to run the Reinford Group". Rean commented while looking at her.
"What you saw in Roer Station was just a watered-down version of her normal intensity". Alisa answered with a glare, not directed at him, before closing her eyes in thought. "We'd be able to have dinner maybe once every… three months? And that's being generous". She opened them again with a sigh. "But at least I wasn't alone; Grandfather and Sharon were always there for me".
"So that's how you became 'sisters', right?"
"D-don't mention that". Alisa stammered with a mild glare in his direction.
"Sorry, sorry, please continue".
"…in any case, my mother hired her about seven years ago". She proceeded, looking to the sky again. "Being a Reinford and all, I never had many people I could call friend when I was young; the nobles looked down on me, of course, but the common people treated me like I was different from them, too; at least with my grandfather and Sharon around, I never felt totally alone".
Alisa didn't notice but when she mentioned what the nobles did Rean's expression turned hostile for a moment.
"Grandfather introduced me to all kinds of different hobbies, like horseback riding and playing the violin; Sharon taught me self-defense and archery, and all the high society etiquette expected of a lady". He quickly recomposed himself and continued to listen. "Meanwhile, my mother kept expanding the company, completely against the wishes of my grandfather, the chairman".
"I see… though, hasn't Reinford always been a big industrial company?" The swordsman asked.
"Kind of, yeah". Alisa nodded while moving to a sitting position. "Even back then, they took on projects in all fields, from steel mills to railway construction to guns and tanks; it's not surprising there are people out there who like to call the company a 'merchant of death'".
'That's going a bit far'. Rean thought; sure, they make weapons but a weapon by itself isn't good or bad.
"I can't say I completely agree with that side of the company, but I've never felt embarrassed or ashamed about it". Once again, she glared at something that wasn't there. "But a few years ago, the Reinford Group finally went too far".
"What do you mean?" The swordsman asked, genuinely clueless about what she meant.
She turned towards him with a sad look.
"Those two railway guns set up in Garrelia Fortress on the eastern edge of the Empire? You know about those, right?"
And with that question he started to connect the dots.
"Yeah, I've heard of them". Rean nodded. "They're supposed to have the longest range of any orbal cannon in the world".
"I've only seen their spec sheets, but the destruction they're capable of is terrifying". She almost seemed to shudder when she said that. "Erebonia's still fighting with Calvard over Crossbell, and those guns are capable of targeting any point in Crossbell State". She suddenly turned as serious as when they were fighting monsters. "In just a couple of hours, they could wipe Crossbell City and its 500.000 citizens off the map".
This time, Rean shuddered.
'Now I can see why some people call them 'merchants of death''.
"That's way beyond being a weapon of war; more like… an instrument of massacre…"
"I couldn't agree more and neither could my grandfather, who supervised their construction". Alisa once again frowned. "Even though my mother was the one who signed off on the project, my grandfather regretted it like the decision was his; as he was hesitating over whether to hand them over to the Imperial Army… my mother betrayed him".
"What?"
"She went behind his back and secured the support of all of Reinford's major Shareholders". Alisa explained with an angry frown. "Everyone from Roer's ruling lord, Marquis Rogner, to the top brass of the Imperial Army was on her side; in the face of such overwhelming pressure from all sides, my grandfather was forced to capitulate".
"He stepped down and your mom took his place". Rean concluded.
"Yeah". Alisa nodded sounding sad. "That's when my grandfather decided to leave the company entirely… and me; I thought I'd at least have Sharon on my side, but she just did whatever my mother told her to do; it's been five years since then already…"
The black-haired teen stared for a moment to collect his thoughts before looking forwards.
"I think I get it now, why she gets under your skin, I mean". He began. "It's not so much what your mother did, but how it ended up tearing your family apart".
"Yeah…" Alisa trailed off. "I couldn't believe my mother would betray her own father, I couldn't believe Grandfather would take it without fighting back, I couldn't believe Sharon, who'd always supported me, watched it all happen without a word of protest". She gave a tired sigh. "It really drove it home to me; how big the Reinford Group was now… and how small I was; I hated realizing that it had become so large that corporate interests were stronger than family ties, looking back, I guess that's when I decided I'd leave home and enroll in the academy".
She lay down in the grass once more and gave a self-deprecating chuckle.
"Even when I ran, I couldn't go far enough to escape my mother's shadow, or the Reinford name; then I come here and find my grandfather happily enjoying a whole new life without a care in the world…" The archer gave another tired sigh. "When I stepped outside, I was feeling so lost, so frustrated… wondering what I'd been doing all this time…" She then smiled and moved a hand towards the sky. "But it's kind of strange, you know? I look up at the starts and it feels like I can escape the gravity of everything… I think I'm finally beginning to understand why my grandfather chose to leave it all behind and move out here in the first place".
"Heh". Rean involuntarily let out a chuckle. "You really are strong, Alisa; stronger than you realize".
The archer glanced at him in curiosity.
"You were finally ready to talk about it, about your family and the company and everything… so maybe you've found what you were looking for to move past that, right?"
"Maybe you're right". She said with a giggle. "But I don't think I would've been able to if I hadn't enrolled at the academy; meeting everyone in Class VII, the Lacrosse Club… you… I'm a better person for it; your support has already made a difference, so… thanks, for worrying about me and for reminding me to look up, not down".
"Hehe, I didn't mean it that way when I told you to look at the sky… but I'm happy to help".
"I know you didn't but still, thanks". She then sat up once again. "It's kind of strange to hear you tell me I'm strong".
"Why?"
"Because I could say the same thing about you".
Rean couldn't help it, he chuckled.
"Nah, I'm not strong". He said while shaking his head.
"You are; you always seem to get thrust into the role of leader, someone we can count on to keep us on track and you're pretty good at it".
"I simply try to do the best I can, running errands on the free days helps too". The swordsman said with a shrug. "I can't say I'm strong the way I am now, especially if I just keep running".
"Huh?"
"…remember back in Celdic?" He asked after some hesitation. "I said that I came to the academy to find myself but sometimes I wonder if maybe I just wanted to… get away".
"…do you… not get along well with your family?" Alisa asked hesitantly.
"Oh, I do; I'm not their real son, but my parents always loved me like I was". He answered happily. "My sister and I… we've had our differences, especially lately, but we still get along pretty well… the problem is me".
At the moment she didn't notice but Rean's choice of words was strange; he said that 'he' was the problem not that the problem was 'with' him.
Sometime in the future when she looks back to this conversation, she will notice it but not right now.
"Still, I suppose the fact you were finally ready to talk about it means that maybe you've found what you were looking for to move past that, right?" Alisa said with an amused smile.
"I have trademarked that sentence, you know? I could sue you for using it without my consent". The swordsman said with a wide grin.
"Hehe, ooh I'm so scared… still, I can't believe you can just say things like that with a straight face". She gave him an amused stare. "Maybe being on the receiving end every now and then will do you some good".
"I doubt it". He shrugged. "Still, I think that enrolling at Thors was the first thing I'd done right in a long time; I ended up in Class VII and now all of us are out here like this, spending time together".
"Yeah, I like that". Alisa agreed before flinching. "Wait… 'all of us'?"
"Ahem". Behind the pair someone coughed and looking back they saw Gaius, Fie and Laura.
"Since you were taking so long, we were getting worried". Laura said, using one hand to contain her giggles.
It was a shame that Rean didn't have his camera on him because Alisa's face upon seeing the rest of the group was priceless.
"N-no way… how long have you been listening?!" The archer asked while flushing in embarrassment.
"'Still, I suppose the fact that you were finally ready to talk about it means that maybe you've found what you were looking for to move past that, right?'" Fie repeated, her grin widening with every syllable.
"S-Stooooooop!" Alisa yelled, blushing harder. "R-Rean! He was the one who said it first! I was just r-repeating it back to him!" She stammered while pointing to him. "He also said that he could sue you if you use that sentence without permission!"
"Can I use it?" The silver haired girl asked him.
"Sure". The swordsman answered immediately.
"W-wait, why aren't you saying that you will sue her?!"
"Because she asked if she could use it". Rean feigned innocence while Alisa started to wish the earth would swallow her.
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about Alisa, those were very touching words". Laura assured her.
"I apologize for eavesdropping on you". Gaius spoke next. "But at the same time, I'm kind of glad I did".
"H-how did I end up in the middle of this, anyway?!" She yelled. "F-f-fine! If that's how you want to play it, none of you are getting any sleep until you've shared ALLLLLL your most embarrassing secrets!"
"Hmm? I'm afraid I can't think of anything to share". Laura answered.
In truth, there were some embarrassing things, it's just that most of them didn't register to her as 'embarrassing secrets'; but that's a story for another day.
"Not happening". Fie turned her down, still grinning.
"Pff hahahahaha". They all turned towards Rean to see him clutching his stomach while laughing heartily and letting himself lay down in the ground. "Well, since Alisa's plan doesn't seem like it will work, anyone wants to watch the stars with me?"
"That seems enjoyable". "Sure". Laura and Fie answered at the same time, they glanced at the other but quickly looked away, not wanting to ruin the moment, and laid down at each side of Rean.
"Don't mind if I do". Gaius said, laying down with his head towards his three friends and in a line with Rean.
"…fine, whatever". With a sigh, Alisa smiled before also laying down on the grass.
"…hey Gaius". Rean called out.
"Hmm?"
"This is a really beautiful place".
"Yeah… ain't it?" The lancer said with a calm smile.
The next morning.
After getting up everyone got together at the Worzel home for breakfast, sitting in a circle around the stove in the middle of the tent.
Starting from Lacan and going clockwise; first was Fatma, followed by Rean, then Fie, Alisa, Laura, Gaius, Sheeda, Thoma and Lily.
"Ahh, that was a great meal". Rean complimented.
"I don't think I could eat another bite…" Alisa added.
Last night, they had all stayed up till late stargazing, it wasn't until Fie had begun to nod off that they all went back to their respective beds to sleep.
"I am surprised we managed to eat it all so easily, considering yesterday's feast". Laura admitted.
"Well, you're all growing boys and girls, so eat up". Fatma encouraged.
"Riding takes a lot of energy, so I'd say eating like this is normal after a day out on the plains". Gaius chimed in.
"U-Umm… would anyone like more?" Sheeda asked a bit shyly, everyone shook their head adding a 'no thanks'.
"If there's any chicken left, we can wrap it in bamboo and take it with us". Her brother suggested. "Who knows? We might need something to gnaw on while we're out there today".
"O-okay!" Sheeda smiled.
"Let me help, too!" Lily joined in.
"I'll pour the leftover tea into some containers for you". Thoma added last and the three got up to do their self-appointed tasks.
"Ah, thanks". Rean said towards the three.
"You really are too kind…" The archer of Group B mumbled.
"You're our guests, what kind of hosts would we be if we didn't treat you as such?" Lacan asked back. "Anyway, here's the grand list of the tasks you'll be tending to today".
Gaius' father gave Rean the list, since he was closer.
"Thanks, let's see". The swordsman opened the envelope to see their tasks. "Hmm?"
"Something wrong?" Fie asked, noticing how Rean moved the paper to see both sides.
"There is only one". That drew the others' attention.
"I figured it couldn't hurt to give you fewer than yesterday". Lacan said before anyone could ask. "Feel free to take advantage of that extra time to do whatever strikes your fancy; maybe go off the beaten path a bit!" He added happily.
"…understood". Rean finally answered.
"You have our gratitude". Laura joined.
"Do you want to spend some more time with your grandfather today, Alisa?" Fatma asked out of nowhere with a giggle. "It sounds like you weren't able to spend much time with him yesterday".
"I… umm…"
"Gwyn stayed in the elder's home yesterday, right?" Rean asked.
"I imagine he ought to be up soon". The other sword user added.
"We can work on the tasks without you if you want". Fie offered.
"B-but…"
"Lacan! Are you there?" Before Alisa could say something, the Elder's voice called out and he along with Gwyn and Norton rushed inside.
"Oh, good morning". Fatma greeted.
"Morning, everyone". Gwyn said, although his expression said that there was nothing 'good' about it.
"Sorry to intrude". Norton added.
"Judging by the looks on your faces, it seems not all is well". Gaius' father guessed.
"I'm afraid you're right". Ivan confirmed. "We received word from Zender Gate just a short while ago". His next words sent a chill up everyone's spine. "They say the Imperial Army's watchtower has been attacked".
"It sounds like it all happened in the middle of the night". Norton followed. "And that's not the last of it, either".
"What do you mean?" Rean asked a bit fearfully.
"The Republican Army's base has been attacked too". Gwyn answered sending another chill. "This… isn't going to be pretty".
A few hours later once everyone finished their meal and helped prepare the settlement for evacuation.
"You sure you don't need us to help?" Rean asked.
"I appreciate your willingness, but we'll be fine". The Elder assured him. "We're used to the procedures for moving the settlement in case of an emergency".
"The same goes for you Gaius". Lacan quickly said, noticing his son's expression. "I assume you'll be heading to Zender Gate to learn more about the current situation from Lieutenant General Vander… not as a citizen of Nord, but as a student of Thors Military Academy".
"I will". He confirmed.
"Will you be staying here, Grandfather?" Alisa asked Gwyn.
"I will; I can use the truck, after all". The older Reinford confirmed. "And since I was here anyway, I might as well do what I can to get the settlement ready to move".
"All right, please take care of yourself".
"I'm sorry, Elder, Lacan". Norton apologized. "I feel terrible that I can't help you when you need it most".
"You have your own job to do, there's no need to worry about us". Ivan assured him.
"May the blessing of the winds and the Goddess be with you all, take care". With that Group B, along with Norton, quickly made their way to Zender Gate.
It was near 10 AM when they finally reached the base.
Just a glance was enough to tell that things were wrong, in front of the base were several tanks ready for combat.
"Looks like the Imperial Army's 3rd Armored Division…" Rean said worriedly.
"And it appears they're preparing for deployment". Fie added.
"Thanks everyone!" Norton said. "Let me go see if I can get permission to start taking photographs!" With that he quickly approached a soldier to ask.
"I wonder where Lieutenant General Vander could be". Laura wondered while looking around for him.
"We need to find him so he can tell us what's going on here!" Alisa added.
"I suspected you might show up". Someone said behind them, turning around they, all saw One-eyed Zechs approaching on top of a horse.
"Lieutenant General!" Gaius exclaimed.
"Did you have some business to attend to elsewhere, sir?" The black-haired swordsman asked.
"I thought I'd conduct another sweep of the area as a precaution". He answered. "But never mind that now, you came at the perfect time".
Group B looked curious, waiting for him to continue.
"A freight train bound for Roer departs thirty minutes from now, I want you all on board of that train; finish up your field study as quickly as you can and return to the academy".
"What?!"
"Sir, is that really necessary". Alisa and Laura asked.
"While things ultimately depend on the actions of the Republican Army the bottom line is that we may be mere hours away from armed conflict with the Calvard Republic". The lieutenant dropped that bomb. "I've already informed everyone at the settlement, did they not relay the message to you?"
"We can't just turn tail and pretend none of this is happening!" Rean all but yelled.
"…Lieutenant General". Gaius took a step forward. "Have you stablished which side attacked first?"
His question ended up surprising the others in Group B, not because of the question itself but the way Gaius spoke when asking, it was as if he had ignored anything else and just went to the hearth of the problem.
"That's what everyone should be asking". Fie chimed in.
"It's still under investigation". Zechs answered. "You have my assurance that the Imperial Army did not attack, we did not make the first move, nor have we retaliated; however, our army's watchtower was destroyed and several guards lost their lives, as the officer in charge of Zender Gate, I have a duty to act".
"So, there were casualties…" Laura murmured with a grimace.
"If we think that the damage in the Republican base was sabotage, how bad was the damage?" Fie asked earning a surprise look from the Lt General.
"…several of their facilities suffered major structural damage, their losses appear to be, at minimum, equal to ours; honestly, I'd estimate them to be far greater". As his words sunk in everyone arrived at the same conclusion.
"That doesn't make any sense!" Rean exclaimed.
"I'm afraid we've long since passed the point where leisurely discussing our possibilities was an option". Zechs regrettably informed them. "I will do all I can to avoid a full-scale war, but we're prepared for the possibility of armed conflict… and I suspect they are as well".
Group B looked down as images of tanks and airships fighting in Nord came to mind.
"…If that's your opinion, Lieutenant General". Except for one of them. "Will you at least allow me the chance to investigate what happened on my own?" Gaius asked, his expression and voice seemed calm but anyone looking at him could tell that he was anything but.
"I-investigate? On your own?" Alisa repeated.
"As I'm sure you're aware, I know the highlands like the back of my hand and when someone attempts to threaten the peace of my homeland…" He trailed off while closing his eyes and when he opened them again it showed how determined he was about this. "…I won't rest until I've unearthed the truth behind what's happening".
"…where should we begin then?" Rean asked.
"I think this also fall within the scope of our field study, too". Alisa added.
"No, wait". The lancer immediately turned around to look at his classmates. "This is the people of Nord's problem, there's no reason for you all to stay here and risk getting caught in the crossfire".
"You are staying here, aren't you?" Laura asked, already knowing the answer. "I believe that is reason enough".
"It wouldn't be the first time I'm in the middle of a battlefield and I'm not going to turn tail while you guys stay". Fie said next.
"Besides, it seems like your people have done a lot for my grandfather". Alisa chimed in.
"Gaius, we either all come back or we all stay". Rean followed with a smirk. "And if you're saying that you won't let us stay then I'll knock you out and drag you back with us, those are your options".
The lancer was taken aback and stared speechless at his classm- no, his friends.
"Heh, it appears you've lost this one, Gaius". One-eyed Zechs said with a chuckle gaining the local's attention.
"Lieutenant General, I…"
"It's currently, 10:05". Vander interrupted. "I will permit you until 12:30 to conduct your investigation". He said earning smiles from the teens. "I will do everything in my power to postpone any potential conflict until at least then".
"Thank you!"
"Thank you, sir!"
"We should make haste!"
"The watchtower is the best place to start".
"Sounds good, let's go".
Gaius, Rean, Laura, Fie and Alisa answered before running to their horses and riding off.
"Let's hope they find something". Lieutenant General Vander murmured before going inside the base, he had work to do in order to avoid the conflict.
And prepare in case a battle starts.
As everyone was making their way to the Imperial Watchtower.
"Thank you". Gaius said out of nowhere. "Really, I appreciate it more than you know".
"I-It's no big deal, honestly…" Alisa answered, a bit caught off guard both by him saying it out of nowhere and because of how serious he seemed to be.
"I agree with Alisa". Laura followed. "We're friends; we can't just leave you here while we go back".
"Agreed". Fie chimed in, earning a side glance from the swordswoman but neither said anything.
"I know you want to protect you people… but that's not the only reason you're doing this, is it?" Rean asked.
It was understandable to want to protect his friends and family, anyone could understand that, but they could just as easily be protected by moving to another part of the highlands; however, Gaius immediately jumped to wanting to find out who did this instead of wanting to go back to the settlement and help move.
"…you got me". The lancer admitted before taking a deep breath. "It ties back into why I accepted the lieutenant general's recommendation and entered the academy, too". He looked around the scenery. "I'm sure each of you feels the same about your own homes, but I love this land with all my heart; the wind racing across the highlands, the vast mountain peaks, the clear blue of the sky, the breathtaking beauty of the rising sun, the melancholy of the sunset, the twinkling of the stars in the twilight… I love everything about this land of Nord, it's a part of who I am".
"Wow". Rean expressed what everyone was thinking after hearing this. "I guess it hadn't sunk in how much Nord means to you".
"I-I'm certainly attached to Roer, but…" Alisa trailed off.
"I don't think I've ever heard anyone state their love for their homeland like you did". Laura added.
"Why did you leave then?" Fie asked bluntly. "If you love it so much going to the academy seems counterproductive".
"Heh, I'm not surprised you'd find it strange". The tallest member of Class VII nodded. "To be honest, I'm still not totally sure what compelled me to do it". He took a moment to gather his thoughts. "Back when I was a kid, the Republican Army built a base in the eastern plains and the Imperial Army responded in kind with their watchtower; it's made me more uneasy with every passing year".
The others shared a glance, understanding what he meant.
"Years ago, a traveling priest from the Sestina Church taught me all about the history of the continent". The lancer began. "One thing that stood out to me was just how many lives have been lost during the conflicts between the major powers; another major theme was just how profound of an impact the Orbal Revolution had on people's lives, even the concepts of time and distance have changed so much, in effect, the Orbal Revolution shrunk the world". Gaius grimaced as he said the next part. "It made me realize a sad truth, one that kind of scares me even now, that there was no guarantee my homeland could stay at peace forever; that one day, it might be drawn into outsiders' conflicts and be occupied and redistricted into oblivion".
Everyone stared at Gaius, who was leading the group, as his words sank in.
"I can't believe you were thinking about such weighty things even as a kid". The black-haired swordsman admitted with wide eyes.
"Does that mean you joined the academy so you could learn about the 'outside world' that posed a threat to your homeland?" Laura asked.
"Yeah… something among those lines". Gaius admitted. "When I realized how afraid I was, I knew I couldn't close my eyes, I wanted to do something, anything, to protect this land; as luck would have it, I met the lieutenant general, he's the one who told me about Thors Military Academy; one thing led to another, he offered me a recommendation, and before I knew it, I took him up on his offer". He smiled a bit. "So, there I was, green as grass, heading off to study abroad despite having no clue what life in the Empire was like" He looked at Laura over his shoulder. "Thinking back on how it all came together, what you said is probably what I was thinking back then".
"I think yours is probably the most incredible reason to join Thors". Fie gave her opinion.
"Haha… I have to agree". Rean supported. "I don't know too many people who love their home so much that they'd leave it behind to find a way to protect it".
"…it's not a sentiment I can imagine may Erebonians feeling, that's for sure". Alisa commented. "…but I think I finally understand".
"Hmm?"
"Oh… just an idle thought". The archer said when she noticed Laura's curious look. "But, having head Gaius pour out his heart to us, there's no way we can just walk away from this, not after the people of Nord gave us such a warm welcome and treated us like family".
"Took the words right out of my mouth". Rean said with a grin. "We'll get to the bottom of what's going here and stop the war from breaking out!"
"Nord may not be our home, but it has welcomed us with open arms, you have my blade at your disposal". Laura assured.
"Thanks, all of you". Gaius said. "Really… thank you". He felt really glad he decided to go to Thors.
To say that the watchtower had seen better days would be an understatement, a large chunk of the top was missing with signs of an explosion been responsible for taking it apart, a lot of parts from it where scattered on the ground and unlike last time every soldier there was on high alert.
"You can see shell damage everywhere". Rean thought out loud, looking at the damage. "It's even worse than I'd feared".
"They've confirmed casualties, too…" Alisa reminded. "I didn't think I'd ever have to see anything like this".
"I've seen worse… but not that many". Fie admitted.
"Do you think we might be in over our heads?" Laura asked worriedly.
"No, we have been in situations that looked impossible before and we've always come through". Rean countered, moving his horse to the side to look at the group. "We just have to stay calm and think, I'm sure we can do something here, too!"
"You're right!" Alisa nodded.
"My apologies, it seems I spoke out of turn". Laura said with a smile.
"Whatever we decide to do, we need to get a better grasp of the situation". Gaius commented.
"Yeah, let's find who's in charge and get their permission to start an investigation". The black-haired swordsman agreed.
…
After explaining the situation to the person in charge and getting their permission, not without been reminded to not interfere with the soldiers' duties, everyone split up and agreed to meet again in an hour to share what they find.
'Something's wrong'. Rean thought, he was standing in the platform looking at the damage the watchtower suffered.
He frowned in thought before raising his left arm towards it, standing in the direction the watchtower was most likely hit, and stood pointing at it, then looked at the base over at Calvard and used his right arm to point at it.
'It doesn't make sense'. According to Zats, whom he talked to before and tried to cheer up to no avail, the attack was made with shells but unless Calvard managed to invent shells that can curve in mid-air the attack couldn't have come from the base across the border. 'Then again…' He started to look to his right and, although a ways away from the base, it was possible to prepare mortar fire that would hit the watchtower at that angle from Calvard.
Rean could only groan in frustration, the only thing he did was discover that the attack could have been made from either somewhere on the highlands or at a distance from the base over at Calvard but no evidence of either.
'I should ask the soldiers if they saw anything but…' Rean trailed off, he had already talked with the only two people stationed in the base at the time of the attack that got off easy, all the others were injured and unconscious when they were transported back to Zender… or they were dead… and those two didn't mention anything about Calvard making any suspicious moves.
True, they might have been a bit relaxed given the fact that this area had never seen real combat but he doubts everyone would be unable to see mortars been moved and not inform someone.
On the other hand, maybe they did or maybe Calvard has a way to move equipment without been seen.
'Too many maybes'. He groaned internally.
"Hmm, Rean!" He turned when he heard his name and saw someone he wasn't expecting.
"Oh, hi Lander". The swordsman greeted him as he ran to him. "What are you doing here?"
"I made my way here as soon as I heard what happened". He answered. "I stopped by Gaius' settlement and they told me you went to Zender and they said you came here to investigate; did you find out anything?"
"Not so far, we're still going around trying to understand what happened; we're supposed to meet around 45 minutes from now". Rean explained.
"I see… do you know who attacked first, at least?" Lander asked.
"The Imperial Army denies having attacked first or in retaliation and I have no reason to doubt them". The black-haired teen answered. "But there are a few things that seem to indicate that Calvard wasn't the first to attack either…"
"So, you don't know". Lander summarized.
"Sorry, no". Rean admitted. "I have reason to believe the attack on the watchtower might have come from the highlands but it could just as well have been made from Calvard, albeit at quite a distance from their base, I'm afraid I don't know either way".
"Hmm…" The short haired teen closed his eyes in thought for a moment then suddenly opened and snapped his fingers. "If it came from the highlands, where do you think it could have come from?"
"…anywhere in the south, I can't be any more specific than that". The swordsman answered, albeit a bit confused by the question.
"And if it came from Calvard?"
"The only place I can see it coming from if they attacked is…" He trailed off pointing towards a place on the other side of the border. "Over there".
"You weren't kidding when you said it would have to be far from their base". Gaius' old friend commented. "But this is good then".
"...why?"
"You're saying that's the only place Calvard could have fired from, right?"
"According to a soldier the watchtower was hit by shells, unless they invented some sort of moving shell that can change trajectories, that's the only place I can see them firing and hitting this place where they did". Rean confirmed.
"Then I just have to go check it out". Lander said smiling. "If they fired from there then there has to be some evidence left, right?"
"Well… yeah, but going there now is dangerous".
"Don't worry about it Rean, I'm in good terms with the people at the base, my settlement is near it". The brown-haired teen assured him. "If I go and explain they'll let me search".
"Look, I don't doubt your word, but right now they are on high alert with the threat of armed combat, they may not want to let you do anything".
"I won't know unless I try". Lander countered and turned back, ready to go. "I should be able to come back around the time you guys are meeting up if I'm fast enough, if you have to go please tell someone here so I can ask them and follow you".
"Wait!" Rean stopped him. "I'm coming with".
"Wow, wow, Rean; I might be okay since they know me but you're an Erebonian, they won't let you get anywhere near the base".
"I won't know unless I try". He countered with his same words making him flinch.
"…damn it, Gaius wasn't kidding about you".
"And I'll ask you about that later, just give me a second and we'll go". Rean went away to talk with the soldier in charge of the watchtower, some words were exchanged and he gave him his sword and ARCUS before going back to Lander. "I asked him to tell the others where we're going, let's go".
"Why did you give him your sword and that other thing?" Lander asked as they ran to their horses.
"My sword, because if I appear armed it won't help our case". He said, quickly taking down everything his horse was carrying for more speed. "The other thing is called ARCUS, it's an orbment… a prototype and I don't think the makers will be happy if they learn Calvard got one from me".
Lander grimaced at his words.
'So, he is preparing in case Calvard decides to capture him'.
"Let's go, lead the way".
"…right".
With no more words exchanged they quickly made their way to the base.
"Anything I should know?" Rean asked.
Lander and him were about to arrive to the entrance of the base and the swordsman was, understandably, nervous.
"Be respectful, I can't give any more advice than that". Lander answered with a gulp.
"If that's all is needed then this should be easy". The black-haired teen tried to joke but it didn't really help.
Ten seconds later they saw the entrance to the Calvard base.
"Stop!" The two guards there ordered while raising their rifles.
Rean and Lander obliged and got down from their horses so they could talk face to face.
"Fritz, is that you? It's me Lander!" The person from Nord called out, that made them stop aiming at them.
"Lander? What are you doing here?" One of the guards asked.
Standing at 5' 10", the tan skinned man in his mid-twenties wearing the Calvard military uniform* with black hair kept short approached the two.
"Look, we're in the middle of something right now so I'll have to ask you to-"
"I know that why we're here". The lancer interrupted.
"…and who are you?" Fritz asked, looking at Rean.
"My name is Rean… I'm a student of Thors Military Academy". The swordsman answered.
And immediately got a rifle pointing at his head.
"Wait, wait!" Lander jumped in the middle. "I'll vouch for him; Rean is trying to figure out what happened".
"I can answer that for you; Erebonia infiltrated the base, planted explosives and then set them off!" Fritz yelled.
"We didn't do it". Rean said calmly, or as calmly as you can be when someone is pointing a gun at you. "I just came from the watchtower, I have reason to believe that there is something more happening here".
"Yeah, right! Hey, bring-"
"Fritz!" Lander yelled taking a step forward. "Don't you think something is weird here?" The soldier flinched at that question, which the person from Nord took as his cue to continue. "Why would Erebonia attack out of nowhere? Even more, why would they attack their own watchtower in the way they did, because I can assure you that they didn't came out unscathed". Fritz seemed to mull over his words and lowered his weapon a bit. "Look, we're here to find out what happened, Rean has reason to believe that the attack to the watchtower may have come from somewhere in the other side of the highlands, you don't have to let him inside the base just let us go where he thinks the attack would have come, IF it indeed came from here, you can even get soldiers to come with us if you want".
"…" Fritz stayed quiet for a few seconds, that felt like an eternity for the black-haired swordsman whose heart was about to burst from his chest.
"…bring me a horse and tell someone to come here to stand guard with you". He eventually said to the other guard.
"B-but-"
"I know the risks, just do as I said". He interrupted.
The other guard stared for a moment before going inside.
"I'll be accompanying you, if I suspect that something is off…" He trailed off.
The other two nodded in understanding.
…
Not a minute later the guard came back with a horse and the three started to move.
Rean lead the group, constantly looking at the watchtower to find the place the attack would have had to come from.
"Shouldn't you have checked with the officer in charge of the base?" Lander asked Fritz. "I'm not complaining but won't you get in trouble?"
"You're looking at the officer in charge". Both Rean and Lander turned to him after hearing this.
"Our captain was killed during the explosion".
"…I see". Rean murmured and went back to look at the watchtower.
"Fritz". The brown-haired teen approached and spoke quietly so Rean wouldn't overhear. "I hate to ask but I have to, is there any chance that the attack came from this side?"
"No". He answered in the same volume.
"Are you sure? Any chance it happened but you didn't know?"
"That's…" Fritz suddenly froze and widened his eyes in horror, making Lander gulp nervously. "There is one thing, some guy came to the base, said it was for an inspection on our mortars, someone mentioned that some of the mortars were damaged and would be replaced and he had already moved the damaged ones".
"Who?"
"I don't know, I didn't pay much attention at the time but…" The black-haired soldier trailed off.
"Hey, maybe the two things are unrelated". Lander tried to assure him.
"…let's hope so".
…
Ten minutes later they arrived at the area Rean thinks the attack could have come from.
It was a shame he came here under the current situation, the place was quite beautiful, it looked like most of the highlands with the surrounding mountains been the major difference.
"If the attack came from this side then it should be somewhere around this place". The swordsman said matter-of-factly.
"Hmm? What's that over there?" Lander asked, pointing to a piece of cloth colored like the surrounding area.
Fritz immediately moved his horse towards it, all the while muttering 'no, no' over and over.
As soon as he got close enough, he jumped down from his horse ran towards it and with one more moment of hesitation pulled the cloth off.
"…Aidios help us". The soldier muttered with a hand over his face.
"That's…"
"A mortar". Rean finished for Lander.
"Damn it all!" Fritz yelled. "Are you telling me the higher-ups want a war?!"
"H-hey, Fritz"
"What are those idiots thinking?!" He kept yelling for a minute before finally beginning to calm down. "…it seems our side really did attack first". The black-haired soldier murmured feeling dejected.
"…something's wrong". Rean thought out loud.
"Yeah, of course there is kid". Fritz said defeated.
"No, I mean… there is only one mortar".
"So?" Lander asked.
"According to the soldiers at the watchtower there was only one volley of mortar shells but only one shell couldn't have made the damage I saw". He explained. "Besides they said that there was smoke coming from the Calvard base before the shells hit…" The black-haired teen trailed off and moved his right hand to his chin in thought, a few moments later his eyes widened in realization. "A third party". He murmured.
"What was that?" Fritz and Lander asked.
"A third party". Rean repeated louder. "The attack couldn't have come from here but there is no other place that could have come from if it came from Calvard, which means it came from the highlands over at Erebonia's side, I don't know where exactly but I seriously doubt you could have sneaked in mortars without Erebonia noticing". The fuchsia eyed teen explained. "…hmm, no offense". He added as an afterthought.
"A third party, you say…?" Fritz seemed to mull over what he said. "…assuming everything you just said is true, although I can't rule out that you might be lying, that seems to be the logical conclusion".
"Mr. Fritz" Rean called out and moved to stand in front of him. "You said that you were in charge due to the circumstances". He bowed his head to be parallel to the ground. "Please, give my friends and I time to find out what happened".
"…are you sure you should be bowing to someone from Calvard?" The soldier asked, slightly taken aback.
"Nord is the home of a friend of mine". Rean answered, not moving from his position. "He loves his home and the last thing he wants is to see it in the middle of a war". He raised his head a bit to look at Fritz in the eye. "If necessary, I have no issue putting my forehead in the ground".
"…haha". The soldier from Calvard let out a chuckle. "To think that a kid would say something like that…this is completely off the record". He began, turning serious once again. "I am technically in charge of the base, my orders were to defend it and, if I find an opening in the Erebonian forces, to attack until someone comes to relieve me". Fritz looked at Rean in the eyes. "You have my word that, unless provoked, I will not begin any sort of armed conflict".
"Thank you!" Both Rean and Lander said at the same time.
"Now go back and find whoever did this, I have to report this and get some soldiers to guard it just in case, I'll tell them not to stop you".
With a nod the two got back on their horses and went back as quickly as possible.
As Fritz saw them move, he looked back to the mortar.
"Please, don't let this become a war". He murmured to no one.
As a soldier, he is ready to fight to protect his homeland and, if attacked, ready to retaliate.
But a fight because someone decided to play with them and force a conflict is not acceptable in his eyes.
'Funny, I actually believe in someone from Erebonia'. He let out another chuckle before grabbing his radio and call the base.
*: I don't know what the Calvard military uniform looks like, I tried to find out but I accidentally stumbled into some spoilers for CS3 and immediately stopped afterwards (I'm trying to avoid spoilers as much as possible) if anyone knows what they look like, and want to tell me, I will change it.
One more bit of shameless self-promotion, I created a forum called 'Something you might find interesting', feel free to go take a look if you want.
Anyway, omake time!
"She went behind his back and secured the support of all of Reinford's major Shareholders". Alisa explained with an angry frown. "Everyone from Roer's ruling lord, Marquis Rogner, to the top brass of the Imperial Army was on her side; in the face of such overwhelming pressure from all sides, my grandfather was forced to capitulate".
"…wait a sec". Rean said, took out his ARCUS and marked a number. "Hey, it's me, how much stocks I have of the Reinford company… alright, buy until I have over fifty percent… I know, trust me on this". Rean hanged up.
"What was that?" Alisa asked.
"Wait~" He answered playfully, a minute later his ARCUS rang again. "Did it go well?... Great, thanks, see you later". He hanged up again and got up. "Come with me".
…
Over at Chairman Irina's office.
The doors suddenly slammed open and Rean entered, followed by Group B, some security guards and Gwyn.
"…may I help you?" Irina asked, curious at seeing her father there.
"You're fired". Rean said simply with a grin.
"…excuse me?"
"You're fired; Gwyn is once again the chairman, now shoo". The black-haired teen made a gesture with his hand to make her move.
"This joke isn't-"
"Oh, but this is no joke, why don't you ask Sharon who is the major stockholder of the Reinford Company?"
"…Sharon?" Irina asked.
"One moment, please". She moved to a phone and dialed a number, a few seconds later she hanged up. "Umm…"
"Is something wrong?" Rean asked happily.
"What did they say?" Irina asked.
"…the major stockholder is called Rean Schwarzer". The maid said slowly.
"…WHAT?!" Irina yelled.
"Yep, in other words, I own you; so once again, shoo".
"I-I don't- how-?"
"Because I'm incredible at buying stocks, security, please escort her out". Rean said to the two guards, they complied and grabbed a catatonic Irina by the arms and moved her.
"B-B-but-"
"BEGONE THOT" Rean yelled as Irina was taken away.
"…I cannot believe this is how I got back control of the company". Gwyn admitted as dumbfounded as everyone else.
Maybe not one of my best works but I really dislike Irina so I wanted to do something like this.
Thanks to omegazero2718 for pointing out the 'Begone Thot' part
Anyway, you know the drill, I hope you enjoyed and I'm always happy to read reviews.
Until next time.