Once more Unto the Breach

In Druella's base camp, the kunoichi underwent treatment for injuries. The amazoness elder sighed as she administered healing spell, "What you did was truly reckless. Were you not ordered to merely stalk power individuals from Lescatie to report on their whereabouts?"

"We did that," Hinata grimaced as the pain intensified for a moment, "I followed the first and third princesses of Lescatie from Lescatie. Did you have any idea how difficult it was to stalk two powerful heroes without being spotted?"

"And you threw your cover away," the elder said, "just because you wanted to see how tough the princesses were."

"I didn't come all this way from Zipangu just to spy on things," Hinata snapped, "I want to fight too."

"You will get your fights," Druella's voice rang out, "but not yet."

Turning to face Druella, the monsters see her walking towards them, "I wanted you to stick to the plan, which was to draw the heroes out of Lescatie with diversions. Wear them down before attacking full on. Things weren't going well, you know. Nakamura told me that aside from repairing the northern detection wards, Mimil is also building some weird new mirror that functions as a detector. It will detect demonic energy deep within the northern forests."

"Damn," Hotaru cursed, "things are not going our way."

"Indeed," Druella said, "we might have to really get going with the plan. I was hoping to properly map the entire nation's defenses, but we only have an idea of the Lescatie capital. Time to switch out focus to the fortress city of Salvarision."

"Ah, Salvarision," the amazoness elder said, "I remember that castle was built years ago. The Noscrim's somehow managed to fund the building of an entire castle and dedicated it to his daughter. It is the base of the Order of the Knights of the Holy Ice Flower, the hero order built around Wilmarina Noscrim."

"Fucking Lescatie priests and their money," Druella said, "it is practically impossible to take any of the Lescatie fortress cities by force, not without massive casualties. That said, it was never my intention."

"Hmm," the elder pondered, "I imagine you are going to corrupt the heroes one by one?"

"Correct," Druella said, "that is why I order massive diversional attacks on Lescatie. The Order will certainly send a few heroes with each force, which will spread out their hero force. I can then go in and corrupt them one by one. Lescatie puts too much faith in their heroes. Fortunately, our squirrel units are good at gathering and sorting information. It certainly helps that the Order foolishly show off their heroes, making intelligence on them easy to gather."

"By the way," the elder asked, "what happened to Aeris and Adelais?"

"As we retreated," Hinata said, "they took up defensive positions in a few barns. I assume to rest before returning to Lescatie."

"Hmm," Druella muttered, "I understand."

She then turned and left, leaving the others to wonder what she is doing.

Druella returned to the cave, where Eliza resided.

"Have you done what is necessary?" asked Druella.

"I have," Eliza replied, "I resurrected many of the dead at the mass graves. I raised bone golems from the dead. Then I whisked them away through a portal spell. The good news was that there were wights among them, raised from the heroes of Lescatie who died in the plague."

"There is bad news?" Druella asked.

"I expended so much energy that the Order must have detected that something as wrong," Eliza replied, "and I expect them to act in response. Was raising the dead a truly wise decision?"

"Lescatie will send forces to the mass graves," Druella said, "and that means further depleting the military strength of the Lescatie capital."

"They might bring magicians with them talented enough to track the exit location of the portal," Eliza said, "and they might give chase. The amount of demonic energy I used was massive, so Lescatie might send a load of heroes to the mass grave. Then they could send them here with a spell of their own."

"Are large portal spells known to the men of this age?" asked Druella.

"I cannot guarantee that the answer is no," Eliza replied, "so what do we do?"

Druella looked up at the night sky, "One of these days, I shall personally enter action. There are two I wish to corrupt with my own hands. Wilmarina Noscrim and Francisca Lescatie."


Meanwhile, at Gali's apothecary, the medicine man prepared to end his day's work. He had made quite a few more doses of medicine. In fact, he attempted to grow penicillin on some moldy fruit. Based in what Astramille told him, the fungus was the key to a medicine that revolutionized medical history and saved countless lives. Gali sighed. He lacked the presumably complicated production chain that was necessary.

A knocking could be heard on the door.

"I am sorry," Gali said as he walked towards the door, "we are closed."

"I am not here for medicine," the female voice said outside, "I am here for information."

Gali opened the door. Outside, a female figure stood. She wore a surprisingly skimpy outfit, consisting of knee-high boots, a shirt that exposed her midriff, a cape, a pair of gloves and a large hat with a few feathers sticking out. Metallic cross-shaped ornaments could be seen all over her outfit. An armored skirt held up by two belts stuck out almost as much as her massive breasts. A hand cannon is holstered on one of her belts.

"You're Paula Tronmail, aren't you?" Gali asked, "One of the three musketeers of Lescatie."

"Indeed," Paula said, "and I have come here for Astramille."

Now Gali was genuinely shocked. How did Astramille get involved with Paula? Paula is a hero belonging to Wilmarina's Order, a part of the legendary Three Musketeers of Lescatie. They are based in Salvarision, which is to the North of the Lescatie capital. While word of his eccentric behavior may have reached the city, it still didn't explain why Paula would be interested in him. Astramille pissed off high level Lescatie authorities more than once, though Chief God bless him, he has learned his lesson. Yet the man asked for his assistance in escaping, and he will have it. Gali knows he has to be careful with his words. He needs to be truthful, yet not expose Astramille's whereabouts. Paula could be a part of a mission to assassinate Astramille, or at least to find him and bring him to the Lescatie Inquisition. Come to think of it, the latter is worse.

"I am sorry," Gali said, "I do not know where he is right now."

Technically true. Astramille should be on the second floor, in one of the rooms. Gali knows saying he doesn't know where he is can be considered true.

Paula's eyes widened, "Is that why he entered this store? He was running from Aeris?"

Now it was Gali's turn to be shocked, "You saw him!?"

"Yeah," Paula explained, "I came to the capital on official duty and I saw him rush into your store as if something terrifying was chasing him."

"Well," Gali said, "an angry Aeris is terrifying. But that doesn't explain why you are looking for him."

"I need his help," Paula said, "on a vital matter. The life of one of my friends is at stake."

"Astramille cannot recreate miraculous medicines," Gali sighed, "any more than a peasant can craft a sword."

"I don't need medicine," Paula interrupted, "I need someone who is good at politics and understands human interactions."

Now Gali is seriously confused. But he also understood. Perhaps Noscrim had spoken highly of Astramille to some other people, and Paula heard. Or she was simply stunned that Astramille had managed to manipulate Noscrim into helping him and wanted borrow Astramille's abilities.

"What do you want from him?" Gali asked.

So Paula explained. The revelation was shocking. Alameria Crescentria, a hero of Lescatie and one of the Three Musketeers of Lescatie, is actually a monster girl. At least, that is what Noscrim's political opponents are saying. Gali had never heard such bullshit in his life before. Alameria was found when the Order fought off a monster invasion. Her parents were killed in the attack, leaving the young girl behind. She was adopted by the Order and became a hero with the Chief God's blessing. The idea that a monster could deceive the Chief God into giving her power is borderline blasphemy, an insult against her divine omnipotence. It also insulted Alameria. The young lady is well known for her swordsmanship, which was not only lethal, but also glamorous in a way that no other hero of Lescatie could match.

Basically, against the will of Noscrim's faction, the opposing faction basically detained Alameria in a dungeon, in preparation for a secret execution. All the heroes of the Order of the Knights of the Holy Ice Flower tried to convince the Order to not kill Alameria, but they could not convince the clergy.

"So," Gali said, "you want Astramille to speak to the order and convince them to not kill Alameria? But if all the heroes, including Wilmarina herself, couldn't do it, what makes you think Astramille can? I mean, even High Priest Noscrim can't save her."

"I don't know," Paula replied, "but he is our last hope. My last hope."

Gali contemplated what to do. Should he bring Astramille down to help her? The man said he wants to escape Lescatie to avoid the authorities. Bringing him into this conflict would be sending him to the authorities on a silver platter. Yet Paula is genuinely distressed. What should he do?

"Hey Gali," a voice rang out, "I have gotten all of my stuff ready. Are you-"


Astramille was happy. He had gotten all of his shit together. He was going to leave Lescatie tonight and head for Welsple. Of course, Astramille knew there will be dangers before him, but there was also adventure.

But Astramille descended the stairs, all his hopes were dashed. Because Gali was talking to a person.

Oh shit, Astramille thought, I have been spotted. I have to play it cool. Perhaps this girl doesn't know me?

"Astramille!" the Western cowgirl said, "it's you!"

FUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKK!

Despite swearing on the inside, Astramille forced himself to smile, "Oh greetings, ma'am."

"You're here!" she said, "There is hope!"

"Wait, what?" Astramille was surprised, "What do you mean?"

So, Paula launched into her long winded explanation again.

"So," Paula said, "can you help?"

"Help you?" Astramille said, "What makes you think I can do that? The heroes of Lescatie and Noscrim's faction couldn't save her. What makes you think I can do anything?"

"I have faith in you," Paula said, before quickly adding, "and I am willing to help you in return."

Astramille paused for a while as he contemplated his choices. Tonight is the night he was supposed to escape Lescatie and attempt to start a new life. Ge can't afford to stop to hep anyone. Not to mention that of he chose to help, she might run into Aeris again. It was a risk he was not willing to take.

Yet what choice did he have? What is there stopping Paula from grabbing him and handing him over to the Inquisition? Not much, really.

Astramille cursed himself for coming down so early. So, fuck it, if Paula has true faith in his abilities, he may as well use it to his advantage.

"Well," Astramille said, "you are asking much of me. So I shall ask of you in return."

Paula's eye lit up, "Really? I will do anything to save Alameria."

Astramille gulped as his eyes quickly passed over the hero's massive breasts and exposed midriff.

Calm down, I am not an ecchi isekai-trash story.

But his eyes fell on the gun holstered at her hip. The weapon seemed otherworldly, one that did not appear to belong in this medieval shithole.

"Can you show me your gun?" Astramille asked.

Paula hesitated for a moment before taking her handgun out of her holster and handing it to Astramille.

Astramille looked over the weapon. The massive handgun had to be the size of a sawn-off shot gun. The weapon appeared to be some kind of revolver but lacked a cylinder. Instead, the ammunition was held around a central construct by a massive cog-like construct. The gun itself appeared to be cog driven, a mechanism that Astramille has never seen before.

"Well?" Paula asked, "What do you think?"

"I don't know how this gun works," Astramille replied, "but based on first impression, this gun is far more advanced that I expected from here. Yet it is also needlessly complicated."

"Whoa," Paula seemed impressed, "you are so knowledgeable. Indeed, these guns are relics from an ancient civilization that predates Lescatie. The Order has tried to reverse engineer the weapons, but failed. These cannot kill, only injure."

"Then this weapon is worthless," Astramille said as he handed the gun back to Paula, who pouted, "but there is hope that real guns can be built."

He paused for effect, "If you wish for my assistance, then I would like you to guarantee my safe passage from Lescatie, as I wish to move to Welsple. But if you can't convince the order to spare a hero, how can you convince Aeris to spare a heretic?"

Once again, Paula fell into despair, "Can you really do nothing?"

"I could," Astramille said, "but I will need some allies."

Paula looked at Astramille expectantly. There was something about her, being so willing to trust a complete stranger and willing to travel from another part of the country to meet him. Naïve, almost foolhardy. Like the airhead trope from anime. Perhaps this was a harem isekai trash story. Too bad he isn't an overpowered male self-insert. That said, a girl with boobs the size of her head isn't attractive in the 3D world. Regardless, someone with this much faith in him is a person Astramille didn't want to let down.

"First of all," Astramille said, "I am practically a heretic here. Luckily, I do have a few potential allies who might be bothered to help. If you want to save Alameria, then I need you to do the following."

Paula nodded. Astramille then proceeded to detail his plan. Firstly, Paula is to travel to the castle and inform King Castor that the order are about to execute an innocent hero without trial. Then, she is to tell Adelais that Astramille is alive, well and in need of her help. After that, Paula should go to Sasha Fullmoon's orphanage and tell her Astramille needs help. Then, Paula should tell High Priest Noscrim, his faction and the entire Order of the Holy Ice Flower that Astramille will assist him in saving Alameria. After that, Paula should enlist the help of Mimil.

Then, when all this is finished, Paula is to come back and inform Astramille.

"Thank you so much for offering your help," Paula said, "what can I do in return?"

"My help doesn't come cheap," Astramille said, "now it is time for me to name my price."

Gali glared at Astramille almost threatening him silently, Don't you dare demand something indecent.

"The first thing I want is your gun," Astramille said.

Paula seemed shocked, "I…I can't give you this."

"Well then," Astramille said, "if not that, then I want another one like it. Alameria and Olivier both have one but never use them, right? That's why you are called the three musketeers of Lescatie. Then my price is one of their guns."

Paula paused for a while, then nodded slowly.

"Go home for now," Astramille nodded at her, "come back to me when you have done everything, or send a messenger."

Paula thanked Astramille before leaving.

"So, you're really gonna help, even at risk to yourself?" asked Gali.

"The risk is minimal," Astramille said, "for starters, I will have the backing of my old acquaintance, High Priest Noscrim. Along with all the heroes and clergy of the Order of the…uhh."

"Knights of the Holy Ice Flower," Gali added, "so you are getting powerful allies, yes?"

"Including Sasha Fullmoon," Astramille continued, "and Mimil."

"Why those heroes?" asked Gali.

"Mimil will certainly be interested and play an important role in determining whether Alameria is really a monster, not to mention she seemed friendly with me," Astramille replied, "and Sasha is a person who thinks she's everyone's mother. She will be important in defending Alameria."

"Impressive," Gali nodded, "but what will you do after all this?"

"I will try to leave," Astramille responded, "and this time, I hope I can leave without having to go to absurd lengths to hide myself. Not to mention I would have gotten an ancient weapon. But for now, I must prepare to take on the authorities of Lescatie."

He paused again.

"As the great writer William Shakespeare would say, once more unto the breach."


Hey, people, I am back again. The plot twists again. Astramille decides to stay for a few more chapters for teh lulz and for an ancient weapon. This time, he will be doing the impossible: convincing the Order to spare a hero who is actually a monster girl. But he won't be alone. This time, Astramille will have plenty of support.

And yes, the three musketeers of Lescatie is considered canon. Yes, the order somehow let an orphaned monster girl into Lescatie. Yes, the Chief God empowered her to be a hero without checking whether she is even human.

Anyway, leave a review if you wish. I want to see if my introduction of new canon will be welcomed and whether it will be successful.

Oh, and one last thing. Stay safe in this coronavirus pandemic.