Sorry for the late updated. My back was killing me for several weeks. Damn it hurt like hell. Anyway, next chapters will not be updated soon because they are longer than usual and my work are a little bit tense right now
the daybreak light from the horizon shined through the fog hugging the capital as a lover.
"Good morning, your highness" The voice of Ere, the maid of Pina, speaking softly from behind the velvet curtain
"Hello" Pina replied. She stood outside the balcony, wearing only a long nightgown of milk. Below her, the largest city of Falmat, Son Augustus' pride of pride began to wake up. Somewhere, she heard a hammering sound and a small column of black smoke rising west of Zirck district, followed by dozens of smoke columns and the chord of steel began.
In the morning, as usual, the city often brought on itself a rich aroma from Junker Street, where the bakeries, meat stalls and spice markets stood close to each other, ready to serve hungry costumers who had copper, silver coins in their pocket. But thanks to the blockade order, Pina could only smell the burnt coal and beef fat. The forges district was the only one that was almost unaffected at all and even more bustling than ever before because the Crown Prince wanted four thousand more sets of armor, eight thousand spears, and tens of thousands of arrow heads by the end of this week.
"Breakfast is ready, princess." Ere said "Boiled eggs, bacon and red grapes. Your favorite appertie."
"Red grapes?" If Pina remembers correctly, It wasn't the season for red grapes "Are you sure about that?"
"Yes, your highness. It is definitely a red grape. I saw it with my own eyes when it was carried through the palace gate on the cart. At first, I was a bit surprised because I knew the grape harvest had passed a long time ago but the Colbian, the cook told me that this grape did not grow on our land, they come from Japan. "
So the mystery has been solved. Pina didn't know if it's a grape season in Japan or not, but after all the miracles she had witnessed they performed, forcing fruits growing out of the season would be as easy as eating a cake for them.
Sitting at the end of the table, Pina's stomach boils. She spread butter on bread then swallowed with a small piece of meat. But when she broke the second egg, she had no stomach to eat anymore. A bloody chick came out of the egg through the crack, falling straight down into the silver tray.
"Ere, throw this away." Pina ordered "And bring me some wine."
a wine pot was brought up. It had a spicy and acrid, sweet taste. "Your Clothes are ready, princess." The maid said "Do you want green enamel armor or chainmail?"
"I'm not with the Knights today. Get me the Palla."
(The palla was a woven rectangle made of wool that the matron put on on top of her stola when women went outside. They could use the palla in many ways, like a modern scarf, but palla is often translated as a cloak. A palla was like a toga, which was another woven, not sewn, expanse of cloth that could be pulled over the head. )
A day after the ceremony, Zorzal summoned Pina to the court and announced that she had been appointed as the new governor of the capital city, replacing Farrin who had just been removed from office three days ago. The man was brave enough to oppose the blockade of the city and foolish enough to do it on the floor of the senate.
Standing in front of the throne that once belonged to her father, in the room she had been in for hundreds of times, Pina felt strange. To her right was podigal boys of Giffin's March who just returned home from Japanese prison. They looked at her with eyes that were half-contemptuous. I should have let them die in there. Fabio Marak with a half-smile on his lip and roses on his colorful suit slightly bowed to her while his cousins giggled to that. Standing near the ladder was Halon, Master of Coin, a sixty-year-old man with tracheal disease, coughing so hard that people would think he was about to die at where he stood. Zorzal decided to keep Halon in his court. Perhaps her brother thought an old man who had already stepped one step into the grave would cause no harm to him.
She also saw many other mirrors: Soren, Zorzal's best friend and his sullen brother, Anthony's ebony hairstyle with a cape, Veserny the Handsome sat on the step below the throne, a golden hilt Galdius lied on his lap, his face was like a young hero on the reliefs at Jade Palace and ... Tyuule. The former rabbit queen stood next to the treasure, the bells ringing sweet melody in every movement of her. Since Zorzal came to power, the frequency of Tyuule appearance had been increased considerablely. In the past, Pina had only met her a few times in front of her brother's place but now, she was everywhere. Almost Zoral brought his pet everywhere he went.
Ere helped her change her clothes. Palla of aristocratic women was always fussy, so it could not worn by onself. Tightening the belt and installing the buttons was easy part, but it was extremely difficult for Pina to tie all the string on the back by herself. This was the outfit she wears when she arrived at Japan month ago. For convenience, she and Bonze took turns dressing each other.
"You should order a new suit, your highness. This is too old." She had a collection of evening gowns, Stola and many set of armor but only one Palla. Pina doubted that there would be a day she was given a small position of power , let alone put her butt on the seat of the Capital Governor. Having been allowed to practice swordplay by her father and having a private order of knight was too lenient.
"There is no time to get a new one" Said Pina "And I am not planning to be a public bird in the meeting room."
"I'll call the tailor tonight." Ere corrected the robe on her shoulder. "And even the silversmith, please forgive me for speaking out of tone but your collar is even worse than your Palla. You are a princess and not a cow."
Pina couldn't help laughing at that statement. Even a laundromat's daughter also pouted when she saw the thing wrapped around her neck. That gorgeous gold bracelet with twelve oversized rubies always made her neck ache. Many times she also tried to throw it away but then gave up because it was a birthday gift of the Emperor anyway. Her father was very knowledgeable in many things, but his aesthetic sensitivity was really bad.
"Do you need a guard?" Ere asked "Should I send a word to Grey or someone else?"
"No and you don't need to follow me either. The Governor's job is quite boring and Farring's servants still remain at the his quarter "
In fact, it has become much more stressful when residents started starving, the emperor was still on his sick bed, robbing and stabbing slowly became part and parcel of Sadera capital while thievery were so common that the local population had to take the matter into their own hand by chopping the hand of perpetrators then hanged them near their doors.
I should have turned down this godamn position at first.
Anh she almost succeeded at that if not for the bastard Soren and his rotten mouth.
"The Rose Knights have proven that they are not some fancy collection of damsel and weeping boy" he said, "Princess Pina is the only one who can sustain the Emperor's peace in the present moment."
The capital council room is located south of the palace, next to the royal garden and opposite the arena. This area was nearly considered to be outside the royal keep , so the number of guards was low and no one wore purple robes (only the emperor guards will wear purple robes). This will cause Pina a lot of trouble. Zorzal had not been able to control the Royal Guards, despite having Boros fired. They were loyal warriors to her father all the time while each of the guards here could be the ears and eyes sent by Zorzal to monitor her movement. It was this fear that drove Pina to use Mizari as a pigeon instead of Bonze or Panache. How many people would suspect a Harpy girl when the best thing she could ever do was to get drunk and spread her legs?
When the large and thick wooden room door of council room opened, Pina noticed three men waiting around the large table. Hermish, commander of the city watch with his left leg was longer than the right leg, standing with one hand placing on the edge of the table in the black protrusive black Gamberson. He was really a beggar at the party because the other two were so impressive in term of clothes, hair and perfume. The Toga of Loren El Deconte was as gray as the autumn sea, bronze brooches buttons with eagle sigil. Dimits Noharis was somewhat simpler, but Pina wonders if a person who looks after the sewage system of the capital really needs to wear so many rings?
"We are honored by the presence of you, Princess." Loren bowed and kissed her hand. "Yesterday, I was worried that they would let one of the Giffin's March brothers sit on the governor's seat.
Did Zorzal kick out his uncle or grandfather? El Deconte was an old and pround family in the Empire with dozens of small branches. There were too many El Deconte in government body that people said that Anthony El Deconte would be smiling in the after life, seeing his deed had paid off so well.
"A bunch of enthusiastic but inexperienced young fellow." Hermish judged "I know Mr. Ranov of Giffin's March. We used to fight side by side in the battle of Carenhall. A good man but married to a bad wife."
How old was she when the Water Well battle took place? Probably two or three, Zorzal was four, and Dialo was still a infant. Gray was also at Carenhall like Hermish but as a promising twenty-three-year-old knight while Hermish was in his forties. She Hoped the old commander did not die of a heart attack during her time in office.
"That's enough courtersy for the moment." Pina said, trying to sound royalty "We still have a city to govern, gentlement"
"We are here to serve you, Princess" The three sat down simultaneously. Somehow she had an intense feeling that she did not belong here, with these men.
"As the man in charge of city's commercial matter, I think I should be the first one to report" Loren smirked and opened his thick leather book. "Sorry to announce that the tax revenue is reduced by more than half."
" Why ?" Hermish asked, "As far as I remember, the taxes did not change for years. Even when we advanced through the Gate, the Emperor did not raise taxes and the people were very pleased. Why they did not submit ? "
"Because they have no ability to pay their taxes anymore." Pina said. Was Hermish blind or Was he just too stupid?
"Since the city was blocked, exporting goods of the capital is getting fewer day by day and even fewer products from the outside can go throught the gates. No need to say how this have devastating effect on local commerce or any kind of trading that we know. Things like dyes, jewelry, fabrics, brocades, olive oil we have plenty but i cant say the same about wheat at the moment. Now a sack of wheat is worth the equivalent of seven or nine Drechma and soon, wealthy ladies would sell their diamonds to have a grain of wheat. the imperial coin is losing its value because, as you are well awared, that people cannot eat gold or silver to live. The situation demand them to use all the money they have to store as much food as they can. Good for them but bad for us because we have no coin left to collect. "
"Just collect what they have." Hermish suggested "Now bread instead of coin until the situation is improved"
"That wont do any good" Dimits shook his head "The blockade is only temporary, who knows whether it will be in effect or not within the next few months. If we act foolishly, mold bread will be piled up in the warehouse and there will be a giant hole in city's budget "
"Well ... that's hard" He turned to Pina, asking for advice "What does you want us to do, Princess?"
"Temporarily, just put aside the tax matter" Pina said, "It is very clear there is no better way to slove this problem than lifting the blockade and you know what happens to the Farring right?" Zorzal would not dismiss her but he would ignore her while assholes like Fabio Marak, Veserny, and Anthony had a chance to laugh at her face. "Now let's talk about something else. I ordered Bozes to recruit more soldiers to join the city watch. Hermish, how thing going?"
"It's not too bad to be said, princess." The ludicrous commander scratched his smooth chin. "Most of the new recruits lacked combat skills, some even didn't know how to count to twenty but overall they did used some kind of weapon before. "
And how could he think it was not too bad!? Pina have no idea what was wrong with her City Watch commander anymore
"Is a kitchen knife considered as a weapon now?" Pina glowed "They have to be trained with sword, spear and shield, do you understand me?"
" Yes Of course! Three weeks is enough."
"Two," she corrected him. If necessary, she would send Gray or Penache to support Hermish "Mr. Loren will take care of the pay."
"Can the city budget afford them?" Dimits asked "We already have three thousand men to pay, am I wrong?"
"Right now wouldn't be a matter but not for long. How many people you have Lord Hermish?"
"About one thousand." The commander chucked "I have kicked out every boys and old men who stupidly thought they could get cheese and bread for free "
The meeting lasted until noon with Pina's boredom and Loren's giggle overshadowed every subject they brought up . Dimits Doharis talking non-stop about the necessity of dredging sewers as well as building new ones in place of those had collapsed or been heavily damaged. Loren repeatedly shook his head, claiming that they had no money for such task. Hermish fell asleep during the argument, the old man only waked up when one of them raised their voices but then went back to sleep.
"At least, there must be a way to stop those damn moles." The glamorous aristocrat said, "Those tunnels will cause subsidence to the ground above. Imagining an entire house or block of buildings buried into the ground after a heavy mid- night rain. I would be a disaster that we cannot afford"
"Moles?" Pina was surprised by that " I dont expect little creatures like them are that devastating"
"Smugglers, princess. They dig tunnels that lead to rivers bank to transport goods. I asked Lord Hermish to send people down there to drive them out several time, but still he did nothing."
"There are hundreds of secret passageways, tunnels are just big enough for a dwarf, and all sorts of only Hardy know what they are. What do you want me to do?" The commander of city watch raised his voice at Dimits "My people just didn't know the way wasn't the worst thing, they had to find the enemies in the dark and for the reccord, smugglers werent unarmed. They are equipped to the teethand fight like wounding beast. I lost twenty-seven men last time and If you still want to destroy those tunnels, you can do it yourself, but like I have said before they will dig some more sooner or later fasster "
"Akusho is the headquarter of smugglers and criminal in general. I think it's time for us to cut the head of the snake." Loren suggested "What do you think, your Highness?"
"I think it is going to be a waste. Many men who were greater than you and I had tried and fail"
Akusho is the refuge of criminals, prostitutes, slave owners and those hated by the Empire. No one knewsexactly when Akusho slum was established, but it was clear as day that dozens of generations have been born and died under the shadow of shabby buildings with roof just waiting to collapse, surrounded by the smell of feces and urine. Sadera went through six sieges, two big fires and his suffered countless floods. Many great temples and palaces were nothing now except rubble but somehow, Akusho still survived despite all the odd.
"They would lay low or run away if we rush in with a large number of troops" Hermish said "And If you send too little men, then ... a massacre " He then turned to Loren. "Speaking of Akusho, Who are in charge now?"
"The Gonzori, Medusa, Paramount and Bessara families. Well, My mistake, Bessara was killed months ago, the remaining three families are dividing his territory." Loren picked up a fig from the plate on the table and chewed. "It is still unclear who killed and why. Some said that Gonzori joint force with Medusa to take him out, but some said his death have something to do with men in green."
"Why did they involved in this ?" Hermish chuckled. "Don't tell me those people was trying to get into pleasure business and gambling."
" I have no idea" Loren shrugged his shoulders " Only Hardy know what men do in Akusho."
Akusho. Japanese. Pina suddenly remembered that she had forgotten something extremely important. It had been three days and there was still no news from Mizari!
.
.
"Then i picked up the stick and hit the horseman on the hip. He had just come out from the brothel, wearing only a dirty yellow loincloth covering his lower body, so the round head stick of mine was no different from a mace. The beastman who they called the Sazkos the Terror immediately pulled out his sword and slashed it down at me but I was faster than him. "Gray took another sip of wine before continuing. " Such a good wine, your highness. Things they sell at the tarven are like horse piss compared to this. Anyways, back to the story, with luck I stepped aside to avoid the blade then thrushed the stick right into his right eye. If that Sazkos is still alive right now, people would call him the Sazkos One Eye for sure. "
" Or Sazkos one- eye - Dragon." Pina smiled "
"No, no." The old man shook his head. "He is a stinking boar. How could a pig take the name of a dragon. When I was young, my friends advised me to find a good nickname for myself. I did tried and came up with some. First was Knight of Cannels as you know that I was born at Aquaticus, then Giant Killers, the Gallant, Handsome. The Knight of Cannels sounds so trivial while Giant Killer, the gods couldn't take a name like Giant Killer. It is true that i had fought against bigger, stronger men than me but they had never been considered as giants. Gallant and Handsome? It's ridiculous, why does a knight need to be be pretty when what makes him worthy is his sword? In the end, I decided that only Ser Gray would get the job done. "
Ten years ago, he had given Bozes and more than a dozen other daughters something to think of every nights. There was one thing that Pina was sure was that Grey didn't realize he had a good-looking face, white teeth and the body of a god. How would her mentor react when he found out half of the people who attended the training that year only to see his smile and his brawny chest under the sweaty tunics?
They are sitting in the private quarter of the Capital Governor, the room was located in the Queen Tower, the second highest tower in the palace. A lunch for a princess and a Governer was served. Caviar, stuffed meat, honey cake and spicy wine. After the last meeting, she was not in a good mood to swallow anything, so Gray had the opportunity to enjoy them. At first, Pina was about to invite Bozes but she was afraid the blond girl would bring her complain about the recruits to the dining table so Gray was called up instead. The old knight always had the naughty, adventurous stories in his pocket to share with her.
"Tell me, Gray." Pina excitedly said "Is there a knight passing by, admiring your bravery and taking you as a squire?"
"Oh my god, princess. If that was always the case then there would be a ton of appointed knights in the Empire." Gray burst out laughing."Actually, there was a knight who appeared but instead of putting the sword on my shoulders and speak words of honor and duty, he hit me with a sword hilt on the back of my neck. After that, I woke up in the prison, my mind whirling about what just happened. I tried to jerk the bars and screamed out for help. A scary looking gaoler appeared the beat me half dead. When I tried to ask him why I was here, he even hit me harder. Ten days of sleeping on the freezing cold floor, one meal a day, my body ached with the pain I had ever known, I thought I was going to die. By the eleventh day, that old knight showed up the cell. He looked at the me, laughing loudly and told me how stupid and unluck I was. It turned out that the man I saved with my out of place herorism was actually a wanted criminal and those were supposed to be villiants, that Horseman and Sazkos, were there to capture him.
Gray closed her eyes in remembrance, a happy smile formed around his mouth. "The punishment for my crime was thirty years of hard labor. Thirty years ! By the Gods, I was only a sixteen years old boy and thirty years sound like eternity. At that moment he asked me a question, a question that I would never forget 'I can help you get rid of that sentence on one condition. You have to be my servant from now on. Do you argee?"
"And what happens next?"
"Of course I agree. If not i might have died in a godforsaken mine in the North instead of sitting here."
"No, I mean what happened after that. "
Gray wiped the grease from his mouth with the back of his hand. "A good story takes time." His gray eyes became more serious. "I don't think the princess invites an old knight like me here just to tell old stories that happen before she was born. "
And yet it was common knowledge that Gray's wisdom lies only on the sword. "Can you take the book on the shelf for me? Yes, the one with red cover. Fourth row "
Gray slowly stood up and approached the bookshelf full of incubation. Pina's predecessor left behind lots of furniture and left in a hurry. Pina has a chest filled with miscellaneous items from gloves, glass jars, hairpins, pointy comedy to rags. A collection of a books, weather, construction and history of the ancient kingdoms with a telescope was so dim that she could see nothing at fifty feet. But what she needed was the General's ledger, which was nowhere to be seen.
Farring is a reputation of integrity, so it is difficult for him to hide something shady. But if that's true, where is he and the ledger both? Pina suddenly remembered that she had not met Farring since he was fired.
"This is not it?" Gray squinted cover "Philosophy thesis of Aporus the early of year to 452. If you are intend to hurt your head then I got a better way."
"Turn the last page go Gray , "She said. The knight obeyed.
"Oh this is ..." His eyes lit up. And what are the zigzag lines here? Holy God, they're underground tunnels! "Gray tap his hand on the map." You can build a city down there. How long does it take to dig through each other? "
" Ten years, one hundred or one thousand. "Pina plays the shoulder."This is an ancient city, people have time.
Gray put the opened book on the table. "What are you going to do with this?" He asked, his voice was cautious. "Although it is underground, Akusho is still risky to anyone, especially a member of royal family."
"I must do what I need to." Pina said, "When you met Mizari, did you convey my command correctly?"
"Every single word, Princess" Gray answered "I told her when she received the answer from Sugawara then headed back to Athenian Square where our men would be found waiting for her there. I even promised to double her wages. "
But now Mizari was still nowhere to be seen. It was wrong choice to give the money first. She should have paid only half, and gave the Harpy the rest after she had completed the task
Bozes's scratches echoed in her head "She'll throw the letter down the drain and spend all the money on wine." Or lying in some alley, flies whirled around and stinked, Pina thought briefly. A prostitute with money that big was hard to live long in Akusho.
"When you have news, send me a word. You can go now. "
" As you command, your Highness" The knight bowed then left.
Pina to spend the afternoon listening to constant complaints from trade guilds. They complained, pleaded, even didn't mind to show annoyence when she said she couldn't do anything to help them. Some merchants also told her the tragic story of a family who had to sell their children into slavery because it was impossible to feed them. Loren made the situation worse when he confirmed the rumor about the cannibalism in the morning was not a rumor.
"I will send your petition to the prince regent." At least there was something to report to her brother. Zorzal would be angry if she said out loud the trouble he was creating, but if she had nothing to say, he would assume she was not doing a good job.
Pina returned to her own room when the sun set on Vinus Hill. When Ere announced her hot bath was ready, from nowhere, Bozes burst into the room.
"She had returned, your Highness." Bozes said, panting, "Sugawara…. He agreed to meet you"
"When? Where? "
" Tonight. Japan Representative Office in Akusho. "
Sugawara was smart enough to understand outside slums was Zorzal territory. In this case, Farring's map would help her a lot. It would do no good for her to take the usual routes . Zorzal had sent at least one thousand soldier to set up a blockade around Askusho, all roads lead to the slum had been blocked down and were patrol by soldiers. A princess and the Commander of Rose knight wouldn't pass them smoothly.
"I agree. Go prepare Bozes. "
" I will gather the men."
But when Bozes was about to turn away, she stopped her.
"No, only me and you. Too many people will be noticed. "
"But…. "
"Do what I said "she ordered.
"Yes, I will princess."
When Bozes left, Pina went to the wooden wardrobe and took an old brown robe out of the shelf, which she had used in the time they sneaked out of the palace to watch the play called "The Hunter and Lady Rainbow" and drink until passed out with Panache.
She put on her cloak, pulled the hood over her head, covered half of her face and her red hair. "Who do I look like now?" Pina asked Ere.
"I don't ... know, princess.
"Good, another random traveler in the imperial capital. "
In the common room, Oris sat on a chair, sharpening his blade with a wet stone , candlelight dancing in his agate eyes. At the conner, Esona and Satin was playing some kind of game with dices on a small table. They were all in armor but seemed to be way more relaxed than they were supposed to . Pina guess that tonight might be the trio of the three and they were killing time while waiting for the others to return but there was something weird here. Three knights and there were four swords on the rack, Oris always carried an longsword on his back. So whose was it? Not Bozes, her sword hilt had the shape of a lion's head while this one was a hawk.
"Where's Panache?" Pina asked.
The answer to her question was the flushed and awkward face of Oris. The young knight placed the arming sword on his lap then winking at the bedroom. A soft moan echoed from the inside, accompanied by the sound of women giggling, Oris's face became even redder.
"Who's in the room, Oris?"
"Pana ... Panache, princess" Oris faltered. The young man looked down and avoided her next question by sharpening his sword again.
"With her new friend." Satin, the lazy Akandale knight threw the dice on the table. "Six! You need twelve more points to win. "
" I know. "Esona mumbled," I used to play this before. "
"But not long enough to win against me, girl. ". The moan resounded, this time was louder than the previous one and without a dout, it was Panache's voice. Now even Pina was getting hot, "By the love of Gods, why are you so lucky?"
"Who allowed you to bring strangers here?" Pina gave a glare at Oris "Does this place look like a brothel? "
"We don't dare do such thing, your highness." Oris interrupted. "Commander Bozes led her here and told us to watch her while she was out. Later, Captain Panache returned from the headquarter of City Watch. The captain told her something related to red berries and grapes, I didn't understand anything, then the two went to the room and ... "
"Exploring caves and finding treasure. "Satin burst out laughing" That's the knight's standard word for such activity, boy. "
Shit! Don't tell me that ... ..
The door opened, a slender figure appeared. Blond hair flowed to her waist and snow-white giant wings looming behind her back. It's her. Godamn it!
"Mizari," Pina said curtly, "What are you doing here?"
"Doing the job you gave me, what else could it be?"
Pina was angry. She was gone without a word for three days and returned here with an insolent attitude. She should have let Bozes teach her a lesson.
Once they are not afraid, they will never treat you like a true monarch
Mizari looked not so different since Pina last saw her outside the tavern, except for the broken nose. Kurokawa's skills were as amazing as they said, no one could believe just a few days ago that nose was swollen and be fair, the Harpy girl looked even more seductive in the erotic version of Chiton with bare back, deep neck that reveale her big breasts, making Pina, a woman, found it hard to take her eyes off them.
"And of course, trying to make some extra money." Mizari wiped wet fingers with her skirt, a wicked smile appeared on her mouth. "Captain Panache is generous, a generous and happy ones" She approached Pina, very close, so close that she could smell the perfume mixed with sweat on her body.
"What does you think if I turn you into a happy princess?" She whispered into her ear, her voice was sweet. "This solemn expression doesn't suit you a bit."
Pina was startled slightly as Mizari's fingers crawled through the backs of her hair. Another few inches, her lips will touch her cheek and the worst thing was that she felt extremely comfortable.
"No" Pina pushed her hand away.
Mizari took a few steps back "No? Isn't this right place or you don't like it? "She tilted her head and asked,
"Both. "
"It's a pity" Mizari sighed. "But doesn't matter, maybe the princess will change her mind later."
This woman was so lustful and dangerous. It is best that she be careful with her. Why am I so stupid to recruit her in the first place? Oris, Esona, Satin looked at each other in confusion and turned to look at her but no one said anything. Oris face was so red that it seem to explode and Pina wished he was angry instead of ...
"Can we go now?" Bozes said as she entered the room. The blonde knight then looked around and smell something weird in the scene "What's wrong? Did she cause any trouble?"
"She did" the seasoned knight replied jockingly "Just not the kind of trouble you spoke of"
"Whatever, now I want you three drag your ass out there quickly, it's your turn. Satin! How many times have I told you about gambling? "
"I'm so sorry, Commander." Satin stood up and turned to Oris. "Are you planning to use it to shave, boy? Drop that wet stone and get moving"
Oris hurriedly went to the weapon rack and wore the longsword behind his back then followed Esona. Pina looked at the knight of Akendale.
"You should teach him how to to be a man, Satin. We don't need boys in the order. Understand what I mean? "
" Yes, I understand. I will get him something when we have time. "
Then, Satin chuckled before walking out the door.
"What did i just miss?" Bozes asked in confusion.
"Nothing." Pina answered. "Let's us begin."
The map was spread on the table, Bozes marveled at the scale of the world beneath Akusho, but Mizari just glanced at it and smirked. She lived there her whole life, so it was no surpirse if she knew about underground tunnels.
"We will enter this road." Pina pointed at an empty lot marked with an "X" on Peach Tree Street. "It should lead us to the riverbank tunnel. The rest is a bit confusing, but if this map is correct, we can approach Japanese hideout at very close distances. What do you think, Mizari? "
" I've never used that path ever. It had been a long time since it was used but if it led us to the main tunnel along the riverbank then it would be fine. I had used that path a few times. "
" Are you a member the Gonzori? "Bozes scornfully asked." Why am I not surprised. "
"Not Gonzori but Medusa. In fact, I don't belong to any faction, gang or guild but that insidious snake control three-quarters of the prostitutes, so if she want me to do something, I have to follow her order. No one dares to refuse unless you don't want your face washed. "
" Washed? "
"They cut your nose, lips and eyelids and let you alive. Knights, mercenaries feed themselve with hands while we only have this and with the thing between our legs but I'm totally sure that they wouldn't pick you by smelling your cunt . "
Mizari explained in horror at Bozes and Pina. An ugly prostitute earns little but still better than a deformed whore. If they don't die from starvation, infected wounds would do the job. A horrible death, even for those like Mizari.
"Cruel bastard." Bozes hissed through her teeth, clenching his fist tightly.
"Welcome to Akusho, honey."
The blonde knight ignored the sarcasm. "Are you not afraid of what Medusa will do to you when she knows you are helping us?"
"I must keep my words, right? I was a bit scared at first but I have already taken your money so I had to finish the contract. However, it's fine if I want to hide. You two will never see me for the second time. You should be the one who are afraid here. Have you ever wondered if I was sent by her to bring you into the room? "
Bozes gritted her teeth, her hand on hilt but Pina stopped the commander
"I think lady Mizari has proven her trust." If she tried anything, Pina would be the one who slashed the arrogant smile off her face "She will be with us."
On the way to Hardy temple, Pina's nerves stretch like strings. She escaped her house through a window, crawled into a tiny hole under the inner wall and passed three thousand royal guards by name of Nina, the servant of the commander Bozes Co Palesti. The fear of being discovered was not excessive. Pina had lived in Russenfort castle for twenty-six years of her life, so it wasn't so difficult for a guard, the maid or the gardener to recognize her with just a look.
As they walked along the corridor lit with torches, carefree sparks joked around Pina's red hair, making it look more lively and hauntingly beautiful . The fire of Hardy , people often say that when mentioning the woman who bear the color of death and rebirth. Pina was the only person who inherits this trait from her mother, while Zorzal and Diabo had bright blond hair and the Emperor's square jaw.
How many red-haired girls in the palace? Pina thought briefly and quickly pulled the hood down a little more.
Outside the palace was relatively easier to breathe. Patrol teams were either Knights of Rose or Hermish's soldiers led by one of their men. They standing solemnly, gently bowed their heads when they saw Bozes passed by. No one asked questions about the harpy or brown-robed traveler accompanied their commander.
"We can trust these people." Bozes say with pride in her voice "In the Order, we are flesh and blood"
"Really? Even the blind can tell that they are not siblings. "
"They are very loyal. "Bozes retorted.
"Then there will be a day when I carve those words on your tombstone." The Harpy laugh echoing on the old mud brick houses of Sedera capital.
The closer to the Akusho area, the patrolling teams gradually disappeared and the streets began to become more secluded and darker. In Jin district, four gallows were erected in middle of the forum, the noose dangled in the wind, not a soul to be seen. At their feet were all sorts of filthy rubbish, Pina almost trampled on a dead rat. She jumped aside while Mizari laughed. Above them, behind the doorway and closed wooden window were eyes watching them in the dark.
"What are they afraid of?" Pina asked.
"Afraid of us" The Harpy whistled. "This area is the nearest district to Akusho."
"I don't think I look like a bandit that much" Bozes said disdainfully.
"Some bandits look like knights, some knights look like bandits or sometimes both. Well whether what the hell you are , people don't want to risk it. "
Peach Tree Street lies in the middle of Jin and Petorian districts, two well-known areas are no less than Akusho. According to Mizari, this place is the place where vultures burn poor quality swords, old armor before turning them into shovel picks and pork knives. The whole neighborhood smells of ash and sulfur, the walls and the road are all smoky.
"We are almost there."
Mizari pointed at the end of the street. Bozes and Pina looked up and saw a land but it was not as empty as it was desribed on the map. Countless stelae from all kind of shapes protruding from the ground, shrubs and grass grew indiscriminately around and in the middle was a long-dead tree
"This is ... a graveyard? "Bozes's voice was a bit shaky." Are you kidding me? "
"Fear of the dead, knight? "
Mizari smiled haughtily as she walked through the graveyard. Bozes walked right behind Pina, muttering and cursing lowly
Three people crossed graves with tombstones , those with a stick and small wooden board and graves without tombstone or stick. The trembling blonde hair knight prayed and prayed in the interest of both Pina and Mizari. Who could have imagined that Bozes Co Palesti was afraid of ghosts? When she passed the withered tree, the Harpy stopped in front of a beautifully decorated stombtone, looked better than the others. They found a trapdoor hidden under the grass.
"We don't have torches," Bozes said.
"Don't worried."
Mizari pulled out a feather on her wings and held it tightly between two fingers.
"Aderuie," she whispered, and the feather suddenly gave off a pale blue light.
Magic. In the Beastmen's sphere, Harpy has the highest magic potential, some said they could even acquire basic magic without having to practice.
"I learned this from a half ass wizzard." Mizari said, "I was his first woman and could be the last."
"I don't understand."
"He joined the expeditionary army to the other side of the Gate and not return "
Two-thirds of the forces was dead or in prison. To this day, Pina was still not sure what really happened out there. Itami told her that the attack took only four hours before the main force of Saderan Empire got crushed, while Sugawara told the fight to last until sunset even though he admitted he was not in Tokyo. On this side, Veserny insisted that their troops had fought bravely and caused great losses to the enemy, but Anthony only confirmed a part of the story because most of the time they had just hit and ran, so they could not know how many enemies had been killed. Whatever the case, the Empire's defeat was indisputable and now it was in danger of being destroyed by Zorzal's stupidity.
When Pina set foot in the tunnel, she immediately understood why no one had ever used it for a long time. The cramped passageway was supported by temporary beams, damp and muddy ground, some sections had been collapsed or subsided, creating small slots was large enough for a person to slip through. Bozes and Mizari met countless troubles. The blonde knight wear plate armor and chainmail underneath her green cloak, the short sword hilt propped up from her hip. Bozes said the longsword was too inconvenient to be in the tunnel and decided to take this one on the mission. . Mizari's giant wings were stuck every time they slipped through the narrow gap, though she tried to fold them up but it was not very effective. To solve this inconvenient situation, Pina would go ahead and pull her over while Bozes would push from behind.
They finally arrived at the underground passage along the river in exhaustion, dirty clothes, and smudged faces.
"Get out." Bozes knelt down, hands on the ground, breathless, "Are you alright?"
"I have to ask for more money for this" Mizari wiped the mud off the wings and hair. "Three hundred silver coins nhé princess?"
"I ... Well. Whatever. "Pina was too tired to bargain with her.
"I also want a new dress."
"That's enough!" Bozes parried.
"Silent!" Pina hissed through her teeth. "We only have three people with two swords. Are you sure we can kill them all Bozes? "
"Don't worry, smugglers don't go through here at this hour. They have to wait for the guards to switch shifts in the early morning. "Mizari said," We are safe. "
And what happened later proved she was completely wrong. They saw the flickering light at the corner with a chain of laugh. A orc, a beastman and a dwarf appeared, all three of them carrying weapons. Too late to avoid them, they had seen them.
"Let me take care of this," Mizari whispered. "The two of you keep quiet."
three smugglers were only four feet away from them. The name of the Orc was stout, his face was ghostly pale with two big black eyes, growling at them while holding wooden mace in his hand. The beastman, a weasel, winced when he saw them, he pointed the crossbow at Mizari.
"Who are you?" Said the dwarf. His voice was thick and heavy.
"I am the one who brings pleasure to men and women, and these are my two companions." Mizari pointed at them. "Nina and Jenny."
"Nina and Jenny?" The dwarf scratched his chin. "What are you three people doing here?"
"Find your way to Akusho. Thing is Jenny have just killed a knight in the morning and was chased by the damned Roses. I advised her to go see Mr. Gonzori, who desperately needs skilled swordsmen. Nina also wants to follow, the two of them are a unseperated couple. "
"Mercenaries always have a place in Akusho as long as they are not afraid of death. "He turned to look at Bozes and Pina. "Is it true that you are mercenaries ? "
She and Bozes nodded.
"Very well, we have nothing to do with your business and you guys have no problems with us so ..."
"Wait!" The weasel interrupted. "They lied."
The dwarf looked up at the tall fellow but didn't say a word.
"Are you stupid, Kodin? They are not mercenaries. The golden-haired baby's armor is more valuable than the money you earned for a lifetime. Why does the one who has enough money to buy something like that bother sell her sword? " He pointed his crossbow at Bozes. "I remember your face, bitch. A few days ago, you and the old knight killed Tonto at Brown Fairy. What do they call you? Ah ... Co Palesti the Wolf "
" I guarantee she is not the person you just said. "Mizari explained," Jenny Blackmill is from Riverside. You're wrong. Can we go now? "
"That's not my name. "
Bozes said coldly, followed by an sound of "Woop"
The short sword did not have enough power to chop off the weasel's head but it was sharp enough to slit his neck. He fell down, the crossbow fell from his hairy hands, blood spurted out from the wound and shot on the wall.
The Orc roars loudly, raising the wooden mace over his head and that's all he could do. Pina thrust her sword into his chest. There was not enough space for her to make a powerful stab, but because the Orc only wore a dirty yellow cloth, while her long sword was forged from the best steel money could buy, it was not difficult for the blade to pierce through his thick skin, flesh and bone.
"You bastard!" The dwarf cried and turned and ran away.
"BOZES!" Pina screams as she pulls her sword from the dead body of fallen enemy" KILL HIM. DON'T LET HIM ESCAPE "
An arrow from nowhere hit the back of the dwarf's neck. He staggered for a moment and fell to the ground and died. Pina turned her head and saw the crossbow in the hand of Mizari
"They should have let we go." Mizari laughed arrogantly as she threw the crossbow aside.
Two quick deaths but the death of the beastman would be painful.
"Deal with him," Pina ordered. " Be quick"
Bozes nodded then went to where the weasel was dying.
Gray once taught her that freeing others from anguish was the work of a true knight, even if that meant bringing death. A man could live a hard life but let his death be smooth and easy.
Bozes looked straight into the weasel's eyes, a strange look, neither hated nor pity.
"My name is Bozes. They called me the Lion of Co Palesti family. Who are you? "
" Lu..c..Lu..cas. "He said in a sob" It's..Do. "
The sharp sword was plugged down, blood came out from the wound on his left chest and mouth. The beastman's eyes closed for one last time.
"Hurry up ! Maybe other guys are wandering around. "Mizari urged" Follow me. "
Three people ran to the net, leaving behind three bloody corpses. They turn right, turn left and turn right a few more times under her guidance. Mizari didn't use the map, but her absolute confidence in every step made Pina feel secured. Harpy inherited the wonderful memory of birds, Pina told herself that whenever the hallway became more narrow and cramped.
They came out of the underground world through a manhole cover near the dry fountain. Mizari climbed up first to look around. Bozes and Pina followed shortly.
"The Japan Representative Office is at the end of this road. The house has white light "
There was indeed a white light glimmering in the middle of the dark slums. Pina and Bozes let out a sigh of relief because they knew they had come exactly where they needed to go. There was only one thing that gives off that strange light - neon lights, an invention of the country located in east of Japan. The map did not trick them and Mizari didn't sell them out.
The last part of the journey was easier than Pina thought. There were not many people on the street but a few drunkards who were sleeping under the doorstep and a old begar. It seemed that Akusho's reputation made her forget that criminals were also human and needed to sleep.
Mizari threw a copper coin into the old man's cup.
"You didn't see us, old Turtle." She said.
"He can't see us." Bozes was surprised. "He is blind."
"His legs are often shaky and exhausted faster than he think, but believe me, he's never blinded."
One day she had to ask how many men and women Mizari had been sleeping with. That number would not be small.
The Japanese residence was a two-story building built with white lime bricks, just like every house around here. Two soldiers dressed in green stood at the door immediately raised their steel rod when they saw them approaching.
"Who is it?" A person asked in Falmat language.
"Mizari and Princess Pina." Mizari said This was the first time she called her princess.
"Forgive us." The soldier lowered his rod. " is waiting for you."
The first person they met inside was Kurokawa, the doctor sitting on a small stool with a book in her hand. She stood up and bowed to her.
"Welcome, princess"
"Kurokawa. It's been a long time. "The last time they met was at an outdoor party." How's thing going lately? "
"Busy, I'm the only doctor here after all." Briefly and straight to the point. Kurokawa's style. The doctor silently observed the three of them, her usual indifferent eyes gleaming with concern when he saw blood on Bozes's cloak
"What happened?" She turned to Mizari with what-did- you-do- this-time look.
"This is not my fault," she said. "Some idiots thought they could kill the commander of the Rose Knight and it ended up like this Don't worry, we're still fine, just little bit dirty. "
" The bathroom is this way. "Kurokawa pointed at the left door." In case you have needs. "
" Great. "She grabbed the golden hair knight's wrist and pulled aside. "Have you ever taken a shower, commander?"
"You and me ... have a bath together?" Bozes's cheeks blushed "I don't think ..."
"Embarrassed?" Bozes Co Palesti, who defeated Tonto and his comrades are afraid of ghosts and a prostitute who doesn't carry weapons?" People will love to listen to this. "
" I'm not afraid, "Bozes brushed her hand away and angrily headed towards the bathroom.
"I like this girl." The Harpy said to her "She is very good with the sword in her hand but we shall see how well she handle other things"
After saying that, she followed Bozes and disappeared behind the door.
Gods bless you, Bozes
Kurokawa leads you to the room of Mr. Sugawara on the second floor. She stopped in front of the door, signaling Pina to go inside alone.
"He want to meet you in private."
"Right, it's better this way."
Sugawara sat behind a small table, vouchers and report piled around, covering a part of his face. The Japanese man rose and smiled when he saw Pina.
"Princess, I am very sorry for this inconvenience. I'm sure you understands the current situation does not allow me to leave Akusho. "His Falmat sounded like a bird singing," Please don't think ill of me. "
"I understand." Pina took the seat opposite to Sugawara. "Zorzal will tear you limb to limb if you do so"
"The prince isnt a paitent man, I take that." Even when stinging someone, his intonation was unchanged "You are the one who actively contacted me first, so let me ask you this, princess. What do you need from me?"
"Peace" That was what she wanted but what about the Japanese? They were who proposed this idea. But that peace was was created in a different time with different man sitting on the right throne "We need to know if your country still intends to maintain peace with the Empire."
"This I do not have the right to answer in the behalf of Japanese government. I am the voice of the Japanese people in the Empire but the final decision still belong to the prime minister and the parliament. "
"I don't need you to answer as a damn diplomatic envoy" Pina said, "I just went through a dirty sewer and killed three men to come here, so what do you think of Japan's intentions?" ? "
Sugawara mused for a moment, then chuckled."You has the mind of the politician and the heart of a soldier, princess. "He looked into her eyes." Let's say Japan wants to maintain the deal with your father then what? A peace can only be established when both parties comply the ceasefire and don't take aggressive action. Your brother violated both things. "
Nonsense, Since the signing of the armistice agreement till this day, the imperial troops had never received an attack order. Except for the legion corpses who were summoned by her brother to block out the capital, the majority of soldiers stationed on the Empire's territory still remained unmoved. And even if Zorzal ordered it, she would have known first.
"I think you're wrong, Sugawara. Zorzal may show off some muscle and had hostile speeches but he can not do anything dangerous. I'm sure that the Empire never broke the ceasefire. "
"Really? "He took a piece of paper from the stack of documents and handed it to her." Your Japanese is pretty good so I think you won't have any problems. "
She picked up the paper and read it. A report from Alnus Hill, JSDF headquarters.
"Our troops are often attacked by enemies. They do not appear in large numbers but attacks often occur unexpectedly and fiercely. The enemy does not carry the banner as well as wearing the Empire's standard uniform or color of any independent state. Reports said that the enemy seemed to be trained very carefully and had a clear strategy, they only attacked places where our troops were thin and lacked heavy weapons and then withdrew.
Those who sympathize with us or help the JSDF are attacked by all mean possible. From intimidation, kidnapping to massacre. Reconnaissance teams found three villages burned, no one survived. "
WARNING: there is a sign of guerrilla war. The headquarters is planning a counter strategy. All unit be advised until futher direction "
Pina coldly read the last line. Her leg lost their strength, the report slipped from her hand, falling under the chair.
"Zorzal ..." She bit her lip. "You brainless fool! Downright stupid. "
" It seems the princess did not know about it as I expected. "Sugawara said calmly," But now you know why it is hard for us to maintain the peace. Your brother violated the agreement. "
" I will fix this. Just give me time "Pina almost begged. If he forced me to kiss his feet to show my sincerity, I would also accept "Give me time."
"I will deliver your words to the Japanese government." Sugawara nods. At that moment, she just wanted to put kiss on his cheek. "But I not only agree to meet you today because of your brother's action but also because the Japanese Government have a request for you"
"Yes, speak up my good man. I will gladly do it" She answered immediately. If Sugawara can persuade Japan to maintain peace, then ten requests would be easy as a cake.
"The United States, our allied country, wants to establish diplomatic relations with the Empire. Maybe now they are on their way here. Our government hopes that you can convince the prince to allow them to approach the city and ensure the safety of the diplomatic convoy. "Sugawara clasped his hands together, the sound of birds singing turned into a " Because If something bad happens to them, our treaty will be over. The United States is not as tolerant as we are. If they declare war on you, Japan must also declare war because the responsibility of allies to force us to do so. "
Pina was speechless.